President's Bulletin – December 30th, 2022

Men’s Comp.

A great field of 29 players played last Wednesday including many visitors. Winner of A grade was Dick Matthews with 38 points, runner up Brody Ricardi with 37 points.

Winner of B grade was myself on a countback from Andrew Roseby on 37 points.

Boxing Day

A huge thanks to Sandra Piazza, Trout Batt and John Costello who worked at the Clubhouse on Boxing Day. I thank all members who have given up their time to work at front of the office.

Today we have 30 players hitting off early, thanks to Dick for looking after them. As I have said, this time of the year is when we make our cream, please add your name to the holiday roster.

Team Event

Our team’s competition concluded last week and two teams had 336 points each.

The winning team of Brad Carroll, Jon Harrington and Judy Bynon won after going to a countback. The losing team was Trout Batt, Jim Martin and Paul Tanner.

Another team’s event is planned in the new year with half the profits going to the Club.

Pennant - 2023

Both Captains are taking names for next years pennant competition. Ladies play of Fridays and men play Sundays. Opening round 19^th March with 5 games.

If men are interested in playing in pennant, please text David on 0478606907 by 11th January 2023.

Programme

The programme for the next two weeks:

Ladies Comp

Yesterday a strong field of ladies played and two highlights, Sandra Piazza excellent score of 38 points and Lyn Dwyer burnt up the course with an exceptional score of 27 points for 9 holes, 3 per hole. Well played both of you.

Rules of Golf update 01/01/2023

1. Simplified Back-on-the-Line Relief

This relief procedure, often used for penalty area and unplayable ball relief, has been simplified so the ball is now dropped on the line, and may roll up to one club-length in any direction without a re-drop being required. This change simplifies what had become a complex procedure that was regularly breached by golfers without them realising they had done so. It represents a return to the essence of the easy-to-apply, pre-2019 process, which was almost entirely free of inaccurate application by golfers at any level of the game.

2. There are four new sub-rules for golfers with disability that permit an “approved person” to perform certain actions that would result in a penalty if performed by a non-approved person. They are:

Rule 25.2: “Modifications for Golfers Who Are Blind” (which includes certain levels of vision impairment)

Rule 25.3: “Modifications for Golfers Who Are Amputees” (which means both those with limb deficiencies and those who have lost a limb)

Rule 25.4: “Modifications for Golfers Who Use Assistive Mobility Devices”

Rule 25.5: “Modifications for Golfers with Intellectual Disabilities

3. Another significant reform associated with the 2023 Rules is that hard copies will no longer be distributed to club members and administrators. In future, access to the Rules will be via R&A-approved websites and apps. Golf Australia is currently working with the R&A to upgrade the GA Handicap App to have it feature all 2023 R&A Rules content. This will enable all club golfers and administrators across Australia to gain world-class access to their handicapping and rules content from the one place. The app has now surpassed 250,000 downloads. The work on the GA Handicap App is projected to be completed in February 2023.

Until the work on the upgraded GA Handicap App has been completed by the R&A and Golf Australia, we encourage any administrator or golfer wanting access to the 2023 Rules to use the new R&A Rules of Golf app.

4. Handicap on scorecard
   1. Golfers will no longer incur a penalty under the Rules of Golf for accidentally recording an incorrect Daily Handicap on their scorecard. This is because the inclusion of the handicap in the official submission of a player’s score will become a responsibility of the Committee. This change is consistent with other penalty reductions, such as reducing the penalty down to only one stroke for playing an incorrectly substituted ball. (Note: In the same way that players are obliged to calculate Stableford points and to include score totals on their scorecard despite the Rules not requiring it, they will also be obliged to record their Daily Handicap when doing so will be helpful to administrators. GA will support any committee that encounters a problem in achieving assistance from golfers with this fundamental obligation.)
5. Replacing damaged clubs
   1. If your club is damaged during a round (except in cases of abuse) you may replace it, repair it, or continue to use it.
6. Other changes
   1. It is likely that the practical playing experience of most golfers will not be impacted by the various other 2023 changes. For people wanting to view reference lists that include other changes, they are available by viewing the 2023 Rules Resources for Expert Users tab below.

The Course

I thank John Costello, Jim Martin, Judy Bynon, Brad Carroll, Tony Chapman and Fox O’Donohue for attending the working bee a couple of weeks ago, fantastic effort. Hopefully next working bee in middle of January.

In February, plans are switching into action on the course, removing branches off the large gum tree on the 10^th green, cutting down two dead pine trees and limbs protruding onto fairways. Also the laying of the pipes on the fourth, and to top it off, upgrading our pathways.

New Year Ambrose

We are holding a 2 player Ambrose next Monday, 9.00-9.30 shotgun start, a light lunch supplied - $30 per player. Please enter your names on the notice board or on Website. We need more players.

We have added a ‘ladies only’ to the event, so we have Men/Mixed and Ladies pairs. All three sections require 4 teams to enter to receive prize money.

Next Ambrose is on Sunday February 5^th.

The following Sunday, we are hosting the opening of the NEDGA.

Centennial Shirts

Did you miss out early this year in purchasing a centennial shirt.

Following a request for the shirts, orders forms are available at the Club house, cost $45.

Happy New Year from Lesley and I.

Good hitting,

George