CAPTAIN’S REPORT This could become a rainfall report rather the Captain’s Report however rainfall does have a direct impact on our golf course from a play perspective as well as turf management. Cyclone Marcia certainly delivered the rainfall that was predicted with 199mm falling over the weekend. I have attached photographs of the Ladies 6th Hole (19th Hole) where there appears to be a river emerging from the front of the green, the 12th green approach with the water level lapping the edge of the green and the 18th creek where it cuts in front of the Ladies tee. Luckily we didn’t receive the associated winds so there was little damage to the vegetation around the golf course. Tree work does however continue, the Arborist and tree gang have been busy too carrying out work around the golf course with the removal of dead wood and unsafe trees. Unfortunately the Casuarina cunninghamiana, commonly known as She Oak, located on the right hand side of the 9th fairway 90 metres from the centre of the green, was badly damaged by lightning during the storm event in January and is one of the trees that has been lost. This will be replaced with another Casuarina to maintain the theme and some history. Interesting to note, Casuarina species were planted on the front nine as distance markers while Melaleuca leucadendra (Weeping Paperbark) were planted on the back nine as distance markers. Originally, the golf course was built for a Japanese company so the trees indicate ‘yardage’ … Single specimens are located 100yards (90 metres) from the centre of the green, where there are two trees they are located 150 yards (135 metres) from the centre of the green. Take a closer look next time you play and generally you will find the metreage is reasonably accurate. Minor renovation works have been conducted over the past couple of weeks on the greens with grooming and dusting or light topdressing. These practices will assist in providing some smoother putting surfaces during winter and no doubt a bit of speed. We have now entered Autumn and I thank all members for continuing to adhere to The Grand Rules on the golf course. Please avoid wet patches around the golf course as any damage to our fairways and rough areas will be slow to recover with the anticipated reduction in turf growth over the next month or so. It was great to meet six of the new members on our New Members Welcome night and we look forward to having several more of these nights throughout the year. See you at The Grand. David Burrup Captain Monthly Medal Winners Congratulations to our February monthly medal winners. Jim Vernon Nett 66 Christina Lee Nett 70 REMINDER: DRIVING REMINDER TO ALL RANGE HOURS MEMBERS 1ST MARCH-30TH APRIL Mens Black Tie and Ross Tisch Memorial 1st Round 6.30AM-5.30PM matches must be completed by Monday March 30. Mens Presidents Cup qualifying round Sat 7th March. 1st and 2nd Round Presidents Cup matchplay Sat 14th March Quarter and Semi Final Presidents Cup matchplay Sat 21st March Final Presidents Cup Sat 28th March Ladies Presidents Trophy Please Qualifying round Wednesday 4th March 1st Round Presidents Trophy matchplay Tues 10th March Welcome Quarter Final Presidents Trophy Wednesday 11th March returning Semi –Final Presidents Trophy Tuesday 17th March Final Presidents Trophy Wednesday 18th March Member Robert Muir GUEST It’s On Again! Buy your book of 10 Guest Passes for PASS $770.00 charged to your Club Account. Valid for twelve months from date of issue. No restrictions on days you can SPECIAL play. Enquire at the office. Congratulations Member to this month’s of the Member of the Month Month BRIAN MORIARTY You’ve won a $50 Credit at The Golf Shop LADIES CHALLENGE TROPHY POSTPONED The weather has hit The Grand of late, so much so that the Ladies Challenge Trophy has been SHOE SALE postponed to May 27th Men’s FJ sport shoes now on sale at due to the current course The Golf Shop. Limited sizes left. conditions. Just $159 DEMO DAY AT THE GRAND! Saturday, March 28 10am-1pm See you here! Ladies Opening Day The Ladies enjoyed this year’s Opening Day and look forward to the season ahead. GOOD FRIDAY Alcohol is available from 10am, however, may only be served in conjunction with a meal. You may purchase alcohol 1hour before dining, during your meal and for 1 hour after only The Grand Golf Club BLAST FROM THE PAST Can you pick the faces? Ladies Opening Day Recipe of the Month Lemon Chicken and Parmesan Rissoles Heading into autumn, this is an easy, healthy and above all tasty meal that you can put together fairly quickly. Enjoy it during a weekend barbecue with steamed greens or the tossed salad that is within the recipe: ● 500g chicken mince ● 1 egg, lightly beaten ● 2 garlic cloves, crushed ● 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs ● 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, finely chopped ● 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind ● 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped ● 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated ● 1/4 cup plain flour ● 1 tablespoon olive oil Antipasto salad ● chargrilled eggplant ● capsicum ● basil leaves ● marinated artichokes ● shaved parmesan 1. Combine mince, egg, garlic, breadcrumbs, basil, lemon rind, olives and parmesan in a bowl. Place flour on a plate. Shape into eight 2cm-thick rissoles. Roll in flour to lightly coat. Place on a large plate. Cover. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. 3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook rissoles, in batches, for 1 to 2 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a greased baking tray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked through. 4. To create the salad, roughly chop all ingredients, slicing the eggplant and capsicum. Grill the eggplant and let it cool. Toss all ingredients together and for added flavour, give a dash of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Sirromet Seven Scenes Chardonnay Wine REGION: Granite Belt, Australia COLOUR: Fresh green straw with a hint of gold NOSE: An intense aroma of tropical fruits, of the honeydew melons, rock melons and citrus and toasty vanillin oak. Month PALATE: A generous, rich, full-bodied Chardonnay; creamy pear, cashew, melon and a touch of lime acidity make this premium wine very well balanced with great length. WINE SPECIALS Paringa Pinot Gris $35.00 Sirromet Seven Scenes Chardonnay $33.00 Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc $35.00 Paringa Pinot Noir $35.00 Kooyong Pinot Noir $69.00 Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon $69.00 Ireland and its’ influence on Australia t’s now March and on the transported to Australia.” 17th, the world celebrates “More than 300,000 other ISt Patrick’s Day - and Irish settlers (not convicts) Australia is no exception. migrated to Australia between Why do we celebrate another 1840 and 1914. Many Irish country’s National day? Why immigrants came to Australia does such a small country have to escape famine in their such a big impact on Australia homeland. and the rest of the world? St Patrick is one of Ireland’s I’m sure the fact, that up patron saints. He died on March to a third of all Australians 17 in or around the year 493. have Irish blood in them, has He worked as a missionary in something to do with it. So Ireland and it is believed that many great things have come he banished “snakes” from the out of Ireland – their musicians, country although the term may their authors, their movies, their have referred to druids or pagan actors, their superstitions – just worshippers. listening to the accent makes Arabia, The Usual Suspects, John Boyne you smile. Irish Music Jurassic Park, My Left Foot and –The Boy in The Striped Here’s a bit of history on how Well who doesn’t love Van Miracle on 34th Street. I’m sure Pyjamas the Irish came to be in Australia Morrison? His lilting voice there are heaps I’ve left out but in the first place. picks you up if you’re down, you get the picture. Jonathon Swift “In 1690, Catholic Ireland makes you feel good and he’s – Gulliver’s Travels was conquered by Protestant loved all over the world. Even Irish Movies England. The English then if you don’t own one of his There’s something about Maeve Binchy passed laws that Catholics could CD’s – you’ve heard his music Irish Movies – their stories – Circle of Friends not own a gun, could not travel as he has made it onto many are real and gritty and they more than 5 miles from home movie soundtracks. His Album, show everything, warts and Cecelia Ahern and could not teach in Protestant Avalon Sunset is just beautiful all. Awesome movies like The – PS - I Love You schools. producing gems like These Are Commitments, My Left Foot, Three-quarters of the Irish The Days and Have I Told you Angela’s Ashes, The Boxer, In Last but not least we have the land was owned by the English Lately. His Song, The Last the Name of the Father, Bloody Irish Superstitions like believing Protestants, who rented it to Laugh with Mark Knopfler is Sunday, The Crying Game and that there’s a Pot of Gold at the Irish farmers. If rent was also awesome. Do yourself a a little independent film called the End of the Rainbow or that not paid, bailiffs would take favour (to coin a phrase) and Once which I just loved.