Oatlands Enews – Friday 25th February 2022
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Course Closed – Saturday 26th February 2022
- From the Course
- Happy 90th Birthday – Margaret Patterson
- Birdies & Bubbles – 10th and 24th March 2022
- Espresso Coffee Now Available from the Golf Shop
- OGC Ladies VWGA success at Mona Vale GC
- Short Game Masterclass with Jeremy Ward
- SMS Notifications to Members
- Pennant Update
- Upcoming Trophy Events
- Recent Trophy Winners
- Upcoming Events
Course Closed – Saturday 26th February 2022
Members are advised that the golf course will be closed on Saturday 26th February 2022 due to recent heavy rainfall.
It is rare that a decision to close the course is made prior to the day, however, with almost 200mm of rain over the last week, even it the rain were to stop now (which isn’t in the forecast), the course would be unplayable and vulnerable to damage from even light foot traffic.
Please note, the Clubhouse will remain open for beverage and bistro menu service, however, the sandwich hut will be closed.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 159.5mm (and rising), Rainfall for 2022: 391.5mm Dam: 100% Green Speed: Closed
It’s been another one of those weeks where Mother Nature is pulling the strings and we just have to adjust on the run using our experience from past rain events to protect the course and playing surfaces as best we can. On Tuesday, between 10:30am and 12:30pm we received 39mm of rain which put greens and fairways under water, filled all our old bunkers up, and tested our drainage systems throughout the course. As of Friday afternoon, we are sitting at 135mm since Tuesday, with another possible 75mm being predicted over the weekend and into early next week. Our course is a very good drying course due to the course topography and drainage works that have been performed over recent years. However, surfaces need to be protected, and we do this by limiting cart usage (either by complete restriction or restricting to members who have a medical exemption only), and on rare occasions by closing the course completely, as is the case during this weather event. Members’ patience with course closures and restricted cart use is appreciated, and we hope to see you all back on the course ASAP.
The team managed to get the lining of the front left bunker on the 16th completed on Monday, which was a good effort by the team as this bunker is one of the bigger size bunkers on the course. The rain hasn’t allowed this bunker to be filled with sand, as the tractors and trailers would cause too much damage to surfaces transporting the sand from the maintenance shed to the bunker.
All Zoysia bunker surrounds and the 9th middle tee pad have been fertilised this week to encourage growth on these surfaces. The broom attachment on our Ventrac machine has been run over the back 7 tees complexes to remove excess thatch from these surfaces. We were planning to complete all tee complexes this week but again the rain has interrupted this work, which will now be completed next week.
All green surrounds and fairways were cut early in the week in preparation for the wet end to the week. With surfaces being so wet, we will struggle to get a 2nd cut on all fairways this week. The growth regulator application applied last week will keep growth on fairways and roughs under control and will present acceptable playing surfaces for the weekend if play is possible.
Our volunteers were on course Monday morning, performing a bunker run before the competition, edging pathways, trimming fairway sprinkler heads, trimming the hedges around the 3rd tee and clubhouse maintenance. As always, thank you gentlemen for your time and effort, it’s very much appreciated by the course staff and your fellow members.
This weekend, greens will be cut on Saturday and Sunday, mother nature willing!
Enjoy the Weekend!
The Course Team.
Happy 90th Birthday – Margaret Patterson
It’s been a week to to stay at home and indoors, but even the torrential rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the OGC ladies on Thursday with around 50 ladies helping to celebrate Margaret Patterson’s 90th birthday at the Club with cake and bubbles.
Happy birthday Margaret!
Birdies & Bubbles – 10th and 24th March
The Club is pleased to announce a new ladies only golf initiative Birdies & Bubbles on the 10th and 24th of March.
This series is designed provide a relaxed and social atmosphere for current and potential members to enjoy a relaxing hour of golf and good company, followed by a glass or two of bubbles!
Bookings can be made via the club website or by contacting reception, and we encourage members to invite your friends, wives, girlfriends, sisters and daughters.
We expect this will be the start of a number of different initiatives to provide members, their friends and families, the opportunity to enjoy the facilities and friendship on offer at OGC.
Espresso Coffee Now Available from the Golf Shop
We are pleased to advise our members that we have recently upgraded the Pro Shop coffee machine to a full espresso machine that will allow the Pro Shop staff to produce the same style and quality espresso coffee available in the clubhouse. In the early stages of the implementation of this we will limit the options to full cream and skim milk, however, whether you coffee of choice is a cappuccino, latte, flat white, long black or macchiato, you will be able to get your fix from the Pro Shop from the first tee time 7 days a week.
OGC Ladies VWGA success at Mona Vale GC
On Monday 21 February, Six (6) OGC ladies (Gab Donnelly, Linda Gyzen, Michele Hannaford, Michelle Kelly, Leanne Maguire, Dolores Pearse), travelled to Mona Vale Golf Club to play in the “Florence Stewart Silver Basket”, 2BBB Stableford event.
Over 100 ladies were in the field which turned out to be a lovely day of golf. Linda Gyzen & Gab Donnelly were the winners of the scratch event, and all OGC teams featured in the ball prizes in their respective divisions !! ⛳️⛳️🏌️♀️🏌️♀️
Short Game Masterclass with Jeremy Ward
In the coming weeks Jeremy will be conducting a 2 Hour Short Game Master Class.
The Clinic will focus on your chipping, pitching, bunker play and putting and include a bunch of fun activities and drills.
Each participant will also receive a very cool Gift Pack!
Total Cost is $150 per person (per class) with a maximum of 6 people in each class.
Dates below:
- Friday 11th March at 2:00pm ….Fully Booked
- Friday 25th March at 2:00pm
- Friday 1st April at 2:00pm
Bookings can be made via our online booking system or by contacting the Golf Shop.
SMS Notifications to Members
Most members would be aware that the Club has recently started sending sms text notifications to all members booked on timesheets if there are major changes made to course conditions such as cart restrictions or course closures; as has been the case this week.
When sending out these notices, which is facilitated though the Club website and timesheet, we get informed of how many sms messages are sent and can compare this to the total number of members on the timesheet. What we have noticed this week is that there are approximately 5% of members who do not have mobile phone numbers against their membership profile and who therefore don’t receive these communications.
Members can check if they have a mobile phone number against there membership via the My Information tab on the Club’s website and can update the details if required. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to contact the Club if you would like assistance with this.
Pennant Update
Men’s Major Pennant
Happy Friday Ladies & Gentlemen!
Well, the Oatlands team put on an awesome performance last Sunday on our return match against North Ryde.
There were some hard games, but we came away with another hard-fought win 4.5 / 2.5. The boys all played some incredible golf in a must win game for North Ryde.
Firstly, Rowan Easterbrook was outstanding! He got us our first point, never letting up on his opponent and winning 5/4. Charlie Kim was again a pleasure to watch! He just never missed a beat wining 3/2!
Luke Mason, our Captain, again stood up when needed & got us a very important half.
Grant Lomas again showed his never give up attitude, making some clutch putts for a 2/1 win. The smiling assassin Will Reece put in another strong performance for another fantastic win 3/1.
Nathan Wareham & Sam Reece (playing his first Major pennant match) were both narrowly beaten on the 18th holes, with just a single putt in each match the difference.
This was a particularly good win for the team as it was without regular number one and reigning Club Champion Brad Hooper, and also lifted the team to the top of our division despite losing our Round One fixture.
To the caddies & supporters, thank you again for giving up your Sunday to be there. I know it means so much to the team!
This week we play Long Reef away on Sunday at 7am.
This week’s team:
- Nathan Wareham
- Charlie Kim
- Luke Mason (C)
- Will Reece
- Rowan Easterbrook
- Grant Lomas
- Sam Reece
Reserve : Joey Karam
Happy golfing everyone & try stay dry out there!
Thanking you all!
Ken Doolan – The happy Irishman and Team Manager.
Ladies Grade
The 2022 Ladies Grade Pennant season was due to commence today (25th February) with Oatlands playing Bayview at Carnarvon.
Unfortunately, the torrential rain of the last few days resulted in the closure of Carnarvon GC and the cancellation of the opening match.
This means points from the opening fixture are split between Oatlands and Bayview.
Crossing our fingers for better weather next week and a successful season for our Ladies Grade team.
Mixed Pennant
Our Mixed Pennant team travelled to Massey Park last Sunday. The team struggled at the course, particularly on the greens and Massey Park had a convincing and deserved 5-0 win. Hopefully the team can bounce back in the next match.
Results:
- Tony Monaghan & Debbie Jepson – Lost 4/2
- Kane Milne & Annie Kang – Lost 4/3
- Lindsay Macinnes & Justa Kim – Lost 5/4
- Ben Mees & Leonie Guthrie – Lost 6/5
- Pete Crawford & Stephanie Monaghan – Lost 1 Down
- Chris Garland & Linda Bestford – All Square
Next match:
This coming Sunday the team has an away match at Kogarah at 11:45am.
Peter Crawford
Team Manager
Ladies Silver II Salver
The Oatlands ladies’ Silver II Pennant were scheduled to play North Ryde at Monash today (25th February), however, the rain resulted in the fixture being cancelled.
Next week our ladies play Pennant Hills GC at Concord.
Lexi Grice
Pennant Manager
Upcoming Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 5th March: Autumn Medal – Individual Stroke, 18 Holes, Black Tees
- Saturday 19th March: OGC Memorial Bowl
Ladies
- Thursday 24th February: President’s Cup Semi-final Matchplay (postponed due to rain)
- Thursday 3rd March: Rescheduled President’s Cup Semi-Final Matchplay (date of final TBA)
- Thursday 10th March: Club Medal Round 2, GNSW Medal Round 2, Veterans Medal Round 2
Recent Trophy Winners
Congratulations to the following Trophy winner over the last week:
Saturday 19th February: Captain’s Cup, Colin Skelton, 41 points
