PRESIDENT’S REPORT

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

BANKSTOWN GOLF CLUB

LADIES REPORT

DOWN THE FAIRWAYS

BANKSTOWN SENIORS

Bankstown Golf Club

70 Ashford Ave, Milperra NSW 2214 • T 9773 0628

E gm@bankstowngolf.com.au www.bankstowngolf.com.au

WELCOME TO THE

NEW FORE

Darren Ettridge the inaugural BGC Masters Green Jacket Champion.Read the Captain’s report for more details.

At the annual general meeting Roger Robertson volunteered to compile a history of our club in a format compatible with the technological age in which we live. The past three months may not be included in that history but much has happened which will be historic for the club. I am referring to the sale of our practice fairway.

If one browses through the club history “The Story of Bankstown Golf Club, 1937-1978” it shows that as the club grew any income raised from assets was used immediately. This is understandable as things we now take for granted had to be acquired for example refrigeration, practice putting greens and fairway mowers to name a few.

One item that attracted my interest was that in 1975 two acres were sold along Ashford Avenue for $175,000 allowing further development. June 16th saw the club exchange contracts for our practice fairway or five acres for $14.1 million. We all could draw up a wish list on how that money can be spent but as a club we are living in a different era. We need to use that money to secure the future of our club. This has been the attitude expressed by the Board throughout the four years we have been toiling to get our land rezoned and ready for sale.

The tasks that we now face are, compensatory land fill, relocating and altering the layout of the machinery and cart sheds, securing water for an annual ‘green course’ and identifying the most suitable investments for that money, once settlement has been accomplished. The necessary preliminary steps have been taken for each of these issues. We have approached Council with a proposal to meet the compensatory fill issue. We have engaged a firm to prepare the DA and conduct any flood plain work to accelerate that submission to Council. We have also met with the firm that will do the excavation work once Council approve our proposal. In terms of the investment situation it is the Board’s intention to approach members who are working in the finance/investment industry to form an advisory committee to the Board.

June also saw the departure of Bellissimo’s as our caterers. This necessitated an alternative method of providing some form of sustenance for members at the change of ‘nines.’ As members would be aware there are now light refreshments available in the pro shop, much the same as provided by the majority of clubs in NSW. We will monitor this over the next few months and address any issue requiring change.

Members would also be aware that after just a brief period of two tees on a Wednesday we reverted to the one tee start and the use of internet booking. This change was decided by the Board after a request from the superintendent and research conducted on the financial advantages of a one tee start. We are aware that not all members prefer this situation but since it was re-established the number of visitors playing between 8:30am and 10:50am is increasing. The time sheet for Wednesday June 25 sees 84% of our visitors playing in that time slot. The income generated by this preference by visitors was identified in our research. The change also allows Group 1 members access to the course after 1:00pm as well as the pro using it for lessons.

Congratulations to Shane Luke who, as members would be aware, represented Australia in the inaugural World Cup Of Disabled Golf. The event was a held in South Africa and played over three rounds. Their winning margin was three shots. Those of us who have had the opportunity to play would not be surprised by his .We all marvel at his coordination and the skill level he manages when he “throws aside” his leg, balances and hits a shot we would like to match.

Michael Keeble BGC President

9792 2802www.excellogistics.com.au

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Bankstown Golf Club

LAST WEDNESDAY

OF EACH MONTH

WICKED

WEDNESDAY

GOLF

COMPETITION

PLAY BANKSTOWN GC

FROM THE TIGER TEE

All players who play to 36 points or better will receive a sleeve of Pro V Golf Balls

The member featured on the cover of this month’s Fore magazine is Mr Darren Ettridge, the inaugural BGC Masters Green Jacket Champion and the first recipient of the club’s very own Green Jacket. The BGC Masters Monday Event was held on Monday 14th April and was enjoyed by all members in attendance. The golf course was set up in traditional master’s style with a true test of golfer’s skill waiting for the players. Darren shot a superb round of 37 points off a handicap of (3) a fantastic round of golf and a thoroughly deserved victory. Mr Graeme Mitchell (9) and Mr Graeme Brown (10) were the runners up only (1) shot behind with scores of 36 points. Mr Paul Watson (11) was the 2 ball aggregate Amateur/Professional winner. Paul was teamed up with the eventual US Masters Champion Bubba Watson and won the prize with an aggregate score of 73. We envisage the 2015 BGC Masters will be even bigger and better, with members excited to participate in what will be a popular event in the BGC fixtures.

Our Master Pennant team is having a very good year to date having won all but one match so far in the competition, with Sunday 15 June being the last match of the initial rounds. They will then move into the semi-finals. Their first game is to be held on 6 July at Campbelltown Golf Club against Port Kembla. Good luck to them in the near future.

Congratulations to the following major event winners over the past couple of months.

GRANDFATHERS CUP (24/05/14)Mr Graeme Ettridge (14) - 38 points

MEN’S FIRST ECLECTIC COMPETITION (08/02/14 - 24/05/14)A Grade – Mr Laurie Wynn (55.5 nett) B-Grade – Mr Michael Vella (56.5 nett)C-Grade – Mr Bernie Wimble (61 nett)

The second Eclectic competition begins on Saturday 5th July 2014. Full lists of the first competition results are located on the website under member’s news.

MEN’S SURE SHOT FOUR BALL QUALIFYING WINNERS (24/05/14)Mr Stuart Rook (11) & Mr Paul Davies (4) – 46 points C/B

MIXED KENO FOUR BALL QUALIFYING WINNERS (25/05/14)Mr Phillip Challis (17) & Mrs Kathleen Ann (22) – 41 Points C/B.

The next qualifying round for the mixed qualifying is at Bankstown on Tuesday the 2 July 2014. Good luck to Phil and Kathleen.

Gold Medal: Was won by John Rhodes

UPCOMING COMPETITION We commenced our inaugural “Wicked Wednesdays” Competition on 25 June. This concept was introduced to provide people the opportunity to play the course off the Black tees. Many mid-week members and visitors alike have never been provided the opportunity to play the course at its full length. I had many favourable reports and hope that this event will be well supported in the future months, bring some friends and make it a great day. The Wicked Wednesday competition will continue to be held on the Invitational Wednesday (last Wednesday of each month). There are prize incentives for those who can master the course with individual winners in each grade receiving an $80 prize voucher. And people who play to their handicaps receive a sleeve of balls of their choice.

GAILBRAITH TROPHYQualifying occurred on the 28 June and finishes with 36 holes on the 9 August. To those who qualified (unlike me) good luck on your quest.

Happy golfing Chris HickeyClub Captain

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

STARTSWEDNESDAY 25 JUNE

| MEMBERS $10 | | MEMBERS GUEST $24 |

| OPEN VISITOR $35 |

Bankstown Golf Club70 Ashford Ave, Milperra NSW 2214 I T: 9773 0628

www.bankstowngolf.com.au

• All individual prize money “doubled” ($80 voucher) for A, B, C, Grade winners.

THE PRO’S COMP

GOLF COMPETITIONBankstown Golf Club

OPEN MEDLEY SINGLE STABLEFORD

Bankstown Golf Club I 70 Ashford Ave, Milperra NSW 2214 I T: 9773 0628 www.bankstowngolf.com.au

BOOK NOW• NTP’s 3 & 15• Pro Pin 11th • Open to all members with weekday playing

rights and guests with AGU handicaps

$10 MEMBERS $35 VISITORS

ONE TEE START BETWEEN 8.00AM-12.30PM OFF THE 1ST TEE

Time sheets to be released 1 week in advance from 6.00am online and from 7.00am by contacting the BGC Pro-Shop direct.

Is it July already!!!! At least with the current cold snap we definitely know its Winter.

This year is going so fast we are well and truly into our events for the year. Our Charity Day held in May was a huge success, made even more beneficial with Bankstown Sports coming on board as our major sponsor this year and the wonderful support offered by way of donated prizes from various local businesses and members, as a consequence and due to the wonderful support offered by our members and volunteers on the day, we were able to present our nominated charity “Young Care” with a cheque for $6,672.00. Unfortunately, we received a late donation from Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, a signed Bulldogs Jersey, currently this jersey is with a framing company and we will be raffling tickets from mid July through till December, with the draw being conducted just prior to Christmas, the proceeds from this will also be donated to Young Care.

Marie Kanaan from Bankstown Sports Club and Roslyn Plant from Young Care were very impressed with the organisation and running of our event, stating that it was one of the best charity events they had been involved with. Thank you to everyone involved.

A special thank you must to our Course Superintendant, David Somerville and his staff for the condition of the course and their extra assistance in setting up our novelty events, everyone who played made comment on the condition of our course.

Also a thank you to Lee Hunt for arranging for his clothing suppliers to set up displays and offering $5 per item sold as a donation.

Pennant Matches are well into their season with our Bronze II team having already completed their competition, I would like to thank all the players for representing our club however unfortunately we didn’t fare well this year, there is always next year.

Silver Pennant has only one match left to be played with Bankstown running just behind Cronulla, the last match is an important one and should be a very close finish, results for this Pennant and the Bronze I Pennant will be included in the next fore magazine.

LADIES REPORTJune Medal was postponed due to a very wet Thursday 5th, this Medal round has been rescheduled for July 17th, unfortunately the Invitation day that was programmed for this day has been cancelled. My apologies for this ladies as I am sure you have some friends you intended to invite however should we have a chance in our golfing calendar to include another invitation day before the end of the year, please be assured I will endeavour to do so.

Barbara WilliamsLady Captain

Recently, at the request of our Course Superintendent, the General Manager sent an email to members highlighting the lack of attention given to pitch mark repairs on our greens. Improperly done repairs, if done at all, have become a significant concern, particularly on our older and smaller greens. It is a major issue at this time of year when the greens are softer from rain and winter conditions. Turf recovery through the cooler months is minimal if not non-existent, so the importance of proper pitch mark repair cannot be overstated if we want the greens to recover quickly when the warmer conditions return. For those members with Internet access, please refer to the club’s website and review the video on pitch mark repair under the tab “COURSE” then “Course Care”.

Similarly the proper repair of divots is not always being observed. I would go through a bucket of sand on every hole every time I play repairing and filling the divots of the players who have gone before me. Members are once again reminded to please repair divots and pitch marks. It is a club requirement that all players carry a sand bucket and we urge members to ensure visitors also comply please.

Members will no doubt agree that the course is in excellent shape (apart from the abovementioned issues). The recent mild weather conditions have assisted in this regard, and we are hopeful of a continuation of these conditions to help the team ensure the course is ready for Spring. The greenkeeping team are currently progressing with the winter program. To date they have managed to install drains to another five bunkers, taking the total completed to ten. Recent heavy rainfall has taken fewer bunkers out of play and this is testament to the success of the drainage program.

Should any member have a question in relation to the course condition and playability, or wish to raise an issue with me direct, please feel free to approach me in the clubhouse or send an e-mail to greensbgc@gmail.com.

Tony WhiddonVice President & Chairman of Greens Committee

If you’re over 55 and looking for a great day out of golf, a chance to meeting new people and have loads of fun, then you’re invited to join the Bankstown Seniors Golf Club, also known as “The Vets” or “The Veterans.”

Joining The Veterans means not only do you get to play in our competition, but you can also play in the Clubs open competitions for their usual competition fees. Our motto is to get out and enjoy the game…and if you play well, it’s a bonus.

Each week there are ball competitions, nearest to the pins and daily vouchers to the winners of the two divisions. And don’t miss our Christmas event complete with lunch and raffles.

New members start off their club handicap. The Vets own and unique handicap system sees weekly winners lose 4 shots, ball winners lose 1 shot and all other players receive an extra shot for the next Vets round.

We look forward to seeing you in due course on the course.

When: Mondays (except Public Holidays)

Cost: $5 joining fee & $2 daily fee.

For further information and enquires call:

Bob Wallace 9772 4715 or Michael Moore 9602 8652

“THEVETS” REPORT

WINNERS CIRCLEHOLE IN ONES 18th April 2014 - Ray Taylor - 15th hole 7th May 2014 - Matthew Devlin - 3rd hole 11th May 2014 - Luis Killen - 3rd hole 15th May 2014 - Vicki Hinkelbein - 13th hole

US Masters:14th April 2014 Mr Darren Ettridge, inaugural BGC Masters Green Jacket Champion. Darren played a fantastic round of golf winning the event with 37 points off a handicap of 3.

2014 PATRONS TROPHY: Sunday 15th June Deborah Young & Peter Marshall

2014 FOURSOMES CHAMPIONSHIPS: Saturday 21st June Champions - Nathan Hill & Sean Macdona B-Grade - Ken Killen & Glenn Funnell C-Grade - Geoff Jones & John Mackay

US OPEN BREAKFAST & GOLF DAY: Monday 16th June Glenn Munsie

BGC MEMORIAL TROPHY: Saturday 14th June Winners - John Rayner, Rod Hall, Barry McGuinn, Luis Killen

DOWN THE FAIRWAYS