Content

This week’s Enews covers the following topics:

• OGC Development Update
• From the Course
• Captain’s Corner – Embrace our Future, Play Golf with our Juniors
• Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy
• Ladies 2BBB Matchplay Trophy 
• Out of Bounds Registers – If in Doubt, Please Register
• Junior Development Programme Fundraiser – Monday 10th June
• Getting Started Programme – July 2024
• Ball Prize Credit – Expires 30th June 2024
• Oatlands Senior Cup – Tuesday 25th June
• Pennant Update
• Upcoming Member Events:  June
• Recent Trophy Event Winners
• Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events
• Members Only Facebook Group

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OGC Development Update

Niblick Crescent Development

The Board is delighted with the progress on the building of the 4 duplexes on Niblick Crescent. The brickwork stage has been completed and construction continues ahead of schedule. The Development is on track to be completed by September 2024.

The residences will be at lock up stage over the next month at which time, we will be able to provide members a look around the duplexes via a video tour.   

Clubhouse Development

As you would be aware, the Club successfully received approval of the Development Application (DA) for the new Clubhouse Development in October 2023. 

As per the Project Delivery Agreement (PDA), Mirvac have until 30 June 2024, to assess the DA requirements and provide their formal consent to proceed. 

Currently, the Club has not been provided written notice of Mirvac’s consent. We continue to work closely with Mirvac to produce the best outcome for the Club. 

Once Mirvac’s position is clear and our future plans are finalised, we will issue a detailed update to members. We expect this to be within the next 2-months, but not before mid July 2024. 

Once the path forward is known, members will be provided updates on the Clubhouse Development on a regular basis.

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From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 0.0mm,  Rainfall for 2024: 665.5mm, Dam: 100%,  Green Speed: 10.0 feet

With nightly temperatures falling, so is growth on all playing surfaces. This means mowing isn’t as frequent and therefore staff are able to start tackling the small jobs which we haven’t been able to get to over the past few months.

This week, the team has repaired the wash out area on the left hand side of the 9^th green surrounds and prepared the front of the ladies 11^th tee ready for turfing with new couch turf. A leaking sprinkler on the championship tee pad at the 18^th has been replaced, and a leaking quick coupling valve at the 10^th green has also been replaced.

The track mark areas across the 17^th flyover and from the 9^th tee to the 9^th pond were turfed last Friday and have made an instant improvement. We have the new turf around the 9^th pond area roped off to allow them to establish as quickly as possible, so we ask members to use the concrete path to the left of the 9^th pond when accessing the 9^th green from the tee. Signs will be in place to remind members of this request for the weekend.

Next week, the team is planning to install new wiring to the sprinkler heads around the putting and chipping greens. This will require digging a trench in the rough line from the satellite box on the 11^th hole to the chipping green, going either across the Geohex path or under the concrete path, and then along the path in front of the practice nets and around to the putting green. Again, we will trench under the concrete path, and then trench around the perimeter of the putting green. This work is required as we went for a new style of sprinkler system on these greens when we constructed them, which was a wireless system that sent communication to the individual sprinklers by radio wave. This new technology has failed for the past 4 months, meaning staff have had to turn sprinklers on manually, which hasn’t been reliable through the summer months.

We will be turf cutting out the entire perimeter of the putting green as we trench and will be replacing this area with couch. We have found it is too difficult to maintain a full coverage of turf next to the concrete edge, with either carts driving over the turf or the turf dries out too much on the hot summer days. The couch will be more resilient than the bent grass and will enable the team to present a better surface all year round. The bent grass that we remove from the putting green will be transferred to the nursery green to return a full cover on this green for members to practice on.

Volunteers were on course this week replacing a worn net in the practice bays and giving these nets a good cleaning out, trimming fairway sprinkler heads, trimming the plants in the memorial garden, poisoning parramatta grass weeds, divotting fairways, and clubhouse maintenance work. Thank you to all those involved this week, your assistance is greatly appreciated!

Greens will be mown on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Happy Golfing

The Course Team.

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Captain’s Corner – Embrace our Future, Play Golf with our Juniors

As we continue to foster a vibrant and inclusive golfing community, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the importance of supporting our junior members on the course.

 

Our junior members represent the future of our Club. They bring enthusiasm, talent, and a fresh perspective to the game we all love. 

 

However, I’ve noticed a concerning pattern emerging recently whereby some members are moving groups when paired with multiple juniors, leaving them alone. This not only goes against the Club’s policy, which stipulates at least one adult per group, but it also deprives our young players of the mentorship and guidance they deserve.

 

I urge each and every one of you to embrace the opportunity to play alongside our junior members. Not only is it a chance to give back to the next generation of golfers, but it’s also a rewarding experience that fosters a sense of community and belonging within our Club.

 

When you’re paired with junior members, take the time to engage with them, offer advice, and share your knowledge of the rules and etiquette of the game. Remember, these kids are not only our future champions but also our future leaders within the Club.

 

Let’s work together to ensure that every junior member feels welcomed, supported, and valued on the course. By doing so, we not only uphold the traditions of our Club but also contribute to the growth and success of the sport we all cherish.

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and let’s continue to make Oatlands Golf Club a place where everyone, regardless of age, feels at home.

 

Good Golfing!

Col McRae
Club Captain

 

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Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy

Doug Spurway Memorial Fountain

The annual Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy will be played tomorrow, Saturday 1st June. While the majority of our trophy events are either in recognition of, or donated by, past or present members of the Club, this event is a little different as Doug Spurway was an employee of the Club.

The Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy is played in memory of Doug Spurway who was a Greenkeeper at Oatlands from January 1946 and was the Course Superintendent from 1969 through to 1989. The Trophy was introduced in 1990 with David Murray being the first winner.

The event is a stableford from the Black tees. The 2023 Doug Spurway Trophy winner was Craig Peterson with a score of 40 points.

 

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Ladies 2BBB Matchplay Trophy

The annual Ladies 2BBB Matchplay Trophy qualifying will take place on Sunday 9th June with the top 8 pairs qualifying for the knockout matchplay.

Matchplay rounds will be played in the morning field across consecutive Sunday’s with the schedule outlined below:

• Sunday 9th June: Qualifying
• Sunday 16th June: Quarter-finals – 7:53am, 8:01am, 8:09am and 8:17am
• Sunday 23rd June: Semi-finals – 8:17am and 8:24am
• Sunday 30th June: Final – 8:17am

Competitors wishing to qualify for this event should advise the Pro Shop prior to commencing play on Sunday 9th June.

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Out of Bounds Registers – If in Doubt, Please Register

In late 2020, the Club introduced Out of Bounds Registers on the 1st, 6th and 12th tees.

While these have been largely well utilised by members, we are seeing an increase in golf balls reported as going Out of Bounds by neighbours that aren’t being recorded.

As such, members are reminded that if you have any doubt as to whether your ball may have gone Out of Bounds, please register the shot using the QR code on the respective tee. As a general rule, if a provisional ball needs to be played then an OOB Register entry should be made.

The Club has insurance for all members / golfers against personal and property damage when playing on the course. In order for the Club to make a claim against this insurance, we simply need to be able to identify who hit the errant shot. Importantly, a claim made on this insurance does not effect an individuals insurance cover in any way.

We thank you in advance for your co-operation!

 

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Junior Development Programme Fundraiser – Monday 10th June

The Club is pleased to announce that the annual JDP Fundraiser will again take place this year on the Monday of the King’s Birthday long weekend.

The event will be an ambrose with a 12pm shotgun start followed by a presentation. This is a great way for members to support our junior programme and the future of the Club.

 

In 2023, our Juniors won the metropolitan and state Encourage Shield Pennant, and with over 50 juniors now with handicaps, this is only the beginning of a wonderful period in the long history of successful Junior golf at Oatlands.

 

The event will cost members $35pp and guests $75pp and will include a bacon & egg roll before golf along with lots of great prizes.

 

All money raised will go back in to the Club’s Junior Development Programme.

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Ball Prize Credit – Expires 30th June 2024

Members are reminded that ball prize credit accumulated up to the 31st March 2024 will need to used by 30th June 2024.

Credit not used by this time will automatically expire.

Credit accumulated after 31st March 2024 will remain available for use until 30th June 2025.

Balances are available on the Account section of the member page of the Club website or by contacting the Pro Shop.

Credit can only be used at the Pro Shop.

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Oatlands Senior Cup – Tuesday 25th June

Entries for 2024 Oatlands Senior Cup (a Golf NSW Senior Order of Merit Event) are now open.

This event is open to all male golfers aged 50 years or above as of the 25th of June and with a GA handicap of 18.0 or less.

Last year’s winner of this event was Andy Hugill of Mona Vale Golf Club.

In the event that this event is oversubscribed, a ballot on handicap may be required.

Tee times are from 8am to 10am with entries closing Thursday 20th of June at 5pm.

Entry Fee: Members: $25 / Non-members: $80

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Pennant Update

The Oatlands Interclub team headed to Terrey Hills golf course for their third round match against Manly on Sunday 26th May. The boys were chomping on the bit to get the chance at redemption as Manly beat us in the final last year.

Our number 7 and 8 both won tight matches with both winning on the 17^th, just the start we wanted. Budd Frome, our number 5, played some fantastic golf early to be 3up at the turn but unfortunately his opponent played some amazing golf on the back nine shooting 4 under to beat Budd on the 17^th. Our ultra-consistent No.3 and 4 pair of Ian Priest and Tom McMurtry didn’t give their opponents a sniff, both winning well. At No 2, Earl Rees was in control most of the day but his opponent had 4 birdies in 5 holes to unfortunately knock him off late. At 4 games to 3, we needed at least a half from Luke Mason at no1 to beat our rivals outright. He delivered, beating his opponent on the 18th and putting us through to the sectional final which will be played at Manly on Sunday 2nd June versus Avondale.

Individual Results from Sunday 26th May

• Luke Mason – 1up
• Earl Rees – Lost 3/2
• Ian Priest – Won 2/1
• Tom McMurtry – Won 5/4
• Budd Frome – Lost 2/1
• Blair McDonald – Lost 3/2
• Mark Robinson – Won 3/1
• James Roberts – Won 2/1

Team Manager
Blair McDonald

Men’s Master Pennant

Our Men’s Master Pennant side played their second match last Sunday and for the second week in a row finished with a 4 all drawn fixture.

Once again Charlie Kim played spectacular golf winning every hole except 1 and finishing his match after 10 holes.

Peter Zann played his first Pennant match against a very good opponent winning 1 up on the 18th hole.

Undefeated players Mike McKechnie and Simon Perry continued good form with solid wins.

We currently sit in second place and play leaders Twin Creeks this week (Sunday 2nd June) at Twin Creeks, so a good win could advance us into the lead in our division.

Team Results from Sunday 26th May

• Charlie Kim: Won 9&8
• Gilbert Im: Lost 1 Down
• Matthew Seamons: Lost 3&2
• Stephen Doherty: Lost 3&2
• Peter Zann: Won 1 up
• Mike McKechnie: Won 4&3
• David  Osborne: Lost 2&1
• Simon Perry: Won 2&1

Regards Rod Butcher

Team Captain/Manager

Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events

Men’s

• Saturday 1st June – Doug Spurway Memorial Trophy
• Saturday 8th June – Club Medal / Southpaw Cup
• Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser
• Saturday 22nd June – Governor’s Cup
• Tuesday 25th June – Oatlands Senior Cup (Golf NSW Senior Order of Merit)
• Saturday 29th June – Foundation Day

Ladies

• Thursday 6th June – Club Medal / Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Qualifying
• Sunday 9th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Qualifying
• Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser
• Thursday 13th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Qualifying Rd1
• Sunday 16th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Quarter-finals
• Monday 17th June – Grandmother’s Trophy
• Thursday 20th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Rd2
• Sunday 23rd June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Semi-finals
• Thursday 27th June – Oatlands Cup and Long Markers Finals
• Sunday 30th June – Ladies 2Ball Hcp Matchplay Final

Mixed

• Monday 10th June – Junior Development Programme Fundraiser

Members Only Facebook Group

If you aren’t already part of our Members Only Facebook Group, join up now and join in the conversation.

This group is where members can share their experience of Oatlands Golf Club and chat to one another about interesting things happening in the world of golf and society as a whole.

Importantly, members are advised that this social media platform will not be used for the Club to communicate critical information, which will remain via the Enews, website and direct email however, it is a place that members and the Club can post interesting Club and golf related items to compliment this Enews.

To join the Members Only Facebook Group please click on the link below and then click on the “JOIN GROUP” button. You will be asked a few questions to verify you are a member and then approved by the group administrator shortly thereafter.

www.facebook.com/groups/870087546972166/