Course update
· Freshwater dam on the 12th is at 90% capacity. The 2nd dams are at 50% capacity, while the 5th dam is at 80% capacity.
· The New Year weather has been unique, with 112 mm of rain received during the month, with evening storms increasing. Is La Nina coming back?
· The humid weather has seen an increase in fungi activity, with the green staff addressing it through the use of a chemical program.
It is disappointing that some members continue to disrespect their fellow members and the course by not repairing their pitch marks. The golfing gods are watching you.
Course Enabling Works
The Tender Review Committee has now forensically examined each Course Enabling Works tender and assessed each against a weighting structure of cost, timing and capability. Each of the tenders submitted was professional prepared and each met the requirements.
As Chair of the Committee, I wish to thank each company that submitted a tender and also my panel members for their time and energy in assessing. Each company had merit and capacity to undertake the works and while there was varying consideration to award the contract to any of them. The Board has had an opportunity to review the Tender Committee’s recommendation, the successful tenderer is Flemming Golf.
Work is forecast to commence April 2025 subject to Development Approval. The construction period is framed around 7 months plus a 4 month grow in period. Meaning the new course may be in play by the first half of 2026.
In a staged program, construction will begin with the new creek on 2, followed by fairway earth works on the existing 4th, the expansion of the 9th dam, works will then begin shaping of the 4 new USGA greens. These will then be seeded with Bent grass and grown in. The Committee is investigating a number of new bunker liner bases, more to come on this in the coming months.
Did you know
Golf Australia has recently released their annual Participation report, interesting facts to note:
· National membership number across Australia for 2023/2024 is reported at 459,143 an increase of 5.6% from 2022/2023
· Membership in NSW across metropolitan and regional club grew by 5.6%
· Average age of membership has decreased in men to 54.9 years and in women 65.3 years
· The number of competition rounds has increased since 2021/2022 by 9.4%
· Average competition rounds per member increased in 2023/2024 to 30.9 an increase of 7.3%
In summary, the game of golf is growing. Some pundits argue this is with the increased presence of YouTube and simulation golf. Whatever is the contributing factors golf; is a game for all ages, genders and personalities.
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