On Tuesday last week, we had a shorter but productive Board Meeting. There is little new to report back to the Membership other than the progress on the Clubhouse Masterplan which will be the subject of a comprehensive communication within the fortnight. 

With the weather looking favourable for Saturday, we are hopeful of a successful event at Long Reef. The best of luck to all participants.

18^th No Play Zone

The No Play Zone on the practice fairway is defined by white posts with a green top.

Now that the new local rule governing the No Play Zone is in place, it is timely to remind Members about what is and isn't allowed when your golf ball has been hit into the No Play Zone:

1. If a player hits their ball into the No Play Zone, they are permitted to drop a different ball at the drop zone and play without penalty

Women's Charity Day

I just wanted to let you all know that we had a very successful charity day, raising over $24,500.00 for Women and Children First. Of course we wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the incredible generosity of our members and local community who donated so many fantastic prizes.

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Women's Grade 2025

Another good year for our Grade players in Division 2 finishing equal third with Bayview. The representative players were Emma Thurlow (captain), Alyssa Starc, Kate Shanks, Peta Bird, Kathy Waters, Natalie Driver, Sally Hill and Vanessa Murphy. We were up against Pennant Hills, Killara, NSW, Bayview, Wakehurst and The Australian with Pennant Hills winning the flag this year. 

The team finished with two wins, two draws and two losses.  Special mention must go to Peta Bird who was undefeated over the five matches she played.  Also, to Sally Hill who had her first foray into the grade competition this year and was a fabulous addition to the team. 

To everyone in the Long Reef team, congratulations on a fantastic grade season!  You were all fantastic, both on and off the course, and played some incredible golf. To the caddies - Karen Smith, Wendy Millson, Ali Gattas, Vanessa Murphy, Sally Hill, Jan Daniels and Pam Burke - thanks for being such tremendous support to the players.

It was wonderful to see that the team will remain in Division 2 for 2026, while Pennant Hills ascends and NSW descends, and we face new challenges as Oatlands returns to the division and Cromer joins us.

Pennants Begins - Silver Salver

The Silver Salver Pennants commences on the 4 April 2025.  The first round will be played at Pennant Hills against Cromer.  The team is: Jenni Brown, Sally Hill (field Captain), Ali Gattas, Karen Smith and Vanessa Murphy.  Reserves: Wendy Millson and Helenka O'Connell.  The second round will be held at Killara on 11 April against Ryde Parramatta. The team is: Sally Hill, Ali Gattas, Karen Smith, Vanessa Murphy and Helenka O'Connell V.  Reserves: Wendy Millson and Marianne Rudd.

Good luck ladies!

The warm weather, combined with the rainfall, has been great for an extended growing season. The grass is still thriving and growth has been rapid across all areas of the course. My team has been working hard to stay on top of maintenance and are looking forward to the end of the growing season.

Over the past couple of months, we've seen an increase in damage caused by E bikes on the greens, particularly at night. Riders have been skidding on the greens leaving behind large marks. This is not only frustrating but also adds unnecessary workload to my team. I ask all Members to help us by reporting any suspicious activity.

The new 1A is progressing well. We have carried out some more reseeding at the front and some plugging to the sides. We also put some cores down in thin areas to promote more growth. 

 Get ready for the cooler months with our latest arrivals and an exciting giveaway!

Spend $200 in store and go in the draw to win

• A TaylorMade Carry Bag
• A pair of Footjoy Premiere Shoes
• A Titleist Cap 

• 2025 Cleveland RTZ Wedges only $250! (limited stock)
• Fresh new Mens Footjoy wet weather gear
• New ladies 'Daily' range just arrived
• Srixon Soft Feel Balls - 2 dozen for just $70!
• Take an extra 10% off all Polos in store only until May 31

Bert had played his shot to the 8^th green but jis ball finished to the right of the green about 15 cm off the green. As he walked to the ball he said "I will be able to putt that". 

When he reached his ball he saw that it was lying in a very deep unfilled divot from which it was virtually impossible to play a shot to move the ball onto the green. He decided to declare his ball unplayable and drop it with lateral relief onto the green for one stroke penalty.

Over the years Long Reef has had many thousands of members. Some stay for a long period, some come and go quickly - the turn-over is remarkable. There are life long golfers and part-timers, good players and hackers, die-hard Northern Beaches locals and imports from all over the country.

One such local is Mark Pitt. Pitty, as he is known, was born in Delmar Maternity Hospital at Dee Why in 1961. He was educated first at St. Joseph's Primary School at Narrabeen and completed his education at St. Augustine's College at Brookvale.

After leaving school he took up a career with the National Bank of Australasia where he stayed for 30 years. Mark's work took him to many different places, both here and overseas and despite playing social golf he didn't really take up the game seriously until 1990 when he joined Port Moresby Golf Club in Papua New Guinea. It was here that he won his first Monthly Medal.

He returned to Australia in 1992 and found a golfing home at Long Reef when he joined the Club in 1993. His golfing career at the Club has many highlights. Mark's name appears on the Hole-in-One board on three occasions. It appears that he took a particular liking to the 13^th hole! In less than two years he "aced" the hole three times. 

C is correct. Rule 19 applies In taking relief for an unplayable ball

In taking Lateral Relief the Reference point is the original position of the ball. 

The relief area must be within 2 club-lengths of the reference point, and must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.