News Archive

Member update 14 September – getting closer……

Members

New Seat on 18th

Member update 2 September – no golf yet but, some good news.

Members 

I spoke with the CEO of Ainslie earlier today and his view is that we will get back to playing golf, as soon as this is possible.  He is very keen to see members back on the course and he is committed to re-opening the course as soon as it is permitted by the ACT Government.  In his view, this will likely not be until around the 17th of September or possibly later.  We are also in contact with the District Golf Association who are talking regularly with ACT Sport and Recreation as the Government’s key point of contact on sport. So far we understand all other ACT golf clubs are giving their members similar advice.

I am in the process of finalising the membership fee arrangements for the 2021/22 golfing year and together with Ainslie we are looking at options that are take account of the current no-play situation and how we can reward members for their continued support.  I am hoping to provide a more detailed update for you on membership fees next week and for membership letters to go to members in the near future.

On the better news side, renovation of the Greens is well underway with the Greens being cored and fertilised over the last two days and with the sand top-dressing to be applied over the coming couple of days.  Rain is predicted on the weekend which will see the cored Greens begin to repair very quickly.  Although we would all like to be playing now, at least when we are able to play we will be playing on a course that has had the yearly renovations work done early and quickly readying itself for the upcoming club championships.

On the club championships, the dates are currently set in the playing schedule but the Match Committee is mindful that we need to give players time to fine-tune their game and their preparations, post time away from the course due to the lockdown.  In this context,  we will keep members informed should there be any serious consideration of moving the dates.  At this stage, the playing schedule in the Members Handbook is your guide.

Stay safe and here’s hoping we can be back on the course in the very near future.

Richard Oliver/President    

Member Update 27 August – The Gungahlin Lakes Open and Club Championship

Member update 24 August 21 – Summary from the Committee meeting on 12 August

Members 

• Reports were tabled from Executive members, as usually occurs. Question taken in relation to the respective as required.

From the President…

• No meeting held this month with Ainslie CEO and CFO, as this was not deemed necessary.
• Richard has been monitoring the Saturday and Sunday fields and even with now 535 players who can play on Saturdays, there are still gaps in the timesheet later in the week for those wanting weekend game.
• Annual Report planning has commenced with a schedule for writing to be notified by the Secretary in the near future. Plan is for the report to be finished by the end of October to allow members time to read and review.

From the Treasurer…

• The club has approximately $57,000 in funds not already allocated after known expenses have been debited.

From the Captains…

Upcoming events:

• Tournament rules for Club Championships have been posted on MiClub. Link and advisement to be posted on Facebook so all members are aware. Match Committee also reviewing all aspects of the competition to ensure smooth running of event.
• Golf NSW has “put on hold” the Vardon and SOOM events due to COVID. The DGA has also cancelled the Senior Championship event that was scheduled for later this year in the ACT.
• Match Committee is currently reviewing the ongoing COVID circumstances and will make a decision regarding the GLGC Men’s Open closer to the date of the event.
• Mixed Foursomes – Going by the discussions with most of our playing women members, we will have approximately 30-35 pairing for the Mixed Foursomes on Sunday 29 August, pending the lifting of COVID restrictions.
• Women’s Open Day Thursday 2 September – Invitation was sent to all the clubs at the start of the month. We currently have approximately 30 entries.  Entries are generally slow at the start, expecting to receive in the vicinity of 80 players for the day.  At this stage we only have a handful of our members who have entered, closing date is not for another couple of weeks.  This year our entry fee is $35.00 and includes lunch, which is selected when entering.  Play is dependent on Golf play being allowed.

Course

• Course is in great condition considering the amount of rain.
• Murray has placed signs in carts regarding keeping to the paths. Splash also mentioned this as some members and visitors have been seen driving in close proximity to greens. An email has been sent to offending members reminding them of the need to stay away from the Green surrounds.
• Lift clean and place local rule to remain in-place until course dries out completely (or major event is scheduled)
• Green conditions continue to improve. Great work to Shane and staff to maintain them during the wet period.
• “Timed round” signs have been removed and replaced with “keep up” signs. We should be pushing to keep up not focusing on the time taken to play the round.

COVID

• As a result of the current COVID 19  lockdown, the Captain has “Closed” the competitions in the system until the restriction on play are lifted. Any changed advice will be posted on the Website and Facebook.

Greens and grounds…

• At the time of the meeting (12 August) we have had 540mm of rainfall year to date. The course is saturated.
• Trees have been dropped on 18. The weather permitting, trees on 16 will be thinned in early August. This work has commenced and is progressing.
• Dangerous trees around the course have been approved for removal by ACT Government. We are sourcing a service provider for work.
• Tree stumps will be ground at the end of winter
• Bunker program is on track. 1. 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, and 18 have all been completed, possibly more by the publication of these minutes.
• A request by a member to remove the native grasses at the back of the green on 3 and replace with turf was discussed and rejected.
• A request by a member to introduce a system of small mounds/swales at the lower side of 16 was discussed and rejected.

Note:  Members making these suggestions are thanked for offering their thoughts.

• Lift, clean and place was discussed and has already been forwarded on to and approved by the Match Committee. This is due to the continuing moistness of the course.
• “Szabos Spillway” is an ongoing project – 30m³ has been introduced. The ‘tongue’ is supported now.  Shane and Mark have discussed the option of, once the area has been fully covered, to introduce a further 100mm “skin” and then install medium sized rocks into the concrete surface.  This may be a cost to be investigated by the committee – but ballpark may be around $1000.  Further work to be done on any associated costs.
• 4 x Taxodium distichum (Swamp Cypress) have been kindly donated and been planted along the edge of the 16^th – just below the Womens Green Tee. This is to replace the tree that was cut down.  Thanks to (in order) Craig Farrell, Jeffrey Turvey, Mike Hogben, Kevin Flanagan and Mark Hynes.
• The side of the pathway to the 10^th has been cleared and will be mulched over the coming weeks (thanks to Territory Horticulture).
• The garden bed above the 10^th green has been cleared and will be mulched over the coming months (thanks to Territory Horticulture).

The garden bed between the 16^th green and 18^th fairway has been cleared and will be leveled and reseeded (thanks to Territory Horticulture). 

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

Honour Boards

• Honour Boards to be more consistent with the Boards as displayed in the upstairs parts of the club. The proposal has been discussed with Ainslie who support the work/project.  Work will be done over the coming weeks when access is permitted to the club premises.  This will give a fresh look and feel to the Spike Bar with all the information on the ‘shields’ being retained and better presented.

 Turf Protection Matting 

• Mark put forward a proposal to purchase a number of turf protection matting to be used where there is heavy wear and tear. Cost would be approximately $1200.  Agreed to by Committee with work to be done by Greens’ team and Dad’s Army.

MND Gala Day – Proposal by Mark Urquhart.

• Mark provided a short paper outlining a proposal to run a gala day in support of MND. Whilst the Committee agreed that the proposal had merit, it did however present a number of logistical and potential health and Safety issues, and as such was not agreed to by the Committee.  Various options were discussed – including an option to run a MND Charity Golf event maybe on a Friday when the weather is better.  Richard to talk to Mark regarding the proposal.

 Lifestyle Memberships – Points adjustments 

• Tim provided a detailed spreadsheet highlighting which Lifestyle members who had used all their available points. A better ability to track point usage is required and then communicate with members who are approaching using their full.  Richard, Mike and Simon will get together to look at a way forward.  Tim will make all the necessary point adjustments when the club reopens after the current COVID 19 lockdown.

Next meeting – 9 September 2021

Richard Oliver/President