Oatlands Enews – Friday 13th September 2024
Content
This week’s Enews covers the following topics:
- Development Update
- From the Course
- Captain’s Corner – 9th Hole Local Rule / 11th Hole Bare Areas
- Max Dakic School Holiday Clinics: October 3rd & 10th
- Bistro 94 Launch a Huge Success!
- Men’s Club Championship 2024
- Improve your Short Game and lower your scores with Jeremy Ward’s Short Game Clinic!
- Recent Trophy Event Winners
- Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events
- Upcoming Member Events: September
- Members Only Facebook Group
Development Update
Clubhouse Development
Following our previous communication, we would like to provide you with an update on the development project and our discussions with Levande.
Levande, who has shown significant interest in the project, is progressing through their due diligence phase. They have expressed a clear intention to move forward, contingent upon successfully addressing several regulatory aspects related to the Development Consent (DA). This process is essential to ensure that all compliance and approval requirements are thoroughly met.
Mirvac, the current holder of the Intellectual Property associated with the Development Consent, is cooperating with Levande to facilitate the transition. While we await the finalization of the terms and conditions necessary for the assignment of Intellectual Property and the transfer of the Project Development Agreement (PDA), all parties are committed to ensuring that the project’s outcomes for our Club and its members remain favourable.
We understand that you are eager to receive clarity on the project’s future. Please be assured that we are working diligently with both Mirvac and Levande to expedite this process and will keep you informed of any significant developments.
While we are unable to provide a definitive timeframe for construction commencement at this time, we are pleased to advise members that we are installing the practice and coaching Simulator in the empty southern wing of the existing Pro Shop, with an expected completion in late November, and expect to undertake some necessary work to refurbish the existing 19th hole and Practice Fairway Green in the near future. These projects will allow for the golf course to remain as a par 70 (73 for ladies), with no temporary tees or greens, before, during and after construction of the Clubhouse Development, while also providing our members and PGA coaching staff with a viable alternative to the practice fairway while it is used as an operable golf hole. This was a key commitment to members in the planning and approval of this project.
We will be publishing plans and rendered image of the Simulator Studios and Course Works over the coming weeks.
Your patience and understanding during this transitional period is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued support!
Niblick Crescent Duplexes
The majority of internal works have been completed on the Niblick Crescent duplexes, with the detention basins for each set of duplexes underway which will lead into landscaping works.
Access to the duplexes is limited while the detention basins are concreted, however once they are completed, we expect to be able to provide members with a photo and video update of the dwellings as they near completion.
If members have any questions relating to the Clubhouse Development or Niblick Crescent duplexes, please direct them to the General Manager, Sam Howe, gm@oatlandsgolf.com.au.
From the Course
Rainfall for the Week: 0.0mm, Rainfall for 2024: 935.5mm, Dam: 90%, Green Speed: 9.5feet
The course has continued to improve this week through ideal warmer than normal temperatures, and on the back of the recent aeration practices to greens and fairways. Fertiliser applications to fairways have been completed this week which will only encourage growth and help those thinner areas on fairways to improve and provide a consistent coverage across fairway surfaces.
A few greens were looking unresponsive to the recent renovation that they had received which could mean they were under stress from disease, moisture stress, or parasitic nematodes. We were confident that we could rule out disease as we’ve been making fungicide applications to eliminate the potential of a disease attack. Moisture stress was also being controlled with wetting agent and soil penetrants being applied in conjunction with the fungicides, which then only leaves the parasitic nematodes as a possibility for the condition of these few greens. Samples from the 9th and 16th greens were taken on Monday morning and sent away for analysis, with early results showing no signs of disease presences. Nematode numbers take a week to collect but we have treated the greens for nematodes this week and the greens have responded. Nematodes are microscopic worm like pests that attack the roots of the plant, causing the plant to stress and not perform normal functions, such as the uptake of moisture and nutrients from the soil.
Tee complexes were treated for Mites again this week with a growth promoter also added to the tank mix to improve the appearance of these surfaces. It is still very early in the season to see any growth of couch in the Sydney region, with the first week of November (Melbourne Cup week) the usual starting point for couch growth. We will push our luck and perform an early renovation on tees in the coming weeks and back this up with a granular fertiliser application. If anything, it will ensure that the ingredients are in place for that usual first week of November.
The 6th creek has had to be turned off as the water level in the 9th pond has dropped too far down with the warm days and high winds increasing evaporation rates. We can’t afford to have the new pump hit and collect the silt in the bottom of this pond, as the silt caused all the damage to the last pump. When we receive some rainfall this pond will be filled back up and then we can safely get the water flowing again in the creek.
Volunteers were on course Monday morning continuing the clean up work behind the proshop building and repairing a stormwater drainage issue at the rear of the cart shed. The practice nets were checked, repaired and blown out. A smaller crew this week but nevertheless some important work was completed as part of the preparations for the simulator studio. Thank you to all those that attended, your contribution is always very much appreciated!
Greens will be mown both mornings this weekend.
Happy Golfing!
The Course Team.
Captain’s Corner – 9th Hole Local Rule / 11th Hole Bare Areas
9th Hole Dam – Local Rule 6C
With the recent work carried out on the 9th hole dam, and the removal of rocks around the edge of the dam, the fall to the dam from the green side is quite steep.
As such it is important to clarify with members the options open to players if their ball goes over to the green side of the dam, but then falls back into the dam, when playing the ninth hole.
Local rule 6c states the following:
“For a ball entering the penalty area on the 9th hole from the green side, relief may be taken within two club lengths of the nearest dropping stake under Rule 14.3 for one penalty stroke.”
Relief from a penalty area may also be taken within two club lengths of where the ball entered the penalty area, not nearer the hole, or, back in line keeping the flag and the point where the ball entered the penalty area in line, which would be on the tee side of the dam/hole.
11th Hole Bare Areas
I am continually asked about the bare area on the 11th hole from the Oatlands House Road up to the green mesh area at the top of the fairway.
The questions are normally around whether this bare area is a road or GUR.
The fact is that this is part of the General Area, and as such you must play the ball as it lies. If a player needs to take relief, because they deem the ball to be unplayable, a one stroke penalty will apply.
There are several spots where relief may be granted if the ball rests in a significant rut, which has been caused by heavy traffic or heavy rain. Please see the two photos below where it is considered a significant rut that exists on the 11th hole. Significant rut would be defined as an area that the ball has come to rest where the normal swing path, due to traffic or rain , cannot be achieved. A significant rut does not include a lie that is impacted by tree roots.
Good Golfing,
Col McRae
Club Captain
Max Dakic School Holiday Clinics: October 3rd & 10th
In the upcoming school holidays, PGA Professional Max Dakic will be running four (4) Junior Clinics:
- Thursday October 3rd , 9am – 11am
- Thursday October 3rd, 12pm – 2pm
- Thursday October 10th, 9am – 11am
- Thursday October 10th, 12pm – 2pm
The clinics will cover all aspects of golf including Full Swing, Chipping, Putting & More!
Food and Beverage will be provided to the juniors following the clinic.
Cost – $90 Per Child
Bookings can be made on the club website or by calling the Proshop on 9630 4444.
Bistro 94 Launch a Huge Success!
The opening night of Bistro 94 on Friday 6th September, was a huge success with almost 120 bookings and 30 walk-ins enjoying the relaxed dining and friendly atmosphere.
Those in attendance were a mix of golfing members and nearby neighbours (most of whom have joined the Club as House Members) and it was great to see so many new faces mixing with our regulars.
Tonight’s Bistro 94 also has over 100 bookings, but with new tables arriving yesterday, our capacity to cater for additional walk-ins has increased significantly.
We encourage all members to join us during the opening month of this new initiative and take advantage of the 2-for-1 meal special throughout September.
We are confident that this event will become a permanent feature at OGC and have opened bookings until the end of November and have ensured we have adequate capacity for those making a last minute decision to join us for a bite to eat.
Men’s Club Championships 2024
The 2024 Men’s Club Championship commences Saturday 21st September 2024, with over 200 members expected to enter the first 18-holes of the 36-hole medal qualifying for the top 16 matchplay in each grade.
Please note: For the qualifying timesheets, only members eligible for the Championship will be able to make a booking when the timesheet opens. Once the timesheets have been open for 3 days, and subject to their being availability, members not eligible for the Championship will be provided access.
Some important aspects of the Conditions of Play for the Championships are outlined below:
Grades (based on Daily Handicap)
- Club Championship: Hcp up to 7
- The Plate: Hcp 8 to 12
- Middle Markers: Hcp 13 to 18
- Long Markers: Hcp 19 and over
Note: Competitors are graded based on their Daily Handicap on the first round of qualifying and remain in that grade throughout.
Format of the Championships
- Two consecutive qualifying Stroke rounds of 18 holes (Saturday 21st September and Saturday 28th September 2024)
- Best 16 scores in the “Championship”, “Plate”, ‘Middle Markers” and “Long Markers” qualify for the matchplay
- All matchplay matches must be played on the date stipulated and at the time set down (see scheduled dates further down)
- Championship matches contested over 36 holes all other Grades are 18 hole matches
- In the event of ties for 16th qualifying spot, this will be decided by count back on the 2nd round cards (18 holes, last 9, last 6, last 3, then hole by hole from 18th)
- Qualifying and matchplay is from the Black Tees
- Championship 36 holes matchplay on Sunday except final which is 36 holes match play on Saturday
- Other Grades 18 Hole matchplay on Saturday
- Ties decided by sudden death play-off on the same day, played on Holes 1, 17 and 18 in that continuing order until the winner is decided
- Rounds must be played on the stipulated dates and times – Competitors need to be available for all matchplay dates before nominating to qualify.
Motorised Carts
- Are not permitted if members compete in the 36 holes qualifying Championship Grade Gross event, unless prior approval is obtained.
- Any such request shall be in writing and accompanied by a medical certificate.
Schedule:
- Saturday 21st September – Club Championship Qualifying Round 1 of 2
- Saturday 28th September – Club Championship Qualifying Round 2 of 2
- Saturday 12th October – Club Championship Matchplay Round of 16 (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
- Sunday 13th October – Club Championship Matchplay Round of 16 (Open)
- Saturday 19th October – Club Championship Matchplay Quarter-Finals (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
- Sunday 20th October – Club Championship Matchplay Quarter-Finals (Open)
- Saturday 26th October – Club Championship Matchplay Semi-Final (Plate, Middle Markers, Long Markers)
- Sunday 27th October – Club Championship Matchplay Semi-Final (Open)
- Saturday 2nd November – Club Championship Matchplay Finals (All Grades)
Improve your Short Game and lower your scores with Jeremy Ward’s Short Game Clinic!
Join Jeremy on either Friday 20th of September or Tuesday 24th of September for a 1.5-hour class focusing on chipping, pitching, and bunker play.
Here are the details:
- Date: Friday 20th of September or Tuesday 24th of September
- Time: 9:00am – 10:30am
- Cost: $80 per person
- Spots: Limited to just 8 participants
- Focus: Improve your chipping, pitching, and bunker play skills
This clinic is perfect for golfers of all skill levels looking to enhance their short game technique under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
To secure your spot:
- Use the “Jeremy Ward Lesson” booking sheet through the members website
- Email Jeremy at golfoperations@oatlandsgolf.com.au
- Contact Jeremy directly at 0434 574 660
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your short game to the next level. Book your spot now and start shaving strokes off your game!
Member Birthday Vouchers can be used for these clinics!
Recent Trophy Event Winners
The final of the Ladies Weekend 2Ball Knockout was played on Sunday 8th September after being delayed earlier in the year due to wet weather.Vanessa Chivers and Jean Lu defeated Lizzie Sorbara and Stephanie Monaghan 3/2.
Congratulations Vanessa and Jean!
Click here for a copy of the Draw and a full list of results for this event.
Upcoming Golf / Trophy Events
Men’s
- Saturday 14th September – HP Evans Knockout Finals
- Tuesday 17th September – The Scramble
- Saturday 21st September – Club Championship Qualifying Rd1
- Tuesday 24th September – Introduction to Competition Golf at 2pm
- Saturday 28th September – Club Championship Qualifying Rd2 (Final)
Ladies
- Tuesday 17th September – The Scramble
- Thursday 19th September – Captain’s Cup Round 2
- Tuesday 24th September – Introduction to Competition Golf at 2pm
- Thursday 26th September – Captain’s Cup Final
Mixed
- Sunday 15th September – Mixed Foursomes Championship
- Tuesday 17th September – The Scramble
- Tuesday 24th September – Introduction to Competition Golf at 2pm
Upcoming Member Events: September
The Club has lots of fantastic events coming up for members and guests, and we encourage members to take part in the Club’s diverse event offering over the coming months:
- Friday 13th September, Bistro 94
- Friday 20th September, Bistro 94
- Tuesday 24th September – Introduction to Competition Golf at 2pm
- Wednesday 25th September, The Bettington Restaurant
- Friday 27th September, Bistro 94
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.