After all the virus and wet weather interruptions over the last few years, it has been simply awesome to be able to play every week of Grade and compete at some top golf courses,both near and far, during February and March. 

This year our team was in Division 3 and our players were Kate Shanks, Emma Thurlow,Natalie Driver, Peta Bird, Jenni Brown, Rachel Buxton, Sue Kruse and Karen Smith. We played at and against Lakeside, Cromer, Wakehurst, Elanora, Massey Park and Woolooware. 

After a narrow loss to Lakeside in round 1 our team rallied and went on to be undefeated for the rest of our games. It was certainly a nail-biting final round at Wakehurst with us,Lakeside and Cromer all within half a point of each other at the top of the table, and all having the ability to win the division depending on how the day played out. Peta was first to finish with a flawless 7&6 win, Emma followed a couple of holes later winning 5&4, Nat sealed the team win with her 3&2 in the bag, Rachel had a tight match going down on the18th and Kate made it that little bit sweeter with her come from behind 2&1 win. This convincing 4-1 win over Woolooware meant we secured the winners flag! 

To add some sugar on top, Kate was also awarded the undefeated players medal having played all matches with 5 wins and 1 draw. Congratulations Kate! 

All players represented Long Reef wonderfully, both on and off the course, playing their matches with great sportsmanship every single week. They also played some incredible golf and had a lot of fun in the process. There is no doubt that our team would not have done so well if it wasn't for our amazing caddies - Wendy Millson, Mick Snell, Pam Burke, Wendy Thomas, Sue Kruse, Karen Smith, Sally Hill and Jan Daniel - thank you!

 An extra special thank you must go out to Mick who not only caddies but is our team minibus champion driver for the distant courses. This not only gave us an opportunity to catch up as a team and relax prior to and after our matches, but Mick got us all there fresh,on time and ready to play (except for Lakeside where we ran onto the tee, but we won't talk about that!).

Thank you also to all the Long Reef members who cheered us on with encouragement and enthusiasm as always, and those that came to Wakehurst on the last day to support the team. Next year we're looking forward to visiting some new courses, the likes of NSW, TheAustralian and Pennant Hills, as we move up to Division 2. Bring it on!

Emma Thurlow | Grade Captain

Rob Keir is now recuperating back home and hopes to start playing golf in about a month. He will be probably be seen at the Club in the meantime.

Glenn Lovelace after having a shoulder reconstruction is now starting rehab. He will not be back playing golf for at least another 5 months.

Ed Whiley who is halfway through Chemotherapy for his pancreatic cancer, is also seeing positive results with scans showing the cancer reducing.

Thank you to all those who supported the Sargood Charity Day last Monday. We were very lucky with only an odd shower and finishing the round in sunshine. I will advise as to how much was raised in the next newsletter. Thank you to those people who helped to make it such a successful day - Gordon Philp an amazing MC and auctioneer, Alyssa, Mitch and our special guest speaker Ash Gardner.  I would also like to thank our staff who are often unsung heroes - Ben, Kim, Jenny, Michael and Jo.

Last week we asked the Members to vote on their preferred charity for next year - the winner was Gotcha4life! Next years event will be held on Friday 5 April 2024.

Stephen Twigg | Welfare Coordinator

On the 11^th May the Women Members will play for the Lilith Gollan Memorial Trophy. Lilith joined Long Reef on May 1^st 1951. She died in August 2022. Her contribution to the Club was immense and now she will be remembered in a special way every year. 

After much discussion and thought given to what sort of competition would be appropriate it has been decided that it will be a stableford competition held on the one day and as a 1 through 9 hole competition, open to all. As a Member of GNSW in 2006, and seeing what was happening in other clubs, Lilith was responsible for suggesting a short course competition on Thursdays. It started out as an 11-hole competition with the aim of keeping as many players in the game for as long as possible.

With the hope of presenting a trophy that has some tradition to it, the archive committee, a committee that she established, has made available an old trophy. It was only presented once, and that was in 1938, two years after Lilith was born. It was the trophy given to the Club Champion to keep, and was returned along with other trophies by the winner to the Club years later. The winner's name on the cup is Mrs K. Withers. This is her husband's initial - Kevin. Her name was Doris. Their Membership can be traced back to 1931, but it may have started earlier. 

The original bowl and crossed golf sticks have been given a new and bigger black wood base and aluminium engraving plates added. Hopefully it links the old with the present, as a reminder of Lilith's 51 years of Membership. The competition will be available to enter online.

The trophy is presented by Judy Hore, and Sandra Mellowes.