REEF BREEZES

Wednesday 20 October 2021

Dear KIM,


From the Captain

Welcome Back
Last week saw the return of 100+ playing Members that live outside the Northern Beaches LGA. The weather was a bit mixed for your return but I bet you're pleased to have the opportunity to get out and play, practice or just come down to the Club.

All fully vaccinated Members can now enjoy getting back into the Clubhouse to have that hard earned beer (well that's me anyway!) after the game and that first free one tasted even better!! 

Last Friday also saw the return of the Friday Club and I'm sure the social side of the Club will pick up as though they have never been away. Great to have everybody back able to play and I look forward to seeing you all around the course and Club in the coming weeks

Representative Teams
After months on hold, the Master Pennant team now has a date to play the much delayed semi final against Liverpool. Sunday 31st October has been set aside but as yet, Golf NSW has not confirmed a venue or time. As the match will take place before the next Newsletter, we will post the details on the website when we have them for those that may want to come out and support the old guys.

The even more delayed second leg of the Major Pennant match with Pymble is still to be finalised but we have been given a deadline of Sunday 12th December by Golf NSW so we will liaise with Pymble over the coming week and advise.

Long Reef Senior Medal
This event will go ahead as scheduled on Monday 29th November, with a 1pm shotgun start. Given the date and timesheet configuration, all players must be fully vaccinated to participate. Full eligibility details and the entry form will be on the website later this week.

Course Care holes
Thank you for your ongoing support of this initiative - we all have a responsibility to look after our great course. Just a reminder that only 5 holes do not have a sand refill bucket near the tee (2nd, 8th, 12th, 14th and 17th) so please fill your bucket on the previous hole. Thanks!

Provisional Handicaps
Just a reminder that you should always submit your score - it doesn't matter if you don't complete your round. Under the World Handicapping System, when you have 5 out of your 20 most recent rounds without an approved score, your handicap will become "provisional". At this point you are ineligible to win Club competitions so please make a point of submitting your score, even if you walk off - give yourself zero points on the remaining holes and press "submit agreed score" in the app. 


Golfing Highlights
Before I get to the winners and best scores of the last couple of weeks, a mention must go to Russell Smylie who had 2x 4 point holes and 1x 5 point hole in the same round... unfortunately there was some less impressive stuff in that round too so you won't see his overall score below but who cares with those three holes!!  

The windy conditions last Saturday meant most people struggled but not Richard Lloyd who won the day with 42 points, while Janet Atchison's 37 points saw her beat the Ladies' runner-up by 9 points.  Anders Kobula won C Grade with 40 points and teamed up with Barry Murray to win the 4BBB with 48. Marty Hayward had 42 points on Sunday 10th edging out Brad Jones who had 41.

Good scores were the order of the day on Saturday 9th with Brandon Starc having 43 points to win B Grade (that followed his 41 points on the Tuesday prior!). Craig Wood matched the 43 points in winning C Grade while Michael Dennis had 42 points to take out A Grade. Kyle Turner and Matt Collins also had 42 points. Emma Thurlow's excellent 42 points won the Ladies competition.

The scoring was equally impressive on Friday 8th with the ever improving, young Lennox Cleary having 41 points while in the Ladies competition, both Natalia Criss and Jennifer Vasseleu had 43 points. 

Jennifer was in a rich vein of form as she had 40 points the day before in finishing runner-up to Lisa George (41 points) but Omar Rutherford had the score of the day with 44 points.

Rob Cordaiy's 41 points was the best score on Wednesday 6th while Geoff Osborne shot level par (42 points) on Tuesday 5th. Michael Wilson matched Geoff's 42 points while Doug Mansfield had 41 points. 

Holes-in-One
There was a fantastic atmosphere in the Clubhouse on Saturday afternoon as everybody there enjoyed getting in for the first time in months. It was the first opportunity to celebrate the holes-in-one that were achieved during lockdown and there were a few free drinks courtesy of Mark Pitt, Anthony Dignan and Glenn Lovelace.

Club Championships & Grade Cups
With golf returning to normal, I have been asked on numerous occasions now about the rescheduling of these important annual events. The Golf Committee is meeting this Thursday to discuss possible timing and format so I will have an update for you in the next Newsletter about this and any other events impacted by lockdown.

Enjoy your golf!

Doug Campbell | Captain

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Click Here for Competition & Social Play Guidelines

From the Women's Committee

Welcome back to all of the players that were unable to play over the last few months. It was lovely to see people again and to be able to go into the Clubhouse once more. We look forward to our two tee start and presentation on Thursday 28th October. The game will be 2 ball aggregate and single stabelford with NTP's and Longest Drive in 3 divisions and for the 9 hole competition, and please enter your names on the timesheet as normal.

Over the last two weeks we have seen some awesome scores, and congratulations to all players.

Congratulations to Debbie Hankey (43) who scored an amazing 47 pts on Monday 4th including an eagle on the 16th, Sally Hill (27) 41 pts,  Pauline McMcahon (30) 40 pts  and Rachael Loomes (19) 39 pts

Emma Thurlow (11) in two Saturdays in a row had 38 pts and 42pts

Natalia Chriss (10) had two great rounds in a week, on Sunday 3rd 45 with Jeanette Reitzer (24) 40 pts and on Friday Natalia had 43 pts, with Jen Vasseleu (43) 43pts and Sara Backes (32) 39 pts

Thursday 7th - Karen Smith (17) 40pts, Rachel Buxton (11) 38pts, Catherine Devyre (30) 40 pts, Lisa George (35) 41 pts, and another great score for Jen Vasseleu (44) 40 pts

In the 9-hole competition Debra Trim (34) had a great 22 pts.

Thursday 14th  results
Division 1
1st          Jenni Brown (13)              35 pts C/B
2nd        Rosemary West (19)        35 pts

Division 2
1st           Lyn Ashton (34)                 38 pts
2nd          Di Heffernan (26)             37 pts 

Division 3
1st           Shelia Dickson (38)          36 pts C/B
2nd          Sharyn Hillman (43)         36 pts

Ball Rundown to 33 pts 

9 holes
1st           Helen Cregan (42)            18 pts
2nd          Meriam Matheson (27)  16 pts

Rookies result
Winner          Andy McKenzie         17 pts

Saturday 16th - Winner Janet Atchison (14) 37 pts

Sunday 17th - Two great scores of 39 pts winner, Helenka O'Connell (26) on a C/B from Karen Smith (18) 


Over the first couple of weeks in October there were 63 birdies and two eagles, and we had 30 different players getting birdies. Congratulations to Debbie Hankey who got the eagle on the 16th hole and Wendy Millson on the 15th hole.

The Birdie Board is up in the locker room for the rest of October and November.

The slow play challenge over the next few weeks is to think about where you leave your bag especially when you are on the green. We observe many players leaving their bags in front of the green or nowhere near where you exit the green. For example, if it is a blue flag on the 2nd hole take your bags to the back of the green so when you finish you walk off the back of the green to the 3rd tee.

There have been a few instances where a player believes they have saved and submitted their score only to find out after the competition has been closed that their score has not gone through. There is an easy way to check that your score has gone through by looking at the Leaderboard in the Miscore app.

Provisional Handicap
Just a reminder that you should always submit your score - it doesn't matter if you don't complete your round. Under the World Handicapping System, when you have 5 out of your 20 most recent rounds without an approved score, your handicap will become "provisional". At this point you are ineligible to win Club competitions so please make a point of submitting your score, even if you walk off - press 'P' for pick up when using the MiScore app or mark the 'W' when marking a physical scorecard on the remaining holes and press "submit agreed score" in the app.

Waitlist 
Please remember to use the waitlist function if there are no tee times left. This helps us to know that there are players wanting to play and if possible open more tee times.

The following fixtures have been cancelled for 2021

  • Weekday, Stroke - Club and GNSW Medal Round 6
  • Visitors Day
  • Players and Caddies 9 holes and lunch

Wendy Thomas | Women's Captain


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Member's Survey Feedback

Thank you to the 344 members who completed the survey.  Overall, the survey provided some very positive results with most Members believing that the Club is moving in the right direction.

However, the survey did identify some key areas that will be focused on to improve our service to Members.

Menu items for Golf Members 
Whilst the Café has one of the most extensive menus you will see at a Golf Club, we understand Members also want a variety of "grab'n'go" options and a wider range of reasonably priced sandwiches and salad options available on Member's competition days.

Wait times at the Café
The survey highlighted Member's frustrations having to line up with House Members and the public particularly on Tuesday and Thursday. There will now be a point of sale in operation at the Bar for Golf Members to place their order during peak periods.

Changes to our beers on tap
15 beers on tap and we continue to monitor our sales to analyse Member preference. We now have Peroni and Balter XPA on tap.

Keep an eye on our wine list
Stay tuned for some wine list changes that will be implemented over the next month.

Dine In Voucher v Café Voucher
More Members favoured the Café voucher than the Dine In voucher but we can't ignore the great feedback the Club receives about the Dine In evenings. Well Members get the best of both, with every Golf Member receiving a Dine In Voucher at the start of the Membership year on your Membership card as well as receiving a 2 for 1 voucher at the Café. The Café Voucher is only available via the LRGC App and will be on Membership cards from 1 February 2022.

Hours of trade
Our Café opening hours are designed to accommodate as many Member requests as possible whilst still maintaining wage costs. The Café operates during the following hours:

  • Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Parking at the Club
There were comments about parking at the Club. The Club has been liaising with Council to improve parking conditions in the streets surrounding the Club, however these decisions are out of our control.

 We appreciate Members taking the time to complete the survey and provide valuable feedback. We look forward to seeing you return to the Clubhouse and enjoying Summer overlooking Fisherman's Beach.


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Golf Committee Survey Feedback

We Listened, We Learnt, We Planned

Some months ago, we sent out a survey for all to provide feedback to the Board and Management of the Club so that we can make LRGC even better.

While we pre-empted some results, we were pleased with some really positive feedback on a few points that took us by surprise.

The Golf Committee took time to review the feedback on what parts of the course needed improvement and while we regularly hear feedback directly from Members, it has been nice to see opinions trending a certain way. A few points that we'd like to highlight:

Greens
It is most likely no surprise that the greens here at LRGC are something to be very proud of. Pete and his team work very hard to maintain their standard, particularly with over 62,000 rounds of golf played last year. Overall Rating - Very Satisfied

While we are happy with Very Satisfied, there is always room to improve. The Golf Committee and the grounds staff continue to work together so that we keep on top of maintenance and our greens to look as good at the end of summer as they do at the start.

Bunkers
The survey to Members was conducted before the completion of the bunker audit and we knew what was coming. The inconsistency of the sand & drainage in many of the bunkers caused many an expletive!
Overall Rating - Neutral

We are interested to hear the Members thoughts on the new bunker sand and drainage once we get back to normal playing conditions. Unofficially, we're hearing good things so please provide feedback when the opportunity arises.

Practice Facilities
Again, the level of dissatisfaction here was forecast. Long, dry, unkept have all been adjectives used to describe the practice fairway while the nets near the 9th tee were worn out and needed treatment. 
Overall Rating - Neutral

Over the last few months, the golf committee has worked with the course staff to plan improvements to the practice facilities and have invested in new nets near the 9th. The path between the 8th Green and 9th tee has gone in and has vastly improved the area. The practice fairway has been mown shorter and will soon have plates (raised areas) installed as targets. The rear mound will be lowered to make the area safer and more user friendly for those choosing to use it. For those looking for an escape while playing to the 18th green - Watch this space!

Pace of Play
We play golf for enjoyment but when rounds extend well over 4 hours, a little of that enjoyment is taken away. Overall, pace of play satisfied Members however the Golf Committee have been reviewing round time reports generated from MiClub which have supported some of the comments in the survey.
Overall Rating - Satisfied

 The Golf Committee will be introducing a pace of play policy in the next month. We continue to remind Members, that it is each and every Member who is responsible to maintaining their position in the field, that is directly behind the group in front.

MiClub
Booking a round of golf has been likened to a hot potato these last few months. COVID has placed pressures on the booking system far beyond anything that we predicted. MiClub was installed AFTER the latest Member's survey and with an importance of high,the Golf Committee is working to make sure we look after as many Members as possible.
Overall Rating - Neutral

Recent changes to sheet opening times and 100% internet only have been hard to take in all at the same time, however, we haven't made these decisions lightly and have done so for the benefit of the entire membership.

Pro Shop
Our pro shop is more than a place to sign in and although some (myself included) are generally in a rush to get to the first tee, there is more to see in the Pro Shop than the smiling faces of Danny and his team. 
Overall Rating - Good

New carts, new pull trolleys and plenty of specials coming up are some recent improvements to the Pro Shop and our offering to Members and Visitors.

Some Members made comment about a lack of tee times on a Sunday. Unfortunately we are a public access golf course and our lease arrangement with Council limits the number of available tee times to Members on a Sunday.

All in all, we are pleased with the survey results and thank you to all of those who completed the survey. We appreciate the feedback and please take the time to thank the course staff for making our course such a special place to play. 

Cam Gillespie | On behalf of the Golf Committee


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Rules With George | Question

John was playing on a day when the fairways had been softened by rain. On the 8th hole he hit his tee shot to the centre of the fairway.

On reaching his ball he found that it was embedded in a large area of ground under repair. He realised that he was entitled to relief from two different conditions, the ground under repair (Rule 16.1) and the embedded ball (Rule 16.3).

Which is correct?

A) John may find a nearest point which gives complete relief  for both conditions, and drop a ball.

B) John has the option of taking relief from one or other condition first, and assessing the situation with regard to further relief.


From the Pro Shop

All Winter Clothing 20% Off- Pants/Jumpers /Jackets

Selected Mizuno Drivers 30% OFF

New Range of Footjoy Clothing now in store

Callaway Fitting Day November 26

Mizuno Fitting Day December 10

Please Book with the Pro shop ASAP as times will go fast.


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From the Archives

An Introduction - Champions of the 20s, 30s, 40s.

Following the story of the Frank Eyre's win in the 1930 Australian Championship and the prospect of the club's own Championship going ahead soon in 2021, for the next few weeks we are looking at the special golfers and Champions of the past 100 years. There are names missing at the start of the women's honour boards over this period but some Champions have been discovered in other ways.

Image: Mosman Golf Club. Photographed by the Archive Committee in 2016 from Golf in Australia magazine, kept at the Offices of GNSW.

In 1921 the club may have been new and young, but it certainly didn't lack golfing talent. Many golfers had learnt the game elsewhere and in lots of cases were members of more than one club. For the first ten years the club was only a nine-hole course but this certainly didn't prevent a full typical programme of golf being created and teams entered in pennant matches. The men's championship commenced in 1922 and we know the name of the 1924 Associates Champion but the event may have started earlier. The men won the first pennant competition for the club in 1927, the C-Grade Pennant and there was a win for the Associates in the B-Grade Shield in 1929. The Club applied to enter the men's A-Grade team matches in 1929 which was approved but they played only away matches until the course became 18 holes.

There are many examples of players being a member of other clubs and there seems to be an entwined network. After all the first President of Long Reef, Henry Mann, was a Vice President of Bonnie Doon at the same time. The first rules were based on those of Moore Park and a 20s Club Captain William Whytock was also President of Balgowlah for a time and helped design Cromer golf Club that opened in 1929. In the archives there is a Hole-in-one certificate awarded to Miss M. Lawler for her achievements at Long Reef and Mosman Golf Clubs.

Sandra Mellowes | Archives Committee


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CHUBBS is open! Head down for that icy cold tap beer you've been dreaming about all lockdown and don't forgot to order one of their mouth watering burgers too! We'll see you there!

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JB Barbershop & Shave Parlour are back! 

Get yourself sorted out, not more lockdown DIY cuts necessary! Walk-ins only.


Rules With George | Answer

B is correct.  In such situations a player is not permitted to  take relief from two conditions concurrently except when he or she has successively taken relief for interference from each condition and is essentially back at the starting point.

John is permitted to choose the order in which he takes relief from the two interfering conditions.

Reference: Official Guide to the Rules of GolfInterpretation 16. 1/3.


CRAZY WHIST

Due to the public health order and restrictions placed on our venue we have made the decision to postpone Crazy Whist until next year. We look forward to welcoming back everyone on the first Friday in February 2022.


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