News Archive

Golf bookings missing from members drop down menu

Unfortunately the option to book from the Members tab on website has inadvertently been removed by MiClub. This will be fixed by MiClub as a priority but may take a couple of days.

In the meantime, to book golf go to the Members tab, and click on My Bookings on right hand side, then More… to go to the timesheets.

Member Update – 17 May 22 – Summary from the recent Committee meeting

Members

Below is a summary from the April Golf Club Committee meeting.

The President…

We had our monthly meeting with Ainslie at which, the following was discussed:

• Proposed front entrance signage – discussed options with CEO and CFO Ainslie. They were happy to have receive the Committee’s feedback and will talk to SPACELAB about the views expressed by the Committee.  Richard noted that this work is ongoing, and that we expect to see further possible designs in the near future
• Storm Shelters – This is a proposed project against which some course improvement money may have been contributed. There was discussion regarding possible liability issues as[1]sociated with erecting these shelters. No similar shelters had been erected by any other club that we could find.  It was agreed that due to the danger of sheltering from lightening in a metal shed this project would no proceed.  The Committee agreed that a review of the current Storm Guidance Statement would be undertaken to explore whether there were any sensible adjustments could be made that would enable golfers to return to the daily competition earlier, while also adhering to national guidelines on storm protection while playing golf.  
• CEO Ainslie noted that the number of members was now just above 700 which was pleasing from a membership perspective.
• Leo Davies (our Vice President) is continuing to receive suggestions for course improvement from members each of which are being presented to and considered by the Committee. Comments will be passed back to members after consideration has occurred.  An update of the suggestions considered to date will be provided to members in the near future.    

 The Treasurer…

• Salty reported a bank (available funds) of around $82,000 which sees the club in a sound financial position.

The Captains …

• Handicap Match-play Championship (Men and Women) is underway. Lower numbers than expected for the Men’s field. Round 2 matches to be completed on or before the 23rd of May. Members are utilizing the ability to pre-book thru committee members and Pro-shop.
• No major events are to be played in May or June due to Match-play.
• Gungahlin Lakes has has been awarded the 1st year of NSW Open qualification for our Men’s and Women’s Open. The Match Committee has set the mid/end of June as the date to start preparations for the Open events. Match Committee will work closely with Shane and the Greens committee for this event.  More information will come to members closer to the event.
• Pace of Play Notification has gone to members to raise awareness of pace of play and the way we will be monitoring it in the future. Timed rounds will no longer be the “rule of thumb”. Keeping up with the group in front of yours will be the “norm”. Whist this has generated discussion with our membership (and committee) it is only the start of what I would like to see as a concerted effort. Pushing the “causes of falling behind” i.e., fishing for golf balls, slow walking to ball etc needs to be communicated to members.
• The Pennant seasons (Men and Women’s) have all been finalised. Fiona thanked all the participants.
• Pennant Dinner on 20 May – 60 tickets have been sold – An offer has been made to non-Pennant playing members to attend.

Greens …

• Over the past 2 years the greens staff have been renovating the bunkers – this includes the drainage system. We believe there are another 2 years to go with this program. Part of the program involves new filter fabric and the refurbishment of the Ag lines at the base of the bunkers. In a number of cases the Greens staff have had to realign the evacuation point of the drainage system (which is generally in close proximity to the creeks) as they are sometimes below the water level (and thus get backed up).
• Over the coming months all garden beds will begin to receive attention from the contractor. Weeds have already been sprayed across the course. There will also be a reduction in the number of plants in garden beds – “less is more”. Please note that a number of plants have been selected primarily for safety issues – for example the Lomandra in a lot of places was planted to eliminate the ricochet off steps and walls of the garden beds. Trees were planted over a number of paths to “filter” golf balls from bouncing off the concrete.
• Native Grasses have already started to disappear from the tops of fairway bunkers
• Hazard lines will be remarked in the coming weeks. Stakes will also be used in “vague” areas but, will definitely not dominate the landscape.
• Due to the nature of our greens and the constantly wet weather we are experiencing pitch marks continue to be an issue – they will get worse over the winter months
• With regards to firming up the greens, the Superintendent is trailing a new sand (which he began last year) which has a greater percentage of clay particles. This is hoped to firm up the top layer. Please note that this will be a gradual process over a number of years.
• Work over winter will include the grinding of path joins around the course.

Other matters of note discussed…

• Multi Tee Events – Mike H. presented a short paper outlining the proposed running of multi tee events. Outcome is that this more complicated than first thought and some additional work will be required before implementation.
• Monthly Medal Presentations – Richard led a short discussion re how best to run future Monthly Medal presentations. Several options were discussed. A slightly changed format was agreed and will trialled.  Richard will prepare an article for the Website to inform members.

For your information. Talk to any of the Committee members if you have questions.

Good golfing.

Richard Oliver

Bunkers filled with Temporary Water – 13 May 2022

Following an inspection of the course a decision has been taken to introduce a local rule taking a number of bunkers out of play due to temporary water. Affected bunkers are primarily on the front 9 and are marked with a star picket. The bunkers taken out of play are those where there is no realistic option to take relief in accordance with Rule 16.1c of the Rules of Golf, or where doing so would provide a significant advantage by moving a player closer to the hole.

Given the potential for a wet autumn and winter, guidance has been prepared to assist players in understanding the Rules of Golf as they relate to temporary water in bunkers. The guidance can be access on our website here: https://www.gungahlinlakesgolf.com.au/cms/golf/local-rules-and-course-care/

In summary, a player may take free relief from abnormal course conditions in a bunker by dropping a ball within the bunker, or for one penalty shot may take relief outside the bunker.

Local Rule – Bunkers Filled with Temporary Water

Bunkers marked with a star picket are ground under repair in the general area. They are not treated as bunkers during the round. 

If the player’s ball lies in or touches these areas of ground under repair or the ground under repair interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.

All other bunkers on the course, whether they contain temporary water or not, are still bunkers for all purposes under the Rules.

Splash MAY 2022

SPLASH-May 2022

Member Update – 22 April

Summary from the April Committee meeting….

The President…

We had our monthly meeting with Ainslie at which, the following was discussed:

• In relation to the Course Improvement Plan, the work to be done throughout the year has been agreed with Ainslie and includes:
  • Grinding of the concrete paths where a trip hazard exists
  • Tree stump removal
  • Some re-grassing of bare areas (to be done by Dad’s Army) e.g. the bare area behind the 16^th Green
  • Storm protection shelters to be erected in the vicinity of the 5^th and the 11^th.  These will provide protection to players when the siren sounds for play to temporarily stop.
  • A new sign and upgrade for the entrance to the Golf Club.
  • A clean-up of the white tee box area on hole 14
  • A safety screen for female players on hole 7
  • Re-oiling the bridges to preserve the bridge timbers.
  • The finalisation of a Water Management Plan for the club.

NOTE: Some of these tasks are the responsibility of the Ainslie Group and some will be funded by the Golf Club using monies from the Course Improvement Levy (the levy is paid by both members and social players in their daily competition fee).

• Leo Davies (our Vice President) is continuing to receive suggestions for course improvement from members each of which are being presented to and considered by the Committee. Comments will be passed back to members after consideration has occurred.   
• Juniors – we discussed funding for Juniors with Ainslie to give some thought to what they think is the best way forward.  Ainslie to come back to the Golf Club with a proposed way forward.  This is supplementary to the work being done by Amanda and Ross McLoughlin and Tracey Banister.
• Ainslie have agreed to subsidise the Pennant dinner to the value of $1200. Our thanks to Ainslie for their contribution to this event.  Arrangements for the dinner will be notified to Pennant players in the coming weeks.
• The issue of the Spike Bar being available for the Golf Club on Monthly medal days was discussed.  In recent months there have been functions booked in the Spike Bar when the bar should be available for the Medal presentations.  Ainslie are to look into this and ensure the bar is not booked on the Medal days.
• Ainslie agreed a proposal to assist with some additional maintenance of garden beds and surrounds on the course.  Around 50% of the cost is to be paid using the Course Improvement Levy monies with Ainslie paying the other 50%.  Work will carried-out over a 9-month period with services ceasing in the deep winter period. Mark Hynes (Greens Lead) and Shane will work together to program the work.
• Ainslie continue to be pleased with the latest member numbers of 688.

• CEO Ainslie mentioned the refresh work to be carried out in the lounge area of the club in the near term with a possible refresh of the Spike Bar (carpets and furniture) to be done when scheduling and funding permits. Ainslie will ensure that the Golf Club are aware when works are to commence.   

The Treasurer…

Salty reported a bank (available funds) of around $76,000 which sees the club in a reasonable financial position and facilitates spending on some of the agreed course improvement projects.

The Captains …

• Men’s and Women’s Handicap Matchplay Championship commences soon with entries closing on 22 April. Entry forms are outside the Golf Managers office. Event commences on 30 April.
• Work is continuing on an information paper on booking rights. This work is being done to provide members with a clear guide on booking rights which will include those granted to the Pro-shop, the Committee members and reciprocal club members.
• the Pennants dinner will be held on 20 May. Members have been advised via the website and Facebook. More information will be provided closer to the event.
• Fiona updated the Committee on the Women Get into Golf Program which is seeing good participation. Members who may know of female friends who may be interested should talk with Fiona, our Women’s Captain.

Greens …

• No Greens Committee meeting this month.
• Mark noted that the Greens renovation has been completed. Comments received about the Greens and the wider course remains very positive.
• We need to continue our focus on repairing pitch marks on the Greens. All players are encouraged to encourage their playing partners to ‘do their bit’.

Other matters discussed…

• Multi Tee Competitions – Mike Hogben presented a short paper on running Multi-tee Competitions and how this is now supported in MiClub. The Committee was supportive of the idea. Mike will discuss this with Murray and Shane prior to implementing for likely a trail period. There will be communication to members in the leadup to the trial commencing.
• Monthly Medal Presentations – Richard provided a short paper on how we might improve these events. Committee members have been asked to think about how we can improve these events and get more people attending.  For those members who have, in the past attended, please feel free to offer your thoughts to me by email.  Richard is of the view that a complete re-design is needed and that these gatherings need to become an event that members want to attend.  Options might include:
• Do away with the event and simply report the results, as we would normally do.
• Move to quarterly presentations at which the medallions would be presented. We might also consider (if we move to quarterly, we could also increase the value of the door prize to help attract members to the event.
• Move the night and the time at which the event is held to say a Friday. Friday at 5.00 – 6.00pm once every 3 months.  Members would be encouraged to attend and know there are drinks and bar snack at the club on this Friday night and could schedule the event into their calendars. 

Note: We are keen for members to talk with Committee members and offer their thoughts.

• Pennants Dinner – Fiona noted that the dinner is planned for the 20th May, and that the format etc. will be similar to last year’s event. Arrangements for the dinner will be notified to Pennant teams closer to the date.

Other issues……

The pace of play is a constant topic of discussion within the Committee.  There is lots to say on this topic.  Very simply, players have to keep up with the group in front of them.  If we all do this, our games will be somewhere between 4 hrs and 4 hrs 10 min which makes for enjoyable golf.  To all players please try hard to do this and playing partners, please encourage those in your group to keep up the pace.

Good golfing…..

Richard Oliver