General Newsletter 

 

 

 



11th November 2011

 

 

          NEW GOLF RULES:                                                                                                                                   

Changes to the Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status have been announced by The R&A. (The R&A is based in St Andrews, Scotland, and is the international governing body for the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status.)

These changes are the outcome of The R&A’s regular four-yearly review cycle that it operates in conjunction with the United States Golf Association. The changes will come into effect in Australia on 1st January 2012.

The R&A has advised that the Rules of Golf will remain fundamentally the same. Whilst an extensive review was conducted, what has come out of that was relatively modest.

The changes to the Rules of Amateur Status have emerged from a wide-ranging review performed by The R&A and the USGA. The R&A's Director of Rules and Equipment Standards, David Rickman has explained: “We felt the time was right to carry out a fundamental review of the Rules of Amateur Status. We were conscious that many sports had done away with amateur status rules and we felt that was an appropriate question for us to ask.”

That an amateur code for golf is considered to be a key component of the game’s future is strongly supported by GA. Amateur golf is almost unique in all of sport in that it is heavily reliant on a handicapping system which allows any golfer to compete on equal terms with any other golfer.

Additionally, in virtually every amateur golf event, competition is reliant upon self-regulation as regards the Rules of play.

Uncontrolled sponsorship and financial incentive in the amateur game would provide significant temptation to players to manipulate scores and handicaps and to consequently diminish the competitive experience that is enjoyed by so many millions of players. As a result, GA sees the amateur status rules as a vital support mechanism for our handicapping system.

The key changes to the Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status are listed.

 

 

Key changes to the Rules of Golf to come into effect 1 January 2012

· Ball Moving After Address (Rule 18-2b). A new exception is added which exonerates the player from penalty if their ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain they did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and  the ball is played from its new position.

· Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions (Rule 13-4). Exception 2 to this Rule is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 (improving lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play) is not breached.

· Time of Starting (Rule 6-3a). The rule is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

The most significant change (Rule 18-2b) will see an end to situations like the one witnessed during the final round of this year’s Open Championship where Rory McIlroy was penalised when his ball was moved on the 7th green by the wind after he had addressed it.

Padraig Harrington, three-time Major winner and R&A – Working for Golf Ambassador, said: “I am delighted with the changes, in particular the ball moving after address. Every time the wind blows I am worried that my ball is going to move and I am worried about grounding my putter, distracting me from trying to hole my putt.

“This change will speed up play, there won’t be as many suspensions and players won’t be getting penalised or disqualified unfairly. It is definitely giving us players a little bit of a break.”

Key changes to the Rules of Amateur Status to come into effect 1 January 2012

Hole-in-One Prizes

There will now be no limit to the value of a prize (includes cash prizes) that may be offered for achieving a hole-in-one while playing a round of golf. This allowance only applies to prizes for holes-in-one (not longest drive or nearest-the hole), and neither separate events nor multiple-entry events qualify.

 

Prize Vouchers (the following list includes some items permitted prior to 2012)

The Rules will permit competition committees to offer vouchers (up to a value of $1,200) for any of the following:

· Goods & services from a pro shop or clubhouse (including food & beverage, whether packaged or unpackaged).

· For crediting to a club account (including to pay for items that have been purchased prior to the winning of the voucher). Vouchers may also be redeemed for use of a practice area, coaching, golf cart hire, green fees.

· Membership fees.

· For any specific item (or for items generally) from a retail outlet (includes for example Myer or David Jones). Gift cards or gift vouchers for redemption at any retail outlet. Goods available from a butchery, bakery, grocery, etc.

· Electricity accounts, telephone accounts and other utilities, petrol.

· Note: The Rules do not permit cash prizes of any amount except as described above regarding holes-in-one.

· Contact your State Association with queries on other items.

 

Contracts and Agreements

· National Associations – An amateur golfer will be able to enter into a contract and/or agreement with their National Association, provided they do not obtain any financial gain, directly or indirectly, while still an amateur.

(National Associations will be permitted to enter into contracts and/or agreements with amateur golfers on behalf of State Associations.)

· Professional Agents, Sponsors and Other Third Parties – An amateur, who is at least 18 years of age, will be allowed to enter into a contract and/or agreement with a third party solely in relation to the golfer’s future as a professional golfer, provided they do not obtain any financial gain, directly or indirectly, while still an amateur.

Subsistence Expenses

An amateur will now be allowed to receive subsistence expenses to assist with general living costs, provided the expenses are approved by and paid through the player’s National Association.

 

  

NEW MEMBERS:       

Since our last Newsletter, the following people have joined the Club:   

Golf:      Daniel Hiskins, Lynne Glover, Wayne Brownlee, Brendan Mitchell, Travis Price and Peter Jellis as Full Members
        William Bartram as a Distant Member
       
Malcolm & Sandra Kirkpatrick as Senior Members
        Kenneth King as a Social Member
                                                                              

Bowls:  Michael Bailey, Brian Schuback, Mark Henry, Matthew Moulton and Peter Kluge                

Welcome to all new Members

 

RESIGNATIONS:        

The Following Members have resigned from the Club,Cohan Schuback, Brett Curtis, Steve Morunga, Martin & Sheila Barnsley, Ryan Tuttle, Brian Bentley, Helen Russ, Rod Cross & Kevin Westney.

22 Other Members were deleted from the List for non-payment of fees. Our Membership number now stands at 374.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 The Turkey Run has commenced under the new name and sponsorship of Phillipsons. Known as the “9 and Dine” the rules are the same but the prizes have increased.

 

Presentation Night is being held on Friday 18th of November, at Legends. Book your table with Rob, in the Shop.

 

Super Santa Sunday Christmas break up is on the 11th of December, at the Club. (2 Ball Ambrose, meals and raffles) Bring a present for your child so they don’t feel left out. Bowlers will also attend so numbers will be good.  

 

 

 

VETERANS:         

  

Next EG Men’s Veterans events are to be held at Buchan on Tuesday November 15th and Bairnsdale on Tuesday December 13th. The AGM will also be held at this time.

                                   

         

The Sale Veterans Championships was held on September 15th and 22nd.

Winners were:

Peter Neligan—Men’s Champion.

Liz Foreman—Woman’s Champion

 

The Sale Seniors Festival of Golf was held on October 27th and 28th.

The weather was kind and numbers were up on last year.

Thanks to the Neil Wagland, his organizing committee and Robyn Wagland and the ladies for their assistance during the event. Mark the dates for next year’s tournament in your diaries.

 

 

 

 

MEN’S GOLF:         

 

Mixed Foursomes Champions---Herb Silby & Wendy Harwood

Jack Hurst Memorial Winner---David Adamson

SGC won this year’s Maffra Plate. B. Dooley (40 pts), G. Horne (38 pts), G. Sisely (39 pts) & J. Boyle (32 pts)

October Monthly Medal Winner---David Adamson

Masters Champion---David Adamson        

 

                                                                                                          

 

 LADIES GOLF:

 

The next two Tuesdays (15th & 22nd of November) see the 4BBB Stableford, a new Honour Board event, being held. Players are asked to place their names on the sheet in the Clubhouse.

 

                                                                             

October Monthly Medal Winner ---Kath McFarlane                                                                                                    Medal of Medalist ---Margaret White. 

                                                                                  

Crofton Lee Memorial winners—Helen Cantwell & Ann Low (a long time between drinks ladies—30 years since the last win)

 

Cancer Day Fundraiser---4BBB Stableford Winners---Liz Priscott-Collins & Pam Schaper. (Trophies by Findlay & Weymouth and Noddys Menswear)

 

Singles Knockout was won by Rita Wake, fighting off a determined Ann Low on the 19th.

 

 

 

THE SHOP:

 

With the departure of Rob from the Golf Shop the Committee has appointed Liz Priscott-Collins to coordinate the running and manning of the Shop.

Liz will handle the day to day collection of competition and green fees, purchase the essential items to be sold (balls, tees, gloves, drinks, etc), hire out the carts, buggies and clubs and coordinate the rosters of volunteers that will be needed to assist her. The volunteer tasks will vary from manning the Shop, collecting green fees, and acting as Ranger to ensure those already playing have paid.

A number of Members have already indicated their willingness to assist Liz and we thank them for that and ask for some more to ease the load.

The Club is not in a position, at this time, to hire another professional although we have had many enquiries. Committee will look at this measure further into the future.

 

 

 

FROM THE CAPTAIN: 

 

Sister City Challenge was won by Sale Victoria, beating Sale Cheshire (UK) 604 to 597. Sale Cheshire Captain, Peter Middleton, was in attendance and presented the trophy. He also presented the Club with a framed painting of the Cheshire Clubhouse.

 

Members please remember to fill divots and rake bunkers.

 

             

                                                                                                            

    THE COURSE:

 

Grass growth is unlike that seen in many years so we ask Members and guests to bear with us as we do our best to stay on top of it.

We also have the accompanying issues that a season like this brings, such as fungus, water-weed and other nasties in the greens, all of which is time consuming and indeed costly to manage, given the rising cost of chemicals.

Snakes are about again in many areas, so a warning to players to stay well clear of long grass such as beside 4th and 5th and also right side of 7th, as these areas remain long and snakes are hard to see (ask Noel Langley for confirmation of his recent near miss.)

 

You will have noticed that the “green coring” mentioned in the syllabus did not take place. Committee, on advice from the Course Management Committee, deferred this and Course staff will scarify the greens instead. Darren will monitor the condition of the greens to ensure they keep their high quality standard.

 

The Course is in excellent shape, we are proud of how it looks and the feedback we receive from visitors.

 

 

 

     VOLUNTEERS:          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Darren is always on the look-out for volunteers to assist in the clean-up of debris around the Course and to assist in some hand mowing around tee blocks, etc.

Those willing to be shown the operations of the rough cutters are asked to see Darren before we lose him in the long grass.

Please help out if you have some spare time.

 

 

 

 

 

REDEVELOPMENT:

   

 We await notification from developers of progress with Water/Waste Water proposal before the EPA.

We also await the return of the contractor to plant the rough area and also sprig plant Legends Couch in the fairway areas of the new 8th hole.

 

FUTURE NEWSLETTERS:     

 

Any interest group, sub-committee, or Member who wishes to share information through the Newsletter please contact the Secretary with your news.

 

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