Melbourne Reciprocal Clubs' Visit
President Graeme Houston and I recently travelled to Melbourne to visit our metropolitan based reciprocal clubs (Kingston Heath, Riversdale and Huntingdale) and Metropolitan Golf Club. The visit had a dual purpose - to maintain relationships with our reciprocal clubs and inspect course works which are underway or recently completed. Kingston Heath have recently opened a 9 hole short course, Huntingdale are undertaking a complete course redesign (with only 9 holes in play now and the course closing entirely later this year), Metropolitan have completed 9 holes of their Course Enhancement Plan and Riversdale have completed the first stage of their Course Enhancement Plan. Metropolitan and Riversdale both have Crafter+Mogford (recently appointed as Avondale's course architect) as their course architects so it was a good opportunity to view their work first-hand.
During our visits we were able to understand how clubs have dealt with undertaking enhancement and redesign work and the various challenges that arise. This information will be valuable as we consider our own Course Enhancement opportunities.
A common theme across all the clubs was the significant increase in the number of rounds being played and the resulting pressures created e.g. members unable to play when they wish and/or not getting course access, wear and tear on the course, and less time for course maintenance. Additionally, all clubs now have extensive waiting lists and it is unlikely that the pressures noted will reduce in the near term. In response clubs are reducing/eliminating corporate days, limiting member visitor rounds and reviewing reciprocal arrangements (some arrangements have already terminated). It is uncertain whether we will be impacted but our outreach program aims to maintain our relationships and engage in dialogue on any issues.
The recent member survey highlighted that members value the opportunity to play at our reciprocal clubs and therefore the Board continues to assess opportunities to add to our arrangements with other clubs, including in Melbourne.
Rules sessions
Members of Match Committee, Pro Shop and qualified referees are often asked about on-course situations and the applicable rules. It has been quite a while since the club conducted rules information sessions and we will arrange several during May. These will be one-hour practical sessions - discussing actual situations and the relevant rules. For those wanting to get deep into the rules we will arrange an advanced course in late July and is likely to consist of 3 or 4 one-hour sessions.
There are many situations which come up each week where a good knowledge of the rules will be very helpful to you and your playing partners. We will cover options available for red and yellow penalty areas, relief options (free relief and relief with penalty) where and how to take relief, rules once the ball has reached the green, and many more.
Here are a couple of the situations frequently asked about:
- A player accidentally causes the ball to move (perhaps when moving twigs, taking a practice
swing, etc). Ruling - the ball must be replaced in its original position and a 1 stroke penalty is incurred. If the ball is not replaced and is played, then in match play the hole is lost; in all other play a 2 stroke penalty is incurred. If the 2 stroke penalty is not added to the score on the relevant hole and the scorecard is signed and submitted, the player is disqualified for signing the incorrect score. (NB the rules for the ball moving on the putting green are different so please come to the session for full details)
- A ball plug mark is on the line of play, just off the green and you want to putt; you tap down the plug mark. Or, sand is on the green surround, between your ball and the putting surface; you wipe away the sand. Both are breaches of the rules and in match play the hole is lost; in all other play a 2 stroke penalty is incurred.
Dates will be advertised by Golf Operations shortly and expressions of interest taken for the advanced course.
Wayne Leamon
Captain
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