I wanted to start 2024 with a brief update on what's happening at the Club:

Bunker Update

We had planned to have all bunkers filled with sand and back in play over the Christmas period, but this was halted by wet weather and a 40-tonne sand delivery that seems to have come from the "bottom of the barrel (quarry)" contaminated with rocks and clay. This has now been spread around the sandy wasteland on 12.

The Course Team completed the greenside bunkers on 12 this week and are working on the greenside bunker at 13. The next delivery will complete the 15^th hole and finally the 12^th fairway bunker and chipping green.

I wanted to share the following photos with you, providing some context to the issues we face regularly with more than just golf being played out of our bunkers. The below photos are following New Years Eve festivities; however this is a common occurrence with dogs, kids and general public walking through bunkers.

Those who holidayed away from Long Reef over Christmas would've been pleasantly surprised to return to a green Golf Course, and dam capacities up around 45%. Since 1^st December there has been 75.2mm of rainfall across the Course. We will welcome more.

Golf Shop

Teed Up Golf's last day in the Golf Shop will be Wednesday 31^st January. Members' Prize and Ball Accounts will continue to be valid with the Club until 31^st May 2024, however it is a great opportunity to use your accounts on sale items.

The Golf Shop refurbishment timeline is being finalised along with the new design. We look forward to providing a sneak peek to Members shortly and how the Golf Shop will operate prior and during construction.

Ben Russell | General Manager

Effective February 1st, the Club will be taking over the Golf shop operations internally. As you are aware, our current Golf and Corporate Manager, Jenny Schulenburg, will transition into the role of Director of Golf. Jenny brings over 20 years of experience, having previously served as the Assistant Director of Golf at Monash Country Club and as the Assistant Professional at Bayview.

In this transition, Danny Vera will continue as a Senior Golf Professional, focusing on teaching and club fitting. Michael Infanti will maintain his position as our Head Teaching Professional. Additionally, Wayne, Dave and Oli will be assisting on a casual basis in the shop.

Although we have had some good rain during December with 75 mm, follow-up rain during January and February is needed to fill the dams and keep the Course in good condition. The 30 cm preferred lie will continue during January while the rough patches on the fairways repair.  

It pays to have your brakes checked!
On Wednesday 13 December John Dickerson parked is buggy next to the 7th tee only to find that the brakes failed, and his buggy and clubs ended up in the dam. Thankfully, after two attempts he was able to retrieve all his clubs.

Hole-In-Ones!
Cameron Daddo (left) was over the moon when he got his first hole-in-one on the 2nd, Saturday 30th December. Congratulations Cam.

The new year was kicked off with a another first hole in one from Phil Blanshard (middle) on Saturday 6th January followed by Peter Duclos (right) scoring a hole in on his birthday in today's competition.

Results

Wednesday 13^th December - 4BBB and Single Par with a good field of 217 players.

The A Grade winner was Matthew Savage with a score of +5. Andrew Koch was runner-up with +3 with Michael Long in third place with +2 on the countback.
The B Grade winner and score of the day went to Trevor Clayton with +6. Michael Bradbery was the runner-up with +4 and David Quinn in third place with +3 on the countback.
The C Grade winner was Ken Taylor with +6 with Geoff Bertram runner-up +4. Third place went to John Briscoe with +3.

The Scratch score went to Chun-Ta Wu with a 3 under par round.
Nearest the pin on the 2^nd went to Simon Thorn (40cm) and David Freedman on the 13^th (56cm).
The Four Ball winners were James Gleeson and David Quinn +12. Runners-up were Matthew Savage and Brad Roberge +10

Saturday 16^th December (Christmas dress up) - 4 Ball Ambrose and a field of 217 players, in some great Christmas dress ups! Everyone enjoyed the day and recorded some great scores.

Mark Cruise, Darren Bradstreet, Simon Couch & Dragan Mitrovic won with a score of 53.375.
Runner up was Michael Cooper, Murray Rowe, Peter Clark & Garry Riggs with 53.5.
Lerida Grant, David Grant & Andrew Varasdi took third place with 54.5
While Nick Sherlock, Josh Dowse, Nigel McCook & Mike Dickson were fourth with 54.5.

The Scratch winners were:
Nicholas Mundy, Timothy Cruickshank, Ian Perrin & Luke Edgell with 56.
Nearest the Pin on the 2^nd went to Richard Smith. The 13^th went to Paul Sloman (114cm).
The Best Dressed Group for 2023 went to Billy Watson, Connor Duff, Cian Hughes and Mitchell Jones.

Saturday 23 December - A field of 119 players enjoyed fine weather for pre-Christmas single Stableford and 4 Ball.

The A Grade winner and Score of the day went to Lennox Cleary who had a fantastic round of 3 under par and 45 points. The runner up was Simon Frauenfelder with 40 points and David Grant third with 39 on the countback.
The B Grade winner was Josh Malin with 42 points on the countback and Perter Clark runner-up with 42. Third place went to Ben Knight with 41 points.
The C Grade winner was Stuart Cleary with 44 points with Barry Young runner-up with 41 on the countback. Third place went to Tristan Loud.
Rachael Loomes won the women's comp with 42 points.

The Scratch score went to Lennox Cleary 3 under par.
The Four Ball winners were Stuart Cleary and David Mason with Lerida and David Grant runners-up.
Nearest the pin on the 2^nd Anthony Papandrea (80cm). The 13^th Ian Perrin (120cm).

Wednesday 27 December - Irish 4BBB and single stableford. A mixed bag of weather conditions with rain and the lightning siren going off in the afternoon. None of this deterred the majority of the field from finishing.

The A Grade winner and score of the day went to Matthew Savage with 43 points. Runner-up was Michael Buckley with 41. Third was Michael Dennis with 40 on the countback.
The B Grade winner was Ash Cleary with 40 points with Lloyd O'Harte runner up with 39. Third was Andrew Smith on the countback.
The C Grade winner was Bob Jones with 41 points and Matt Harris runner-up with 38. Third place went to Evan Gibbs with 37.

Scratch was won by Chun-Ta Wu with a 1 under par 70.
The Irish Four Ball went to Richard Thomas, Richard Smith, Michael Dennis & Nicholas Mundy with a score of 94.
Nearest the pin on the 2nd Brian Ferguson (108cm). The 13^th Greg-J Black (290cm).

Saturday 30 December - 2 Ball Multiplier and Single Stableford. A field of 209 players enjoyed perfect playing conditions and the scores were reflective of the improved course conditions after good rain during the week.

The A Grade winner was Mitch Bockman with 42 points and the runner up, Lennox Cleary with 40 on the countback. Third was Robert Watson.
The B Grade winner was Michael Rogan with 43 points with Luke Murphy runner up with 41 on the countback. Tom Irons was third.
The C Grade winner and Score of the Day went to Perry Yeldham with 44 points. Runner up was Roger Sharp with 39 points on the countback and Peter Lindwall was third.
Rachael Loomes won the women's comp with 37 points.

The 4 Ball Multiplier was won by Mike O'Carroll & Peter Lindwall with a score of 92.
Runners up were Maurice Loomes & Rachael Loomes with a score of 86.
Scratch score was won by Chun-Ta Wu with a 2 under par 69.
Nearest the pin on the 2^nd (hole-in-one) Cameron Daddo. The 13^th Alan Patience (29cm).

Wednesday 3 January - Single Stableford and 4BBB with a field of 231 players.

The A Grade winner and Score of the Day went to Steve Twigg with 44 points on the countback. Runner up was Harry McKerihan and third was David Fogarty with 40.
B Grade was won by Michael Brandbery also with 44 points and runner-up was Chris Montgomery with 43. Third place went to Alan Morisset with 40.
The C Grade winner was Max Turnbull with 38 points and the runner-up was Gary Stafford with 37 on the countback. Third was Bob Jones.

The 4Ball winners were Rod Macqueen & Chris Montgomery with 47 points on the countback.
Runners-up were Steven Hill & Steve Twigg with 47.

Scratch score was won by Chun-Ta Wu with a 3 under par 68.
Nearest the pin on the 2nd Russell Smylie (107cm). The 13^th Geoffrey Osborne (63cm).

Saturday 6 January - 2 Ball Aggregate & Single Stableford with a field of 211 players with multiple firsts on the course.

The A Grade winner and score of the day went to Paul Morison with 45 points. Runner up was Micheal Dennis with 42 off 6, it was his best and first par round. Third was Jimmy Little with 41 on the countback, a 3 under par round.
The B Grade winner was Mark Broadhead with 42 points and the runner- up Jayden Prinsloo with 40. Third was Damien Moore with 39 on the countback.
The C Grade winner was Anthony Korbel with 41 points with Barry Young runner-up with 40. Third was Peter Goodall with 37 on the countback.
Michelle Ackerman won the women's comp with 36 points on the countback with Natalie Driver runner-up.

The scratch score was won by Chun-Ta Wu with 5 under par 66.
In-side the Circle on the 8^th, 21 balls, was a first with 3 players claiming the prize. Geoff Cranfield (in the hole), Dave Karlsson (20cm) and Chun-Ta Wu (10cm).
Nearest the pin on the 2^nd David Fogarty (33cm). The 13^th Phil Blanshard (Hole-in-one).
The 2 Ball Aggregate winners were Andy Regan and Jimmy Little with 80. Runners-up were Paul Morrison and Terry Hill with 79.

Rob Cordaiy | Captain

Weekend Opening Day - Sunday 28 January 2024

All 6 and 7 day members are invited to play in the weekend opening day.  A sheet is up in the locker room for you to put your name down.  If you cannot make it to the club to put your name down, please notify myself and I will put your name down for you.  The competition will be a 4BBB Single Stableford event, played between 11.00am and 11.33am off the first and ninth tees.   Entries close 23 January 2024 and a draw will be done.  Light refreshments will be served after the game in the Reef Room.

Weekday Opening Day - Thursday 1 February 2024

The Weekday Opening day will be a 4 Ball Drop out Ambrose with an 8.00am shotgun start.  Please enter you name / team on the sheet in the locker room to play in this event.  The $15.00 Green Fees will be paid on the day at the Proshop.  Please nominate one member of the team to go into the Proshop to pay your competition fee.  The other members of the team will have their names marked off at the table at the entrance to the Proshop.  Also, to avoid disappointment please book carts prior to the day.  If you are paying for a cart, please can this person only go to the Proshop to pay for the team and collect the instructions on how to play 4 Ball Dropout Ambrose.

 Lunch will be $35.00.  Please pay online using MiClub. (The same way as you book your tee times).  Go to Bookings, scroll down to Thursday 1st February, click on Women's Open Day (Sheet is Open), enter your name on "Book Me" and proceed with payment.  Please do not worry where you book as this is just for payment only of the lunch ahead of the day.  If you have any dietary requirements, please notify Michelle Milsted.

 GNSW Fees - $15.00 Total (Weekday) $10.00 Total (Weekday)

Time for payment of your Golf NSW fees.  To represent Long Reef Golf Club at the following GNSW events you are required to the pay the $15.00 or $10.00 at the beginning of each season i.e. at opening day or shortly afterwards.

 1.       GNSW Medal $5 (Weekday and Weekend)

Six Stroke rounds played in three Divisions, between January and September.  The winner is the player in each Division returning the lowest nett aggregate of three (3) scores at the end of the six rounds.  You can win the club medal but to be eligible to represent Long Reef Golf club at the next stage you need to have paid the GNSW fee.

2.       GNSW Women's Bowl $5 (Weekday and Weekend)

The Competition is a 4BBB Stableford event which will be held on 18 April 2024 for mid-week players and 27 April 2024 for weekend players, the best score from these two events goes to GNSW.  The Overall Winners will be rewarded with a place in the 2025 Women's NSW Open Pro-Am.

3.       Goodwill Plate $2 (Weekday Only)

A special annual competition to raise funds for donation to a Charity recommended by the Board of Golf NSW.  This year's Charity is PanKind, the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, who is exclusively dedicated to improving outcomes for Australians impacted by pancreatic cancer.  The Competition is played in conjunction with the 7 March 2024 medal round.  

4.       Cancer research $3 (Weekday Only)

The Charity Day played on 21 March 2024 is our Cancer Day.  The club sends $3 x the amount of players who have paid the GNSW fees to support cancer research.

 To pay the GNSW Fees please pay online using MiClub. (The same way as you book your tee times).  Go to bookings as above (Sheet is open) and choose either Weekday GNSW fees on Thursday 1st February and pay $15.00 or for Weekend players GNSW fees on Sunday 28th January and pay $10.00.

Grade

Our grade team will be playing in Division 2 this year.  Emma Thurlow will again captain the team and our games will be as follows:

Round 1 - 9 February at Long Reef Hosting

Round 2 - 16 February v NSW @ Pennant Hills 7.30am

Round 3 - 23 February v Carnarvon @ Oatlands 8.30am

Round 4 - 1 March v Bayview @ NSW 8.00am

Round 5 - 8 March v Pennant Hills @ Bayview 9.00am

Round 6 - 15 March v The Australia @ Carnarvon 9.00am

Round 7 - 22 March v Oatlands @ The Australian 7.30am

Pennants

This year Long Reef will again enter teams in the Northern District Pennant Competition.  If you are interested in playing, please make a note in your diary for the following dates:

• Silver Salver GA9.0 - commencing on 5 April 2024 and going through until 17 May 2024.  Long Reef is hosting on 17 May 2024.
• Bronze Plaque GA18.0 - commencing 17 May and going through until 28 June 2024.  Long Reef will host on 14 June 2024.
• Bronze III GA 27.0 - commencing 14 June and going through until 12 July 2024.  Long Reef will host on 28 June 2024.
• Bronze IV Shield GA 31.0 to 45.0 - commencing on 21 June and going through until 2 August 2024.  Long Reef will host on 12 July 2024.

Further information closer to the dates will be provided to those interested in representing Long Reef Golf Club in this wonderful competition.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Barrenjoey Week will be held at Long Reef on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 February 2024 - 8.00am shotgun starts. 

This is one of the largest amateur women's golfing tournaments in the Southern Hemisphere. All women with a current Australian or Overseas Golf Handicap can participate.

Barrenjoey Week of Golf (BWOG) opens on Monday 12th February 2024 with the 18 hole Individual Competition (Stroke for Divisions 1 & 2 and Stableford for Division 3). This is followed on Tuesday 13th with the Foursomes Competition. The tournament closes on Thursday 15th February with a 4-Person Team Event (18 hole Better Ball with 2 scores to count). In addition to the golfing experience, the BWOG Committee organises a major raffle with prizes being donated by golf clubs and businesses in local and regional areas. The funds raised through the raffle are donated to Women & Children First.

Click the button below for more information and how to enter, entries close on Sunday 28 January 2024

Any further questions please contact LRGC Members: Clare John, Sonya Cordaiy or Maria Russell.

GOLFING MEMBER SPECIAL!

True to tradition, the locals made us feel welcome, treating us to a delightful breakfast before the shotgun start followed by dinner and presentation. 

In the spirit of fairness, it's worth noting that our triumph was aided by the fact that Goulburn fielded two additional teams. Fortunately for Long Reef, the players representing our club secured the necessary victories. We are already looking forward for the return match at Long Reef scheduled for the last Sunday in July which we expect an impressive turnout.

WINNERS

Ray Harvey Trophy 
(Best overall score)
M. Guthrie + C. Wilmot (Goulburn) and P. Rhodes + T. Loud (lrgc) 83 points

Dave Cooper Trophy
(Best Saturday score lrgc)
M. Pitt

Best lrgc team score
K. McMillan + T. Jones 42 points

Best Goulburn team score
P. Sykes + J. Blewitt 43 points

Nearest the pin (8th)
G. Dousset

Thanks to all who supported the event, we look forward to hosting Goulburn in July.

Eric gets the general penalty (2 strokes ), and has corrected his mistake by playing within the teeing area.

The ball played from outside the teeing area is not in play. That stroke and any more strokes made before the mistake was corrected including that stroke and any penalty strokes solely from playing the original ball, do not count. Eric has avoided disqualification by correcting his mistake.