The weather has certainly turned in our favour over the past couple of weeks and the golf course condition has improved exponentially.

We are now back out to 18 holes, and from Saturday 18th June, we are allowing motorised carts, but only for members, and only under strict conditions. 

The course staff will be placing directional ropes and signage on various holes, so cart drivers will easily see where they must not drive.  Care is still to be taken, even when no ropes are on a particular hole.

The conditions are as follows:

  • Carts are to stay on concrete/bitumen paths, where possible.
  • Carts are not allowed into roped off or GUR areas
  • ALL signage must be followed.
  • The 5th, 13th, 14th & 16th holes are of the most concern and so cart drivers are to pay specific attention to where they drive, on these holes.
  • NO carts are allowed on the 16th fairway (including when playing the 12th or 17th holes). Carts MUST stay on the pathway when playing the 16th hole, from tee to green.  Players are to park on the path and walk down to their golf ball, to play their shot.
  • If an area looks wet or is unmown, then please stay out of it.

We are not expecting heavy rain in the coming weeks, but if we do get rain, then please check the website or with the Pro Shop, before play, in case the conditions around cart use has changed.  Light or minimal rain should not affect their status.

Please drive safely when in a motorised cart, to protect yourself and the golf course, and we look forward to having all our Members back playing.

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Course Update – Friday 3rd June 2022

The course will be opening for 17 holes from Saturday 4th June.

The 14th & 16th holes are out of play, with the spare hole coming into play after the 13th.

Check the local rules board for daily local rules and the course configuration.

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Tuesday 24th May 2022

The rain across the weekend reached 25mm and has again taken the course backwards.  The amount of players on the course has also had a negative impact, as the constant tracking of feet and buggies is causing areas to become very mushy.  The mud instantly comes to the surface with the water, as players trek through certain areas. 

We realise that the course looks like it is being damaged, but in many areas, it is only superficial, and the grass will grow back when Spring returns in a few months.  Closing the course for a day here and there does nothing to help improve the damaged areas as the cold and wet winter conditions do not improve the course, even though the sun may be shining.  Players must realise that the conditions really won’t improve until winter is over, so it is the players choice to play the course in these conditions.  We are keeping the course open for the members to play some golf.

If we have substantial rain, the course will obviously be closed, but we are only expecting these scattered days of 5 – 10mm, which will allow us to remain open, with course modifications.

The conditions do mean that we will be modifying the course from day to day as conditions fluctuate with added rain, sunshine and hopefully some wind.  This means that tee markers will be well forward on some areas, to help players hit over wet areas. The perfect example is on the 1st tee.  The first 80m of the 1st is extremely wet and mushy, so we will be bringing the tees well forward (probably to the very front or visitors tee).  This in turn means that we will not be able to handicap the competitions, as the markers will not be within the rated course.  The difference between the red and white or blue and magenta tee markers will be kept balanced, where possible, but not always able.  So again, it is the players choice to play in the competitions under these conditions.

From Wednesday 25th May we will return to 15 holes, taking out the 13th & 15th holes.  Access to these holes is now out.  They may be back in a week or two, but with more rain forecast this week, it may be three.

Therefore, players will return to playing 10 holes on the front nine, with 4a (spare hole) being played after the 4th.  This will then be marked as the 15th hole.  The tees for the 5th hole will again be moved to the corner for a shortened 5th hole.  On the scorecard or App, holes 13, 14 and 16 must all be marked as a “P” in Stableford or a 10 in stroke competitions.

To help reduce the amount of traffic on the course, the times for social play will also be reduced and every player must make a booking to gain access. 

Player Safety
Players need to be aware that the conditions on the course are slippery and muddy.  Playing the course and competitions in these conditions is your choice.  Please ensure you wear appropriate footwear (with spikes) and be careful when walking on inclines or in particularly wet areas.

At all times follow the directional signage, ropes and markings around the golf course.

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you at the Club.

 

Cameron Harvey
General Manager

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Course Update – Monday 23rd May 2022

The course is quite wet, with some areas of the rough only being mown with flymos and whipper snippers.  

The current rain is not helping the quality of the course and players are to take extra care when walking on slopes and slippery hillsides, if they do not have proper spiked shoes.

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Thursday 17th May

As we realise that the condition of the course is not likely to greatly improve from day to day, through the cold and wet winter months, we have decided to “bite the bullet” and get players back to playing as much of the original golf course as possible.

Therefore, from Saturday 21st May 2022 we will have 17 holes in play.  Handicapping of daily competitions will come back into operation.  

There will be directional signage and places where players must NOT walk, so please follow all the conditions that are in place.  It will be easy to see where players walk as they will leave foot and wheel tracks, so if no-go areas are walked on, then the course may be shortened again to take out complete areas.  The main focus is to protect the golf course, but we want members to also enjoy a full course, where possible

General Course Condition
The general course condition is good, but it is soft and slippery in many places, so it is up to the player to decide whether they want to play in these conditions.  The Club will endeavour to keep the course open through winter, with players making their own decision on play.

Rough – very soft in a lot of places and the grass is longer than desired.  Watch where your golf ball lands.  Some areas are still unable to be cut and some are only being cut with a flymo or whipper snipper.

Fairways – generally in good condition with only minor areas with ongoing water seepage.

Greens – healthy!

Ropes & Signage – if an area is roped off, please try to stay out of it, unless you need to retrieve/play your golf ball.  Please follow all directional signage.

Generally, we are pleased with how the course looks today, but we are expecting more rain in the coming days, which will impact the course condition.

The Course Layout & Marking a Scorecard
From Saturday 21st May, the following configuration will be in place:

  • 17 holes in play

Front Nine:

  • 9 holes in play from their normal tee blocks.
  • Do Not play the spare hole as part of the front nine.

Back Nine:

  • Play 10th, 11th & 12th holes, as normal

  • 13th is a 120m Par 3: Exit the 12th hole at the back of the green and walk down the middle of the 13th fairway to the top of the hill.  At the top of the hill, walk to the RHS and through the marked mulched walkway to the temporary 13th tee. 
    The 13th is marked on the scorecard as normal, using the 13th hole index.  (It will give more Stableford points as a Par 3 compared to a Par 5 when entering into the App or scanner).

  • 14th is Out of Play!

  • Spare hole: Exit the 13th green on the RHS and walk straight up to the tee. 
    The spare hole is marked as the 14th Hole on the scorecard, using the 14th hole index. When on the green, be aware of balls being hit from the 5th tee block. (Again, it will give more Stableford points for a Par 3 compared to a Par 4 when entered into the App or scanner).

  • 15th: Exit the spare hole green at the back and follow the same mulched pathway, that you used on the 13th, to the top of the 13th fairway hill, then follow the signage and ropes to the normal 15th hole.
  • 16th is Out of Play! Record a score of 2 points on the scorecard for the 16th hole, making sure you mark the correct gross score to generate the 2 points.

  • 17th & 18th: Exit the 15th green at the back and follow the concrete pathway around the back of the 13th tee, past the 16th tee and down the RHS of the 16th fairway to the 17th tee.

Timesheets
Timesheets will move back to a mix of 1-tee and 2-tee starts. 

Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday will be 2-tee starts, and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will be 1-tee starts.  Some Thursdays may change to a 2-tee start if the Ladies have a special event. 

Motorised Carts
Unfortunately, motorised carts are out of operation for the foreseeable future.

Updates
The course is reviewed every day and if another section of it can be opened up to play, then we will be making that change.  Alternatively, if we get excessive rain and the course becomes too dangerous or unplayable, then we will remove areas of play.

Some of the changes may be at short notice, so please keep yourself updated, by viewing the weekly newsletter or the front page of the website.