New Fleet of Golf Carts

The Board approved the purchase of 35 x 2024 EZGO RXV Elite Golf Carts as the four year fleet cycle approaches at the end of 2024. 

EZGO, Club Car and Yamaha golf carts were demonstrated over the past two months and the EZGO cart was the preferred model. The fleet is expected to be delivered in November/December 2024 and will feature the TFM GPS system.

John Mullins OAM - Distinguished Service Recognition

John Mullins joined the Club in 1991 and held the positions of President, Vice President and Director of the Club until his passing in 2015. John received an OAM in 2013 after becoming a Life Member of Long Reef in 2004. His contribution to Long Reef during this time was immeasurable.

Nominations are now opened for the John Mullins OAM Distinguished Service Award, recognising Members who have provided dedicated service to the Club over several years in a voluntary role.

Members may submit a nomination in writing to the Board of Directors by the 23rd August based on the following criteria; John Mullins OAM Distinguished Service Award 

Increased pedestrian traffic on and around the Golf Course

In recent months there has been a significant increase in pedestrian traffic on and around the Golf Course from non-golfers. Long Reef Golf Club and the Long Reef Headland has been trending on a Social Media app called 'Little Red Book' which is believed to be a large reason in the recent influx of traffic.

The Board and Management a looking at options to reduce pedestrians crossing the Course including signage and marshalling.

Please remember that Long Reef Golf Club is a shared space, and if there is an imminent risk to the public or they are in the way, to go about alerting them in a respectful manner. Should you have issues, please contact the Golf Shop to assist.

Visitor Competition Fee

From 1st July 2024, the visitor competition fee will increase to $73 and is also applicable to Member's guests playing in competitions. The fee is the new Member Guest Green Fee of $67, with the addition of the $6 competition contribution.

Members are reminded that their 3 x complimentary visitor round vouchers can be redeemed Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) including the Monday competition. Full playing Members that paid their subscription fee by 31 May have been allocated these vouchers, redeemable from their Member account at the Golf Shop.

2024-2025 Member Renewals

The 2024-2025 Membership year commenced on 1 June and once again great support from our existing Members resulted in an attrition rate of 4%, with most resignations due to long-time Members relocating out of Sydney or moving their Membership to a Retention category.

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. 

What would you do if you were on the Course playing your weekly round of golf and your playing partner went into cardiac arrest? Do you know who to call first? Where should the ambulance go? Where's the nearest defibrillator? What's the most important steps to provide the best chance of survival?

Over 8,500 people experience an out of hospital cardiac arrest in NSW every year. Only 12% will survive. For every minute that passes after a person has a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases. Quick action could save a life.

On Tuesday 20^th August, we will be hosting a Members' information evening with Shield Training, a local first aid and emergency response training organisation, formed by a group of active intensive care paramedics.

I've heard the Shield Training team present at recent events and their real world on the job experiences provide Golf Club staff and Members with critical information ensuring we are as prepared as we can be.

Event details;

Tuesday 20^th August 2024
6pm (approx. 1 - 1.5 hours)
Pacific Room, Long Reef Golf Club Clubhouse
Light catering will be provided afterward
Please RSVP by clicking here

Rain and Course conditions             

More detail on the recent rain and Course conditions will be found in the Captains and Course report, however I thought you may have a laugh that back in February we were discussing the possibility of having to spend $2,000+ a day on water to irrigate the Course. Now we have the plugs pulled out of the dams and the Golf Carts are collecting dust.

The recent rain has highlighted the drainage issues across the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th holes, that has worsened since the wetlands project in 2018/19. The Board has re-engaged Craig Parry to work on the redesign of the mounds in this area and drainage improvements will be factored in. Northern Beaches Council has confirmed the replacement of the walking bridge to the left of the 17^th tee will be completed during 2025, which will impact parts of the 17^th hole during construction. We are investigating the opportunity to carry out the mounds work while the construction of the walkway takes place, to minimise the disruption period to golf.

Sargood Foundation Dinner

Many Members will be aware of the long-standing relationship between the Sargood Foundation and Long Reef Golf Club. Sargood on Collaroy and the Sargood Foundation provide a world class resort here in Collaroy that was purpose built for people living with a spinal cord injury.

On 14^th June, Long Reef Golf Club and Sargood Foundation hosted the 'Something Special with Sargood' event which saw the Collaroy community come together and enjoy an extremely successful night.

The letter below from Sargood Foundation Executive Director Susan Johnston highlights the importance of our community support for Sargood.

Sargood Letter

Ben Russell | General Manager

Holes 14 & 15

Until further notice the 14^th and 15^th holes have been closed due to excessive rainfall.  Competitions will be reduced to a 16-hole comp with "P" recorded for the 14^th and 15^th holes. The Course will be assessed each morning and conditions of play posted on the timesheet. The current conditions will not permit competition scores to be submitted to Golflink for handicapping.

Foursome Championships

The Men's Foursomes Championship has been postponed, so this Saturday will be played as a 2BBB & Single Stableford event.

Results

Wednesday 26^th June - Stableford and a 2 Ball Multiplier with a field of 198.

The Overall winner of the day was David Murrell with a score of 42 points.

Full Results

Saturday 29^th June - Medley Stableford and Waltz Team Stableford with a field of 211.
The winner of the day with a score of 40 points was Tom Irons.

Full Results

Wednesday 3 July - Single Stableford, a field of 69 completed their round in wet and muddy conditions.
The overall winner was Michael McNee with a score of 38 points.

Full Results

Saturday 6 July - July Medal and the Whytock Cup Play Off with a field of 190.

The winner of the July Medal and score of the day with a Nett 70 was Mitch Cleary.

The winner of the Women's Medal was Jie Cheng with a score of Nett 79.Inside the Circle on the 8^th was won by Tristan Loud (68 balls).

Rob Cordaiy | Captain

Bronze Plaque

On 28 June Long Reef went to Wakehurst to play against Elanora. Unfortunately, we had a loss 4 matches to 1. This was the last game for the Bronze Plaque. Long Reef finished third by half a point behind joint winners Elanora and Mona Vale. A great effort and so close. Well done to all those women that played Bronze Plaque this year. 

Bronze III Shield

Bronze III played at Long Reef against Bayview on 28 June 2024. A good win of 3.5 to 1.5 to the team of Liz Morton, Aki Lee, Tracey Cantwell, Sue Dewell and Lisa Jenkins. Unfortunately, their next game playing Roseville at Wakehurst was cancelled due to the wet weather. Their last game is at Roseville against Monash who are leading the competition. Let's hope the weather is kind and you get a game. 

Bronze IV

The Bronze IV team played at Roseville against Elanora on 28 June 2024. Unfortunately, the team of Julie Vargeson, Lyn Ashton, Adriana Bowyer, Robyn Carson and Nikki Winestock lost 4 matches to 1. The following game at Elanora was cancelled due to wet weather. Long Reef is hosting the Bronze IV on 12 July 2024. 

Medal Round

The fifth medal round was played on 27 June 2024. Winner of the A grade medal was Kim Sloane with a 75 nett.

Winner of the B grade medal was Corinne Crawford with 73 nett.

On Sunday 30 June 2024 the Women's Weekend Foursomes was played in shocking weather. Well done to all those players that started and to those that managed to play the 18 holes. The winners of the Women's Foursomes were Alyssa Starc and Karen Smith with 90 from Emma Thurlow and Kate Shank on 92. 

Results

On 25 June 2024 the winner of Division 1 was Fiona Bone (23) on 33 points from Helenka O'Connell (19) on 32 points. Division 2 was won by Linda Sinclair (31) with 33 points on a c/b from Marg O'Connell (27). Division 3 was won by Sharyn Hillman (42) on 34 points from Carol Sherlock (35) on 33 points. The Gold Tee was won by Jo Bellemore (44) with 36 points from Fiona MacDonald (43) on 28 points.  The 9-hole competition was won by Carol Cummins (42) on 19 points from Helen Cregan ( 40) on 17 points and Catherine Devrye (27) on 16. Points. 

On 27 June 2024 the A Grade medal was won by Kim Sloane (16) with 75 nett from Alyssa Starc (5) with 76 nett. Alyssa Starc won the gross with 81.  B Grade medal was won by Corinne Crawford (29) with a 73 nett from Debra Trim (27) with 75 nett, The B Grade gross was won by Corinne Crawford with 102. The C Grade medal was won by Sue Dewell (34) with 76 nett from Carol Sherlock (34) with 77 nett. The gross was won by Sue Dewell with 110. The 9 Hole competition was won by Rosemary West (17) on 19 points from Carol Cummins (42) on 18 points and Ann Henderson (38) on 18 points. 

Saturday 29 June 2024 the 4BBB was won by Alyssa Starc (6), Jie Cheng (22), Emma Thurlow (9) and Janet Atchison (15) with 85 points. Well done!

Sunday 30 June 2024 women's foursomes nett event was won by Alyssa Starc and Karen Smith with 79 nett from Kim Sloane and Jennifer Jansson with an 82 nett. 

On Tuesday 2 July 2024 the competition was won by Sachiko Elsworth (41) with 39 points. 

Thursday 4 July 2024 the winner was Tracey Cantwell (32) with 33 points.

Saturday 6 July 2024 the winner of the July Monthly medal was Jie Cheng with 79 nett. 

Up Coming Fixtures

11 July - Par round mixed division - sheet is up in the locker room

18 July - Captain's Trophy 2BBB event qualifying round - match play 25 July 30 July and final 1 August. The qualifying round will be a 2BBB stableford event with 8 teams of two to qualify to play the match play.  Fun to play a different type of match play. 

8 August - last medal round for the year. 

The increased rainfall has led to some challenges on the Course, particularly on holes 14, 15, and 16, where slow seeping water is causing wet spots in high traffic areas. With more rain forecasted, daily maintenance continues to be a challenge and has forced the closure of the 14th & 15th holes until further notice. A decision was made Tuesday to also close the Course to allow some rest, preventing any further damage.

The Course is starting to feel the full effects of winter, lower temperatures are slowing the evaporation process, causing moisture to linger in the turf longer. Additionally, shorter days and reduced sunlight further delay drying. Wind plays a significant role in drying out our Course.

Earlier this month, we spiked the greens to promote aeration. This is crucial for improving air and water movement in the root zone, especially after long periods of rain. This spiking process is typically performed once a month as part of our maintenance program. The tees and fairways have been treated with iron and a turf pigment to enhance and extend their aesthetic look.

Let's hope we see some sun and wind to dry out the Course.

Kurt Schulenburg | Acting Course Superintendent

With the Open Championship approaching, we are excited to announce our upcoming TrackMan Nearest to Pin (NTP) competition! Kicking off this Thursday 11th July, for just $5, you'll get three shots into the iconic 8th hole at Royal Troon. measuring at 112m, it is one of the most recognised par 3's in the world!. 

Enter as many times as you like for a chance to win a fantastic Callaway pack, which includes a carry bag, balls and a cap!

The competition will run for one month, ending on August 10th. All proceeds will go directly into our Junior Fund, providing our young golfers with opportunities to participate in tournaments, receive coaching and much more.

Don't miss out on the chance to test your skills and support our Junior Program. Good luck to all participants!

The Cordiay family has a history of service to the Club with Ray Cordaiy also serving on the Board for 8 years - 1975-1977 as President.

We extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Rob, Sonya and their family during this difficult time.

The Gotcha4Life charity golf day will be held on Friday 23^rd August 2024. For those that are not familiar with Gotcha4Life, its mission is to inspire and enable people to take action to build their mental fitness. Its vision is a suicide-free world, where no one worries alone.

The day will be an 8am shotgun start, $150 a head with the field limited to 120 players. There will be breakfast and lunch with guest speakers including Gus Worland, auctions and raffles afterwards.

Click here to Register

Stephen Twigg | Welfare Coordinator

On Tuesday 23^rd of July we will be conducting a staff training seminar at the Club. As a result, the Clubhouse Bar and Café will be closed for breakfast and open for normal trade at 11am. 

Members may access bathrooms and locker rooms as normal. Coffee, sandwiches and pies will be available for purchase at the Golf Shop. 

There are several golf clubs in the archive collection that we might like to claim that Frank Eyre, our first Professional, used when winning the 1930 Australian Open. 

However, we are pleased to display, in the Members' bar cabinet for the next two weeks, the ball that he used in the last round. It is on loan and on its way to The Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne from the Australian Heritage Society. 

Thanks to Les Browne for organising it.

Sandra Mellowes | Archives Committee