We are all delighted to see the rain over the last day or so. In the 24 hours to 9am today, we have received 35mm. We are hoping for another few days of rain and it’s reasonable to expect the dam to be full by early next week.
It couldn’t have come at a better time, with the dam dropping to around 40% capacity last week. Further compounding our water issues was the malfunction of the pumps which support the Venturi aeration machines. The suction level resulted in bush debris becoming attached to the cage protecting the pumps. This will be managed through periodic maintenance to ensure efficiency and productivity of this important water treatment component.
The course has started to show a nice tinge of green over the last week. David Warwick has commented that work of the hand watering volunteers has been terrific and has contributed to this pleasing ‘greening up’ of the course. No doubt this rainfall will give everything a real boost and we can expect to see the course looking fabulous for the upcoming Avondale Amateur.
The Amateur is over subscribed in both the ladies and the men’s fields and therefore there will be a ballot process undertaken early next week. Thank you to the organising committee and to all the volunteers who have been working hard to produce this event. There is still a requirement for a few players to be accommodated, please let Hayley know if you can take a billet at your home during the tournament.
Please note that the course will be closed to Members during the event, from January 28th to 31st. The course will also be closed to Members during the player’s practice rounds on Friday 24th from 12pm, Sunday 26th from 12.30pm and on Monday 27th from 1pm. Please see the website for details around tee times that have been secured at other courses during the event.
The new tees on the 2nd, 4th and 15th are looking excellent, with players enjoying the increased area, slightly new angles and very level surfaces. The top dressing and scalping over the last week will ensure the tees are in fine condition for the Avondale Amateur. A slight variation to the rock face adjacent to the pathway on the 15th will be undertaken today with a view to improving player safety by eliminating the chance of ricochet.
Monday Tee Trial Program
The Monday Tee Trial Program will commence on February 17th. The Summer Medley will continue until then with the exception being that the traditional Ladies Opening Day event will run on Monday February 10th, off the first tee from 8:04am through until 9:32am.
The Monday play trial program will be as follows:
Men 7 -8am
Medley 8-9am
Ladies 9-10:30am
Men from 10:30am
The Match Committee will be monitoring the trends that emerge during this trial program in order to determine the future of Monday schedules.
Men’s Major Pennant Squad Announcement
I am pleased to announce that the following players have been selected in the Men’s Major Pennant Squad for 2020
Chris Fan, Bryce Pickin, Linus Yip, Greg Smith, Adam Fitzsimmons, Will Bayliss, Jason Jeffress, Will Moody, Anthony Robson and Henry Hesketh.
The team starts the season on February 9th with a home match against St Michaels.
Driving Range Usage
There has been an increase in the number of range balls being collected on the first fairway and even towards the first green. Members are reminded that the maximum hitting length is 175 meters. This is a safety issue and it’s imperative that all Members take note of this requirement please.
Bunkers Walls
Members will have noticed that the bunker in front of the 8th green has exposed concrete on the face. This has been caused by the drip irrigation hose being blocked from a build up of iron in the pipes. The recent excessive heat and the reduced irrigation to the green surrounds has added to the sand’s dryness meaning it’s unable to hold the desired shape on the wall. David is working on a solution and we are aiming to rectify the issue as a matter or urgency. There are other bunkers around the course with similar troubles which we have also identified for treatment.
February Monthly Medal
Thanks for all your feedback on the trial system that was in place for the January Medal. The February Medal will be run on the same basis, with the 1st tee and 13th tees in use with a time sheet up until 9:30am. A roll up start will commence form 9:30am. The time sheet will go online on Saturday January 25th at 6pm.
The 6:15am starts on Thursdays and Saturdays have been well received and will continue up to and including the February Medal on Saturday the 8th.
Please feel free to contact me with any feedback or points for discussion captain@avondalegolfclub.com.au
Mark Bayliss
Club Captain
Filed under: App News
