The Committee would like to thank all our members for abiding by the social distancing rules that allows the course to remain open. Importantly we need to be conscious the Police are doing spot checks on clubs and local residents can also complain, so be aware. Thank you and please keep it up.
Divots
Filling divots is important if we want to maintain good fairways. Currently many players are taking sand buckets home due to virus concerns, that is fine but please remember to reuse them until this situation returns to normal. We would encourage all members to carry a sand bucket and to fill as many divots as possible but in doing so please remember to use hand sanitizer when taking a sand bucket unless you have brought your own.
The golf course is looking fantastic right now, and with the additional resources brought in by council the improvements have been significant and will continue.
Coring
Further green coring has been undertaken that included the fringes around the greens. The greenskeeper team is also focused on having all greens with a second cut fringe. Tees are being improved and areas that were previously overgrown are being attended to. It does not hurt to let them know how good the improvements are if you see any staff whilst playing a round of golf.
Building Construction
Matters relating to the new building as well as changes to the course are close to being finalized. Both the building and course improvement plans are scheduled to be presented to the June council meeting for approval. However, due to the current uncertainty that exists around the impact of the Corona virus, council may find it necessary to delay the approvals. Provided all goes well, the club will endeavour to provide more detailed information re those projects once sign off is completed.
This will be the biggest change we have seen at the course since it opened in the early 60’s. Two story facility overlooking the course that will include a practice putting green, more tee boxes to facilitate some exciting options to competition play, redesigned 1st, 9th, 10th and 18th, holes. New additional tees on the 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th 5th, 8th and 9th hole along with significant fairway upgrades to the 5th and 6th and 10th holes. All up, 7 new green will be created along with fairway upgrade and 7 new tees. This being all part of the $2.5 million state government grant plus a $400,000 contribution from the club.
In addition, a complete 10-year course improvements plan for the course has been finalised that encompasses all remaining works for the remainder of the course.
Annual Membership Subscription
Lastly the annual membership subscriptions with hit the post early June and are payable by the 1st July. Obviously, we want to see everybody renew this year because there is so much more to look forward to as a member. The Covid 19 situation has made us change many things we take for granted but we are still playing and it’s a great time to get out of the house.
However, for our over 70 members who may not be comfortable playing until we return to normal, the Club understands and want to help.
If you have concerns for your own safety during this period and decided to not play golf, then you can apply to the club to defer your membership. This can be done by emailing the club ([email protected]) or calling the Club secretary – Jeff Fairbairn on 0412256499 and explaining that you will not be playing any golf and request to defer your membership. The club will then have your playing status deferred to 1 Jan 2021 and you will only need to pay 50% of your 20/21 subscription.
We appreciate how you feel, and we want you as an active and healthy member who can still enjoy a round with friends once we are over this testing period.
We all look forward to a better future.
Yours
David Moody
President HGC.