Member News – 28 January 2022

Weekly Update – from Club Captain Phil Barlow

For those who are just getting back into their regular golf again, welcome back. The Christmas break certainly dished up some great golfing days for those close to home, with just enough rain showers to help keep the course green.

As this is being written, we have all moved to a red traffic light setting and the government is putting more phases into play. This of course has potential to play havoc with our predetermined golfing schedule for the year so we once again ask you all to be patient with the changes we may make on the fly and be kind to each other.

The first change will be the Opening Day Shotguns which were scheduled for Feb 5. Considering the impact of more cases of Omicron starting to appear, the potential flow-on impact to catering and bar staff, and in the interest of our more susceptible membership with larger groups gathering for shotgun starts, the Match Committee has made the decision to change the opening day format to be a team’s stableford, best 3 of 4. Apologies to those who were looking forward to the traditional day, but we feel it is the right thing to do at this moment.

If you have entered the Shotgun for next weekend, please note that you will now have to make a booking for it; it is not a shotgun start.

The above all being said, let’s all look forward to a successful golfing year for us all individually and for our club.

Summer Cup results – overall results

Women (best 3 of 5)

1. Julie Monk
2. Steph Withell
3. Jillian Palmer

Men (best 2 of 3)

1. Gill Harris
2. Dan Johnson
3. Terry Coleman

Thanks to all who entered the Summer Cup. The numbers were great, and as mentioned above, the weather was good golfing weather during the Christmas period, so some good scores reflect that.

Pro Tip by Craig Mitchell

On a windy, gusty day, two things that will help you sink more putts. Widen your stance to give you more stability. Address the ball and if the wind is gusting, wait a few seconds for the gust to drop, then putt.

Rule of the week

An often incorrectly administered rule is a free drop. When you take a free drop from formed garden or a staked tree, the place you must drop is the nearest point of relief, no nearer to the hole, not the nicest point of relief. In some instances, you may end up on the wrong side of a tree, garden, or hedge. You can’t just drop your ball somewhere that looks nice that is no nearer the hole.

Upcoming Saturday Golf

29 Jan – Allprint Shootout starts for both men and women

5 Feb – Opening day (team’s event, best 3 of 4 stableford)

12 Feb – Monthly medal for men and All Irons or Stroke for women

19 Feb – Harewood 4BBB Qualifying Rnd 1 for the men and Ladies with Stroke for others men and combined stableford for others women

Enjoy your golf.

Covid Rules Update – Mask Wearing

The Government has announced new rules in relation to mask wearing under RED. The new rules will come into force on Thursday February 3^rd and will apply in the Clubhouse. So, in effect all members and visitors will need to wear a face-mask when in the Clubhouse unless seated for eating and drinking. The rules are:

• Mask wearing is now mandatory for customers at hospitality venues (the exception when the customer is eating or drinking still applies).
• The customer’s face-covering must be a mask, not a scarf, bandana or other clothing.

Like all businesses we are trying to navigate the minefield of information (or lack of) and how we can/will practically operate in the event of a case here at the Club. This is a very fluid situation but the golden rule as always is to stay home if you are feeling unwell and get tested. Below is a summary of the current response guidelines.

• Phase one – up to 1000 cases a day
  • If you have Covid you’ll need to isolate for 14 days / isolate for 10 days if you are a contact
  • PCR tests will continue to be used
  • Contact tracing approach similar to Delta, isolation, and request that everyone who is symptomatic be tested at a community testing station or at a primary health provider. Rapid Antigen Tests may be integrated into these sites as required

• Phase two – cases are in the 1,000’s
  • focus is on identifying those who are at greater risk of severe illness from Omicron
  • isolation period is reduced to 10 days if you have Covid / 7 days if you are a contact
  • close contacts need a PCR test on day 5
  • digital technology will be used more in this phase. Cases will be notified via text message and information provided via email
  • Focus will be on high-risk exposures
  • PCR tests will still be used, with rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be integrated into testing system
  • “test to return” regime used for critical workers (and in Phase 3)

• Phase three – high number of cases, stress on system
  • The highest risk contacts will need to isolate, with definition of contacts changing to ‘household and household-like contacts only’.
  • rapid antigen testing for diagnosing COVID will be key
  • digital technology will be used and self-reporting to close contacts

Armstrong Motor Group Twilight 2022 – Series 1

The first night of our 6-week Twilight saw 52 players enjoy a fantastic evening on the front 9. In the Ladies’ comp Amelia Ching took the honours with 19 points from 4 others on 18, with Anne Ott pipping Ina Lee-Hall on countback for 2^nd place. NTP on #3 went to the fast-improving Alice Reilly. The Men’s scoring was hot on the night with 24 points from Taylor Killick taking top spot over Derek Watson on countback from Jason Blair, both on 21. NTP on #6 went to Andrew Mackway-Jones. A reminder to book well-ahead and the start time each week has moved ahead slightly to 5:45pm each week.

Midweek Ladies Results – from Sonia Brown

25^th January - Summer Cup Round 5

1^st        Helen McKay  41 stb

2^nd       Julie Jones      39 stb

3^rd       Lynley Trapp  38 stb

Midweek Men Results – from Peter Larkin

Monday 24 Jan - Scottish Stableford

Game cancelled due to the weather.

Thursday 27 Dec - 4BBB Stroke

After an apparently wet and stormy night, conditions had improved at dawn with 31 participants in somewhat ‘windy’ although sunny conditions.

White Tees                            Barry Crowther/Paul Skjellerup       64

                                                Brian Blazey/Alastair Christie           65 CB

                                                John Yates/Bruce Robertson             65 CB

                                                Jin Kim/Robert Gay                           65

Next Thursday (3^rd February) is the Matt Ryder Cup Competition.  All MWM who wish to play must have their name into the committee by Monday 31^st Jan.  Entries close after Monday’s game.

From Canterbury Golf Referees Assn – Rules Courses

Please find attached notification of our annual rule’s courses.

Accordingly, we ask that you prominently display the attached notice asking for expressions of interest. Once we have an indication of people's interest, we will be in a position to advise on the venue.

Thank you

Bruce Grant - Secretary

Canterbury Golf Referees Association