Hooks & Slices

July 2016 MEN’S PENNANT REPORT SPECIAL POINTS OF What a fantastic result for the Scratch 1 team this year. INTEREST: Congratulations go to our Men's 'A' Grade Scratch Pennant Team.  Naming Day They were successful in winning the Pennant Final against Morwell, played  Men’s Pennant Up- last Sunday at Traralgon. date This is four years in a row for Drouin, a terrific achievement for all players and

In The Rough by our club.  George Shand The Successful Team members:

 Kenivers Travels Mark Allen (Captain), Matthew Long, Ryan Hammond, Leon Cook, Michael McMannus, Michael Santo, Ryan Radford, Paul Davie, Simon Appleby, Brad Bennett, Lachie Bambridge, Shane Pallant and Kevin Thorpe.

I would like to thank all the team Captains this year, we were able to field a team in each division this year and I am hoping that we will be able to do the INSIDE THIS same next season. ISSUE: Scratch 1 team was again successful and will no doubt be looking at trying for a fifth successive title next year. President’s 2 Report Scratch 2 had a poor finish to the year and with the chance to play in the final with a home ground last game the boys struggled and missed out. I am sure Lady President’s 3 they will be a force to contend with next year.

Report Handicap 1 had an interesting year without much success. The captain showed off some water skills in the first round but unfortunately the team Managers Report 4 although playing solid golf was not able to win a match.

Naming Day 5 Handicap 2 was led capably by Geoff Searle and with mixed fortunes was able to take it up to most teams they played against.

Course Report 6 Handicap 3 has had some tough opposition and yet continued to push them- selves to play each week. A big thank you the Stuart Low for taking on the Kenivers Travels 8 role of Captain this year

Finally it was great to see some of our newer members playing pennant this

Upcoming Events 9 year and no doubt next year will be far more successful.

Yours in Golf,

Bunker Bulletin 10 Peter Daniel Board

Advertising 11 HOOKS & SLICES Page 2

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Members by now, attended and were Please note that would be aware of delighted with the Nominations close the resounding vote announcement. Sue on Wednesday 27th “The colder weather may be hindering in favour of the mo- Benetti did a great July at 4.p.m. The your golf, however tion put to a Special job in displaying A.G.M is to be held why not try the General Meeting of some old photo's on on Wednesday excellent hot food, available every day members held on our newly installed the 24th of August. for lunch, as well as June 15th. We now overhead projector Members will be ad- Friday night meals await the next step in in the “Cuthbertson vised in more detail that includes the the process. This is an Function Centre" as at a later date. Members Draw for cash. Also try the independent tribunal well as some live dis- The colder weather Sunday morning hearing, appointed by plays of photo's and brunch.” may be hindering Baw Baw Council, in hard copy memora- your golf, however regard to granting the bilia. why not try the ex- C89 land develop- I wish to announce cellent hot food, ment proposal, to al- that nominations are available every day low the said land to now open for the for lunch, as well as be developed as low "Board of Directors" Friday night meals density housing. The and also the "Club that includes the tribunal will com- Captain" (Men's Members Draw for mence hearing sub- Committee positions cash. Also try the missions from July (6 off) will be called Sunday morning 11th. Following that, for following the brunch.

if approved it returns A.G.M). Regards to you all, to Council for their Those wanting to "rubber stamping". Tom Carroll nominate for any po- President. Last Sunday (10th) a sition, can get all the good turn out of information they re- members attended quire at the office, an afternoon tea at this also includes the Club to officially nomination forms. announce the naming The Notice Board is of the two function also displaying all rooms. Relatives of relevant documenta- both the Cuthbertson tion. and Butler family's HOOKS & SLICES Page 3

LADY PRESIDENT’S REPORT

On 3rd June Drouin medal. Ladies we hosted the WGWG Doris Page The Lady members event which is held have played the Ei- annually to raise funds leen Smith 4BBB to go towards WGWG event this month with Country Teams ex- the winning pair be- penses. Many coming Marg Rowe and Thanks to our ments of praise of the Leanne Pollard with a loyal course and facilities 2 week score of 77 supporters who were received. points and the run- sponsored the ners-up were Sue Club during the Thanks to our loyal Hatfield and Catriona month, Wendy supporters who spon- Ferguson with a total Hichins and Marg Murray. sored the Club during of 72 points. Con- the month, Wendy gratulations to these Hichins and Marg ladies very good Murray. scores considering the conditions. Although the number of Ladies competing Tuesday 28th was the each week is down a ladies personal guest little there is still a rea- day with many Clubs sonable number when represented amongst you consider the our field. weather and the fact that a lot of ladies are Peggy & Glenda. away during the colder months.

Congratulations to Pam Soutar on winning the June monthly HOOKS & SLICES Page 4

MANAGER’S REPORT

Happy Hour/Friday Night Meals/Brunches Happy Hour/Friday night meals continue to well supported with 35-40 in attendance most Friday nights. This coming week the Jackpot will be $700. Numbers for Sunday Brunches continue to vary with the weather having an impact. Lunches continue to be available 7 days per week. In the near future we will be promoting on radio to increase activities within our facility. Many thanks to all those who continue to support the Club.

Finance “The budget is Recently, the Committee of Management approved the operational targeted to achieve a small operating budget for the 2016/2017 Financial Year. The budget is targeted to profit after many achieve a small operating profit after many years of operating deficits. It years of operating will be feasible to achieve a small profit if certain areas are targeted. deficits.” These include increasing our membership base, 5 % increase in membership fees, increasing the number of green fee players, 50% increase in sponsorship and 30% increase in Function Centre and Meals/Bar activities.

Drouin Country Club Along with the change of structure to a Board of Directors, the Drouin Golf & Country Club will now use the business name “ Drouin Country Club”. This change will in no way impact on the golfing operations but will allow us to promote our facilities to the wider community.

Baw Baw Physio & Fitness An arrangement has been with Baw Baw Physio and & Fitness to give members a 5% discount for any services provided. On making an ap- pointment mention you are a Drouin Golf & Country member to get your discount. Appointments can be made with Kate Jones on 56251631. Services available include physiotherapy and myotherapy.

Page 5 HOOKS & SLICES IN THE ROUGH NAMING DAY Eyebrows were raised when “Scoota” Bethune only scored 5 points even though it included a birdie. Unfortunately it didn’t actu- ally happen. When “Scoota” didn’t bother to front on the Queen’s Birthday his “mates” decided he needed to be punished. The pity is that he would have been a worthy winner of having the worst score in the Club’s history. Worse than Johnny Arnold’s 18 wipes in Par. John had a prodi- gious slice and on a wild day playing such an unforgiving game, it is not hard to imagine the trouble he got into. Worse too than a Mr A McPhan who made 187in what was probably the first game played by the re-established Club in 1955. The course was built on a swamp, On Sunday the two clubrooms were officially had been hacked out of the bush, named, Cuthbertson Function Centre and Butler was full of yabby holes and had Lounge-Bar. The families and members enjoyed plenty of tree stumps. Further, the winner -Lindsay Smith who went an afternoon tea filled with history and memories on to become our first Club Cham- pion in the same year - only made 99 and even Phil Edwards struggled with 118.

Speaking of Phil, strangely he doesn’t remember this round although he can tell you about nearly every other shot he has played in his near 66 year connection with the Club. Phil still plays twice a week but has two gripes. He finds modern players are too soft when confronted with hail or driving rain. They should play. He also feels it is unfair that a high handicapper’s good tee shot can get trapped in the long grass before the fairway. It can be dangerous agreeing with Phil but I think he has a point on this one.

If you want to get the full Phil story go to drouingolf.club and then Club Info, Our History and George Shand Stories. HOOKS & SLICES Page 6 COURSE REPORT Over the next couple of months to help with the filling of divots we will be conducting a program known as ‘Adopt a Hole’. Some of you will have herd of this or seen this run at other clubs on your travels but the basic concept of it will be extra care and opportunity to divot one particular fairway at a time. We will provide extra sand bins along the fairway to help and encourage everyone to empty 2 or 3 buckets of sand into divots and bare spots as you play the hole ‘Adopted’. There will be a sign posted on the tee indicating the hole starting with the first on the 9th of July.

Our winter works are continuing with the clearing and burning of heavily populated areas within the race track. This is a program in conjunction with the race club to help create better vision on race day without impacting on the game of golf to heavily. The areas that “A big thank are currently being cleared will be promoted in patches to return you to the the nature undergrowth and fauna that is slightly visible at the mo- Thorpe’s and ment. A big thank you to the Thorpe’s and Ian Hemphill for all their Ian Hemphill work and help in these areas while we have been short staffed. for all their work and help Our other winter job that has been a slow process is the retrieval of in these areas irrigation parts from the old holes and raising/lowering of sprinkler while we have heads around the course. The works on sprinkler heads are well been short overdue and is something that is normally conducted every 2 to 3 years depending on turf variety and location. staffed.” Overall the course is holding up quite well considering the above av- erage rainfalls compared to the previous 2 years of documentation. The restriction of carts at the moment has been minimal with only 10 days (as of 8th July) total so far this year having no access to golf carts! And in this figure only 1 ladies day, 2 men’s days and 1 Satur- day are counted. I am sure this number will rise but as a club we are extremely cautious of restricting golf carts and our aim is to have the course in its best condition come spring time.

2014: 751.5mm. 2015: 742mm. July 2015: 439.5mm. July year to date (8th): 459mm.

Thanks Page 7 HOOKS & SLICES

Rules Query Q. A player’s ball ended up in a water hazard but was playable. However, a roped section to protect a sensitive area would interfere with the player’s stroke & stance. The supports & rope were not within the hazard. A Local Rule deemed all the supports & ropes to be immoveable obstructions & therefore could not be moved.

A: No relief is permissible from an immoveable obstruction in a water hazard. The player has the option to either play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1 ie the options for relief under penalty of one stroke, for a ball within a water hazard. So what happens if the ball is in a bunker & there is the same interference from ropes & supports as above ?

A: The player is entitled without penalty to relief from an immoveable obstruction in a bunker. Except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker & the ball must be dropped in the bunker. The player can drop the ball under penalty of one stroke outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole & the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit as to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.

Page 8 HOOKS & SLICES KENIVERS TRAVELS Majestic Creek severe slopes to test had a better score. 10 for 100 baht. Now anyone who thinks Maybe as I get older that translates to

they can putt. and mature more I around $4 Australian As a growing num- The first is a fairly might be OK? for ten balls in pretty ber of members and straightaway par One key hole is the good nick, so it’s their friends from the four to ease you into tenth, requiring wise to stock up Drouin Golf & Coun- the round and my about 170 yard carry while you can. try Club can attest, Ambrose groups (most of the caddies The 17th is a pretty the golf in Thailand, have gone birdie deal in yards over little par three again as presented (2015) and par there) across water over a creek to a two through Glenn Flow- (2016) so it gets you to set you up for an -tiered green. To his ers’ Aussie-Thai Golf in a good mood for approach to a two- credit, Neil Bell pro- Tours, has a lot go- the day. The second tiered green. I rec- duced one of the go ing for it. In this edi- requires even hacks ommend you get to to shots of the tour tion of Kenniver’s like me to choose the right tier as the with his pretty little 5 Travels I will talk wisely as the creek resulting putt from a -wood that nestled about the first that crosses in front poorly positioned on the bottom tier, course we played on of the green can approach will test thus enabling us to our May/June trip – swallow a drive that anyone’s nerves. I get out of there with Majestic Creek. is well hit. Needless might add the steely a par. The 18th is a The trip out to Ma- to say with my ability resolve of the 2016 testing driving hole, jestic Creek takes I have not made the Thai-Aussie Golf with a testing sec- about 30 minutes in creek yet. Another Tours golfer of the ond shot and a test- the mini bus and you green that slopes year Eeyon McColl, ing approach. No are rewarded with from back to front enabled us to birdie wonder it is rated one of the finest en- sets up a challeng- from a difficult posi- number 2 on the trances to a golf club ing approach, one tion. card. All is forgiven you would see any- that resulted in birdie With a host of water though when you where. The Thais (2015) and par to test even the best finish and head off really know how to (2016). Then off you golfers it is not un- for a shower and a dress up the en- go through a variety usual to see people few Singhas to rehy- trance to their of holes that ask you running low on golf drate. Majestic courses and this is to position well off balls. But help is at Creek isn’t the best no exception. The the tee and to hit hand. On the way course we played clubhouse is a approaches to the between the 12th but it was a great cracker as well, with right part of the and 13th there is a starting point for a a well-stocked pro green to give you ball vendor who of- fabulous tour. shop, change rooms the best chance for fers used Titleist with a locker, show- par or better. balls at the rate of Ken Cooper ers and all facilities Zooming around in a available to all play- cart with a caddie ers and a fabulous who tells you what to outlook from the bar hit, where to hit it for after golf reflec- and where not to hit tion (and drinks). it is a major advan- The practice putting tage. Now if I was is enough to put only able to follow great fear into any- instructions I am one as the green is sure we would have like lightning with HOOKS & SLICES Page 9 IN THE ROUGH UPCOMING EVENTS Lachie Bambridge nearly pulled off a remarkable win in the Stroud Trophy. Jeff Monteath, his partner, was in- WEST GIPPSLAND DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION jured so Lachie took on Ryan Upcoming Events Hammond and Steven Bethune by July - August 2016 th himself. He took them to the 16 before weight of numbers told. Saturday 2nd July - Monthly Medal Both Wayne Duckett and John Rob- bins have been spotted around the Club House after major health scares. Sunday 3rd July – Mens Pennant

Wayne thought he was going in for an th angiogram. Five stints and eight Tuesday 12 July – Canadian Foursomes hours later he was greeted by his sur- geon who casually mentioned it was Tuesday 26th July – Secret Partners as well it wasn’t a few days later. He is walking gently but playing is a while Saturday 30th July - 4 Clubs & Putter off.

After six weeks in hospital John wore the nurses out with his good humour Tuesday 2nd August – 3rd round John Arnold Memorial and was allowed to come home. He Trophy needs a walker so it might be a while before we see the famous Robbins hit Saturday 6th August – Monthly Medal -the-ball -backwards-off-the-tee trick. At the end of the Special general Tuesday 9th August - Ladies AGM meeting Tom was extolling the virtues of Lea Caldwell and rightly so. His Saturday 13th August – Winter Wade Par hard work and expertise had un- th doubtedly saved the Club thousands Tuesday 16 August - Irish Sixes of dollars and as importantly helped identify and clarify difficult planning issues. So, well done Lea. But was he listening? No. He was too busy annoying a quarter of the room – well Rules Query perhaps only me – by having a loud phone conversation. Sometimes you Q: A player’s ball ended up in a water hazard but have to wonder about the man. was playable. There is no such wondering about However, a roped section to protect a sensitive area Tom. What was said about Lea ap- would interfere with the player’s stroke & stance. plies equally to Tom. However, you The supports & rope were not within the hazard. A can’t publicly thank yourself. At the Local Rule deemed all the supports & ropes to be appropriate time the Members immoveable obstructions & therefore could not be should. moved. This applies to the Committee as well. When they opted to do their bit A: No relief is permissible from an immoveable ob- few would have realised how difficult struction in a water hazard. The player has the op- and stressful the job would become. No doubt there is still more drama to tion to either play the ball as it lies or proceed under be played out but we have plenty of Rule 26-1 ie the options for relief under penalty of people to thank for still having a Club. one stroke, for a ball within a water hazard.

George Shand

Page 10 HOOKS & SLICES BUNKER BULLETIN BOARD

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE drouingolf.club

Members $50 Monthly Medal Draw Winners

May Peter Browne June Geoff Bjorksten July Barry Beechey

Congratulations - winnings available at the bar Page 11 HOOKS & SLICES

HOOKS & SLICES Page 12 NEW STAFF MEMBER OUR MAJOR SPONSORS Over the coming weeks you will have the opportunity to meet our newest staff member Donna Grant. Donna has recently moved to the area from Mornington and comes with many years experience in the hospitality industry including a few years at the Devil Bend Golf Club. Please take the time to say hi and help make Donna feel welcome.

NEW SOCIAL GOLF MEMBERSHIP

Name: Social Golf Membership Cost: $200

Allowances:  allows member to maintain a golflink number & handicap  includes social membership of DGCC  Players can play competitions for comp fee + $20 green fees  Players have use of club practice facilities  Discounted green fees $20 for 18 holes, $10 for 9 holes

Aimed at attracting/keeping members who are occasional golfer who we might normally lose due to cost of membership vs amount of games they get to play. If they play more than 20 competition rounds a year it works out that they might as well pay full membership. However it makes it cheaper up front, making it more attractive to some.

Mc Glone Road FRIDAY WORKING BEE PO Box 179 Drouin VIC 3818 There is a regular working bee every Friday morning. Volunteers usually do general raking of the course, picking up fallen branches, weeding, pruning, etc. on direction from Matt Heeps. Meeting at Phone: 03 5625 1330 the work shed behind the clubhouse by 8:30 am. There is a list Fax: 03 5625 3648 posted on the notice board of the day’s jobs if our friendly Volunteer E-mail: [email protected] Co-ordinate, Vin Bibby isn’t around. First things first, though, you must sign in the volunteer book. This is for insurance coverage. The club supplies all tools like rakes and shovels. Some bring their own secateurs. Tea break is at 10:00 am in the staff room and a sausage sizzle lunch is at 12:30. Everyone donates $1 for the cost of snags and bread. You don’t need any special skills but the willingness to get some work done on the course. It can be extremely rewarding and an op- Check us out on the web www.drouingolf.club portunity to enjoy great camaraderie with your fellow members.