As from Tuesday the 19^th June the 1^st stage of course reconstruction required the closure of 9 holes with early maintenance works commencing this week.

It is exciting that we have now reached the point where the first stages of this 2-year program of work can commence. Equally that part of the course now closed is from here on a work site with all the OH&S issues that embraces.

If you hit your ball into these areas it will be classed as OUT OF BOUNDS and it is shot plus 1 shot penalty applies. Under NO circumstance is a player allowed to enter this area to retrieve their golf ball. Balls will be collected by the contractors on a weekly basis and placed in X/Golf for you to collect. It might be wise to mark your ball so that its easy to recognise. To help the flow of play if you think your ball has gone out of bounds hit a provisional.

While we understand members and others will have a great interest and curiosity in the works to hand, all members are required to stay out of the construction zone for safety reasons and for the duration of these works.

The course will be compressed into 9 holes which in turn will place a heavy demand on tee times particularly over weekend play where the rescheduling across Saturday and Sunday would greatly assist the overall playing conditions. Several members have indicated they can accommodate this alternative and we are most grateful for this type of cooperation.

Your ground staff will ensure they maintain the playing nine holes in the best condition they can but the heavier traffic over the reduced number of holes will have some impact on the course.

THIS IMPACT CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WITH ADDED CARE AND ATTENTION FROM ALL PLAYERS:

• PITCH MARK REPAIRS (REPAIRING ANY OBVIOUS MARKS LEFT UNATTENDED)
• FILLING DIVOTS WITH SAND AND SMOOTHING (BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERFILL)
• RAKING BUNKERS AND CORRECTLY REPOSITIONING THE RAKES

The success of this transition will be greatly enhanced if players can avoid SLOW PLAY which by days end can have a very significant cumulative effect and greatly reduce the number of fellow players completing their rounds particularly during the winter period.

• ALL GROUPS MUST STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE PACE OF PLAY GUIDELINES
• IF YOUR GROUP BECOMES OUT OF POSITION, IT IS THE LOW MARKERS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE CORRECT POSITION IN THE FIELD IS RESUMED.
• “PLAY WHEN READY” IS THE EASIEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS
• ENSURE YOU ARRIVE and check in 15 minutes prior OF YOUR SCHEDULED tee time
• MINIMISE THE TIME TAKEN SEARCHING FOR LOST BALLS WITH ONLY THE PLAYER CONCERNED UNDERTAKING THE SEARCH.
• IF YOUR GROUP HAS A LOST BALL DO NOT HESITATE IN CALLING THE GROUP BEHIND THROUGH.

There is no reason the revised course layout of nine holes cannot be a very satisfying and challenging experience but will be assisted if all players contribute to these very basic issues.

This of course should not diminish the basic rule to enjoy your time on course with your fellow partners while respecting there are ways we can all assist in ensuring everyone has the best experience.

TEE TIMES

Now that we are on the 9 hole course the fields will be restricted as a consequence.

The morning field will accommodate 13 groups of 4 (52 players) with the timesheet commencing at 7.36am and ending at 9.12am.

The afternoon field will accommodate 11 groups of 4 (44 players) with the timesheet commencing at 11.28am and ending at 12.48pm. During winter the light will restrict the number of players and the field will only be able to fit 96 players. As the light increases more tee times will be added to the pm timesheet.

On the top right of the on-line timesheet there is a WAITING LIST BUTTON which we have rarely employed at Lonsdale. If you are unable to find a suitable time you can place your name on the WAITING LIST and indicated what time you would prefer to play. You will automatically be allocated a place in the field should someone drop out in your chosen time range. Players who remain on the waiting list and miss a game will be noted, but it is your responsibility to put your name on the list early.

To be fair to other members, if you are unable to play please cancel as soon as possible before any competition so that members on the waiting list will get an opportunity to play. If you cancel you cannot substitute another player as the computer will immediately insert the first person on the waiting list.

This is an exciting time for the club and we thank all members for their patience during this period.

Rob Aulich

General Manager

 

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