Newsletter

Summer 2017

Welcome to the summer edition of the Newsletter.

Do you want some more nostalgia? In keeping with my supplying some old photos of the early days for your interest and enjoyment, here are some more. This 1958 aerial photo shows the roads in Alfred Grant’s new subdivision and the open space for the soon-to-be golf course. Note the big gum tree that is still growing on the left of the first fairway as well as Jenyn’s Rd., which defines the course boundary to the left of the fourth fairway. What a classic shot is this! The old farmhouse, which was to be the site of the future clubhouse is clearly visible just below the central horizontal tree line.

Below, you can see the original entrance driveway with a cattle grid to control stock movements. As it happens, the two vertical posts are still standing but the cross beam has disappeared.

Look how much gardening the early members must have done to change the landscape so much.

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Local rules update

Maurie Payne and Paulette Legge have updated the local rules board – see the new board on the clubhouse brick wall at the BBQ area.

The Ray White open This was an exceptionally well-run event and congratulations go to the organizing committee of Roger Wilson, Todd Blocksidge, Maurie Payne, Andrew Revie, Kevin Arnold, Warren Castledine and Peter Clark. This year the top prize went to Rhys Bodey from the Canungra Club. Unfortunately, the three, big daily hole-in-one prizes were not won and in fact, not many players managed to even hit the green, such was the pressure of the big money on offer. Needless to say, we received many congratulatory comments about the state of the greens, including from the guest MC who stated in his presentation that the greens are the best he has seen from here to Sydney. These remarks were relayed to our green keeper Wayne who was really chuffed to hear the compliments. The 6th annual event is scheduled for 12 to 14 October in 2018 and I hope to see you all there.

Melbourne Cup day function

Keith Fraser organized a fun afternoon and Gavin McConnell ran the Calcutta auction akin to his working days when he used to auction off sheep. Interestingly, he thought some of the audience behaved like sheep in their responsiveness to his auctioneering. Well done Gavin and scribe Tony

Tane. As we have come to expect, Team Revie provided a delicious lunch and there were smiles all round. Isn’t it fantastic to see the clubhouse being used for such fun activities?

Presentation night - Friday 17 Nov. A great night was had by the 70 or so people who attended with the old-style rock music by Kristo Bradley and his associates providing superb entertainment. Again, as is usual, Team Revie was outstanding in looking after us.

Figure 1Things that happen Odd things happened at the Presentation night. With Glenyce Lynch, Di Lilley and Carl Pearce about, Tony Lynch certainly knew who his true friends were.

The old BBQ Please note that the old stainless-steel BBQ is going begging if anyone wants to take it away. See me.

Lockers to rent - men’s locker room For $100 per year you can leave your clubs etc. in the lockers and save dragging the items back and forward from home. See Maurie Payne for details.

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Vet’s Christmas party – that time of the year About 100 people (vets and their partners) attended this annual event, which provided a chance for everyone to catch up again and swap yarns.

Allan Rosser, the club patron, attended and presented the prizes to the worthy recipients as Vet’s President Tony Cole listens and looks on. Likewise, the Ladies held their usual get together to have a good time and to start their summer break.

The renovations are complete! Yes! Most notably, the rearranged pro shop really modernizes the layout of the clubhouse making it much more efficient for Andrew’s team to move between the pro shop and the bar/kitchen areas. More storage space for Andrew’s hire clubs has been made available and the rearrangement also provides a more open atmosphere to the clubhouse by closing off the dingy old entrance alley. Yes, I know some of you still miss the short cut to the toilets, but rest assured, you will get over it. Isn’t it funny, how change evokes some interesting first reactions? This new work augments the refurbishment of the two locker rooms and I want to, again, thank the State Government for the grant for the locker rooms. I trust you all appreciate the amount of organizational, and actual physical work that has gone into this project by mostly member volunteers.

There are still a few minor tasks to finish of the ladies’ room and Owen will complete those soon.

What were the fine grooves in the greens in November? You might have noticed the fine grooves that appeared on the greens in mid-November. They were the result of a mini-renovation using special grooming reels fitted to the greens mower and are needed some months after a major renovation. Grooming provides some of the benefits that a more vigorous renovation provides, the main difference being that the cutting blades are smaller and are spaced closer together. Unlike the renovator blades, the much smaller grooming blades remove some of the debris from just below the surface of the grass but above the soil level, which allows for better penetration and growth. The cutters remove excessive runners and grass blades to promote a more vertical or upright growth and reduce “grain”. This process is not simple and requires a fine understanding of the complexities of the growth habits of the bent grass as modified by season and growing conditions. The depth settings are critical. In essence, grooming removes some of the overcrowded leaves and runners, thus setting up a growth pattern more suitable for putting.

Our gardeners You would have noticed the front garden by the deck that is regularly maintained by Narelle Cooper and the mini hedge that is growing in the garden on the way to the first tee that was set up by Lesley Tappenden. Thank you ladies. Simply put, the club’s one-man-band green keeper Wayne just does not have the time to devote to prettying up the course with gardens. Further to this, Andrew Curtis has extended those gardening efforts and plans for a mini-Augusta appearance to some areas of the course. He has added plants to gardens that were previously rather tired looking and is also developing the sloped bed behind the fifth tee. Ably assisted by Jimmy, they form a formidable team.

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Three happy gardeners at work. Please when you see these folks, show them your gratitude for their efforts.

Golf trip to NZ December 2018 Four members have already paid their deposits with Grahame Kent of Helloworld who is arranging this golfing cruise in early December 2018. We will play on five courses across NZ and it will be a fantastic trip. Non-golfers can also travel with the group. Most notably, the Tane brothers are looking forward to playing on some of their old stamping grounds. For more information, there are brochures in the clubhouse, otherwise call Grahame Kent on 07 55804020

Swearing in the club house The management committee is disturbed that there is excessive swearing in and around the clubhouse. We request that this be toned down. It is not that we are prudes, and we recognise that swearing has become more commonplace amongst society in general. Still we believe that, as a courtesy to others in the clubhouse who do not swear, members should do the right thing and swear less, or if you must swear, at least swear quietly. We can’t force you to but request that you please think of others, particularly visitors who would not be impressed by some of the language in the clubhouse.

The storm season is here What do you do when a storm approaches and play is suspended (by the sounding of a warning hooter)? You must stop playing, mark and lift your ball and make your way to the clubhouse. A delegate of the Match Committee will drive around the course to ensure that all players hear the warning. While making your way to the clubhouse, spread out from other players and avoid moving past and sheltering under tall objects such as trees and poles and in the shelter shed at the 6th tee. If caught in the open with lightning around, squat down, tuck your head in and cover your ears and as soon as the immediate threat passes, move to the safest place. For a fuller explanation of the Club’s safety policy on this, please look on the club’s website.

News from the Pro shop Another year has flown by and it’s great to see the course looking so good and I’m sure everyone is proud of the way the course is presented. We continue to receive positive feedback from players from off the mountain.

We are happy to let you know that we are now dealing with Taylor Made as a supplier and will continue to add new products to our already-growing pro shop which includes the newly released TP5 golf ball, which comes with great reviews.

Trainee News Congratulations to Neville Hogan, who last month with another great round of -3 managed to win another trainee match at Tweed Heads. He also finished the year in 19th position throughout all of

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the trainees nationally. A great result and I’m sure he is hungry for more solid finishes in 2018. Junior Golf TMGC recently hosted the final of the pee wee pennant series, which included players from six clubs in the region. We had close to 30 competitors, who all had a wonderful time. Clubhouse News We have recently purchased a new coffee machine, and from all accounts, it is proving to be a worthwhile investment. Karaoke, which is held every 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday of each month, continues to grow. So, if you are looking for something to do, then come on over for a few laughs. Coaching News Often, we are quite quick to determine our poor play by technical swing faults. However, at my recent week at the golf expo, I was given a book called “Tour Mentality”, which a few members have recently read and soon after had some amazing results….a coincidence? I think not. In recent months we have been working closely with one of our members to put together a short promotional video of the club as well as highlighting some of the attractions that the mountain has to offer. Please take a moment and click on the link to have a quick look and please remember to like our Facebook page to keep up to date with everything that’s going on within the club. https://www.facebook.com/groups/143182302975548/permalink/143882459572199/

On behalf of myself, Tina, Nicole and Neville we would like to thank you for your support in 2017 and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a safe new year. Enjoy golfing over the gorgeous summer days. Regards Andrew Your friendly golf Professional

Saturday – Second Eclectic Prize Winners

A Grade

1 Darren McLarnon 50.55 $75.00

2 Roger Way 53.55 $50.00

3 Todd Blocksidge 55.05 $35.00

B Grade

1 Damien Jennings 54.7 $75.00

2 Ross Hodgson 56.25 $50.00

3 Gerry Moloney 56.45 $35.00

C Grade

1 Graham Nipperess 55.75 $75.00

2 Warren Castledine 58.25 $50.00

3 Glen Bowring 58.5 $35.00

Ladies

1 Ligouri Kent 60.9 $75.00

2 Katy Hewitt 62.45 $50.00

Another oldie - the good old days when a game

cost $3.

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Captain’s Cup (Annual Nett) The Captain’s Cup was previously the best nett for the March, April and May Monthly Medals. This year it was expanded to include all Monthly Medal competitions. See the prize winners below.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total

Best 7 Prizes

1. T. Blocksidge 67 69 69 69 68 68 69 479 $100.00

2. B. Brown 73 71 66 70 68 70 70 488 $75.00

3. T. Tane 68 72 70 70 68 68 72 488 $50.00

4. T. Ridge 73 67 67 68 74 72 68 489

5. O. Achterberg 73 67 72 72 70 70 68 492

6. M. Grealish 68 72 72 72 67 72 69 492

7. G. Armstrong 72 70 70 73 71 72 65 493

8. D. McLarnon 74 72 64 72 68 71 73 494

9. M. Payne 72 71 68 74 71 71 68 495

10. S. Legge 69 74 75 67 70 71 69 495

The standard format was the score for the best eight rounds but this year it was reduced to seven rounds because the afternoon field of the January Monthly Medal was washed out. Cheers Paulette Legge (Vice Captain)

Thank you to our sponsors MAJOR SPONSORS of the OPEN Ray White Rural – Naming rights sponsor Huebner Motors Beaudesert Mount Tamborine Motel The Manor Witches Falls Wine HPP Group 94.1FM Gold Coast SUPPORT SPONSORS Andrew Revie Golf Club Professional, Eagle Heights Resort, Jasmin Cosmetics, Clancy’s Irish Bar, Rainforest Skywalk, Mason Wines, Collins Foods (KFG), Hartley Creek Wines, Drift Café, The Local Codfather, Thunder Bird Park, The Mountain Brew, Spice of Life Café, Eagle Heights Pharmacy and the Fox & Hounds Pub.

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One last photo. We started off as a links course would you believe?

Lastly, let me join with Andrew to wish you all the best for the Christmas holiday period. And let’s hope that we don’t lose as much golf to rain through 2018 as we have over the past few weeks! But then it’s fantastic for our gardens. Regards and best wishes

Leon Radunz

President

TMGC

Under the regulations of the Office of Fair Trading the management committee is required to inform the membership that the club has a public liability insurance cover of $10 million.