Spring has again arrived and the course is looking great providing us all with a little additional shot distance, which I’m sure many including myself appreciate. Although rain is falling currently as I write, rainfall has become scarce as the year has progressed with monthly rainfall struggling to reach 50-60mm. 57.5mm for September which is in line with the BOM predictions for the return of El Niño conditions. The greens are coming back nicely after coring last month and the boys groomed and lightly sanded them last week. They should be back at a good speed shortly. The practice green extension looks good and will open fully soon.
Big thanks to Pat and Dave Hackney and all the helpers. Helpers that still include young James Christie who is still fulfilling school work experience with us.
Volunteers of the Month – July, August, September. Committee recognised the efforts of the following respectively – Murray Sells; Kevin Anderson; All the volunteers that assisted with the recent irrigation works on the 5th fairway and the coring of greens last month.
Equality Matters Update: After the quite recently agreed settlement of victimisation claims against the club, the club is still awaiting a VCAT decision/ruling on the discrimination claims that were heard back in April.
As part of the most recent Strategic Review, Defence recently confirmed intentions to construct an additional 60 new homes in the Cerberus married quarter areas. This has been spoken about in very broad terms at the past two club AGMs. The new homes will include an additional 15 in close proximity to the clubhouse, this includes eight homes in the two grassed areas adjacent the current children’s playground. Parking around the clubhouse will be affected and all golfers will need to use the two formal car parking areas once works begin. Housing works is expected to get underway sometime in 2024 and run into 2025.
New homes (5) will also be positioned alongside Cook Rd near the 8th green crossing track; some in vicinity to the 7th green (17) where housing was removed some years ago; and an additional (20) homes positioned either side of Cook Rd close to the Cerberus cemetery. The committee has been informed that these latter homes will likely impact directly on the 16th tee and the green nursery areas. Once the boundaries of the new homes are confirmed and the full ramifications known, the committee will initiate alterations to the course layout as required.
Many club members will recall me referring to the current Commonwealth Lease that enables the club to operate a golf course. The current lease is due to expire at the end of January 2024. Committee was recently advised that current lease arrangements will be altered markedly under the terms of the new lease. Committee was informed that CGC is one of five defence golf courses nationwide and that we would likely be the only one to continue operations post 2023.
Key to the Commonwealth’s over riding new lease requirements is that the club is to become fully self-funded with no financial input from the government. This will result in the club assuming full financial responsibility for: water usage and infrastructure; waste management including weekly collections; the mowing of all fairways and rough areas; clearance of all tree fall and debris; the repair of all fitted equipment in commonwealth owned assets including the clubhouse. The club is already responsible for the utilities costs of gas and electricity.
The forced change to the club’s current business model will necessitate the committee implementing strategic changes to ensure the club remains prosperous beyond 2023 and well into the future. A small sub-committee has been established to assess where changes will potentially need to be made. Required changes will be announced to all members in due course.
A few weeks ago the following message was released to members. As yet no-one has responded. Please consider the contents.
Dear Members,
As was stated at this year’s Annual General Meeting 6 August 2023 following the advice received from the Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus prior to the meeting, the process for selecting the President of the club is now changed. This means that the President no longer needs to be a serving or reserve member of the Australian Defence Force. The committee will continue to select the President of the club from nominations received for the position prior to the AGM.
On behalf of the CGC committee I now request ‘Expressions of Interest’ from members of the club who may be either six or seven day members, who would be interested in accepting the role of President from January 2024.
Members who are interested are requested to write or email a brief written ‘Expression Interest’ for the position addressed to the Club Secretary by close of business Tuesday 31st October 2023.
Any queries concerning the role or functions of the President and or the Club should be directed to myself or the Secretary as appropriate.
The position of President is key to the club meeting its responsibilities and objectives. The committee would welcome the consideration of any members who feel they could contribute in the role.
It is approaching that time of the year again when we award the Wayne Lewis Award to the member considered to have made the most valuable contribution to the club. Contribution can be significant work undertaken for the benefit of the club, around the clubhouse or out on the course. Copies of the Club By Laws are available from committee so the award detail is appreciated. Nominations should be submitted prior to the committee’s November 14th meeting. Written nominations may be placed in the blue box located near the inside noticeboard.
Regards,
Steve Wright
President CGC
We are getting to the pointy end of the year with many events on the horizon. One important date on the Ladies Calendar is, of course, our annual Oaks Day High Tea. This day brings not only our women members together, but also is an avenue to share our club with the wider community. In the past, we have had a group come along from Bittern Primary School parents and many ladies from the Crib Point Community House. We aim to connect with as many ladies from outside our club as we are able to on this day, with the view of enticing these ladies to join and play golf.
One other activity that has enticed new women to the club has been the introduction of beginner clinics. We have not only gained new members through this, but have also had an influx of women come to Cerberus just to play a social round. Unfortunately, we will not have the expertise of Sandy Jamieson anymore as he has moved further afield, but, fortunately for us, our Manager, Danny Shine, has agreed to continue these clinics himself. If you know anyone that may be interested in trying golf, please keep a look out for Danny’s message to discover more.
Good luck to the Men’s White and Blue teams playing in Midweek Matchplay competitions over the next six weeks.
Other events to look out for are:
October 15th: The Commodore Purvis Trophy, Mixed Canadian Foursomes.
Then November comes along and we are off and running (pun intended):
5th November: Open Gala Day;
7th November: Cup Day, Alf Simpson 4-Person Mixed Ambrose;
9th November: Ladies Oaks Day High Tea;
19th November: Mixed Foursomes Championships.
We would also like to wish our Lady Members who will be representing Cerberus Golf Club in Golf Australia’s State Final Events:
We wish you both the best of luck and thank you for representing Cerberus Golf Club in the wider golf world.
Then of course, we will be talking Christmas. This is a very busy time of year but also a time when the weather starts to improve and has us wanting to be outside in the sunshine.
We have a new Social Secretary, Lou Lou Thomson, she has put some flyers out around the club looking for the type of social events that will interest the majority of our members. Please take the time to read through some of the ideas and feel free to add your own thought. It would be great if we could all support the efforts that Lou Lou will put in to ensure that the social side of Cerberus is a success.
We have a few ladies quite unwell at the moment and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them well and hope that we see them back out with us very soon. Good luck to Marg Binney, Maureen Treby and June O’Reilly.
Safe travels to those that are either interstate or overseas at the moment. It is good to see that life is getting back to what it was B.C. (before COVID).
Regards,
Vicki Rynaard
Lady President CGC
Hole Ratings. Please note that as from Monday, the 1st of October, the new hole rating index has taken effect. Although the OneGolf system automatically records the appropriate score, members’ awareness of hole ratings is always useful when dealing with side bets, such as playing for the disc and dots etc.
Practice Green. The extension to the practice putting green is only a few weeks away from opening. The new holes are in place and a week or two of warmer weather will top it off nicely.
Hand Waterers. The volunteer workforce of hand waterers will again be needed shortly with the weather drying. Please respond when Pat or Dave contacts you. If there is anyone amongst the membership that would like to assist with hand watering – or any other task on the course – please speak to Pat or Dave Hackney. Well done to you all in advance.
Care of the Course: Please continue to repair all ‘pitch marks’ on the greens and to fill divots throughout the course.
Regards,
Dave Hilet
Captain CGC
MELBOURNE CUP WEEKEND GOLF EVENTS
I am looking forward to hosting our 7th Annual Gala Golf Day on Sunday 5th November. As per tradition this event falls on Melbourne Cup weekend, meaning we have a very busy few days of golf. On Melbourne Cup Day, we will hold our Annual Alf Simpson Shield 4-Person Ambrose Event.
Please note entries for the GALA DAY must be made via the official entry form, which you can download through this link: 7th Annual Open Golf Gala Day.
To register for a game on MELBOURNE CUP DAY simply book online via your ONEGOLF login.
Junior Golf
We are commencing a junior clinic, commencing this Sunday at 10am. It will be held every third Sunday prior to Christmas. Numbers are limited, so please contact me if you know of any kids that would be interested. Preferred age is between 8yrs – 16yrs.
Ladies COME AND TRY GOLF
We will be commencing COME AND TRY GOLF sessions for ladies on Monday, 13th November. These sessions will be targeted towards ladies who have never tried golf before or have had limited experience.
GOLF SHOP SPECIALS
WILSON INFINITE PUTTERS 25% OFF (were $199, now $149). Great putters, many to choose from.
FJ WIND SHIRTS $50 OFF (were $130, now $80)
NEW BALANCE SHOLE $50 off any pair in the SHOP
Don’t forget, if there’s something you need and it’s not in stock, speak to me and I may be able to get it in for you at a good price.
Member credits are building in the club’s prize accounts, so please consider using those funds.
Regards,
Danny Shine
Club Manager CGC
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