From the Course

Rainfall for the Week: 12.0mm,  Rainfall for 2024: 1,023.0mm, Dam: 90%,  Green Speed: 10feet

The course is shining at the moment on the back of some favourable weather conditions with the course team very busy trying to keep up with the increase in growth on our fairways and roughs. Growth regulator applications have begun on selected fairways and roughs, with these applications to continue throughout the summer months. The regulator only stays in the plant for a short period, with universities in America developing a formula (growing degree days- GDD) to calculate this length of time which is based on daily minimum and maximum temperatures. A GDD number is obtained each day which is then accumulated and when the accumulated number reaches a threshold figure, the growth regulator has left the plant. By ensuring that your next application is made before the threshold number is reached, the plants growth is kept under regulation and surges in growth which creates scalping of turf surfaces is avoided.

The blue line areas on fairways 7, 8, 11, 13, and 14 have been top dressed, aerated, and fertilised this week which should see these preferred lie areas removed once the blue lines have faded out. The crossing tracks on the 1^st and 17^th were top dressed and fertilised so they start to blend into their surrounding areas.

Insecticide and pre-emergent herbicide applications are being made to green surrounds in and around our busy play schedules. These two products don’t require immediate irrigation after their application, with the nightly irrigation or late afternoon rainfall washing these products into our playing surfaces.

Young Sam has completed the planting of the summer annuals, with a colourful display on show in a few weeks time. He has tackled the long Murraya hedge along the car park and around the rose garden his week, with the high humidity encouraging plenty of growth on all the hedges.

Another application of Roundup will be made to the practice hole and 19^th green and tee on Friday, with rotary hoeing of the practice green and surrounds to be performed late next week in preparation for our contractor to start work on Monday 18^th.

Our volunteers were on course Monday morning completing a bunker run in front of the competition, lifting sprinkler heads on the 6th fairway, edging pathways, and continued working on the simulator studio. Thank you gentlemen for another productive mornings work, your assistance is very appreciated.

Happy Golfing!

The Course Team.

Volunteers Needed – A Message from the Volunteers

We want to be completely honest: our recent efforts to recruit new volunteers for our Monday team haven’t been as successful as we’d hoped. Over the past year, we’ve welcomed only one new volunteer.

We’d really love to see some fresh faces join us! If you’ve ever thought about helping out but couldn’t commit before, maybe now is the time. There’s no need to come every Monday—come as often as you like, whether it’s once a month, every other week, or whenever you’re available.

We have tasks for all levels of physical ability, and we’ll make sure you’re comfortable with the work assigned to you.

If you’d like to know more, feel free to call me on 0438 274 245 or chat with our General Manager, Sam Howe. Or, just throw on your work boots and meet us at the first tee any Monday at 7:00 am!

Regards

Matt Hartland – OGC Member and Volunteer

Stay Hydrated as the Weather Heats Up

As the weather continues to warm up, we want to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated while out on the course. Recently, there have been several reported incidents of mild heat exhaustion on days where temperatures exceeded 30 degrees, highlighting the need for extra care.

• Drink Plenty of Water: Start hydrating before you head out to the course and continue to drink water throughout your game, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid Sugary and Caffeinated Beverages: Drinks high in sugar or caffeine can contribute to dehydration. Opt for water or electrolyte-rich drinks.
• Take Regular Breaks: When playing in hot conditions, rest in the shade when possible and avoid overexertion.
• Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and consider a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
• Be Aware of the Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, excessive sweating, and muscle cramps. If you or a fellow member experience these symptoms, seek shade, hydrate, and rest immediately. 

Update to Website Card Payment Portal

We’re always looking at ways to make your experience as seamless and secure as possible, and therefore we’re pleased to introduce an improved credit card entry screen on our member portal based on your feedback. 

What’s New?

Clearer Expiry Date Format
We’ve updated the expiry date format to be more intuitive—now it’s clearly labelled as MM/YYYY so there’s no confusion about entering the full year.

Enhanced Security with CVN Entry
In line with today’s cybersecurity best practices, you’ll now be prompted to enter your CVN (Card Verification Number) for added security. This quick step keeps your payment information safer.

Take a look at the updated layout below. We hope these improvements make adding and updating your payment information smoother. If you’re using an existing card to make a payment, simply enter your CVN in the security code box for verification. If you have any queries, please call Andrea in the office.

As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Thank you for helping us make your experience at Oatlands better!

PING Fitting Day – Tuesday 17th December, Limited Availability

The Club will be hosting a PING Fitting Day on Tuesday 17th December 2024, with spaces limited to just 5 fitting sessions between 8am and 12pm.