The Virginian Newsletter of the Virginia Golf Club Brisbane, Queensland IssueIssue 67 72- November May 2016 2014 From The President’s Desk Queensland, I have travelled around the state and visited clubs that don’t have a single employee. The mowing of the course and the operation of the bar is all handled by members giving up their time. I’ve even seen an “honour box” next to the first tee where you pay your Matt Toomey daily green fees. President As volunteers are so critical to the success of a golf club, I’d like to acknowledge all of those who help out at Virginia. I won’t list all of the Appointment of Secretary Manager names (for fear of leaving someone out) but we have members who serve on the Board, serve on Committees, assist the greens staff, help As you will hopefully be aware, the Board has appointed Michael with junior development, drive the drinks cart, run raffles, prepare the Crough as the Club’s new full-time Secretary Manager. newsletter, assist with pennant fundraising, assist with the pro-am, For the past 4 years, Michael has been the Secretary Manager of help organise golf and social events, and offer discounted services Gisborne Golf Club in Melbourne. Gisborne is of similar size to Virginia through their business. We also have members who provide (in terms of membership and revenue) and was recently ranked one of sponsorship and others who bring visitors to the Club at any the top 100 public access courses in the country by Golf Australia opportunity. Magazine. Prior to that, Michael spent 6 years with the Western All of the invaluable work performed by our volunteers makes this Bulldogs Football Club and was responsible for corporate match day Club a better place and so I’d like to offer them my deepest thanks. hospitality for more than 800 clients. Michael is originally from Queensland and graduated from Griffith Matt Toomey Club President University in 1984. Before moving down south, he worked at Gympie Golf Club from 1997 to 2002 and was a manager at Kedron Wavell Services Club from 2002 to 2003. Michael is incredibly personable and so make sure you say hello if you see him around the Club. We look forward to utilising his expertise in helping implement the Club’s strategic plan. Volunteers Whether we like it or not, sport is a business and they are all competing against each other. In mid-2015, the AFL signed a new television rights deal that is worth $418 million per year. A significant portion of that money goes into club development and junior programs. Their goal is to ensure that AFL is taught in every school in Australia. In comparison, the Australian Open golf generates no revenue for Golf Australia. It’s an event held once a year (in contrast to 9 AFL matches played each week) and the TV ratings are largely dependent on a big name being in contention over the closing holes. Golf Australia’s total annual budget is around $12 million and they rely heavily on capitation fees, donations, sponsorships and government grants. My point is that golf is a sport that must rely heavily on the work of sponsors and volunteers. In my role as a Board member of Golf 1 Around The Greens · Planting of trees / shrubs around the course, eg. the practice fairway and sand bins. · On-going weed eradication program on fairways, tees and John Perkins green surrounds. Greens Director · De-grassing of sprinkler heads on all fairways. · Brush cutting around trees Since the last edition of The Virginian was published in February, · Identification of distance markers on sprinkler heads that are the Greens Committee has obtained a new member – Di Baxter. It’s missing with a view to replacing them. great to have a lady member on the committee and Di has already been The ladies gardening group continues to work hard around the making a contribution. course which also contributes to the positive appearance. We will begin by mentioning some of the more significant work around the course that has been completed since the committee’s last Greens Report report: · The 14�� bunker will be back in play on Saturday 7 May. · The reshaping of the rear bunker on the 13�� green to provide easier access has brought a number of positive comments. 70 · The 20�� bunker has had its sand replaced with completely new sq m of turf was used on this project. sand and is back in play. · The filling and grassing of the rear left bunker on the 1�� tee · The next bunker to be attended to will be the front left of the looks great and hopefully members are appreciating the 13�� green with the replacement of the old sand as it has gravel improved layout. 140 sq m of turf was used covering this area. in it. · Repairs to bare patches on the 5�� fairway have been · The drinking fountain behind the 16�� tee will be back in use completed. A total of 240 sq m of turf was used. with a new water metre installed by council and a new 50m pipeline which doesn’t run across private property like the old · The left bunker on the 14�� green has been reshaped and one did. totally rebuilt. This required new drainage, sand and irrigation with 310 sq m of turf being used to complete this project. This · Mulch behind the 9�� and 11�� tees will form another habitat bunker is now a similar size to the one on the right side. area and no mow zone. Over winter, the planting of trees and shrubs will commence along with the installation of water · No doubt members have noticed the improvement in the pipes as needed for this project. greens over the last few weeks. Barry and his team worked hard to eradicate the disease which slowed recovery after the · The tees on the 22ⁿ� hole are being rebuilt with the front one recent renovations. being completed first, which will be doubled in size. The back tee will be completed later in the year. · Grass and weeds along the fence on the practice fairway adjacent to Blitzinger Road have been cleared and lillypilly · Irrigation on sections of the Heritage Nine fairways will start trees have been planted along the fence line. As these trees over the next few months. grow they should improve the aesthetic appearance of that · Tee markers are being remodelled by putting a slope on the part of the course from Blizinger Road. front of the marker in an endeavour to make them safer. 24 · Lillypillies were also planted behind the sand bins near the 5�� markers have been replaced so far with the new version and tee which should similarly improve the appearance of the area work is continuing on old ones to reshape, repaint and as they grow. restamp them. This will be an ongoing project until all the old markers are updated. · The “fairway of the week” program has been re-introduced following an increase in the number of unfilled divots around In conclusion, if any club member wishes to raise any issues the course. regarding the course, please feel free to contact a member of the greens committee to discuss the matter. The creek banks in front of the 14�� and 15�� tees have been cleaned up and large shrubs and weeds removed by volunteers during the April John Perkins Greens Director working bee. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the significant contributions of the small band of members who volunteer 3 hours of their time each month to participate in the working bees. If you would A Word From the Secretary Manager like to know more about the working bees, please contact the office and give your email address. I am pleased to have been offered the position of Secretary / A new wheeled weed trimmer was recently purchased which is Manager and I look forward to meeting all of our members in the near saving significant labour time in cleaning up areas otherwise difficult to future. access. To date, this machine has mainly been used by volunteers and I appreciate the warm welcome I have received in the first few this obviously saves time for the greens staff and allows them to weeks, and the friendly nature of our members and staff. concentrate on projects requiring specific training and skills. Large Clubs exist for the benefit of their members, and Virginia Golf Club amounts of weeds along the creek banks of the 2ⁿ� fairway, and creek is no different. Working with the Board of Directors and staff, our aim is banks through the Heritage Nine, have been cleared using this machine. to provide the best possible course and facilities for our members whilst Mention has been made in previous articles in The Virginian of the building the long term viability of the Club. responsibilities undertaken by individual members of the greens Please feel free to contact any of the staff if we can be of assistance committee. These members regularly give of their time to work around in any way. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. the course, many on a weekly basis, which allows greens staff to I would like to welcome Leanne Gray to the team. Leanne will be concentrate on other more complex tasks. responsible for the day to day operation of the Kitchen and comes with a Some of the ongoing projects currently being undertaken by wealth of experience. committee members include: From Wednesday 4 May the Kitchen will be open from Wednesday · Mowing of creek banks and other areas using the wheeled to Sunday, with some hot food and snacks available on Monday and weed trimmer.