News Archive

Course Maintenance Update

Members would have recently noticed a considerable amount of work being undertaken by the greens staff as well as volunteers.  Removing dangerous and damaging trees throughout the course is a priority.  In our attempts to remove the dirt piles on the side of 1 and 9, we are identifying areas that present opportunities for future course improvements.  For instance, the area to the right of the 6^th tee is being shaped to open up the option of a future alternative tee – this is a medium to long term project.  There will be other areas where this dirt can be distributed around the course, in a way that can support future structural improvements.  We will keep members informed of further plans.

The back of the 4^th green is also under construction thanks to Dad’s Army. Thank you also to long time member Mark Porecca for his donation of his time, his bobcat and his truck.  In addition to being a source of frustration for many golfers, this garden bed was a high maintenance item, and has been removed with the view to having it as a section of rough.

Over the winter months, members will note that there will be extensive work to the water hazards around the course.  The newly purchased reach mower is already being utilised to trim to the water’s edge and neaten up the area without the use of herbicides, which can contribute to erosion around our waterways. 

Mark Hynes

Greens Chair

Handicap changes

A review of the handicap ranges has been undertaken by the Match Committee with the intention of achieving an equitable distribution of players across all handicap ranges.

As a result of the analysis the following changes will be made to the Men’s handicap ranges as of 30 May 2020.

The Ladies’ handicap on weekend will remain unchanged, and will now be used for weekday events.

The match committee will continue to monitor the distribution of players between grades and make changes if needed to help improve equity in our competitions.

Visitor Fee change for Tuesday OPEN comps

The club has made the following change to the visitors fees for the Tuesday OPEN competitions.

POLICY for Visitors playing in the Tuesday OPEN competition

From June 2020

All visitors will be categorised as either:

Active Visitor: $12 competition fee only.

• Is a member of a golf course in Australia and has a GolfLink Handicap
• Has played at least 1 competition round at their home course during the preceding 60 days (as per GolfLink)

Or

Non-Active Visitor $41 Green Fee ($29) and additional Comp Fee ($12)

(this includes playing as a member’s guest in the Tuesday competition

• Is a member of a golf Club in Australia (this includes virtual clubs)
• Has a GolflInk Handicap
• Has not played at their Home course during the preceding 60 days.

Perfect time to Join Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club!

PROMOTION:

“Join Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club and the Joining Fee ($200) is waived”

5 Day membership JUNE – 30^th SEPTEMBER NOW $408

5 Day membership JULY – 30th SEPTEMBER NOW $326

5 Day membership AUGUST – 30th SEPTEMBER NOW $244

CLICK here for Membership information

Members Update – 25 May 20

All Members

Again, a very short update this week.  

As flagged in my last update, the course will return to 7-day operation next Monday (1 June).  As is the norm on public holidays, Pro-shop competitions will be run on the next two Mondays (Reconciliation Day and the Queen’s Birthday).  As we are back to four off the tee, there is plenty of golf to be played over the coming weeks.  Remember, we will still be running competitions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and on both weekend days.  

There is nothing further from the CEO Ainslie on when the AFSC will reopen. Simon remains of the view that will be somewhere between late June to mid-July and will be dependent on how the public transitions out of stages 1 and 2 of the three stages the Prime Minister recently outlined.  As soon as there is new information, he will let us know and I will pass this information on to members.

Can I remind all players to continue to adhere strictly to our social distancing measures.  As we return to full operation (from a golf perspective), it is absolutely essential that the measures we currently have in place are adhered to.  Also, if you see someone else not doing the ‘right’ thing then gently remind them of the importance of adhering to the measures.

As noted in the outcomes from the recent Committee meeting, the removal of the Administration/Joining fee for new members was agreed to by CEO Ainslie.  This initiative has now taken effect and will remain in place until December of this year.  If you have friends considering joining a club or simply wanting to play more regular golf, now is the time to join Gungahlin Lakes….no extra fee and prorated membership rates for all categories except the Lifestyle makes joining the club very cost attractive at the present.  Tell your non-member friends about how good a place we are to play golf. 

All the best and play well.  

Richard Oliver/President

Summary of the outcomes from the Golf Club Committee meeting held on 14 May 20

Below is a summary of the issues discussed and outcomes from the meeting on 14 May.

Reports form members of the Executive were tabled and taken as read.

A range of papers were tabled and discussed with the following outcomes:

• The application of an Administration/Joining fee that applies to new members to the club was discussed. Currently other clubs in the region have taken decisions to not apply this type of fee for a period of time.  The Committee agree that this was a sensible strategy in the context of trying to expand our membership base and remain competitive in a tight golfing market.  CEO Ainslie has agreed that the fee will be removed for a period of six months and will add this to the current radio advertisements.
• Tuesday Competitions – The Committee discussed whether or not there should be some priority given to Gungahlin Lakes members. Committee agreed in-principle that a way of giving priority to members should be explored with Murray.  A discussion will be held with Murray to how this might be best implemented.  Gungahlin Lakes members should watch for slots on the time sheets that may be reserved for our members.
• 25-year History Project – The Club’s 25^th birthday is on 6 July 2021. The Committee agreed to formally support the development of a short document presenting the first 25 years of the Clubs existence and operation.  A small team will come together and start the work required. If members have information or photos, they think might be suitable to include, please talk to Norm Loughton.
• Competition fees for Club run competitions – The Committee has agreed to lift the price of Club run competitions from $10 to $12 from when the Committee assumes responsibility for running the weekend competitions. This will mean that both the Pro-comps and Club-comps will be similarly priced at $12. Members should be aware that this remains cheaper than the competitions run by all (we think) other clubs, most of whom are priced at $14.
• Handicap ranges – The current handicap ranges were discussed with the Committee agreeing to a very slight adjustment to the handicap range to ensure that the Grades/Divisions are appropriately balanced. More information on these will be provided to members from the Captains and Vice-Captain in the near future via the Website and the Club’s Facebook page.
• Website redesign – The existing Website was discussed with the aim of improving its usability and content. A sub-group has been formed which will take the lead in undertaking this work.  The aim of this project to provide members with a Website that is more intuitive, content accurate, and better linked to the other Website operated by the Ainslie Group and Murray, the Club’s professional. 
• Funding for the further repair of the Course – Funding for the further rectification work on the remaining six fairways (yet to be sanded) was discussed. We will further discuss with the CEO Ainslie.  Our aim is to be bring the course back to its previous high quality by sanding the remaining six fairways and put a very lighting dusting of sand on the other fairways. Agreement to the necessary funding will be for a discussion between Ainslie and the Committee.

For your information.

Richard Oliver/President