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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.