Club Email

Hello All,

Whilst Keith is on holiday, I have the pleasure of delivering this week's note from the Board.

Unfortunately, it has been another wet fortnight in Sydney, with the course having to close on a number of days. Whilst we can't do much about the weather, Ben and the team have introduced 'Winter Happy Hours' on Fridays for July and August, which should help chase away the winter blues. More details can be found in Ben's General Manager's report.

This month's Board meeting was held on 30 Thursday June 2022 and included the following items:

RECOGNITION

This month Kimberley Conaty became our second Member of the "Trillionaire's Club". Kimberley was nominated because she always greets Members with a smile, and nothing is too much trouble for her to attend to. Kimberley also stepped into Laura McMahon's role just prior to the start of our Membership renewal process and has done a fantastic job in managing all the renewals - again all with a smile.

If you would like to nominate any of the LRGC team for membership to the "Trillionaire's Club" please let Keith or Ben know.

MYSTERY SHOPPER

As part of the Board's commitment to maintaining an excellent level of service in the Clubhouse, monthly 'Mystery Shopper Reports' are commissioned with results being reviewed by the House Committee and the Board. This quarter we achieved an overall rating of 86%. We received excellent feedback on the quality of our food and the service provided by our LRGC team.

Whilst mystery shopper reports are one tool the Board uses to measure the quality of our hospitality, Member's feedback is really important. If you would like to provide feedback, please send Ben an email with your suggestions.

EASY GOLF

The Club has now closed applications for Easy Golf Membership and will maintain the current waitlist, accepting Members as positions are made available. Easy Golf was introduced in 2015 as a pathway to full Club Membership and encourage younger golfers to experience membership at a discounted price. However, with the increased interest in membership during the pandemic, the waitlist for Easy Golf is lengthy and the period expected to accept these applications is likely to take a number of years.

Please see Ben's General Managers report for a summary of Membership renewals for 2022/2023.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The Strategic Plan has been uploaded on the Members website. It clearly defines the direction of the Club so that we can achieve Long Reef's vision of being "The best beachside destination offering exceptional golf and hospitality experiences for our Members and community". It is very pleasing that the plan has been developed through the input from our Members, staff and the wider community.

FINANCE

The Net Profit for May was $5,895.00. This profit was realised despite the poor weather. The Board approved the 2022/23 budget.

As part of the budget, the Board approved the purchase of 4 new pieces of course machinery including a Toro greens mower, Toro surrounds mower and two utility vehicles. Course machinery suppliers have been heavily impacted by the pandemic and supply timelines currently extend to 12+ months. The Club ordered three Toro mowers in August 2021 and are still awaiting delivery from the US. Whilst our fleet of machinery is well maintained, the excessive hours of use start to cause additional maintenance issues.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP NOMINATION

John Steuart was nominated for Life Membership by John Davison and David Costello. The Board agreed that the nomination had met the criteria for Life Membership and that the nomination will proceed to the AGM, to be put to a Member's vote.

Though the Club is no longer subject to Covid restrictions, we have experienced significant numbers of Members and our staff becoming unwell, due to both COVID and the flu. Please follow the NSW Government guidelines around safe hygiene practices to protect yourself, our Members, staff and community.

Take care and have a great week.

Abigail Gruzman | Vice-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 Vice Captain

Well... We didn't think we were going to see rain like that again! So soon anyway.

It goes without saying that the last fortnight has seen an unbelievable amount of rain fall on the course once again this year. Not only the falls from the course have affected play, but the run off we get from the surrounding areas (that was intended to help us avoid drought) has seen a huge amount of water flow through the course.

Fingers crossed La Nina has passed this time!

Golf has been intermittent over the last fortnight but with the 139 players vying for qualification in the foursomes on Saturday, the leaders are going into match play on Saturday are:
(four pairs from each grade are to play off)

A GRADE

Jimmy Knox & Doug Campbell

Dominic Dowling & Scott Bovis

Mitch Bockman & Stephen Prior

Mark Cruise & Simon Couch

A RESERVE

Rex Adams & Paul Bowler

John Carroll & Glen Evans

Paul Deiman & Jamie Duff

Jesse Gough & James Dean

B GRADE

Hugh Wilson & Jeremy Gruzman

Lennox Cleary & Ashley Cleary

John Crowley & Shane McLoughlin

Stuart Mulvena & Craig Roberge

C GRADE

Simon Thorn & Denis Watchorn

Greg Hunter & Cha Loh

Anders Kobula & Russell Lee

Peter Lindwall & Bill Chapman

Well done to all those who qualified!

The Final of the matchplay will be played on Saturday 23rd July. Tee times will be from 10.50am. A Grade Final is played over 36 holes from 6.52am.

Events

The Wytock Cup was unfortunately postponed due to the wet weather, it will now be played in conjunction with the August Medal round.

Sunday 24th July is the annual Long Reef vs Goulburn event. Anyone who wishes to play, the event includes golf, breakfast and dinner for $100. There are limited spaces available.

Course

Finally the bunkers are all back in play from tomorrow with a decision on carts to be made tomorrow afternoon regarding Friday and the weekend. We of course weigh up many factors when deciding to both close the course and postpone carts so thank you to everyone for bearing with us when we make these tough calls.

The proshop and course staff have reminded us again that pitch repairs and filling of divots are now more important than ever. We will be working together to closely monitor those not repairing pitch marks or repairing divots. Please don't forget after each shot and approach to the very soft greens.

Major Pennant Manager

With the Major Pennant season starting in January next year, the team is looking for a manager to help organise and work with the team as we vie to return to division 1. The season runs from late January to Mid March with season preparations beginning in November. For anyone who has time and is looking to watch some decent golf, please email captain@lrgc.com.au with your interest.

Remember, keep your eye on the ball!

In Golf,

Cam Gillespie | Vice Captain

From the General Manager

We continue to battle the weather

The sun shone throughout June and Members took advantage playing 3,488 rounds during the month but July has been a different story with the Course closed from 4th July to 8th July and soggy conditions over the past 5 days. However, it may be considered fortunate that the Course has only received half the rainfall of other areas in Sydney and the Northern Beaches. Whilst the Course is open it is still wet under foot, please avoid walking with your buggy through wet areas where possible and extra emphasis needs to be on repairing pitch marks and divots.

Membership

The 2022/23 Membership commenced on the 1^st June and the results of Membership renewals have been positive, considering the incredible spike in golf participation through the pandemic, its highest level for over three decades. It was expected that a slight decline in renewals would be imminent, the final result being an attrition rate of 6.7% across full playing categories. The world opening back up for travel, employees returning to the office and some long time Members opting for a sea change has had a small impact on the Membership which can be visible with the vacancies on timesheets.

The Club has recently welcomed 45 new Members across different categories who have patiently been waiting on a lengthy waitlist for up to 18 months. These Members attended induction evenings held in June and July to meet Club staff, Board members and were provided with an overview of the Club's 101 year history and the details of playing golf at Long Reef Golf Club. Please take the time to welcome the new faces when you see them at the Club.

Winter Fridays Happy Hour

We've got the perfect excuse for you to get out of the house on a Friday evening or better yet, bring the family down to your Club and avoid cooking dinner. During July and August there will be two hours of happiness on Friday evenings from 4-6pm, with $5 local schooners and house wines, $6 craft beers and Hancock & Hancock shiraz. Stay for the meat raffles at 6pm and enjoy the $15 rump steak special from 5-8pm. If you wish to book a table, please Click Here

Ben Russell | General Manager

From the Women's Committee

How fortunate we had the opportunity to host last week Charity Day in aid of Women and Children First charity (formerly Bringa Women's Refuge) before the rain set in. It was great to see a course full of PURPLE. We are pleased to report that Long Reef Golf Club raised a total of $8,373.17. A fantastic effort and congratulations to all. A huge thanks must go to our Fundraising Committee which consisted of Sue Blanche, Danielle Seisun, Carolyn Maras, Wendy Millson and of course our committee members of Di Muncke, Michelle Milsted, Rosemary West and Veronica Bertram. And let's not forget a massive thanks to our Silent Auctioneer, Karen Smith. To all who donated prizes including the club that donated our golf entry fees, a big thank you.

A reminder our next Charity Day will be held on Thursday 8th September in aid of Blue Bottle -The Kids Cancer Project. More information to follow closer to the date.

Gilda Severino | Women's President

Thank you to everyone who played in the charity day and congratulations to all the winners on the day. There was some confusion regarding the scoring and thank you to Jenny Schulenburg for sorting out the results.

Pennant Teams

Bronze 111 Pennant team played on Friday 1^st July at Monash v Roseville. The team of Rowena Robinson, Aki Lee, Clare John (F/C), Julie Campbell and Lyn Ashton played extremely well in the rain and narrowly lost 2-3. The following week the team of Rowena Robinson, Catherine Wiggett, Aki Lee, Clare John, Julie Campbell and reserve Michelle Ackerman sadly didn't get to play at Roseville as this was cancelled due the wet weather. Good luck to Rowena Robinson, Lyn Ashton, Clare John, Michelle Ackerman, Debra Trim and reserve Lynne Parsons who play at Mona Vale this week v Bayview.

Long Reef hosted Bronze IV Pennant on Friday 1 July and thank you to Gilda Severino, Linda Sinclair, Nan Crump, Jill and Pete Hensman, Angela Brown and Dani Seisun who braved the cold and came to help and be spotters for the morning. The following week the team of Fiona Woolley, Angela Brown, Nan Crump (F/C), Tracey Cantwell, Dani Seisun and Amanda Savage didn't get to play at Wakehurst due to the wet weather. Friday 15^th July Bronze IV has a bye.

The GNSW Pewter Plate at Ryde Parramatta that was due to be played on Thursday 7^th July was postponed and hopefully Helen Ayres and Fiona Woolley, who are our Long Reef representatives, get to play this event later this year.

Results

Due to the wet weather there hasn't been a lot of golf played over the last few weeks.

Tuesday 28^th June saw Jane Hagan (20) win division 1 with 36 pts and Wendy Millson (19) 2^nd 35 pts C/B. Division 2 was won by Sam Sparke (29) 35pt and Tracey Martin (38) 2^nd33 pts.

9 holes was won by Nan Crump (37) 15 pts and 2d Sal McIntyre (45) 13 pts C/B

Saturday 9^th July saw Alyssa Starc (6) win with 34 pts.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Tuesday 19^th July we are hosting Long Reef v Cromer, registrations are now closed. The game is 2BBB (no handicapping) and you will have already received your time to play (It is no longer a shotgun start). Everyone will have a scorecard and please give these to reception at the end of your game. If you are not playing in the Long Reef v Cromer day you can book online in the normal way.

Thursday 21^st July is the Club and GNSW Medal Round 4, and please book online in the normal way. Please note it is in divisions and you will only be able to book in your correct division. This medal round is also a qualifier for the Women's Captain Trophy, and the match play dates are 26/7, 28/7, 2/8 and final 4/8.

The registration sheet online is now open and closes on Thursday July 21^st at 7am. Please note this is the only way to register to play in the match play. There will no longer be a form in the Proshop.

Thursday 11^th August is a Par round - mixed division. It is also the Remembrance Trophies, Scherrie Hughes Plate (18 holes) and Forget Me Not (9holes). The sheet is up in the locker room and you can also register online from Thursday 21^st July.

Thursday 18^th August is visitor's day. Please register online from Thursday 21^st July. Your team must have one visitor and you enter your visitor by using their full 10 digit golflink number. The event of the day is Waltz Stabelford (best 1 score 1^st hole, best 2 score 2^nd hole, best 3 scores 3^rd hole and then repeat). Long Reef Members will enter their individual scores using the MiScore app. Visitors without the paid version of Miscore will need individual cards. The Waltz scores will be generated once the individual scores are submitted. It is an 8am shotgun start.

Wendy Thomas | Women's Captain

Rules With George | Question

Question: John had hit his third shot onto the top level of the 15th green. His ball had come to rest about two metres from the hole. He struck his putt gently but unfortunately it missed the hole and kept rolling down the slope, ending in a bunker. He considered his options and declared his ball unplayable. He walked onto the green and placed his ball on the spot from where he had putted. He holed his next putt.

John acted correctly so his score for the hole was:

A) 5 B) 6 C)7

Friday Club Report

Ball gowns and lederhosen

Grandparents among the ranks of the Friday Club community would be very familiar with Frozen, one of those captivating animated Disney films that sends the imagination soaring and warms the heart.

If you have regular babysitting gigs, you'll know that the songs get in your head and stay there for ages and ages (I've really got to let it go...)

The story concerns two young princesses who have adventures, defeat villains, and live happily ever after, while at the same time enduring freezing cold weather.

It was much the same for our blue-clad Friday club army when we took to the links last Friday for the first round of the Winter Cup: a bit of sunshine combined with icy wind to make your cheeks go rosy red.

However, our own Anna and Elsa of Arendelle (the names of the princesses for those who don't have the Disney Channel), did rather well in the freshly mushed-up conditions.

After another visit from horrible child La Nina brought more rain and freezing winds last week, Valerie Wilson channeled her inner Elsa and won another division three competition with a sterling silver 36 points.

Runner-up with 32 was Liz Morton, a relative newcomer to Friday Club but one who's warming to the challenge.

Someone suggested that we make Frozen our theme for our dress-up day later this year: tulle gowns for the ladies and lederhosen for the men, with white spandex tights ... now, there's an eye-watering prospect!

In division one (the home of the cool crowd), Craig Walker posted the top score of the day, a very impressive 40 points. Craig's feat was accomplished despite (or maybe because) some of his regular playing gang had fled the cold for (hopefully) warmer climes. Paul Korbel's 37 points gave him runner-up bragging rights.

Meanwhile in division two, ever-reliable Dave Quinn, like the sturdy forester Kristoff (but without the leather jerkin and goofy reindeer), powered through the conditions to claim top honours with 38 points. Ever-present Jie Cheng chimed in with a neat 35 to be second.

We have another 1pm shotgun start on Friday for the second round of the Winter Cup. Please allow enough time for parking, registration and jogging to your tee.

Perry Yeldham | Friday Club President

Prue Bardsley back in action at Long Reef

NEW WINTER STOCK AVAILABLE IN SHOP

Donald Ross Zip up Jumpers

Sporte Leisure Jacket with thermal insulation

New Island Green Waterproof Jackets.

Charity Golf Day | Forest Rugby

Friday the 22nd of July is going to be a golfing day to remember and a great fundraiser for the Fiji 22 Tour. Enjoy a round of golf at Long Reef Golf Club followed by a fabulous lunch with a guest speaker, Keith Gleeson. All are welcome, men, ladies, hackers and pros.

There are still spots available to book, if you would like to contribute to one of our local Rugby clubs & supporter of LRGC please click below to find out more.

Read More

From the Archives | The First AGM

The first AGM of the Golf Club was held on Saturday 15^th July 1922, one hundred years ago. Along with the committee meeting that followed two weeks later on the 29^th July we can see that the Club was ready to take its place as a real competitive club. The first year had been spent establishing the 9-hole course, the fairways and fenced greens. The Club had a committee, a bank account, Members, rules, listed fees and accepted donations. The tram now stopped at the junction of Anzac and Pittwater roads and a finger post pointed the way.

There are so many unanswered questions: Did Mr McMurray the Greenkeeper, have a shed or a stable for the horse? Was there a toilet anywhere on Griffith park? Mr McMurray had a Day book with all the Members listed which he could use as a checklist but did they have timesheets or just turn up? How did the Members and public players pay for their game before the Professional arrived? White painted notice boards were not erected until September 1922. The Professional Frank Eyre who was employed in September that year presumably had a shed with no electricity, no phone and no water tank! Things would be very different by Christmas.

We know that Members were contacted by letter, at a time when mail would be delivered the next day. The Secretary sent out the notification by mail for the club's first AGM to be held at the Twight Tea House. The Administration was all done off-site, with the committee working "from home" or their places of work. Alfred Lambert, the Headmaster of the Lakes school, had become the Club Secretary from January 1922. The Club does not have a complete set of minutes for the 1921-22 year but we do know that the Twight Tea House was used for general meetings and the offices of Mr Jude for the committee meetings. Mr R.H. Judd was one of two club Vice-Presidents and was an Estate Agent in Collaroy.

What happened at those July 15th and 29^th meetings?

All the Executive committee members were re-elected unopposed.
It was considered time to elect the club's first Captain, and Mr Lambert was elected. (He already held the Secretary position.)
It was agreed to approach the Shire council for permission to build a Club House and secure an extra allotment of land to do so. (By the end of July permission had been granted and the plan for the design and the quote for the build had been started. Members were asked to make donations for a building fund.)
The club asked the Greens Committee to establish a programme of golf.
The first Club Championship was proposed to be held in October on 8 Hour Day. (now known as the Labour Day Long Weekend.) The cost of 2/6, two shillings and six pence, was to be charged to enter, and the President, Henry Mann, promised a two guinea donation for the prize.( There is no result for 1922, but we know that F. Lough won the Championship in 1923.)
The Groundmen's wages were increased to 10 shillings per week.

By the time the next AGM came around in 1923 the new Club House (then called the Golf house) had been open for 6 months The Fixtures book would have shown the dates for regular events, the Championships and interclub competitions.

Please see the Day Book and the Minute Book, both 101 years old, on display in the Pro-shop for the month, as well as framed photos of our early committee and pioneers.

Sandra Mellowes | Archives Committee

REEF BREEZES

From Your Board