Club Email

From your Board

FINANCE
The Net Profit for February was $87,493. The Net Profit for the year to date is $679,744. The March figures will be severely impacted due to the weather event that we have experienced during the month. This has led to a number of days that the course has been closed and reduced trade through the Clubhouse.

COVID RESTRICTIONS
With COVID-19 still circulating in the community, we all need to be mindful of what we can do to protect ourselves and others. Wash or sanitise your hands regularly, maintain social distancing and if you feel unwell or someone in your household tests positive to COVID stay at home.

STRATEGIC PLANNING
The Board and senior staff attended a two day strategic planning workshops on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 March. A draft Strategic Plan has been formulated which the Board will review prior to sending to Members for comment.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscriptions will be sent out in early April for the year commencing 1 June 22 - 31 May 23. There will a 5% increase in subscriptions for all classes of playing Membership. This increase will maintain subscriptions at a level that balances the Club's ability to provide the expected service levels whilst still representing value in comparison to other golf clubs on the Northern beaches.

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT LEVY
This year Members will be able to support the Junior Development Program by donating $25. This is optional and if a Member does not wish to contribute they may tick the "opt out" box on the bottom of the renewal notice.

MEMBERS COMPETITION
Effective from 1 June 2022 the prize component will increase from 33% to 40%. The competition fee will remain $15.

BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT
As at 28 April 2022, after five years in the role, I will step down as President. I am pleased to announce that the Board has unanimously appointed Keith Warren as President until we hold our elections in October. I will stay on the Board to assist Keith with the transition.

Keith brings a wealth of board, corporate and business experience to LRGC as we develop and execute our Strategic Plan for the next 5+ years. Originally trained as a Chartered Accountant, Keith was CEO of large customer and franchise member centric businesses in Africa and Australia including global leadership team responsibilities.

Serving as President has been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. I would like to thank the Members, Directors, and staff for being so supportive during my five-year term. The past 2 years have been extremely challenging for everyone and as a group we have met these challenges and I am confident we are well positioned for continued success.

Stay vigilant, stay safe and stay well.

Stephen Twigg | 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

From the General Manager

It's the little wins we've been celebrating. As February came to an end, our Clubhouse team were relieved to see the removal of masks, something they have been required to wear at work every day for the best part of 8 months. Then as we approached the middle of March, it was our Course team celebrating the break in the weather and the first time they were able to cut fairways and rough in 14 days. It has been a challenge and I want to thank the staff for the extra work they've put in when some of our team have been required to isolate or be here outside their normal hours to get the Course back in play as soon as possible. Also I would like to thank the Members for their understanding and patience during this time.

Good luck Laura McCahon
Our Golf & Membership Manager, Laura McCahon and her fiancé Josh are expecting the birth of their baby boy in May. Laura will be taking 12 months leave at the end of April to enjoy the beginning of her journey as a parent. With both Laura and Josh being Golf Professionals, we expect a new addition to Long Reef Golf Club Junior Pennant team in years to come. We thank you for the great work you have done during a very busy two years of Membership enquiries and reshuffling of golf fixtures, take every moment to enjoy the first year as I can tell you it goes extremely fast.

With Laura's time away from Long Reef, Kimberley Conaty will be your go-to person for Membership enquiries whether it be introducing a new Member to the Club or wishing to upgrade your category to play more golf. Kim has been the welcoming smile at reception for the past 18 months and will still be there to assist your enquiries however will have a larger focus on Membership.

Welcome Jenny Schulenburg
We welcome Jenny Schulenburg as the newest addition to our team in the role of Golf & Corporate Manager. Having worked at Monash Country Club as the Assistant Director of Golf for the past 4 years and Bayview Golf Club for 14 years prior to that, she has an excellent reputation on the Northern Beaches for growing the game of golf particularly with Women and Juniors.

Whilst Jenny's first day at Long Reef is on 11th April, she is already very familiar with the Club having lived in our old caretakers flat for many years with her husband Kurt (our 2IC Course Superintendent) and their two boys.

As the Golf & Corporate Manager, Jenny will facilitate all Member competitions and events, coordinate corporate and charity golf days, build on our corporate partnerships program and work side by side with Teed Up to development and improve our Golf offering to Members and visitors.

The recovery from the Storm
I'm not sure what was more impressive, the tide that came through on Saturday afternoon and shifted the copper log fence from Long Reef Beach up our waterway at the 17th hole or the speed at which the volunteers worked to remove the debris to ensure it wasn't washed back out to sea with the forecast of 100m of rain this Thursday. A great effort by The Volunteers.

Member accounts & Dine In vouchers
Members will receive their 2022/23 subscription renewal notice via email next week which falls due on 31st May. Members will have to the 31st May to spend to their House, Voucher, Pro Shop (Ball) account as well as their complimentary 2 for 1 Dine In voucher. Any vouchers or golf balls won after 1st May will not be purged at the end of the Membership year. I encourage anyone wishing to change their Membership category for 2022/23 to contact Kimberley as early as possible.

Ben Russell | General Manager

See below recovery from the storm images

From the Captain

Golfing Highlights
There haven't been many because there hasn't been much golf possible over the last couple of weeks, again.

I don't normally comment on Monday's results but given that it appears to have been the best day to dodge the rain in recent weeks, I need to!!

Congratulations go to Patrick Ford who, with 41 points, had the best score of the day on Monday 21st March. Doug McGrath was the overall winner in Monday 28th March's par event with +3 and Glenn Lovelace won this Monday with 43 points.

The Saturday after the renovations saw the 4Ball Ambrose go ahead and the Greenkeepers had some fun with the pin positions but they didn't seem too difficult for Matt Collins, Luke Cheng, Michael Rogan and Rod Steet.

Their nett score of 52.375 meant they averaged marginally better than a nett birdie on every hole. Special mention must go to Sascha Plate, Matt Harris, Jackson Joseph and Andrew Dunn who finished less than one shot back. The Scratch winners with 10 under were Nick Sherlock, Josh Dowse, Nigel McCook and Mike Dickson.

April Medal
Weather permitting the April Medal will be played for this Saturday.

Mixed Foursomes
With the postponement of the Cup and Championship events last weekend, we have rescheduled for August 14th and 21st.

Doug Campell | Captain

From the Women's Committee

Due to the amount of rain the course has received over the last couple of weeks there has been very little golf played. Hopefully the weather will improve and we get back to playing the game we love.

The Grade team (pictured below) of Emma Thurlow, Kate Shanks, Rachel Buxton, Kim Sloane and Karen Smith with caddies Ali Gattas, Wendy Thomas, Rachael Loomes, Steve Sloane and Lynne Parsons played at Elanora on Friday 25^th March v Woolooware. All the matches were close but sadly we lost 3.5 - 1.5. The next round was due to be played at Wakehurst but due to the rain this was cancelled which meant that Division 3 of the Grade competition was cancelled because not all teams could play 50% of their matches. Thank you to the captain Emma Thurlow and all the players and caddies and we look forward to 2023.

The Silver team 1^st game at Castle Hill v Ryde Parramatta was cancelled on Friday 1^st April due to the rain. Hopefully the team of Kim Sloane, Karen Smith, Rachael Loomes, Wendy Millson, Jane Hagan and reserve Rosemary West get to play this Friday at Pennant Hills v Killara.

The Singles Knockout final between Rosemary West and Catherine Deryre and the Long Markers Knockout Trophy final between Michelle Milsted v Nan Crump will be played later in April.

Results:
Sunday 27^th March saw Karen Smith (17) 35 pts win the day from Janet Atchison (13) 34 on a C/B

The Par round that was due to be played on Thursday 31st March will be rescheduled.
Tuesday 5th April was the Long Reef Plate, and what a fantastic day, the sun was shining and with warm conditions the 54 players enjoyed their golf. It was lovely to have 13 visitors playing from 3 Clubs.
Congratulations to the winners:
Division 1 winner
Pauline McMahon (29) 36 pts
Division 1 runner up
Helenka O'Connell (26) 35 pts
Division 2 winner
Helen Ayres (38) 34 pts
Division 2 runner up
Fiona Woolley (37) 33 pts
The daily competition of Stableford was won by Julie Simpson (35) 37 pts
Upcoming Fixtures:
Thursday 14^th April Stroke and Club GNSW Medal round, Goodwill Plate and Veteran Vouchers. This event was cancelled on Thursday 10^th March. The sheets are up in the locker room, and you can use the ballot system on line to enter your name.
Thursday 21^st April is the GNSW Bowl 4BBB stableford - please enter your names on line in the normal way.
Thursday 28^th April Par round, the sheets are up in the locker room, and you can use the ballot system online.
Tuesday May 3^rd and Thursday 5^th May are the qualifying rounds for the Annis Soutar Foursomes. The sheets are up in the locker room. The match play will be played on Tuesday 10^th May, Tuesday 17^th May and final is on Thursday 19^th May.
Wendy Thomas | Women's Captain

Awesome Twosome

Life has been challenging for everyone over the last 2 years, however it is nice to write a story about one of our own who has re-written the history books. Alyssa Healy and the Australian Women's cricket team on Sunday won the World Cup. Alyssa's 170 is the highest score in a limited over final -women or men, she was named player of the match, player of the series and is the highest run maker in the history of the tournament.

In the semi-final she made 129. She is the first player to score a century in the semi-final and final of a World Cup, men's or women's.

Go back two years and Alyssa hit 75 in the final of the T20 World Cup final, setting up a win and again Player of the Match.

POOR MITCH - he hasn't had a bad season either. He won the Allan Border medal, was a member of the winning Australian T20 team, was the highest wicket taker in Australia's 4-0 Ashes triumph and is part of the team that just defeated Pakistan. WHAT'S A MAN GOTTA DO to get some recognition.

Mitch is hoping that his dominance will be on the golf course. I am sure Alyssa is not seeing it that way.

Mitch and Alyssa (pictured above at our Centenary Gala, May 2021) are champions both on and off the field. Their humility, grace and kindness to others are to be admired. They freely donate their time and auction items to charities and events.

As a Club we are in awe of your achievements and incredibly proud.

Stephen Twigg | President

Rules With George | Question

Question: In a match play event, Sarge was asked by his opponent to mark his ball on the green, because of interference on his line of putt. He set his ball well aside in case he was asked to hold the flagstick.

After his opponent had putted Sarge carefully rolled his ball, which had been set aside, back to its correct position in front of his ball marker using his putter.

Which is correct?

A) Sarge incorrectly replaced his ball so gets a penalty of loss of hole.

B) Sarge incorrectly replaced his ball so gets a penalty of one stroke.

C) Sarge acted within the Rules, so no penalty applies.

From the Archives
Treasurers

There may not be a Treasurer's Honour Board but by referring to the lists held in the archives we can celebrate the names of 20 LRGC Treasurers from 1921-2021. For most part a Treasurer stays a while and here we look at four of the most long standing! Incidentally, without doubt the most likely topic of discussion in all the meetings they attended was WATER, either too much or too little of it.

From the beginning, there was a swamp to drain and regular ongoing incidents of flooding from then to now! Bores were sunk only to run dry, become too salty or fill up with windblown sand. There were draughts and the need to purchase water. At other times the greenkeepers shed would be 'swimming' leading to a loss of equipment and valuables stored there. The project that we know as The Wetlands commenced in the 80s and was finally completed in 2019 with so many decisions to be made along the way.

Floods in 1910

Floods in 1950 - see marooned shed

Floods in the 1990's

Floods in the 1990's - greenkeepers shed

As for our decision makers and long-standing Treasurers we start with Alexander Paterson
(pictured below left) who was in the position from 1938-49. He took the Club from Company Incorporation in 1939, through the financially stretched war years when the bore was under threat from a sand invasion. He also accepted payment for the first Wedding held in the Club in 1946 to help build Club funds and he played a large part in the application for a Liquor License in 1948. After a total of 13 years on the Club Committee he was made a Life Member in 1953. Alexander is the only Treasurer on the Life Member Honour Board.

Colin Kendall held the position from 1953-64. At this time efforts were made to recover from the severe 1950 floods make the Bowling Green pay for itself, and improve income by introducing a category of Social Membership in 1957.

Kevin Stanton (pictured below middle) was Treasurer from 1982- 1992 (a ten-year stretch) and he went on to receive the Club's Meritorious Certificates for his contribution to the Club in 1994. He oversaw the arrival of the new professional, Gary Churcher in 1985. Flooding of both the Greenkeepers shed and the course was a major issue in the 80s and 90s and Kevin was instrumental in the early planning stages for what was to become The Wetlands project.

In December 2021 another very long-serving Treasurer's commitment to the Club in the role came to an end with the retirement of John Steuart.

For those who attend Club AGMs you would have been both entertained and informed by the projected images and explanations of pages of detail from the Treasurer's Annual Report. The Club had been in his good hands for 13 years and we saw in that time the completion of the new Pro-Shop, the Maintenance facility (Greenkeepers Shed) and The Wetlands.

John is the record holder for the longest time served in the Treasurer's position.

In 2022 the Club welcomed Stephen Holdstock to the role of Treasurer. We wish him many fine and sunny days!

Sandra Mellowes | Archive Committee

Reference: Long Reef Golf Club the first 100 years - Ross Lanes & Sandra Mellowes - (See website: About Us > Club History)

Treasurer's Images Below: Left: Alexander Paterson 1938-49 (Life Member 1953), Middle: Kevin Stanton 1982-92 (Meritorious Award 1994), Right: John Steuart 2007-21 (Longest Serving Treasurer),
Not Pictured: Colin Kendall.

Mizuno fitting day | Wednesday April 27

Please book through the Pro Shop (02)9982 2943 | proshop@lrgc.com.au

- New range ladies clothing in store -
- New range Men's Footjoy wet weather and winter clothing now available -
- Sales rack, all at 35% off -

Sydney Beach Homes Lite

Sydney Beach Homes would like to introduce its newest division, Sydney Beach Homes Lite. Not only do we specialise in new builds and large scale renovations we also have a dedicated team for your bathroom, kitchen renovations, pools and decks etc. Reach out for a chat with us to see if we are the right builder for you.

(02) 9939 2593 or info@sydneybeachhomes.com.au

More rain? Oh Pooh!

"When life throws you a rainy day, play in the puddles." - A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh

Winnie the Pooh would have been in his element at Long Reef Golf Course recently but even Pooh Bear might have been tempted to say "enough's enough!"

There were puddles and mud holes galore when the Friday Club faithfully took to the course at its last outing. A total of 56 players ventured out last Friday under decidedly dodgy-looking skies. Fortunately, 56 players returned ... all of them still had their shoes, although some had soggy socks. Some of them even had reasonably good scores.

AA Milne wrote the Winnie the Pooh stories about 100 years ago in Britain, the birthplace of mud pies, peat bogs and hats that allows rain to drip down the back of your neck. So it's hardly surprising that golfers with ties to the land labelled Albion by the ancient Greeks did rather well in the waterlogged conditions.

Michael Kenneally has been a Long Reef Member for only nine months, so he obviously doesn't realise how difficult Long Reef can be in adverse conditions. Playing only his second game with the Friday club, he broke through for his first win with a very impressive 40 points to win division three by a shot, with Bill Inglis his nearest competitor.

Michael's bloodline runs strongly through the annals of County Cork in Ireland where peat is still being cut from the bogs. Cork's original name was Corcaigh (swamp in the old language), so it's hardly surprising that Michael had an advantage.

Wayne Grundy has a lot of recent experience with wet conditions, having just returned from Wales where he visited his family at Machynlleth in the Dyfi Valley near Aberystwyth. It rained every day as is typical for Wales in winter (and spring and summer and autumn).

For FC historians, the burghers of Machynlleth claim it was the first capital of Wales. The Romans occupied Cymru (the ancient name) and camped nearby but didn't have much to do with the town as they couldn't pronounce its name and weren't able to ask for directions.

Wayne didn't need any directions and scored a very pleasant 38 points to claim the winner's podium in Division two by a startling four shots from John Hanson.

Wayne took the ultimate bragging rights with a birdie on his final hole, the fifth, to notch a rather special 3 shots for five points. (He pitched in over Long Reef's version of the Swilkin Burn in front of the green, pictured below).

In case anyone thinks Wayne is Welsh, he's not. His family crest is Clan Fairbairn in Scotland (another very jolly but rather soggy part of Albion, where peat is used in whisky distilleries). So I think the Welsh anecdote, while a bit of a stretch, still holds water.

The top score of the day came from Stephen Scott in division one, the home of intrepid golfers. My source described him as "newish to Friday Club, youngish, tallish and slimmish" ... so he'll fit right in!

Stephen had 42 points for the day, with four to spare over youngish, tallish, slimmish Dave Collett ... An excellent effort indeed!

I'd like to thank the ground staff for the excellent job they've done in preparing the course in the most difficult of conditions. They've done an incredible job.

Speed of play was excellent, particularly as it was too wet for carts. Thanks to all for playing "ready golf".

Perry Yeldham | Friday Club President

Brian King

It is with great sadness we report the passing of Brian King on Tuesday 5^th April 2022. Brian was a Member at Long Reef Golf Club for over 12 years.

Helen Gunther

It is with sadness that the death of Helen Gunther is announced. In the Club she will be remembered as a Champion in every way.

Helen led with her positivity and enthusiasm and with every health complaint that kept her away from golf of late, her intention was always to 'get back to golf.' A natural skillful sports woman, she displayed the most glorious swing on the course and did everything at the Club to be a grand and good Member. She was talented, caring and good company.

Over her 48 years as a Member and competitive golfer at the Club there are so many achievements to acknowledge. Helen started playing golf as a teenager at Moore Park where her brother was a member. She lived at Bronte at the time and would travel on the bus with her clubs. She only played for about 5 months then and until joining Long Reef a few years after settling in Collaroy with her family she concentrated on playing Tennis. She followed her husband Carl to Long Reef on 24 January 1974.

Together they were to become an important part of the Sunday mixed golf scene and the golf Club life in general. Life-long friends were made. There were the dinner dances to attend, the golfing weekends away with other couples, and social card nights to share.

On the golf course Helen's handicap dropped quickly from that joining mark of 36, as she rose to become an A-grade player. Evidence of this is seen in the results of our important events. Within a year of joining she was to become the runner-up in the C-Grade Premiership. By 1978 she had risen to be the Bronze Foursomes Champion and a year later runner-up in the Club Foursomes Championship. In 1978 she played in the Grade team for the first time. Helen was to remain a Member of the Grade team throughout the 80s and into the early 90s.

1988 Grade Team | Back L-R Helen Gunther, Joan Clarke, Barbara Pearce, Sandra Gillies | Front L-R Aileen McLelland, Patsie McConnell, Tibby Playfair, Bonnie Ryan.

In 1996 she also played in two winning teams the Gordon Shield, where she was Captain of the team and the Bronze Bowl. (See locker room for photos.)

Helen won the Club Championship on three occasions - 1982, 1986 and 1988. She was runner-up a decade later in 1997. There were three Club Foursome wins, in 1922 and 1994 with Joan Clarke, and 1998 with Annette Duncan. She was also runner-up with Joan in 1990 and 1991.

Another 1980's win was the Singles knockout in 1988. There were four Fourball Knockout titles over the years with partners Shirley Blackburn, Mal Parnell and two competitions with Jill Greentree. The Captain's trophy was hers in 1991 and we can find her name three times on the Club President's trophy list and on the Club Captain's winning list. She is acknowledged for the International Bowl results and the McNicol Trophy was hers in 1985. Helen also won at least 4 LGU /GNSW medals across Silver, Div.1 and then Div 2 .Helen had many a time in the spotlight all so well deserved.

Helen also served her time on the Associate's committee (Women) for 3 years from 1983-85 on general committee and then returned as Women's President in 2002 for 2 years. It was a busy time as the Clubhouse went through major internal alterations and extensions and sudden caterer changes! Helen was also a very long standing and popular member of the Bridge Club.

Helen and John Mullins. Women's and Club President in 2002

Helen could also be awarded a medal for taking part in so many concerts. She must hold the record for the greatest number of appearances! Her first time was the first year she joined the Club and over many years she so kindly held many of the rehearsals at her home. We would be treated to a monologue or a series of jokes, Helen's specialty.

Now in all seriousness we thank her for her contribution to the club and our lives and send deepest sympathy to Carl and all the family.

Rest in peace Helen.

Service Details: Monday 11th April

10.30 AM St Kevins Dee Why

Carl & Helen Gunther at a Club function

Sandra Mellowes | Archives Committee

Judy Lockhart & Helen Gunther

The Bridge club is saddened at the passing of Judy on 16th March and Helen 1st April.

Both Judy and Helen were long time Members of the Bridge Club, although due to ill health saw them unable to play bridge recently.

We send deep sympathy to John Lockhart and family and to Carl Gunther and his family, both Judy and Helen will be sadly missed.

Marg Verrills | Long Reef Bridge Club

Pam Martin

Pam joined the Club in June 1990 and by 2021 had moved across to the 5-day retention category, which is of course thirty years later. There were a few years break from golf from 2014 as she dealt with both her family and her own health issues. It is sad to say that before her passing the last few years have been very hard for her but she dealt with her problems in her own private way. Pam passed away after a very long battle with cancer last week.

Pam was a self-taught, good and disciplined golfer. If anything she was very hard on herself and if her swing developed a problem she would reach for her golfing books to find a solution. She played in an era of very tough opposition in A-Grade but more than anything played her best in the Grade Team between the early 90s to 00's often acting as field Captain. By this time she was holding her own against some very young blood.

She did not like being watched by a gallery and was quickly disturbed by things like the noise of mowers on the course, but she also had a wicked sense of humour and could really celebrate a win! She was in the team for the very exciting win for the club in 1996. -Grade 3. This was the women's first grade win for twenty-five years.

Many of Pam's individual golfing achievements came in the 2000's with her last win in the 9 -hole competition in 2018. She was runner-up in the Club Foursomes on two occasions. In 2001 she was the WGNSW Div. 1 Medal winner and held the McNicol Trophy. She also won the Fourball Knockout and in 2003 was runner-up in the Committee cup.

Pam was a popular golfer and inspiring to play with. She was generous and fun and it is very sad to be saying our farewells to her. We send heartfelt condolences to her family.

Sandra Mellowes | Archive Committee

REEF BREEZES

The Best Week of the Year is Here!

From your Board

From the General Manager

From the Captain

From the Women's Committee

Awesome Twosome

Rules With George | Question

From the Archives
Treasurers

Sydney Beach Homes Lite

More rain? Oh Pooh!

Vale Notices

Brian King

Helen Gunther

Judy Lockhart & Helen Gunther

Pam Martin

Rules With George | Answer

OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

SUPPORT THE COMPANIES WHO SUPPORT US

REEF BREEZES

The Best Week of the Year is Here!

From your Board

From the General Manager

From the Captain

From the Women's Committee

Awesome Twosome

Rules With George | Question

From the ArchivesTreasurers

Sydney Beach Homes Lite

More rain? Oh Pooh!

Vale Notices

Brian King

Helen Gunther

Judy Lockhart & Helen Gunther

Pam Martin

Rules With George | Answer

OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

SUPPORT THE COMPANIES WHO SUPPORT US

From the Archives
Treasurers