Important Updates from our Captain
Pace of Play: 
Over the past few weeks, we have been receiving more and more complaints about slow play. Previously I have kept a keen eye on the pace of play and sent letters out to those who fell outside the pace of play policy. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 came about we lost the ability to track the pace of play because of the mix of members entering scores by the scanner and the Miscore App. We have now developed a way of combining the two methods of score entry and we’ll generate a list of groups that do not comply with the pace of play policy. I ask all members to make sure that when you finish your round either scan your score card or submit your score on the App as soon as you can. I implore you do not sit down and have a drink or a chat first as it might give you a bad time, resulting in a letter.
The pace of play is always an issue within golf clubs and there has been many ways in which golf clubs have tried to address it. I think our policy has worked reasonably well over the last few years but recently there has been an increase in our round times. At the last board meeting a revised form of the pace of play policy was put forward and passed by the board. This new policy will commence on Saturday 5th September (next week). Designed to make sure that the competition gets off to a quick start and makes sure that the early players move along so that it does not “back the comp up”. If groups fall behind early in the day, the field never recovers, and round times can blow out to over 5 hours for the afternoon players. We all need to ensure that we play “ready golf” and keep up with the group in front.
New Pace of Play Policy
- The First 4 groups must complete their round in 3 hours and 45 minutes and must be no more than 20 minutes behind the group in front.
- The next 4 groups must complete their round in 4 hours and must be no more than 15 minutes behind the group in front.
- All other groups must finish no more than 12 minutes behind the group in front.
- If a group finishes more than 12 minutes behind the group in front, the players will receive a letter saying that they didn’t comply with the pace of play policy.
- If a player receives 3 letters for slow play within a 6-month period they will be required to play at the end of the field for a month.
Time Sheets:
As you all are aware, we have been having issues with our time sheets. The biggest problem is the number of members wanting to play golf, this is a good problem to have but it is creating major issues with time sheet access. I want members to know that we have been doing our best to fix these issues but unfortunately, we haven’t been getting much help from MiClub. Only today our President has sent MiClub what you might say a strongly worded letter asking for issues to be fixed ASAP. It isn’t an easy issue to fix with half the membership liking the lottery system and the other half liking the old method. Whichever way we go it will be the best and fairest outcome for all members. We will keep you informed over the coming weeks.
Flags and Ball Lifters:
It has been noticed that players have been removing the flags when putting, Golf NSW has said that if your club approves, you may remove the flagstick if you are wearing a glove or holding a towel. I would like you reinforce that North Ryde Golf Club has not introduced that into our club. We may be seen as being a little bit too cautious by not allowing this change but we would rather that than someone catching and spreading COVID-19. So please do not pull the flag out of the hole.
Ball lifters are designed for you to use your putter to lift the ball out of the hole. Please don’t bend down and use your hand, it is probably worse than holding the flag as everyone is touching the same spot.
Path Upgrade:
We will be upgrading the path/road that comes out of the greenkeepers shed near the 13th tee. This path is currently bitumen and was badly broken up when we undertook the course works for the Dams. It will be redone the week after the course renovations (from the 14th September). Members are asked to follow the signs installed by the green staff as it will impact when accessing the 13th tee for approximately a week. The new path will be concrete.
Course Renovations:
The course renovations will take place on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th September. During the renovations we will for the first time be coring the fairways. This process will have a big impact on our fairways moving forward but it might be a bit rough for a few weeks.
Glenn Cranfield:
Some members might already know through the rumour mill but to officially inform you, our greenkeeper/gardener Glenn Cranfield had a work accident on Wednesday. Glenn received a bad knock to the head that required 16 stiches at the hospital and is now at home doing well. I know that all members wish him well and hope to see his smiling face back around the course soon. Get well Glenn, thinking of you.
Glenn Woodley – Captain