With minimal rainfall, and the commitment that our Shapers would stay at Long Reef instead of returning to continue projects at other Clubs, we've successfully completed the Bunker Master Plan in 8 months.

The result; 40 new bunkers with functioning drainage, Klingstone lining and improved sand throughout for consistency.

The bunkers by the numbers;

• 72 bunkers reduced to 40 including the spare hole
• 675 tonnes of bunker sand transported over 18 loads from a quarry in Cowra
• 315 tonnes of gravel to line the bunker bases
• 4,600 litres of Klingstone sprayed on the base to set the gravel
• 2 ½ football fields of turf or 17,500 sqm
• Over 2,500 hours of construction and shaping by our two Shapers
• At least 120 site visits from Craig Parry
• 7 hole in one's at 4B
• Too many wipes to count on 4A

Whilst working through the Bunker Master Plan, we identified areas around the Course that could be enhanced with improved turf quality, additional drainage, and re-shaping. Areas such as the right side of the 18^th hole, right side of the 9^th fairway, back left of the 6^th green, 12^th fairway and wasteland, drainage between the 14^th and 15^th holes, all being completed during the construction period. 

Looking ahead, we will continue to refine the bunkers by compacting the sand and defining the green surrounds as the turf grows in.

We are still working with Craig Parry on the improvements to the functions and aesthetics of the waterways, with some planning approvals required by Northern Beaches Council before carryout this work in 2024.

What's happening with the mounds? Now the Bunker works have come to an end, there will be greater emphasis on determining a long term solution to the mounds on the 15^th and 16^th holes. Discussions have continued with Craig Parry and other construction specialists over the past 8 months, and we expect to present a plan next year to Members.

On behalf of all our team at Long Reef Golf Club, we want to wish each and every one of you a happy and safe Christmas. We hope that this festive season brings you joy, laughter, and quality time with loved ones. We look forward to seeing you throughout the Club and Course.

Ben Russell | General Manager

Saturday 16th is the annual Christmas Dress Up Day- dress up in your best festive attire and join us for a fun day playing a 4 person Ambrose event. There will be a prize for the best dressed!

Course

Now that the major construction work of the Bunker Master Plan is complete I would like to thank the Membership for their patience and understanding during this time. The work has resulted in a reduction of the number of bunkers from 71 to 40, a much-improved pace of play and overall enjoyment in playing the course.

A big thank you to Pete Donkers and his team for their part in the project. They ensured the work they did went to schedule and that we had a playable course throughout.

Volunteer Work Group

I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Course Volunteers who every Tuesday work to improve the course by tidying up the gardens, removing felled trees/limbs and weeds, as well as planting new trees and shrubs.

Golf Shop

As we prepare for the 1 February 2024 changeover of the running of the Pro Shop a big thank you to Danny Vera and his team for their support and service provided to the Club throughout the years.

As this is the last Newsletter for 2023 I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I look forward to another great year of golf in 2024.

Results

Wednesday 29 November - Single Stableford and a small field of 118 were not put off by the forecast and enjoyed some good playing conditions.

The A Grade winner with a score of 41 points was Bradley Verrills. Second with a score of 40 points was Andrew Daddo and third place went to John Briggs with 38.

The B Grade winner with a score of 38 points on the countback was Rob Mander from Mark Hansen. Third place went to Carter Harris with 36.

The C Grade winner and score of the day went to James Pysar with a score of 41 points. Second place went to Chris Payne with 36 and John Mccririck with 35 points.

The scratch score went to Chun-Ta Wu with a par round 69.

Nearest the pin on the 2^nd Maurice Loomes (298cm). Paul Harrison on the 13^th (109cm).

Saturday 2 December - December Medal with a field of 188 players and the full course in play.

The A Grade winner Troy Sheperd with a Nett 66. Second place went to Inness Maclennan with a Nett 68 on the countback with Simon Frauendelder in third place also with a Nett 68 on the countback.

The B Grade winner was Lindsay Bates with a Nett 67. Second place went to Glen Brown with a Nett 68 on the countback from Stewart Nettleton, also with a Nett 68.

The C Grade winner and score of the day went to Mark Rodney Stevens with a Nett 66.

Second place went to Even Gibbs with a Nett 67 from John Dertateossian also with Nett 67.

The scratch score of the day went to Chun-Ta Wu with a 2 under par 67.

Nearest the pin on the 2^nd went to Harry McKerrihan (93cm). The 13^th went to Chun-Ta Wu (171cm).

Wednesday 6 December -Single Stableford and 4BBB saw a full field of 231 players enjoying their golf with almost perfect playing conditions.

The A Grade winner and score of the day went to Michael Maras with 41 points on the countback from Alan Patience. Third went to Jimmy Knox with 37 points on the countback.

The B Grade winner was Jeremy Gruzman with a score of 39 points, Scott Macqueen in second place with 38 on the countback and third place Laurie Mccourt, 38 on the countback.

The C Grade winner was Mark Hunter with 41 points, second place Steven Bowers with 39 on the countback from James Pysar.

The Fourball winners were Mark Hetler and Jens Knoop with 49 points and Jeremy Gruzman and Hugh Wilson in second place with 46 on the countback.

The scratch score of the day went to Jimmy Knox with a par round 71.

Nearest the pin on the 2^nd went to Tony Cooper (25cm). The 13^th went to Simon Couch (57cm).

Saturday 9 December Christmas Invitation Day - 4BBB & Single Stableford

There was a great turnout for the Christmas Invitation Day with a total of 246 participants. The cool sea breeze helped playing conditions which resulted in some excellent scores.

AM

Adam Phillip and Brock Johnson won the morning fourball with 53 points. Luke Crawford and Rob Cordaiy came second with 48 on the countback from Adrian Monahan and Michael Clements.

Brock Johnson had the best men's stableford score with 45 points.

Lindy Meakins had the best women's stableford with 38 points.

Nearest the pin on the 2^nd went to Michael McKerihan (206cm). The 13^th went to Robert McLaughlin (38cm).

PM

Steve Prior and James Johnson won the afternoon fourball with 49 points. Andrew Manners and Reay Nicholls took second place with 47 points on the countback from Simon Frauenfelder and Ashley Frauenfelder.

Ashley Frauenfelder won the men's stableford with 45points.

Jie Cheng won the women's stableford with 39 points.  

Nearest the pin on the 2^nd went to Emmanuel Aravanos (63cm). The 13^th went to Mark Robertson (21cm).

Rob Cordaiy | Captain

Starting with the Annual Women's Christmas Party, with great food, bingo games and a Jukebox for dancing. A good night was had by all.

Thanks to Alex Knight LRGC Operations Manager for folding 125 napkins into Christmas trees!

A special thanks to Carol Cummins who made her signature Christmas cake with Linda Sinclair the winner of the cake. 

Thursday was our Christmas Fun Day. A fabulous effort was made by all the ladies with their outfits.

Our Dress Up Winners were:

1. Lyndall Bacon, Emma Thurlow, Karman Whitford & Fiona Woolley
2. Jennifer Jansson, Karen Smith, Kim Sloane & Alyssa Starc
3. Rosemary West, Veronica Bertram, Gilda Severino & Jenny Watts. 
   

You may have read of the recent passing of Michelle Ison.

Michelle was a wonderful person, working on committee, charity days and participating in the Pennant teams. A friend to many,she will be sorely missed.

On behalf of the entire women's membership our sympathy goes to her partner Steve and her daughters Brooke, Courtney and Brianna. 

Michelle Milsted | Women's President

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Christmas Fun Day 

On 7 December Long Reef was full of Christmas colour for the Team Stableford Christmas Fun Day. There were 123 players enjoying the day with 111 playing 18 holes and 12 nine hole players. 

The winners of the 18 Holes were: Dani Montgomery, Debra Trim, Dianne Muncke with 106 points, Judy Gietz, second was Lynne Parsons, Amanda Biffin, Julie Vargeson, Liz Macqueen with 105 points on a c/b from Marilyn Denner, Mary Payne, Sharyn, Kerry McCallum and fourth was Libby Cleary, Sandra Haberlin, Elizabeth O'Brien, Val Hindmarsh on 103 points.

The 9 Holes was won by Patricia Carpenter, Carol Cummins, Arlene Veith, Margaret Mullins on 49 points, from Fay Sinnot, Anne Nielsen, Carole Anderson, Robyn Hill on 45 points.

Sunday 26 November Karen Allan (29) had a fabulous 46 points, while on Monday 27 November Sally Hill (16) also had a great score with 40 points.  

Tuesday 28 November, Division I winner was Jenny Watts (27) on 40 points from Lyndall Bacon (23) on 38 points.  Division II winner was Helen Ayres (31) with 37 points from Liz Morton (31) with 36 points.  Our gold tee winner was Jeanette Black (42) with 32 points on a c/b from Petrina Rousel (38).  The nine hole competition was won by Kerry Mccallum (39) with 18 points from Meriam Matheson (28) on 16. Points on a c/b. 

Thursday 30 November, Division I was won by Lyndall Bacon (23) with 38 points from Vanessa Murphy (16) on 36 points on a c/b, Division II was won by Debra Trim (30) on 40 points on a c/b from Muriel Dawson (29) and Julie Simpson (32) on 39 points.  Division III winner was Lyn Ashton (39) on 38 points from Angela Brown (37) on 32 points.  Division IV gold was won by Toni Wilson with a great score of 46 points on a c/b from Sandra Haberlin (47).  The nine holes was won by Arlene Veith (45) on 19 points from Wendy Hague (33) on 18 points. 

On Saturday 2 December, Emma Thurlow (8) won the monthly medal with another fabulous score of 75 gross 67 nett.  Well done, Emma!! 

Tuesday 5 December, Division I was won by Lyndall Bacon (22) with 41 points on a c/b from Rachel Buxton (12), Division II was won by Marg O'Connell (30) on 39 points from Gay McCorby (28) on 35 points on a c/b from Chez Hickman (28), Division II was won by Karen Pethybridge (41) on 34 points from Lisa Mackenzie (35) on 33 points on a c/b, Division IV gold was won by Elizabeth Wilkins (41) on 34 points from Jeanette Black (43) on 33. Points.  The nine hole competition was won by Muriel Dawson (27) on 17 points on a c/b from Jennifer Vasseleu (36). 

Upcoming Fixtures:

The next event for the women is Opening Day on 1 February 2024.  Further information will follow next year.  Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy your golf!

Sue Kruse | Women's Captain

Need a last minute Christmas gift idea?

Buy a special bottle from our Reserve Wine List for family or friends

Philip Shaw No.11 Chardonnay 2021
$49.30

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021
$55.00

Taylors 'Masterstroke' Cabernet Shiraz 2017
$55.00

Rymill 'The Surveyor' Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $66.00

Bremerton 'Old Adam' Shiraz 2020
$66.30

Hentley Farm 'The Beauty' Shiraz 2020
$71.40

Penfolds 'Bin 389' Cabernet Shiraz 2019
$112.20

It is with great sadness I report the passing of Michelle Ison and Ronald McNally. 

Michelle had been a Member of Long Reef for over 7 years. Michelle will be remembered as vibrant, adventurous, having a wicked sense of humour, friend to many, loving mother, partner and grandmother. We extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Steve Skinner and her family.

Ron was a Gold Member of Long Reef with over 58 years membership. His son-in-law Bob Hansor is a regular golfer. We extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Bob and his wife Julie during this difficult time. 

Christmas is generally a time of great happiness, however for some amongst us it will be an extremely difficult time learning to live without a close friend or relative. We can all take the time to contact someone who is in this grieving process and let them know that you are there for them during this difficult time. A phone call or text can be a powerful message of support. 

To all our Members and their families I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, wishing Santa brings you the presents you hope for and have a safe holiday season and prosperous new year.

Stephen Twigg | Welfare Coordinator

One archiving friend, Mark Pitt, has kindly added two pieces of memorabilia to our collection. In November the Goulburn versus Long Reef relationship celebrated seventy years of twice yearly golfing weekends. It all started with two of our golf club members, who were sports reps, playing at Goulburn and making friends with the then Pro. Mark has been taking part in these events for about thirty years and he has given us his own 2023 shirt. It is a copy of the shirts worn in the late 80s and shows the logos of the time. The laminated poster shows the logos currently in use. Thank you Mark.