Members
I hope you all had a happy and safe Christmas period and that you are enjoying some time with family and friends. There will be some of us who are having Christmas without ‘loved-ones’ and whose Christmas might have been one of reflection and possibly a little sad. Those of you in this situation, please know we are thinking of you and hoping that the coming year will better for you and full of great golf.
While thinking of those who are doing it tough, if you read my recent post, you will be aware that Mike Riley, one of our long-standing members passed away a few days ago. For those close to Mike and Fleur and their families, the funeral is scheduled for Friday 6 January commencing at 1.30pm at the Crematorium.
The full version of the Member’s Handbook is nearing finalisation and will be posted on the website in the near future. Although the full version of the Handbook is not yet ‘posted’, the full playing schedule for 2023 has been posted and will allow you to check what events are coming up and plan you playing schedule around any periods of time away from the city. My thanks to the Captains, the Vice-Captain and members of the Match Committee for their work in bringing the Schedule together.
Remember to join the club’s ‘closed’ Facebook site if you are not already a member. It is on this and the website that we post our updates and notices for members. As noted in my earlier update, our moderators are Tracey Banister, Abul Rizvi and Wayne Bennett. You will find the contact details for these folks in the Members Directory on the Website and they will be able to help you access the site if you would like to see the comments from members and stay up-to-date.
Although I have already provided this information, for those who missed my last update the Committee members who will lead various areas of the Committee’s work are as follows:
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Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club Committee – Work area leads – 2023
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President
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Richard Oliver
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Vice-President
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Leo Davies
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Treasurer
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Keith (Salty) Pepper
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Secretary
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Shaun Calvert
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Men’s Captain
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Kevin Flanagan
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Women’s Captain
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Fiona Wicks
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Vice-Captain
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Mike Hogben
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Grounds and Greens
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Mark Hynes
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The playing schedule and golf operations
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Kevin Flanagan
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Membership and Governance
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Richard Oliver
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Handicapping
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Janet Jenista
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Key projects management
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Leo Davies
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Safety
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Jeff Turvey
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Communications and the Web/Facebook
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Nicole Maher
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Social Event Coordination (others to assist)
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Fiona Wicks
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Pennant Coordinator
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Jeff Turvey (Committee Lead) and Craig Farrell
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Juniors
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Tracey Banister
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Golf Manager
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Tim Payne
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Our official opening game of the year (our Lakeball game) is scheduled for is scheduled for Saturday 7 January. This is a fun game with an 8.30am shotgun start and a sausage sizzle to follow. The sheet will fill quickly so be ready to book-in and join us as we officially start the 2023 playing schedule.
We have had a couple of instances lately where there have been altercations between groups on the course. Let’s not allow this to occur particularly between groups of members and social groups. Our members are very important to the club but, so are social players who have paid their fees on the day. Like all of us members, they are wanting a great golfing experience when they play at Gungahlin Lakes and, as members, we are here to help them get this. Be welcoming and don’t confront or hit-up on them. If there is an issue, be respectful and helpful in the way you address the issue/s. In simple terms, treat them as you would wish to be treated and things will be ‘just fine’.
As we start the year it is timely to remind players of the need to maintain a good pace of play. The general rule is simply, keep up with the group in front of you. You will do this by doing the following:
- Walk at a descent pace between shots (please don’t dawdle up the fairway)
- Take your pre-shot routine while others are hitting (there are others to watch the ball) and keep the routine short
- If it is safe to hit, hit when you are ready (ready golf)
- If unsure of where your ball has landed, hit a provisional (unless you suspect it is in a penalty area)
- Fill out the MiScore or the card at the next tee, not while you are on the green.
- If you lose a ball, the time limit is 3 mins to look for it. 3 minutes is 3 minutes and not 5 or 6. There is a handy timer on the MiScore app if you choose to use it.
- If you find your group has fallen behind, take steps to catch up.
- Whist two players finish putting the others can go to the next tee and tee off (not just wait for the others)
- Putt out when you are close to the hole (if not on anyone’s line)
The simple fact is all players dislike having to wait, so if we can keep the field flowing it benefits all players on the day.
On that note have a great 2023 and here’s hoping you play great golf.
Best wishes.
Richard Oliver/President