DECEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The summer season is well and truly upon us.  One or two humid days and nights plus the odd warmer day so far.  Despite the early forecast for the return to El Niño weather influences, we have had the odd days of plentiful rain so far.  MOSTLY ON SATURDAYS……. November rainfall was about 43mm locally and this month so far about 51mm. Not a lot but as we can see from the course appearance, it keeps the greens, tees and fairways replenished to a degree, going into the hotter weather.

Thank You to All Staff and Our Helpers:  The club has enjoyed another solid year in terms of trading; the course looks great and we could not achieve this without the consistent support of our team.  Firstly, to Pat Foy and Dave Hackney, their course presentation week in and week out has been nothing short of superb.  Of course they are well supported by the relatively small crew that mow and do other chores each week.  Huge thanks also to Danny, who is sometimes the quiet achiever.  His management of the club and its operations this year has again been fantastic.  Danny has been supported by the few casual staff who are invaluable resources.  Well done to you all for 2023, thanks for your commitment to the club.

Trinny’s Wheel and the Meat Raffles:  Special thanks to Trinny for running the wheel each week; with a little help from Annie periodically.  Also, thank you to Peter and Kris Kelly, who organise the meat raffles on offer each week.  This takes time and your generosity is appreciated by all members.  Thanks to those members who have assisted Peter as required.  These fund raising activities along with the lotto board provide the club with a little extra money, but the act of taking a chance with lady luck and the camaraderie created, including with the valued ‘pot’ in the middle is where the real value is.

Hopefully this newsletter goes out before the weekend: just to let you know there will be additional Christmas hams on offer this Saturday. It would be great to have as many members as possible present this Saturday as we break for Christmas festivities!

Hand Waterers:  Given the onset of summer conditions, our hand waterer volunteer crew has been activated.  This resource is extremely crucial to ensuring all areas of the greens and surrounds receive adequate water in the dryer months.  To my knowledge, the list of waterers has not been updated for 2024 as yet, so if you can spare about 45 minutes to an hour (average) once or twice a week to hand water when Pat requires, let Pat know so you can be added to his list.  Again thanks to the current crew of hand waterers.  

Volunteers of the Month – November and December:  Committee has chosen to recognise the efforts of the following respectively: November – Pam Brown, BIll Brown, Jacqui Thompson, Kath Dowd, Kris Slocombe, Marg Wright and Margot Smith, who provided catering services to our Masters Pennant players during home games.  December – Darryl Kuhle and the Ladies who set the clubhouse up so well this year for Christmas.  Santa’s biggest helper of course – and the real brains trust – is Vicki Kuhle who clearly draws so much satisfaction from providing benefit to others! Great job Vicki, Darryl and all Santa’s helpers. Congratulations and thank you to all our volunteers for your work in 2023.

Care of the Course: An appeal to all members to continue to repair divots throughout the course.  We are lucky enough to have plenty of green fees players on the course but many do not know what the bucket of soil is for.  Plenty of signs of pitch mark damage in the greens so committee reminds all members to look around the greens and repair all ‘pitch marks’ present.  That will keep our primary assets looking in good shape until we core next March. 

Equality Matters Update:  No change since last newsletter.  Committee remains waiting for a VCAT decision/ruling on the discrimination claims that were heard back in April.  Word is not anticipated until at least February 2024.

Plenty of Christmas Bargains:  Danny continues to do an outstanding job of providing golf equipment and apparel in the shop for sale.  There are plenty of good bargains to be had and Danny remains keen to provide a bargain or two to put under the Christmas tree.  There are some very nice shirts, jackets, plenty of golf shoes and other apparel.  Don’t forget if there’s something you need and if it’s not in stock, speak to Danny and he may be able to get it in for you at a very good price.  Great time of year for members to burn some of their existing member credits too.  

 Important – New Defence Housing for HMAS CERBERUS (No Change since Last Newsletter)

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 8^th green crossing track; some in vicinity to the 7^th 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 16^th 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.

Important – Commonwealth Lease Arrangements Set To Change

Many club members will recall me referring to the current Commonwealth Lease that licences the club to operate a golf course.  The current lease was due to expire at the end of January 2024 but this will no longer occur, due mainly to a recently initiated Defence Review of all commonwealth land being used for recreational purposes.  There are nine Defence golf courses in total.  Defence has advised that the current terms of our present lease agreement will be extended for up to one year.  Committee is now awaiting the findings of the review which was due to be completed by end of year.

Club Championships:  Our Club Championships for 2023 are over for another year.  Congratulations to all women and men who entered and well done to all our winners.  This includes our Ladies Club Champion – Kris Slocombe and our Men’s Club Champion – Tim Wilson.  Well done to you both!  

Reminder:  Expressions of Interest’ are still being accepted by committee 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 after January 2024.  Anyone interested should speak to me for details.

Future Course Works:  Members are advised that committee recently approved another course improvement project for early 2024.  This time the focus is the 8^th/17^th fairway and will see new drainage and also irrigation works undertaken.  There will be a need for some member support during the works so please respond when the call is made.  I think that all members would agree that all projects conducted over recent years have proved highly beneficial to the overall condition of the course, e.g., top of the 5^th/14^th fairway and the 3^rd fairway as examples.

Finally, on Behalf of all Staff and the Committee, I wish you and your respective families the very best of Christmas wishes and Good Fortune during the year ahead!

Regards,

Steve Wright
President CGC