Note from the Captain

Just a quick note to remind you about the upcoming changes at our Club relating to COVID-19, effective Saturday, 1 May 2021.

Bunkers are back in play, normal rules of golf return

As of Saturday, there is no longer any lift, clean, and place when your ball comes to rest in a bunker.  You will also notice that the rakes are back in for your use.  I know it has been more than a year since we had to play the ball as it lies within a bunker, and some might have forgotten some tips for raking so here are some tips from our Course Superintendent Mitch Hayes.

A minimalist approach should be taken when repairing your damage in bunkers – not meaning don’t rake half of the damage caused after taking your shot, but rather only repair the surface of the bunker to ensure you do not disturb the sand underneath, as this will help keep the bunkers firm and avoid plugged lies. If possible, use to the back of the rake to smooth the face so balls run into the centre of the bunker and use the teeth of the rake through the base. Once finished place the rake on the outside of the bunker in the direction of play to avoid another member’s ball being caught under a rake.

Flagsticks

As of Saturday, you are allowed to touch the flagstick again to remove it if necessary, when putting. This is optional of course, since the rule changes at the beginning of 2019, which allowed anyone to leave the flagstick in if they desired.  It will be interesting to see who leaves it in, or who wants it out, as we have all grown accustomed to leaving the flagstick in when putting.  Also, noodles in the cups are no longer required and have been removed.

NTP’s

No more tape measures on the sides of greens to measure your great shot.  As you can touch the flagstick again, you can use the tape measure on the flagstick for an accurate measurement. The Eagles Nest will be reinstated as of Saturday.

Motorised Carts

As stated in previous correspondence last week, a maximum of two motorised carts per group will again be enforced, unless a medical exemption can be provided.

Relief for Irrigation Works

Any part of the course in the general area that has been affected by the irrigation works is considered an abnormal course condition.  Free relief MAY be taken under Rule 16.1b if any of the following is true:

• The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition;
• An abnormal course condition physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stance or intended swing;
• Only when the ball is on the putting green an abnormal course condition on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.

If the abnormal course condition is close enough to distract the player but does not meet any of these requirements, there is no interference under this Rule.

Any area of the course in the general area that has been defined by a solid white line or GUR sign, free relief MUST be taken under Rule 16.1b.

For your information, on the left hand side of the 4th green, the blue stake that defined the reference point will be removed and the blue paint that accompanied this stake is to be ignored until the blue paint disappears over the next week or so.

All of this, of course, does not give anyone an excuse for slow play. I will still be monitoring the pace of play and keeping a track of how everyone is going throughout the week.

Check In Qld App

As stated in previous correspondence last week, you will also be required to register your attendance electronically by using the Check in Qld App, if your name is not on the timesheet.

More information regarding the upcoming events including all the Club Championship information will be provided next week.

See you on the course.

Regards

Alan Grieve, Captain