June Newsletter 2010

Newsletter June 2010

Notice to members from the Board

At the board meeting 27 May 2010 the subject of course maintenance was raised and greenkeepers rights.

In an effort to bring the members and visitors of the PNGC the best possible facilities and course for them to play on the Board would like to take this opportunity to remind members that the greenkeepers have the right of way on the course.

When changes to the course are made or the tee blocks are mown and marker blocks are replaced by greens staff these blocks are not to be repositioned by members (under any circumstance). The blocks are moved often and placed to ensure wear on the area is distributed evenly. Blocks can be placed by greens staff anywhere on the tee block and don't require to be spread the entire width of the tee block (easy answer leave the blocks alone).

Disease and pests on greens can and does often happen very quickly, or the need for rain to apply a product means that spraying or fertilizing has to be carried out immediately and often with no notice. If this is not done immediately the result to our greens can be devastating with expensive losses. Some sprays for one application are around $1000 per drum (not the sort of thing you want to get wrong).

Complaints!!! It is of some concern for the board to learn that staff are often confronted and on occasions abused by members over perceived course conditions and problems.

The board wish to make it clear to all that staff have been instructed not to enter into any discussion with members or visitors, but to simply request that the complaint be put in writing addressed to the General Manager, he will then forward the complaint to the relevant committee or person. A reply will then be sent back to the person who complained.

Course condition and News

The course reports from many members are very pleasing to hear, it appears that the greens are playing extremely well and the fairways are in good condition. Dan our club captain went out and played the other day and describes them as mint condition.

However we have had a few issues recently and one that I have followed up on is the pink dye that is left on the ground when the weeds are sprayed and how this does not look good around the club. Agpro directions for use state "The bright red colour shows you exactly where the liquid pesticides and fertilizers have been applied. It helps to prevent skips and overlaps, and aids detecting spray drift" a particularly important requirement of our chemical use.

Rain also plays a very important part in timing when applying fertilizer and this often means making a decision to spray when course may be in use. Spray often needs to be applied due to disease in the greens with no notice and boards will be placed with direction should this be hazardous. If you see spraying take the precaution not to lick your balls.

I am not sure if our members understand the environmental issues that face clubs, farmers and other users, but strict requirements and standards are set for the commercial use of sprays and chemicals with certificates and training required these days. Geoff is fully qualified in grow safe and handling of chemicals, dangerous goods, he is also currently doing further study in environmental management. Geoff is highly respected by me and in his field is respected by the turf management, lecturers and colleagues, our club is lucky to have a greenkeeper with the knowledge Geoff has. Paul is also qualified in handling these sprays and chemicals.

Leaves on the course this year have as always been an issue however I feel this has been greatly reduced due to us fitting a mulching unit to our rough mower.

Great Pennant result for our A team

This year our B pennant team was promoted back to the A division. They did not get off to the best of starts due to individual players not being available and changes being made to the team. The depth of pennant players in the club was tested with some C grade players stepping up and doing very well in the A matches (Thanks to Fusi and the C players for coping with these changes). Mike McSherry was the team selector/ manager, he had a difficult job to do and in my opinion did it very well (Thanks Mike) a job that required some difficult decisions. They certainly came together as a team of excellent players and made it through to the top four teams to meet in the semi- finals. The support from members at the semi- final was great to see.

Well done for making the semi-finals. Those who contributed to this great team effort were: Mike McSherry, Tony Chettleburgh, Dan Learmonth, Sam Drake, Rick Hutton, Peter Faithfull, Jeremy Turner, Glen Signal, Peter Ellmers, Pranil Singh, Damon Burt, Patrick Harold, Mike Fagan, Kelly Southall and Peter Harris.

Next year we are again to field a pennant team and our club captain Daniel is already reviewing what we did and how we can improve things for next year. Some exciting things to come in the New Year and hopefully a win in the A division.

Club competitions

This year we have found some competitions supported and others not so the golf committee is working with Bryan to stream line the competitions for 2011. The idea is to run one men's and one mixed event each month over the year (less tournaments but better). Thanks have to go to Raewyn Dewe and Heather Retemeyer for the hard work they have done phoning members to join in and participate in the mixed events.

The golf committee this year has been working very hard on improving the game of golf for you. This should be evident in next year's competition.

Club Website

http://www.pngolf.co.nz/ is our club website and this site is updated often with information for club members and about function hire, so if thinking of using the club or you know someone who may want to use the club rooms, just get them to look on the web site.

New Members Evening

This was held on Tuesday night 25^th May and although not many new members turned up there was a number of members who came along and this was great to see (thanks). There were a few good ideas to come out of the evening and we will be looking at more things to do as the year progresses.

Disc Draw for men last Saturday of each month

We are going to mix members up so as they can enjoy playing golf with other people and broaden their playing circle. The draw will be done each Friday prior to the Saturday. Start time will tee off around 11.18 each month. The start sheet to put your name down can be found in the men's locker room.

Membership

We are still requiring new members and to assist with this we are still offering you the opportunity with our introduce a new member reward scheme. How this works is, bring your friends or workmates along to sign up a membership then you spend a few months introducing them to others and helping them merge into club activities. For this we credit your subs with $100.

Please note: You do not get the credit by simply saying to them tell the office I sent you.

Upcoming major events

Canada Day on the 24^th June. See Sam or Dan in the Pro Shop to enter in this great event.

Midwinter Christmas Saturday 25^th July please start thinking about getting a group along to this fun event, tickets will be available soon from the office.

Course Rating

As you may have noticed our course rating has gone up to 123 for men 121 for ladies, this rating has been done by fully surveying the course following a standard format, then sent to NZ Golf. Other clubs in the area are due to be completed by the end of this year so their rating may also change.

Regards and good golfing Bryan Snaith

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