Saturday 16th January, 2021 HOWLONG NEWS THE LONGEST DAY - 2020 Pictured (left to right): Howlong's Pro, Tim Cameron; Cobram-Barooga's Pro, Michael MacGregor; and Numurkah's Golf Pro, Anthony Sanders; played 72 holes of golf at the Howlong Golf Resort in the Longest Day Challenge, on 14th December 2020 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Hello fellow Members, Christmas and New Year break and are now ready for some action at whatever the Club Welcome to 2021 and your continued support offers , be it on the “grass bits” or in the Club of our Club. I do hope you had an enjoyable House. (02) 6026 5321 | www.howlonggolf.com.au | [email protected] FROM PRESIDENT - DAVID HORTON (CONT’D) Since my last message in November 2020, I have particularly gifted juniors now learned not to predict the ongoing virus who benefit from ongoing and the next roll of the dice as it continues. At opportunities to further the end of December last year things were develop their game and beginning to look a lot better in our ability to competition experience. operate again at full capacity, that was, until the The foundation goes a eleventh hour decision by the government to long way in achieving this advise further restrictions that may ultimately and I thank the Nicholas impact on our operations and our trading family for supporting this revenue streams. We therefore can only roll program. with the punches and I would hope that Club President, Members will understand the situation and On 14 December I was David Horton acknowledge the efforts of management and pleased that we finally staff in responding as the restrictions are held our Information Night with an estimated notified, often at short notice. On the bright side 40-50 members in attendance. The feedback our friends across the river and within the has been positive and the Board intends to “bubble” are still able to participate at the Club. conduct further Information Nights during 2021. I would encourage Members to attend where As many will have noticed, Shaun Whitechurch you have a voice – watch this space. However, if has now commenced in his role as the there is an issue you wish to raise, or question Operations Manager and has been active you would like answered in the interim, please around the Club engaging with the Members. discuss it with a Director or put it in writing so Please take the opportunity to introduce that appropriate action can be taken. yourself to Shaun. You will note, later in this newsletter edition, On a sad note I inform you that Michelle Reuss that the Club has made some changes to the has resigned from her position as the Office Friday Night Frenzy Raffles. We explain the Manager and has moved to Mildura for family reasons for these changes and list the new reasons. As you are aware, Michelle has been a prizes. We also advise on the many ways long term valued member of staff for some 11 members can use their Club points throughout years and will be sadly missed, not only as an the year. employee but as a friend to many of our Members. We wish Michelle our best wishes We are bringing back our weekly Saturday Meat and success in her move and new employment. Raffles from 6th February with bands to follow, live and free from 7:30pm for the month of It was wonderful to see so many Life Members February. Details can be found on the back and Volunteers at the Dinner prior to Christmas page. We encourage you to support these held to thank them in person for their ongoing events by inviting friends, family and neighbours contribution to the Club. The Club has a long to join you for a relaxing Saturday afternoon/ history and this is wonderfully recorded in a evening at your Club. publication called Howlong Country Golf Club covering the period 1928-1993. Regrettably, the Finally, as we face a number of unknowns as we compilation of information has not continued to move into 2021, with your support to the Board, the current date. If any historically minded Management and Staff I am confident we will Member is interested in “continuing the story” prevail. please let me know. Until the next edition, As part of the Dinner the event also provided the opportunity to recognise our Junior Golfers David Horton - President by way of the Hilton Nicholas Foundation Scholarships. It is evident that we have some MENS GOLF Cohen, Gary Pool, Bill Iverach and David Lang all have 6 points. There are four rounds remaining before the final and breakup Ambrose so there is plenty of time for ladder positions and Player of the year leaders to change. At this stage we have three Medal winners who have qualified for the Medal play off in November. They are Matt Mills (Nov) 63 nett, Stuart James (Dec) 66 nett and Chris May (Jan) 65 nett. The North East Vets completed their 36 Hole Championship at Wodonga in December with the only Howlong player to feature, being Peter Colee, who was runner up in Division 2. Pictured: Ian Williams, currently leading the Also, a reminder the next North East Vets event pack for Player of the Year will be at Bright on Monday 22nd February. I would firstly like to wish all members a Happy The four rounds of the Men’s Summer Cup have New Year and even though the situation with commenced with the next 3 rounds on 16th Covid-19 is ever changing, let’s hope by the January, 13th February and 20th of February. middle of the year the situation has settled somewhat. On a personal note I am certainly Rob Forrest - Captain hoping for a better year even though I do not envisage being back on course for a couple of months yet. Our popular Summer Series has started well with all teams still in the hunt for a finals berth after three weeks competition. In Division 1 Culcairn and the Bushwacker’s lead on 8.5 points with the bottom team on 5.5 points. In Division 2 McRae Nissan are on top with 7.5 points and all other teams are either on 5 or 4.5 points. In the Player of the Year Award only one player, Ian Williams, has won all three matches and leads on 9 points; Kevin Miller has had 2 wins and a square and is next on 7 points. The following players, Vince Chaffey, Neville Batt, Max Barraclough, Barry LADIES GOLF Happy New Year Ladies and great golfing Thanks to the golf shop and management teams throughout 2021. I hope everyone enjoyed a for keeping us up to date with the frequent great Festive Season with family and friends. changes to rules and regulations. Sincere thanks to all who attended the Ladies Many thanks to all who played in the medleys in Presentation Day. It was great to see 70 golfers the last 3 weeks. We are now back to Summer in attendance with the presentation run like Golf with PAR competitions on Wednesdays. I clockwork. know there will be a great turn up! Also a big thank you to the members of the North East Pennant (Mondays) Ladies Golf Committee, and to the Fairways There has been a list displayed on the Ladies Bistro for catering at the Club. Everyone sandwich board every Wednesday for those worked together to provide a terrific day. The interested to put their names down. Pennant winners of the Ambrose event, with a score of commences in February so I need to begin 27.625, were Gail O'Halloran, Sue Eisenhauer, organising soon. Gail Krause and Louise Iffland. Congratulations ladies! I hope you enjoy this great game of golf in the greatest country in the world. There were another 14 groups of ladies who all participated and made the day a success. Di Tyrell- Miller - Committee Member Thanks to Tim and his team in the organising of the ladies grouping for the game. WHERE CAN I USE MY GROUNDS UPDATE MEMBERS’ POINTS? Paul and his team are kept busy keeping our golf You can use your members points at the: course, bowls rinks and croquet courts in amazing Fairways Bistro condition. SZETO Asian Kitchen Bar in the Clubhouse The fairways on the front nine of the golf course Golf Shop were a hive of activity on Monday 7th December when they were scarified by a team of contractors You don’t need to be a golf playing member to and our grounds team. purchase from the golf shop. Non-golfers can purchase caps, sunglasses, socks, Photos below and on the page on the right show shoes, umbrellas and of course clothes. some of the machinery involved on the day. Golf clothes are great for casual or resort wear and for playing other sports. You’ll feel great and look fantastic. Why don’t you take a look at our range - stock changes regularly. The best time to browse and try on for size is the afternoon with the Golf Shop closing between 5pm and 6:30pm depending on the day of the week. Is there anywhere I can’t use my points? Points cannot be used to pay for: - accommodation, breakfast, or the mini-bar whilst staying at our Resort - green fees or competition entry - membership How do I use my points? Simply hand us your member’s card when you make a purchase and ask to “pay with my points”. How do I know how many points I have? The number of points held against your membership show on the point of sale (cash register) screen during your transaction.