The Club assumed the operation of the Golf Shop on 1^st February, and I would like to thank Teed Up Management for their assistance in ensuring a smooth transition through the changeover.

From February, the Golf Shop will provide a limited offering until the shop renovation is complete, expected to be in late April.

We are excited with our vision of an improved Member experience with food, drinks and outdoor seating to enjoy the vista. We plan to have a Trackman simulator to complement an enhanced retail offering to the thousands of Members and visitors who walk through the shop every year.

An update on the Golf Shop was sent to Members on 27 January and can be viewed here.

Re-Branding

The Board has appointed Made Agency to deliver a brand refresh for Long Reef Golf Club, focusing on the four key areas of the Club, being Golf, Golf Shop, Café and Weddings & Events.

In recent years as the Club evolved, the website and overall branding has been updated periodically by our staff. However, it is time to hand over to the professionals in order to capture and truly reflect the Club's unique location and premium offering. The branding project will include a review of the Club's website, logo, print and digital marketing materials, social media platforms, wayfinding signage and Course furniture. 

As the process develops, Members will be consulted and provided an opportunity for feedback.

Optional Tee Competitions

Optional tees will be trialled from the 1^st March 2024 on Monday and Saturday competitions, allowing all Members to select which tees markers they wish to play from. To commence the trial, Members will have the option of the Blue or Red tees and this will be reassessed as it progresses.

This is part of a global movement to leverage the equity of the World Handicapping System for all players of all abilities to tackle the Course in a way best suited to their ability in a fair way.

There is further information in the 'From Your Captain' section of this newsletter.

Practice Nets Upgrade 

The practice nets located on the southern side of the Golf Shop will be replaced during March as the Club commences the Golf Shop upgrade. The new structure will include four bays and storage for the Club's hire pull buggies, with a similar design to the nets located at the 9^th tee.

The new nets will be larger and safer, aligned with current best practice. 

The project is planned to keep disruption to a minimum, however there will be a new concrete slab installed so the nets will be out of order for three weeks between the current structure being dismantled and the new nets open for use.

New machinery

The Board approved the purchase of a Bobcat S450 for $54,500, replacing the Bobcat S130 purchased in 2009. This is part of our ongoing renewal program for equipment ensuring we access the latest technology but also get maximum value over the equipment's useful life.

Financial Statements September - December 2023

The quarterly financial statements for September to December 2023 can be viewed here. Another strong quarter keeping our full year expectations on budget.

Thanks in advance for your patience with the Golf Shop remodelling process. The Board is confident you will appreciate the "New and Improved".

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you would like clarification or further expansion on any of the items above.

Keith Warren | President

Note: This document is not intended to be a minute of the relevant Board meeting but is intended to provide members with a summary of the significant decisions made or issues discussed by the Board at its most recent meeting. Certain matters may be commercially sensitive, subject to privacy considerations or otherwise confidential and will not be included in this summary document.

This week was the first round of the Major Pennants with the first round against Bonnie Doon at Bonnie Doon. The team played well, however, they were beaten by a team with the home game advantage. Bonnie Doon 5½ to Long Reef 1 ½. The team hopes to turn the results around this coming Sunday 11th February when we host Bonnie Doon starting at 7am. It would be good to see Members out supporting the team this Sunday.

The Major Pennant squad is: Chun-Ta Wu, Luke Shamatov, Luke Edgell, Cam Gillespie, Matt Tierney, Nick Hutchison, Dominic Dowling, Lennox Cleary, Harry McKerihan, Innes Maclennan, Ryan Farrell. The teams in our Division are: Bonnie Doon, Muirfield and North Ryde.

Optional tees

For Example:

Blue tee slope rating 138 (women), scratch rating 77. If Debbie, playing off a GA handicap of 6.0 (6.0 to 6.8) wanted to play off the Blue tees her daily handicap would change to 11 for that comp.

Blue tee - slope rating 125(men), scratch rating 71. Similarly, if Brian, with a GA handicap 20 (20.0 to 20.8) wanted to play from the red tees in the same comp his daily handicap would change to 17. 

Northern Peninsula Interclub Challenge Cup (NPICC)

The first round of the NPICC was played on Tuesday 6 February at Cromer Golf Club. The course was in very good condition, however, the strong, gusty winds made playing very difficult. Long Reef played last year's winners Mona Vale and our team managed a strong start with a 5½ to 2 win. 

Results

Wednesday 24 January - 2 Ball Aggregate & Single Stableford with 227 players.

The A Grade winner was Sebastian Cooper with a score of 42 points.

The B Grade winner and score of the day went to Matt Davison with a great score of 46 points.

The C Grade winner was Gary Martinolli with 40 points.
The scratch score went to Adam Elliott with a par round 71.

The 2 Ball aggregate was won by Matt Davison & Adrian Pryke with as score of 83. Runners up were Michael Cooper & Sebastian Cooper with 79.

Full Results

Saturday 27 January - Medley Stableford & Waltzing Team Stableford with 196 players.

The A Grade Congratulations Andrew Thurlow who had his first par round and 45 points
(6 birdies, 6 pars and 6 bogeys).

The B Grade winner was Stuart Cleary a close second with a score of 44 points.

The C Grade winner was John Edwards with a score of 39 points on the countback.
Scratch was won by Luke Shahmatov with 2 under par round 69.

The 4BBB was won by Robert Mclaughlin, David Ford, Michael Hodgett and David Farrell.

Full Results

Wednesday 31 January - 4BBB & Single Stableford. Vince Horan Qualifying with a field of 223 players. Good weather and follow up rain over the last couple of weeks has improved the playing conditions on the course. As a result, some great scores are being recorded.

The A Grade winner and score of the day went to Scott Dawson with 42 points on the countback.
The B Grade winner with a score of 42 points on the countback was Graham Hart.

The C Grade winner was Stephen Holdstock with 39 points.
The scratch score went to Nicholas Mundy with a 1 under par round.
The 4BBB was won by Graham Hart & Tony Buchan with 48 points. Runners up were David Freedman & Norman Taylor with 47.

Full Results

Saturday 3 February - February Medal, Stroke Play Cup (Scratch) - 3^rd round Founders Cup with 222 Players.

The A Grade medal winner with a score of nett 65 was Will Elliott.

The B Grade medal winner and score of the day went to Matt Harris with a nett 63.

The C Grade medal winner was John Edwards with a nett 64.
The scratch score went to Doug Campbell with a 1 under par 70.

Janet Atchison won the Women's Medal with nett 74.

Full Results

Rob Cordaiy | Captain

A big thank you to all the ladies who attended our opening day lunch. It was lovely to see so many new and old faces. I also wanted to thank the Club for supplying our mini muffins and a beautiful lunch. I look forward to seeing you on a Thursday from now on for our normal presentation days.

I also wanted you to know that the charity day this year is on March 21^st, where the proceeds will go to our two chosen charities from last year BrAshA-T and The Burdekin Association. Further information to follow. Please put it in your diaries.

Michelle Milsted | Women's President

The Weekend Opening Day was held on Sunday 28 January 2024.  It was a great day playing a 2BBB team event.  Wendy Thomas also presented the trophies for:

2023 Medal Winners Cup - Vanessa Murphy

2023 Weekend Aggregate Stableford - Vanessa Murphy

2023 Weekend Gold Medal - Emma Thurlow

Grade

On 9 February 2024 Long Reef will be hosting the first Grade match. On 16 February 2024, our first match will be at Pennant Hills against NSW.  The team and caddies will be:

Results

On Tuesday 23 January 2024, Division 1 winner was Jane Hagan (16) with 41 points from Sam Sparke (21) on 39 points, Division 2 winner was Lorraine Stafford (25) on 39 points from Moira Rowland (28) on 36 points on a c/b from Jan Daniel (29), Division 3 winner was Sandra Haberlin (42) on 40 points from Robyn Carson (42) on 37 points.  Division 4 was won by Grace Ping (44) on 34 points from Nikki Winestock (40) on 33 points.  Our 9-hole winner was Mary Payne (35) on 17 points from Fiona Mcknight (39) on 14 points. 

On Thursday 25 January 2024, Division 1 winner was Prue Bardsley (23) on 41 points from Gilda Severino (17) on 37 points and Cath Piper (21) on 36 points.  Division 2 winner was Daniel Seisun (27) on 37 points from Marg O'Connell (29) on 35 points and Robyn Lyon (26) on 34 points, Division 3 winner was Robyn Carson (41) on 34 points from Lerida Grant (36) on 32 points, Division 4 winner was Jo Bellemore (41) on 37 points from Fran Taylor (45) on 35 points.  The 9-hole winner was Ann Henderson (38) on 15 points from Fay Sinnott (34) on 14 points.

On Tuesday 30 January 2024 the winner was Sally Hill (15) on 36 points on a c/b from Rachel Buxton (11), Division 2 winner was Maria Russell (29) with 42 points from Danielle Seisun (27) on 39 points, Division 3 winner was Tanya Tate (35) on 33 points from Adriana Bowyer (39) on 32 points, Division 4 was won by Val Hindmarsh (45) on 38 points from Judy Gietz (38) on 37 points.  The 9- hole winner was Lyn Harper (35) on 20 points from Helen Cregan (38) on 19 points on a c/b. 

Saturday 3 February the Weekend Monthly Medal was played with Janet Atchinson the winner with 74 nett.

Upcoming Fixtures

Thursday 8 February 2024 - first GNSW medal round - book in grades.  Play is off the red tees and a gold tee stableford competition will be available for those players that do not want to play a stroke round.

Thursday 8 February 2024 - qualifying round for the Single Knockout and the Long Markers Knockout.  These events are a handicap match play event.  The Singles Knockout is for players with  handicaps from GA 0-25.3 (0-28DH) the Long Markers Knockout is for players with handicaps from GA 25.4- 54 (29-45 DH).  To play you need to make sure you are available for all matchplay dates.

Matchplay dates are:

20 February, 22 February, 27 February, and the final for both the Singles and Long Markers Knockout will be on 29 February 2024

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

There will be no competition for women on Tuesday and Thursday when Barrenjoey week is being played.     

Sue Kruse PSM | Women's Captain

You may have already noticed some exciting changes, including the addition of freshly made sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls available daily. In the coming weeks, we'll also be introducing a selection of alcoholic beverages.

You may have spotted some leftover stock from Teed Up, and we're offering heavily discounted prices on these items. So be sure to drop by and snag yourself a bargain while stocks last. We are also actively seeking out new products and securing great deals from our suppliers. Keep an eye out for new arrivals as we get ready for the refurbishment of our brand new shop!

Remember, all supplier accounts are now open, and we are here to assist you with any purchases you may have in mind. Whether you're in the market for a new MGI buggy or a new set of clubs, we guarantee a price match or better. We can order anything you desire and assure you of our competitiveness on pricing.

We have just received the latest Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Drivers, fairways, hybrids, and 7 irons ready to customise, with a wide range of shaft options available. Members are more than welcome to trial these on the Course.

Michael and Danny have opened their diaries, and you can now book lessons conveniently online
Click Here to book

We appreciate your continued support as we embark on this new chapter together. Our goal is to make each visit to our Golf Shop a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.

Jenny Schulenburg | Director of Golf

• Behind the main bar in the Clubhouse
• In the Golf Shop (as you enter on your left)
• In the Maintenance Depot (currently located inside, but soon to be moved to the exterior near the toilets at the 13^th tee)
• At the 16^th hole (where the fairway begins by the public walkway)

In case of a medical emergency on the Golf Course, please call 000 first, and advise the Golf Shop on 9982 2943 or the Office on 9971 8113. Please clearing state where you are located and what the emergency is and our staff will coordinate access for emergency vehicles.

Long Reef Golf Club has approximately 15 first aid qualified staff across all areas of the Club. These staff members undergo regular training and are equipped to respond to medical situations.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Warringah for their generous donation of the defibrillator at the 16th and to Guy Leech from Heart180.

Please see below our Emergency Access Map & some helpful apps worth downloading:

Don't forget to book for the Nine & Dine, 4pm shotgun start on Thursday 15th Feb, the day we are hosting Barrenjoey Week of Golf. 

This is a great opportunity to enjoy the remaining balmy nights of daylight savings followed by a BBQ buffet dinner.

Make a booking and pay via the online timesheet, $50 for Members & $60 for guests.

Before putting, he took the flagstick out of the hole and laid it on the green to prevent his ball from ending in  bunker. He putted and his ball stopped against the flagstick

Which is correct?

A) Alex gets one stroke penalty.

B) Alex gets the General Penalty of two strokes.

Sandra Mellowes | Archives

The main trophy available to male members is the Des Lofthouse Memorial Trophy. Des is our most capped member. From 1953 to 1974 Des won the Club Championship 12 times. Between 1953 and 1984 he won the Foursome Championship 9 times and the Mixed Foursomes Championship 4 times. He represented in the Long Reef Pennant for 27 years and became a Life Member in 1980. To win this trophy requires qualifying over 2 stroke rounds in October as one of the top 16 players in the Club and then defeating 4 opponents in Match Play to win the Club Championship.