Dear Members,
Following a comment from a member yesterday, I realised I have been remiss in not providing an update of course & club matters for a little while, apologies.
There is certainly a lot going on. The Golf Course looks great, with all fairways & tees fertilised before the recent rains which will result in lots of grass over the next weeks, the rain has certainly come at the right time for us. Course works going on at present include some redevelopments on the 4th hole, with mounding being constructed to the left of the green (very similar to the works recently completed on the 7th hole adjacent to the green) which will be followed by resurfacing and enlargement of the 4th tee with a slight re-orientation towards the LHS of the fairway. Our plan is to have the work on the 4th hole completed by end December. On the Heritage course, we have recently opened the new tee on 23rd hole which is much larger than the previous tee providing an improved and different aspect to this hole. Work is also currently underway to replace the green on the 22nd hole, with our aim is to have the green turfed prior to Xmas.
The Club has also recently completed a grant funding submission seeking a grant of $250,000 to construct up to 2 kilometres of concrete pathways on the main course, with funding approvals to be announced in March 24. Should the grant be approved, these works will commence soon after with high priority areas for pathing to include the 15th fairway from the bridge to the existing path adjacent to the green (LHS of tree line in large part), the 5th hole from the tee to existing pathway (LHS near hazard area), 4th hole tee to green (LHS) & through the gully area of 16th, 17th & 18th holes. The primary focus of this work is to improve course access & cart usage for those members requiring golf carts to play in periods of wet weather and to avoid undue course damage from golf cart use. Should we be unsuccessful in the grant application, these works will proceed over a longer period of time as funds permit.
We continue to upgrade our Course equipment fleet, having recently taken delivery of 3 Kubota rough cut mowers and a new greens mower with another expected to be supplied by end January 24.
In the clubhouse, the recently installed air-conditioning system in the members bistro area has been very well received before the summer period as the old system had become inoperable. Additionally we are excited to advise members that the clubhouse furniture will be replaced in the members area, function room & spike bar which will provide a much needed improved appearance of the clubhouse for both members and guests of the club, particularly in light of the increasing use of the club by members and guests for meals & drinks. We do see the increase in patronage of the club from the local community to be a key opportunity for the food & beverage business of the club.
Tony.
