Two key takeouts for me is that 98.1% of the Membership believe the subscriptions they pay are reasonable, good or excellent compared with the value they derive from being a Member. We pride ourselves that our commercial income streams from non-member sources, the public green fees, functions, café and bar allow us to provide a slightly more affordable Membership than other golf courses in our consideration set. 

Secondly the most important priority for our Members is Fun and Enjoyment. We will continue to strive to develop our Club with this in mind. 

Below is a key summary of the "big ticket items" with an explanation of the plans underway to address:

Golf Course

Despite improvements to bunkers following the 2021 Members survey, including increased morning raking, consistent sand in all bunkers and further education about placement of the rakes, the bunkers were once again the worst rated area from the Course.

The Bunker Master Plan has been distributed to Members last week and execution will commence in April 2023. The plan includes removal of 30 bunkers that have been identified as unnecessary and a renovation to all remaining bunkers to provide a consistent shape as well as a gravel underlay (Klinestone) to improve sand compaction, retention, drainage. The Bunker Master Plan presentation will be held at the Club on Thursday 2 February with Craig Parry discussing the proposed changes.

Mounds

Again, the issue of the height and location of the mounds around 14, 15 and 16 was the subject of feedback. Though this is more challenging to resolve given the poor quality of the soil the mounds are made of, plus the cost and inconvenience of moving large amounts of earth around. We have briefed Craig Parry to propose solutions on what we could do given the constraints we face. We are awaiting his suggestions and will then be able to plan the works required. 

House

There was much feedback on the operations of the Café, the lack of variety, the limited "Halfway House" options and service constraints. We have engaged hospitality consultants to assist us define exactly the stakeholder (including Members) needs placed on the Café and how we can better serve them. We are engaging in some significant works to address long overdue compliance issues with the kitchen and will utilise the opportunity to improve the operations and functionality of the kitchen to better meet Members expectations. This will likely form part of phase 2 of works after we have addressed the more pressing compliance issues in the functions kitchen and Pacific room. 

To improve service efficiencies we have installed a sandwich fridge at the main bar for Members to have a 'grab n' go' option halfway round the Course and to avoid the lunchtime queues at the Café. There will also be a trial of a QR code table ordering system for Members, however we are waiting for the function that enables Members use their House accounts and receive the applicable discount. This is expected to be released in the first half of 2023.

Pro-shop

We will continue to work with the Teed Up team to support the continuing improvement in the offer and operations of the Pro-shop. We have implemented a mystery shopper program that will provide much more comprehensive input on how things can improve. Teed Up have been included in the Members feedback and I am pleased to say that I have already seen improvements in range, value, layout, offers and service. 

I have attached a more detailed presentation with data on the survey and a summary of the comments. The notes in red are the steps underway or taken to address. If there is anything you might feel is absent, please let Ben or I know. 

Further, to avoid "survey fatigue" the Board has decided that we will do the survey every 2 years to maintain the quality of feedback and engagement the survey provides. I must stress however that should any Member have some input, they should not wait but rather get in touch with Ben or I with their thoughts. 

Finally, given the timing and comprehensive strategic planning process undertaken last year, the Board has decided that we will only do a review this January to take on the Members survey input and update the strategic plan accordingly. This will also be shared with Members once complete. 

Thanks again to all those who contributed to the Members survey. It has been a valuable process. As I have said, it is our Members that makes Long Reef GC such a fabulous Club, your help with the survey reinforces this. 

Please be advised there will no presentation on Thursday 16^th February 2023 due to Barrenjoey week of golf. 

Upcoming Fixtures

We are looking forward to the opening days which are being played over the next 10 days. 

Weekend Opening Day Sunday 29^th January 2023 for 6 and 7 day members - we play the event of the day, 4BBB competition and you will be playing Single Stableford in conjunction. If you would like to play please contact me. There will be light refreshments and a drink and presentation for the Weekend Gold Medal, Weekend Stableford Aggregate and the Scratch Score for 2022. The GNSW fees for 7 day members $10 weekend (opt in / out fees) are also due, and please pay these online on MiClub, date Sunday 29^th January (same way as you book your tee times). Please only pay for either weekend or weekday fees. 

Weekday opening Day Thursday 2^nd February 2023 - 4 ball Dropout Ambrose. Information regarding this event is on the board in the locker room. Closing date Thursday 26^th January. There will be a lunch for $35 per person. Please pay for the lunch on MiClub, open now, (same way as your book your tee times), closing date Friday 27^th January. The GNSW fees $15 weekday (opt in / out fees) are also due. Please pay for these on line in same way as the lunch.

Change in the fixture book 2023. The Stroke - Club & GNSW Medal 1, Singles and Long Marker Knockout competition qualifiers, start of 1^st eclectic and point score has changed to Thursday 9^th February 2023. For those players not wanting to play a stroke round, a Stableford event will be held- one division only playing off the Gold Tees.

Each medal winner will also receive a free one-month membership to the Strokes Gained Studio, located in Brookvale to practice in the Trackman simulator bays and utilise the gym. This is a world class golf training facility designed for the everyday golfer to train on their game as well as their fitness.

Thursday 16^th February will be Stableford.

The match play for the Singles and Long Markers Knockout Competitions will stay the same as per the program book, 21/2, 23/2, 28/2 and 2/3. If you would like to qualify for the matchplay rounds please enter your name on the sheet in the locker room before you start your round on Thursday 9^th February. Please remember you need to be available to play on all of the dates. 

Pink (& Purple) Charity Day for Brash-At (Click Here)  Thursday March 23^rd . We are seeking any donations or services from our golfing community. Please contact Michelle Milsted for further information at ladies@lrgc.com.au

Results

Congratulations to Jane Hagan (19) -1 who won the par round on Saturday 21^st January. 

Over the last few weeks we have seen some great scores. Congratulations to Lisa Mackenzie (39) who had the best score with 44 pts. 

18 holes - Lisa Mackenzie (39) 44 pts, Michelle Milsted (37) 43 pts, Vanessa Murphy (19) 41 pts Jenny Watts (31) 41 pts, Mary Payne (38) 40 pts, Val Wilson (31) 40 pts, Kim Sloane (17) 40 pts, Linda Sinclair (36) 39 pts, Karmen Whitford (28) 39 pts, Fiona Woolley (34) 39 pts, Rachel Buxton (12) 39 pts, Mary - Jane Sanderson (15) 39 pts, Danielle Seisun (35) 39 pts 

9 holes - Fay Sinnott (35) 21 pts, Michelle Ison (33) 19 pts

Wendy Thomas | Women's Captain

Neil Hitchcock now a retention Member, had a heart attack early this month, receiving two stents. He is recovering well and looking forward to a game at the Reef. 

Ed Whiley started Chemotherapy last week and we wish him all the best.

Keith Huntingdon a past President of the Club and Life Member is currently unwell and we wish him all the best.

David Gleeson a five-day Member of the Club and regular Friday Club player passed away on Wednesday 18 January after a two -year battle with illness. He was a Member of the Club for 22 Years. His memorial will be held at the Club on Wednesday February 1 at 11 am. 

David Packer a past Member passed way on the 13^th January, aged 66 from cancer. Dave was a Member between 1996 & 2004 and will be remembered as a larger than life personality who created many great memories. 

Dave's passing highlights the need for all our Members not to neglect your health. Regular health checks can identify early signs of health issues and increase your chances for effective treatment. 

I would like to share my story in the hope that some Members may seek regular treatment. I have been extremely lucky with my health. 

My Doctor told me to get a stool test. It showed microscopic traces of blood which then led me to getting a colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy a polyp was removed which I was later told would have been cancerous in a month. It was then discovered that I had prostate cancer with the cancer already spreading to my nerves and glands. The prostate, glands and nerves were removed six weeks after discovering that I had cancer. 

At no stage was I feeling unwell. 

I am thankful I was receiving regular health checks - I would say that more than likely I would be dead if I hadn't tested regularly and had a great Doctor (thanks Mossy). 

I hope that both our male and female Members read this article and those that maybe have not been as diligent as they could have been, see the need to get tested.

In Golf Clubs the 'holy grail" is the Club Championship.

In over 100 years of history Long Reef has had 79 Club Champions - 46 males and 36 females. Unfortunately many of the early records of Women's Champions have been lost. The club Honour Boards record consecutive winners from 1952 only - however some of the earlier winners are known.

The first Men's Champion was F.Lough in 1923 and the first recorded Women's Champion was H.Maclean in 1932.

D.V (Des) Lofthouse is our most capped Champion having won the title on 12 occasions - the first in 1953 and the last in 1974. During his reign he won 4 in a row twice from 1959 to 1962 and again from 1964 to1967. Des was rewarded for his superb golf with Life Membership in 1980 and remains our only player to have won the "Champion of Champions"

Behind Des comes Gordon Thomson with 9 titles between 1928 and 1951. Toward the end of his run he won a remarkable 5 in a row from 1947 to 1951. This stands as the record number of consecutive wins to the present day - but only for the men!

The record for the most consecutive wins belongs top our most successful Women's Champion - Dulcie Fouracre. Dulcie won the Women's Championship on 8 occasions between 1957 and 1969. At the height of her powers she won an astonishing 6 in a row between 1064 and 1969. This record will surely take some beating!

Just behind Dulcie came Ruby Watts. Ruby dominated the 50's with 7 wins between 1950 and 1959 including 4 in a row from 1953 to 1956. Ruby was made a Life Member in 1986.

In the modern era Julia Bowen came to the fore - a very strong golfer Julia won 5 times. Her first win came in 2006  followed by back-to-back wins in 2010-2011 and again in 2014-2015.

The next best of the men was Shaun McTaggart who was Champion 6 times between 1996 and 2007. This included a run of 4 in a row between 2004 and 2007. Shaun was considered by many  the best match player in the Club for many years.

Behind Shaun same Frank Maiolo with 5 wins in the 1980's and W.R (Wally) Smith also with 5 wins between 1929 and 1934 - Wally was also a Life Member.

Rene Haire remains our oldest Women's Champion and long time member Geoff Cranfield our oldest Men's Champion. Geoff has had an illustrious career in golf resulting in his selection in the Australian Seniors team in 2017 and 2018.

Our youngest Men's Champion is Kai Komulainen who won the title in 2019 at age 13. The youngest Women's Champion is current Champion Josie Garrett won has won the title for the last 2 years. Our current Men's Champion , Chun-Ta Wu , is also a junior - the future of the Club looks bright!

Mick Snell | Archives Committee

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Archive Committee News

We are pleased to welcome Steve Twigg to the Archive Committee. After early experiences in other golf clubs from the late sixties followed by nearly forty years of membership at Long Reef, with seven of these years spent on the Board, five as Club President, Steve brings knowledge and experience to the committee. Coupled with his research skills we look forward to what he may discover and present.