Major Events February to April

As I am sure most members are aware, there are a number of major events coming up. Here is the list for February to April

Saturday 22 February (Club Opening Day) - AM and PM Shotgun start. Opening day also means the commencement of our Saturday Order of Merit and we once again thank member Greg Dudley through RSM Australia for sponsoring our 2025 Order of Merit.

Sunday 23 February (G & L Millett Mixed Canadian Foursomes) - PM Shotgun start. Timesheet is already open with cost of $35 with a buffet and presentations to follow golf.

Sunday 9 March - (Club Foursomes Championships) - 8:15AM Shotgun start. Timesheet is already open with cost of $35 with a buffet and presentations to follow golf.

Saturday 22 March, Sunday 23 March (Club Championships) - Qualifying rounds of the Men's and Women's Club Championships. Timesheet to open Friday 21 February at 6pm. Cost is $50. The Matchplay rounds will be played on Saturday 29 March (AM and PM) with the finals on Saturday 5 April. There will be no members competition on Saturday 29 March and a limited field members competition on Saturday 5 April.  Presentations for the Club Championships will occur after all play on Saturday 5 April.

Friday 11 April (Men's Senior Open) - 11am Shotgun start.  Entries will be open via Mitournament on Friday 21 February at 6pm.  Members are able to book a group, however all players in the group must be playing the same format i.e. all stroke or all stableford.  The cutoff for stroke is GA 10.2.  Entry cost is $40 members and $70 visitors.

Saturday 12 and 13 April (Gosnells Open) - Men and Women. Entries will open be via Mitournament on Friday 21 February at 6pm.  A seeded draw will be completed for this event. Entry cost is $60 members / $90 visitors.

Wednesday 23 April (Junior Open) -  12:30pm Shotgun start.  Entries are open via Mitournament.  Entry cost is $40 members and $50 visitors

Friday 25 April - (ANZAC Day) - A newsletter dedicated to ANZAC day will be released in due course detailing the arrangements for the day.

Pro Shop Reminders

Please remember that it is a requirement for all members to check into the Pro Shop prior to your game.  It is important to note that this also includes your guests. When booking a guest for a casual game - this can be done via the timesheet.  Please include the full name (and golflink if they have one) of your guest.

Shotgun Survey

Late last year we invited members to participate in a short survey related to the Sponsored Shotguns held once a month on a Thursday and Saturday.  There was only a small number of surveys completed. The Match Committee have reviewed the survey data and endorse the Sponsored Shotgun events continuing.  The positive benefits to the majority of members playing, the club and sponsors warrant these events continuing.

I would like to address a couple comments that suggest shotgun starts result in groups banking up on some holes.  Some time ago we amended our shotgun template to have only one group on a hole following a par 3 to assist in the field moving smoothly.  For instance, despite being close to the clubhouse, hole 10 only has one group as it follows a par 3.  Recently we have amended our procedures further to reduce the number of holes with two groups - these groups are added back in if the demand is there.

Pennant Nominations 

A reminder that pennant nominations for our Men's Division 2, 4, 5 and 6 and Women's Division 1 (weekend) and 4 (weekday) and 5(weekday) close on Monday 20 February.

Rules

Well done to member Simon Podesta who has achieved “Expert Status” with the USGA Rules Department.  This status is R&A Level 3 equivalent and qualifies him to referee in the US Open. It is likely that we will use Simon to assist us as a Rules Official for some of our major events.

It has come to my attention that some members may be using the "slope" function available to them in their rangefinder when playing a competition.  This is not allowed and a breach of Rule 4.3.  In reality this is no different to carrying an extra club or being dishonest about your score on a hole.  Should your device measure wind speed this also is not permitted.

The penalty for a breach of Rule 4.3 is the general penalty which is two strokes.  The penalty for a second breach is disqualification. Please don't put yourself in a situation where your marker needs to ask whether your slope function is turned off.