News Archive

SPLASH October 2021

SPLASH-Oct 2021

Member Update 29 September: 18 Hole Golf…

Members.

As you will hopefully be aware, the ACT Government has further eased lockdown restrictions which now includes 4 hours of exercise. While this is great news, in a golf context, this remains as social golf only. Competition golf is still not permitted.

The GLGC Committee met last night to discuss our options for returning to 18-hole golf and have agreed to some amendments to the current temporary playing arrangements.

It is important to understand that we hope the arrangements outlined below are very short term. Based on the recent announcement by the Government there may be further relaxations announced in coming weeks, ahead of the planned return to normal competition golf on 30 October.

• 18-hole social golf will be available to members on Wednesdays and Saturdays only at this stage. All other days will remain as 9-hole social golf only (the current arrangement). This decision was made in conjunction with the Pro Shop and the Ainslie Football Club and has taken into consideration the financial effect on these businesses.
• On Saturdays and Wednesdays, social play will be open from the 10th tee between 7:00am & 8:40am. This is to enable access to a window for social players who wish to play in the morning on those days.
• We are asking members to be considerate of their fellow members and only book one round of 18-hole golf per week. This will allow members that are free during the week to play their full round of golf on Wednesday, and those that are unable to play during the week to play on Saturday. This will be monitored and those not complying will have their Saturday round deleted. Please understand that we are trying as much as possible to be fair and get as many members on the course as we can.
• We are aware that some members are enjoying playing 9-hole golf, and we would ask that you please book your 9 holes in on other days.
• The Saturday and Wednesday timesheets will have a one tee start from 07:00am through until 12:40pm with 10-minute time intervals. This will allow 140 members access to the course for 18 holes, which is similar to our standard field on a Saturday/Wednesday.

Please remember we are still playing SOCIAL golf only and that we need to have rounds completed within the allocated 4 hour timeframe. To achieve this please consider the following:

• If you have not holed out with 2 putts please pick up (no-one needs to practice a third putt)
• Spend no more than 3 minutes looking for your ball (ideally less) and move on if not found. You can always drop another one on the fairway and continue playing.
• Hit when it’s safe and when you are ready, don’t wait until your turn (it’s not matchplay)

Please also remember that its social golf and we are not playing for “sheep stations”. We need to work within the lockdown restrictions imposed by the ACT Government. If rounds cannot be completed in 4 hours the Committee may be required to reduce the number of holes played to less than 18.

As a committee we are in uncharted territory with this round of COVID restrictions and are endeavouring to both comply with the rules and get as much golf for our members as possible. We are constantly reviewing the set-up and will continue to do so over the next 2 weeks. Please be patient and considerate during this difficult period.

Regards

Capt Kev 

Member update 24 September – Some membership issues…

Members

There are a couple of issues on the membership front I thought it sensible to update you on.

Lifestyle membership

I have had a number of queries from members asking to change from their existing category into the Lifestyle category.  Our preference is for our 7, 6 and 5-Day categories to be the mainstay categories in the club with the Lifestyle membership category for those who are time poor and will struggle to play regular golf.  In the past, we have allowed people to ‘top-up’ their points if this was necessary, as the playing year progressed.

We have closed the Lifestyle category to new (to the club) male members and this will remain the case.  The category remains open to new female members to encourage more female golfers into the club. 

Members wish to move from their existing category to the Lifestyle membership can do this.  However, there will no longer be the capacity to ‘top-up’ your points.  If you use your 1000 point (20 Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday competitions games) and wish to continue playing in these competitions you will need to move to another category paying the appropriate pro-rata amount. We have looked at the top-up arrangements and consider they do not offer good value for money when compared to pro-rating into one of the mainstay categories.

Membership Incentives

In my letter on Membership Fees – 2021/22 which hopefully you have read, I outlined the membership incentives that we have agreed with Ainslie for the coming year.  In summary:

• Those who renew their membership by 31 October will have $120 value added to their Ainslie card. In my letter, I talked of this applying to categories other than Intermediate (18-25 years), Life (this is a small category in which the club’s Life members sit), and the Junior category.  Since my letter was published Ainslie have agreed that those in the Intermediate category will also get this incentive but,the value of the incentive for members in this category will be 50% of the $120, as this membership category is already discounted.
• The ‘Elder’ incentive is awarded to those that are over 60 years and have been a member of the Club continuously for 20 years or more (on the renewal date). This incentive (15% of the fee for the respective membership category) applies to all categories of membership.  Please note that when you choose to pay your fees by installments (Direct Debit), this incentive does not apply.  
• There is also a ‘Family’ membership arrangement which is outlined in my letter. If you have younger family members starting to play the game this is something that you should be considering.

As noted in my letter, both incentives will be remitted in points to your Ainslie card and are conditional on you paying your membership fees on or before the due date of Sunday 31 October 2021 and being an ongoing financial member of the Ainslie Football and Social club.  Please note, points will not be added to members’ cards until the club (AFSC) has resumed normal trading and its staff are back working their normal hours.

Social club is full operation once again.

Competitions and 18-hole rounds

As of yet we, have no further information on when we will be able to start playing competitions and 18-hole rounds again.  As soon as we are allowed to recommence our competitions by Government and Ainslie, we will do so.  Until then, enjoyed the shorter walks and the time outside and remember to apply our Covid safe measures while at the club and using the course.

Richard Oliver/President

Member update 16 September – golf on the weekend….

Members

I am sure you are all aware of the great news that the ACT Government has amended some of the COVID-19 restrictions which will now allow some golf to be played from Saturday 18^th September 2021. The overarching principle is ‘Arrive, Play, Leave’.

In order to get members back out on the golf course and support the return of business to Murray and the Club, it has been agreed that play at GLGC can return under the following conditions, which have been developed in consultation with Golf NSW:

• Players must wear masks when not taking a shot or putting, unless medical reasons mean this is not possible.
• Social Golf (no competitions) will be available to members and social players 7 days a week.
• Players may book in to play 9 holes only, a maximum of once a day, as the 2-hour time limit on recreational activities applies. Groups of four are permitted.
• Members booking in or playing multiple times per day will have their booking rights suspended for a period of time.
• Members will play either holes 1-9 or 10-18, with non-members (green fee players) playing the alternate 9. This will be rotated daily.
• As this is social play only, members should prioritise quick-play over formality i.e. reducing the time looking for lost balls, speeding up play on the greens and moving between tees.
• Golfers should not arrive at the facility more than 15 minutes before their allocated tee time and should depart immediately after play – no gatherings.
• As you arrive at the course for your game, please check in via the Check-in CBR QR code and tell the team in the Pro-shop that you have arrived (or have one of your playing partners do so for you).
• The Golf Range can be open with patrons at least 1.5m apart (lessons and coaching are not permitted).
• Players MUST leave the flagstick in the hole at all times.
• Rakes will be removed. Players are encouraged to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club, rather than rakes.
• Golf carts are permitted, but only one person in a cart at a time.
• Ball washers and drink bubblers will be covered.

The safety of all players and complying with ACT Government restrictions are of the highest importance. The risks of non-compliance with these regulations could be individual fines or a reversal of the decision to allow golf to be played. Accordingly, we urge all players to strictly adhere to the requirements. Players who are observed not complying with any restrictions may be asked to leave the course immediately.

Splitting each 9 of the course between members and non-member groups has been done to ensure there is a balance between getting members back out on the course and making time for green fee players to support the Club.

We estimate that through careful management of the timesheets, we will be able to accommodate over 50 member groups onto the course each day, providing good access to those wanting to play. This is around a 25% increase in the number of spaces usually reserved for members on a Saturday and Wednesday.  

Should members want to play at a particular time and there is no vacancy on the 9 reserved for members, you can contact the Pro Shop on the day and, subject to availability, book into a vacant non-member tee time. Due to booking restrictions in place on the time sheets, members wishing to play with a non-member should contact the pro shop to organise a suitable tee time on the 9 reserved for non-members.

We will monitor these arrangements closely and will make adjustments if playing numbers demonstrate this is not producing an optimal outcome.

The time sheet for this weekend’s bookings will open at 7pm on Friday 17^th September. After this, timesheets will open at 7pm 2 days prior to the day of play. This is being done to allow us an opportunity to understand booking demands while leaving flexibility to respond to what is an ever-changing situation. This window may be expanded once we have a better understanding of how these restrictions will work.

Despite having been through similar conditions in 2020, there are some changed restrictions which mean this is a unique situation. We ask all players to be respectful of each other, including in relation to frequency of bookings. If you are able to play mid-week, we ask that you do so as much as possible to allow our members that can only play on the weekends to easily get a game.

We will not be restricting the number of times players can get on the course each week ,at this time however, we will do so if members are being prevented from accessing a time slot due to some members playing a large number of times per week.

Players can use the MiScore app, clicking on the ‘score social’ button, should you with to keep score for yourself.

Play well and stay safe.

Richard Oliver/President

Member update 14 September – Membership fees and summary from September meeting……

Members

Membership Fees 2021/22

Membership fees for the 2021/22 golfing year have now agreed between the Ainslie Group and the Golf Club. 

Due to the impact of the lockdown on both our ability to play and that some of our folks will not have worked for a period, we have moved the final date by which your fees need to be paid to 31 October rather than the normal 30 September. The only proviso here is that if you are wanting to play in the Club Championship your fees will need to have been paid by 5.00pm on the Wednesday before the commencement of the event.  The Championship are currently scheduled to commence on Saturday 9 October which means for those people wanting to play in this event, your fees will need to be paid by 5.00pm on Wednesday 6 October.  Watch out for any updates on the Championship dates.  

In the links below you will find:

• My letter to members regarding the fees for 2021/22 that we have agreed with Ainslie and information on the incentives offered;
• The Direct Debit Request Service Agreement form;
• The Direct Debit Request form; and
• A form that gives Ainslie authority to take your monthly charge from your credit card.

These forms must be completed and sent to Katie Tessier (the new Ainslie Membership officer) via email, if you wish to pay or continue paying by direct debit.

If you are choosing to pay via direct debit using your credit card, we would like you to complete the necessary documentation, scan it and then send it to Katie at katie.tessier@ainsliegroup.com.au.

The preferred method of payment is via Electronic Funds Transfer direct to the Ainslie bank account.  Payment will not be taken in person this year due to the Covid 19 restrictions. The details for your fund transfers will be provided to you when you receive your renewal notice from Ainslie.  You will receive this soon via email.

The club looks forward to you renewing your membership and readying yourself for the new playing year.

Documents and their links.

Membership letter for 2021-22

Direct Debit Service Agreement Form 2021-22

Direct Debit Request form 2021-22

Credit Card Authorisation form 2021-22

Summary of outcomes from the Committee meeting held on 9 September

• Reports were tabled from Executive members, as usually occurs.

From the President…

• Exchanges via email regarding the 21/22 membership fees, with agreement being reached.

From the Treasurer…

• Salty provided the usual financial statement report noting that we have approximately $50,000 in funds not already allocated after known expenses have been debited.
• He noted that we should look to limit our spending for a period, as we are currently not earning revenue from the running of competitions. The Committee agreed with this sentiment.  

From the Captains…

• Kevin noted we have notified the DGA and Golf NSW that the Gungahlin Lakes Open has been cancelled this year.
• Kevin led a discussion re the 2021 Club C’ships noting that we may need look to re-evaluate the dates. We do not want to recommence Golf after the shutdown with Championships.  As the greens have been done we can look to play the C’ships anytime to December this year (or potentially after – but this may impact the Pennants season). 
•  Mixed Foursomes – On hold until we see whether there is time to play the event this year.
• Matchplay Championships – the final between Evelyn Chung and Helen Bird is postponed until the course re-opens.

• Special Events – Covid 19 cancellations
  • WGNSW Medal – Golf NSW have been forced to cancel the Woman’s Medal competition for 2021.  As our qualifying rounds have not been completed, we are unable to enter results.  There is a $5 entry fee per play for this competition, which is taken from your special events entry fees, this amount will be credited towards your entry for next year.
  • Diabetes Trophy – qualification round – this is usually played in conjunction with the September Monthly Medal rounds and determines our representatives to play at the CSGA Open day in February 2022.  If we do not get to play this month, this can be postponed to the October Monthly Medal rounds.
  • Women’s Open Day Thursday 2 September – cancelled for the 2nd year running.

Greens and Grounds…

• With no golfers allowed, fairways are repairing (divots), and the greens are healthy (plug marks).
• Fairways are beginning to grow and the rough is definitely surging.
• The bunker renovation program has hit a sudden halt. We are not sure if this will now be completed this year.
• Greens renovations have been a success.  They have taken longer than normal due to the lack of staff, as well as the absence of great numbers of volunteers.
• We are half way through thinning of trees on 16 (staff shortages are hampering this).
• 2^nd bunker left hand side has been reshaped.
• A new garden bed has been installed at the back of the 3^rd white tee.
• Excess soil that has been in the overflow carpark for years, has been introduced to the new alternate tee on the 6^th.
• Three seats have been generously donated by members:
  • Kevin Flanagan has donated a seat that will be situated at the 25^th Anniversary Tree on the 18^th.
  • Lesley Edwards has donated a seat that will be installed behind the protective screen on 12.
  • Ross, Amanda and Jolie McLoughlin have donated an “In Memorium” seat to Bodgie Lee and will be on the tee at 10.

Matters discussed in General Business not covered in other papers/reports

• Honour Boards – work has commenced on ‘shaping’ the new Honour Boards to be mounted in the Spike Bar. At this stage we are proofing the information.  When the club reopens, we can begin the work to accommodate the mounting of the new boards.
• Comms – Nicole noted that the Dress Codes have been updated and put onto the Website. There was a short discussion about the wearing of jeans with the Committee agreeing that dress jeans or jeans in good condition should continue to be allowed.
• AGM – the timeline associated with the AGM was discussed and agreed. Shaun will manage this process.
• Jolly Joker – Salty provided a short paper re the future of the Jolly Joker fundraising. Proposal is that in lieu of any volunteering work, Ainslie provide a base donation (proposed at 6k) and take over the program.  Salty provided a breakdown on the previous years’ “profits” noting that the $6.000 is an average amount received into the club.  Proposal agreed to by Committee.  Richard to work with Salty re an email to Simon (and potentially a paper for the Ainslie Board).
• Reciprocal clubs – Jeff provided an update on the current state of play for reciprocal clubs. We have received a request from Cooma which, the Committee did not support.  Still waiting to hear from Moruya and Wollongong.

For your information.

Next meeting – 14 October 2021

Richard Oliver/President