PIN HI Winter 2013

PIN HI Winter 2013

PRESIDENT’S NOTES The Eastern Land Update As you know the land east of the bridge is the next large development project to be undertaken when sufficient funds become available in a few years time.

The clubhouse partial refurbishment and extension project was paid from our cash reserves which are now depleted until subscriptions for the new Club financial year begin to flow.

Recently, through the auspices of our State Member, The Hon Tim Nicholls MP, State Treasurer and Minister for Trade, Ralph Heading and I met with Government representatives to discuss our long term plans for the Eastern Land. We provided information on all the options currently under consideration and we also explained it would take us several years to replenish our cash reserves before we could tackle this project without recourse to borrowed funds.

One aspect of these discussions was our request to utilise a part of the eastern land to generate some income to augment the funds required to develop golf holes.

You will recall that when the LAJV completed its sublease of the land, part of the completion negotiations were works to be undertaken by the LAJV for our benefit. These works included a dam structure, the eastern boundary drain and a 1.5 ha hardstand area adjacent the northern boundary of the site.

It is this hardstand area which was the main focus of the discussions with Government. With their assistance arrangements to sublease this area for a period of up to 5 years are well under way. The process includes an up to date land valuation to be approved by Government, then a sublease followed by a Development Application to be lodged with Brisbane City Council for a Change of Use. Also, a small amount of work on the site will be required including a sewer and water connection of which all are nearby.

This process will allow us to rent the hard stand area of around 15,000 m2 at a rate of about $10 - $20 per m2 per annum and to pay an increased annual government rental of approximately 6%.

Let’s keep in mind the terms of our Perpetual Lease requires us to use this land for golfing purposes. Further, as a leaseholder we do not have any right to apply for any rezoning. With an income generating opportunity over the next few years there is no rush to find the optimal solution for the Eastern Land and we have the support of Government to pursue this course of action.

Some of the usage options may change or become clearer over the next few years when we are able to assess some of the impact from our neighbours at Northshore or even the new golfing complex under construction at the Airport.

Strategic Plan Next week the new strategic plan for the next five years will be released on the web site while hard copies are obtainable from the clubhouse.

Finally, don’t forget to drop in for a meal or a drink at the Club.

Des Knight INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ● Captain’s Communiqué…P2 ● JDP…P3 ● Associates’ News…P4 ● Course Manager’s Report…P6 ● Notes from Acting GM…P8

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● Forthcoming Events…P9 ● Rules are Rules…P10

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE CAPTAIN Welcome 2013 Golf Calendar The year continues to move at hectic pace with plenty of golf and a return to some fine weather. Congratulations to the Members below who have triumphed over the last few months.

W.P. Devereux Trophy Senior Club Championships Junior Club Championships Foursomes Championships Sydney Stanna Bond Trophy R & A Golf Club of St. Andrews Trophy President’s Trophy Mixed Foursomes Championships George Brown Trophy RQGC Mixed Match Play Trophy Characters’ Cup

Vince Creagh Chris Cooper Ben Perkins Chris Cooper & Ralph Heading Mick McKendry & Rob Flint Peter Hauritz Joel Farrell Ben Perkins & Christina Mew Dominic Smith Sean & Jane Strange Neville Spence

Weather & Course With the wet weather finally abating the course is slowly starting to dry out. The double renovation at Christmas has proven its worth with good consistent green speeds and greatly reduced thatch. This renovation has removed the impact of grain and the overall health of the greens are at their best since the new course was completed.

As we move toward the Australian Senior Amateur and the Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup, our course staff continue to strive and present our facilities at their best.

Bunker drainage continues as fast as the staff can get to them and already this work is showing good signs in relieving the Members of the hard packed sand bases.

There are a number of small drainage projects to take place over the next few months with these items timed in and around the above mentioned events so as to not cause any undue disruption. th

The damaged fig behind the 4 green has now been removed. A replacement or positioning of a new tree will be discussed with our Course Designer, Michael Clayton on his next visit, which will be next month.

Several drains around the course are periodically being cleared of sand build up. With so many sand wastes etc. on the course and the continual rains of the last two years, it is not surprising that these build-ups occur. Perhaps the more surprising fact is the rather small amount that it takes to change the drainage of some areas. One area in th th particular I refer to here is the drainage system that affects the tidal area between the 15 and 7 .

Our rubbish bin and ball washer stands whilst being a one of a kind on our course, are a continual source of maintenance. The recycled water gives the steel quite a hard time and the course staff are regularly repairing rust areas around the bases. Given this situation we have commenced a replacement program with the new models being made from aluminium and then covered with a black powder coat. This should alleviate the maintenance work greatly and at the same time make them lighter and thus easier for the course staff to move around in their daily routines.

Currently an application is being prepared for lodgement with Brisbane City Council to open a pipe to the canal on th our northern boundary adjacent to the pond on the 9 tee. th

The proposal is to be able to control and allow flow of tidal water into the pond on the 9 . This water will travel th th across the hazard on the 8 to the pond in front of the 8 tee. Both these ponds are currently filled with tidal water th from the valve adjacent the 8 tee on high tides however, we do not receive enough of a flush to keep the water th quality up in the pond in front of the 8 .

By allowing the constant flush of water through this system we hope to alleviate the constant build up on top of the 8 pond without having to resort to installing aerating fountains and the like. As the water travels through it will then th leave via our existing pumps left of the 8 tee.

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COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE CAPTAIN (cont.) th

The main pump set beside the 8 has been reinstalled permanently to be ready for further wet weather and flood issues. Having the pump working on a more regular basis will also aid in prolonging its life cycle.

It is anticipated that the approval process for this application will take a couple of months, followed by the actual works, which will only be a couple of days.

Australian Senior Amateur and Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup September will see some of Australia and New Zealand’s top talent on our course in both the senior amateur ranks and professional fields. Members will have three days of senior competition to take in from the many vantage points around the course and watch and see if they handle the nuances of our layout as well as we know them.

For our Pro Am this year I also have the pleasure of announcing that our Pro Am will be the finale to the “bmag Week of Golf “ On offer will be 500,000 Qantas air points courtesy of bmag for the professional with the lowest 5 day total. This terrific prize will no doubt take pressure off an up and coming professional to be able to plan his rise to the top with the major cost of travel being taken care of. Our ability to put this package together with bmag and the great support of the Norris Motor Group will give all the Pro Ams in Brisbane a lift in their field quality that week as many professionals from the southern states will make the trip north for the full week of tournaments.

In closing I would like wish everyone continued success and enjoyment for the remainder of the 2013 golfing season.

Ralph Heading

RQ ADAM SCOTT JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME We are now entering the second semester of the JDP for 2013. We have been very fortunate with the weather, particularly given the large amount of rain which seems to have fallen on all days except Sunday mornings.

We are pleased to have new participants in the program for this semester and ask that they are made welcome by all.

Richard, David and Chris have been very busy creating new and interesting activities. We continue to focus not only on the golf swing itself, but also on the balance and core stability needed to develop it.

We have also listened to feedback from parents and have introduced a program of golf-based game activities.

These are designed to keep the children active and interested during the JDP sessions.

While the Sunday morning sessions are, by necessity, a group activity, it is very important that we cater for the individual needs of each participant. This requires knowledge of these needs. It is therefore crucial that there is some form of accurate assessment of each child, with respect to their particular requirements.

This assessment occurs in two forms: 1. The My Golf skills test form, which allows the Professionals to better tailor instruction to the level required for an individual.

2. The two included private lessons with our golf Professionals, which let the Professional better understand the method of learning which best suits each individual child.

Without these assessment parameters, the participants in the program will not obtain maximum benefit.

I encourage all parents/carers to ensure that the children complete both of the above components. To this end, we will be contacting the parents/carers over the next few weeks to arrange for these assessments.

In addition, during this term we have arranged for Michael Dalgleish, a world-renowned golf physiotherapist/biomechanics expert, to give a talk to parents and participants at the end of one of the JDP sessions to further explain the benefits of the balance/developmental aspects of the program.

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RQ ADAM SCOTT JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (cont.)

If there is enough interest shown, we also plan to conduct some form of instructional class during the September holidays. Emails will be sent out regarding this in the near future.

We thank you for your continuing support. Please feel free to contact either myself (juniors@rqgolf.com.au), Cathy (RQ Office) or Richard Gompels regarding any ideas, feedback or issues you may have. It is only by listening to what the participants/parents want that we can make the program more enjoyable and successful.

Suddy MacKechnie Programme Coordinator

ASSOCIATES’ NEWS On 14 May the Charles Earp Cup was played under wet skies. However, a field of 49 began the day, with 39 completing the round. The winner for 2013 is Jennifer Morgan with a score of 76.

The winner of the Miriam E. Wippell Trophy played on 16 May was Jennifer Vickers who defeated Jan Leggett. Lynne Mallan won Division 2 defeating Mary Perry.

Our Annual Sanctuary Cove Challenge was held at Sanctuary Cove on 27 May. Sanctuary Cove won the day and will keep the trophy for the coming year.

Jan Leggett and Jennifer Vickers

The Foundation Cup was played during May and June, with 21 pairs entering the event. The final was played in humid, cloudy conditions on 13 June. Marcella Waller and Merita Pailthorpe defeated Jenna Lyons and Robyn Wilson 4/3.

The winner of the Governor’s Medal for 2013 is Nols Pelly, who played 5 shots better than the rest of the field on 18 June.

July was a busy month with the following competitions.

Vice-Captain, Judy Theodoridis, won the Captain’s Trophy with a nett 73.

The winner of the Isabel Conwell Trophy, Division 2 is Helen Cooper with a score of 152. The Division 1 Trophy was tied between Leisha McMenamin and Joy Kruger, both on 153. They played off for the trophy on 6 August, with Leisha having the better net score on that day and winning the trophy.

The winner of the Williams Mayflower Cup is Susan King-Scott, who defeated Jennifer Vickers 4/2. Second Division was won by Verity Hanlon, over Glenda Fryer, 7/6.

The Foursomes Championship was held on 23 July, with 46 players entered into the draw for 36 holes and 22 players entered into the 18 hole competition. On the day, after the threat of rain, there were 40 players who completed the 36 hole event and 22 played in the 18 hole event. Congratulations to all winners shown below.

Lady Douglas Salver 36 Hole Gross Runner Up 36 Hole Nett AM Gross AM Nett PM Gross PM Nett

Susan King-Scott & Lesley Ingram

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Susan King Scott and Lesley Ingram Robyn Wilson and Jenna Lyons Heather Walter and Judy Street Susan King Scott and Lesley Ingram Judy Street and Heather Walter Susan King Scott and Lesley Ingram Diana Charlton and Jan Kildey

178 189 149 91 73.5 87 74

ASSOCIATES’ NEWS (cont.)

The rain held off and we all enjoyed a well earned celebration after a long day.

On 2 August the Associates hosted another very successful annual Charity Day with 90 Golfers and 64 Bridge players. Thanks go to our very generous Raffle donors, our wonderful Associates who baked up a storm and to all those who purchased raffle tickets. The day raised $10,870 for The Blue Roo Theatre Group which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to be involved in the Performing Arts.

The Veterans’ and Senior Veterans’ Trophies were played on 8 August with Thea Carter winning the Veterans’ Trophy with a nett 67. Jan Olsen was runner up with a nett 71. Helen Cooper won the Senior Veterans’ Trophy with a nett 71 and the runner up was Gail Madders with a nett 75.

Helen Cooper & Thea Carter

On a lighter note on 16 July, the RQ Associates travelled to Brisbane Golf Club to defend the Annual RQ v Brisbane Challenge. Brisbane had a convincing win this year. Next year we will endeavour to have the trophy returned to RQ.

The final round of changes to the Handicapping System will be implemented on 23 January 2014, with GolfLink going off line on 20 January for the software to be updated. Changes include the change of term from “Anchor” to “Cap”. Slope will be the main change, together with the introduction of the DSR (Daily Scratch Rating). Players will have their GA Handicap, but will also have a Daily Handicap, which is dependent on the slope of the course being played. The Daily Handicap is determined by making a simple calculation. All GA Handicaps will be recalculated over the time that the system is offline, with the DSR and slope of the courses played over the entire history of every players playing history on GolfLink being used in the calculation. It is the GA Handicap which will be displayed on GolfLink.

August continues to be a very busy month in our golfing calendar, with Associate Club Championships about to commence on the writing of this report. We wish all players the best of luck, good weather for its duration and good golfing to all.

Jan Olsen and Stephanie Cumming

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Congratulations to 13 new Members who have joined RQ in recent months: Charlotte Allen Robert Cincotta Gary Coyne Joshua Horswill Nicholas Jones Christina Llewellyn Christine O’Brien

Blake Provebs Catherine Slaughter Allan Smallie Diane Voller Aaron Wilkin Luke Wilson

We hope you will enjoy the wonderful facilities available, and make many new friendships.

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COURSE MANAGER’S REPORT Maintenance Matters With winter almost over and the growing season just around the corner, maintenance now turns to providing the ideal conditions to promote this growth. Through nutritional and remedial work we will be looking to further the improvement of the playing surfaces over the course whilst also trying to provide consistent surface run on fairways and greens. Growth regulator applications will increase to help with this growth.

Winter Agronomic inspections have been performed and the report is available for viewing on the website. The report has come back favourable for the time of year and provides us with a base to work with in the coming season. Most importantly thatch levels have been reduced significantly from an estimated average depth of 1 inch (08/09) to less th than 3mm or 1/8 of an inch. Thatch is the underlying cause of a lot of problems on golf courses through disease, pest and restrictive movement of product through the profile. It is a layer of dead and dessicating plant matter as a direct result of growth while the plant replenishes leaves, runners and stems. These reductions can be attributed to the aggressive renovations in the past two years and the organic/microbial activity in the soil which has been promoted through biological applications to help diminish these thatch levels.

This reduction of thatch has also meant a reduction in some chemical applications used to combat the undesirables that are associated with high thatch levels. Pathogens and pests will often use thatch layers as breeding/ feeding areas and can be protected to a degree from chemical applications with products having difficulty on penetrating through the thatch areas. Fungicide use has been reduced and nutritionally the greens are more tolerant of stress conditions. We are also getting better results from product applications as there is no layer to hinder or bind up the product as it moves through the soil strata. Other benefits have included the ability to maintain our cutting he ights through out the year without the blemishes and cut ins we have had in previous years. We have also been able to achieve and provide a faster playing surface with fewer inputs needed to maintain this speed consistently through the playing season.

Playing Surfaces Differing types of grasses require differing maintenance methods and those who play at other courses will sometimes see that other courses are required to not only renovate their greens and tees but also their fairways. So why do we not have to?

Queensland Blue Couch (Digitaria didactyla) Endemic to the area it was decided during reconstruction that Queensland Blue Couch would be retained as the grass of choice for the fairways and surrounds of the course. Since opening it has been decided that to maintain a consistent feel through the course and have the least amount of grass transitions that the tees also be converted to blue couch.

It is a small, strongly stoloniferous (Stolon – an above ground runner) perennial grass with bluish coloured leaves, narrow leaf blades up to 3cm long can develop into a sward 20cm high with dense leaf if not grazed or mown. It has the ability to recover quickly from extended periods of dry weather and loves a well drained soil. It has a wide tolerance of soils but prefers lighter sandier soils. Nutritional requirements are minimal compared to the highly aggressive and high maintenance couch varieties. It requires none to minimal dethatching when compared to every other warm season grass as it tends to breakdown and re-use its own thatch. Most maintenance is centered on giving it enough nutrition and verti draining through the growing season to provide as free a draining profile as possible.

Referred to as Queensland Blue Couch it is neither from Queensland nor is it a couch. Often thought to have originated in Madagascar and Mauritius it has been made popular in South East Queensland due to its optimum performance and suitability to the region.

Although its popularity has decreased in recent years due to the proliferation and popularity of low production cost, highly aggressive and high maintenance couch varieties, it is still preferred by many due to the low maintenance required to achieve a beautiful lawn or turf surface and reduced associated costs for product applicati ons.

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COURSE MANAGER’S REPORT (cont.)

Tifgreen or 328 (Cynodon sp) The grass used on our greens is a cultivar of two couch species. Green Couch or common couch (Cynodon dactylon) was crossed with South African Couch (Cynodon transvalensis) at Tifton University (hence the name Tifgreen) using a variety of methods including bombarding it with radiation. The result was a farm of 500 plots each of differing mutations and variations of the offspring from this crossbreeding. Plot 328 (hence the nickname 328) was chosen as one of the varieties to grow further in the hope of finding a new grass type suitable for sports turf and low cut areas.

Further research and trials soon showed that 328 had the greatest potential to be used as a greens grass and was soon propagated through vegetive tissue for this purpose.

Being a Cynodon species it reacts to the same chemicals as other Cynodon species so it is impossible to spray one from the other, the only control method is removal by hand or use of a suitable knockdown herbicide such as Roundup. This is the case with the couch intrusion into the greens, they are both susceptible to the same chemicals.

The surrounds are Queensland Blue Couch except for a few pockets of common around the greens. These pockets have been there since handover and are the result of contamination when planting/turfing. To reduce this intrusion and to make maintenance easier, these areas of common couch will be sprayed out, removed and replaced with the Queensland Blue Couch from our new turf farm in the off season. The advantage of the blue couch surrounds is that it can be sprayed out from the 328 without too much damage.

A characteristic of all couch species is the aggressive growth habit which in turn leads to thatch buildup, unlike the blue couch it does not break down and re-use its thatch and mechanical removal is required. This is done at renovations through verti cutting, scarifying and coring and also through the growing season via verti cutting and dusting.

Its maintenance requirements are high but have been exacerbated by the demands of the golfing fraternity wanting faster, harder greens (that are seen on televised tours) placing more stress on the sward and requiring more inputs to keep up standards.

Interesting figures With the recent US open played at Merion and the concern surrounding the decision to play the open on what was considered such a short course, it was interesting to see the variety in lengths played over the 4 days and the efforts made to strengthen the course against the big hitting advantage the men possess. With the course length of 6397metres it is eerily similar to our 6398 metres on the black course; this however is where the similarities end.

Below are some statistics between our two clubs at the time of the open:

RQGC Rough – 20 ha Staff - 16 full time including gardener QLD Blue Couch @ 11mm Area - 22 Hectares (course) Machinery - 3 Toro fairway mowers Greens – Tigreen (328) @ 3mm Average size = 550m2 Avg stimp reading 11ft 6in (winter) Approx. 10-15Ha in play

Merion Staff – 45 full time - 120 volunteers (consisting of Superintendents from across the US and World) Fairways – Bentgrass @ 12mm Area - 7.3 Hectares Machinery - 10 JD fairway mowers and 4 fairway rollers Greens – Bentgrass @ 2mm Average size = 557m2 Avg stimp reading - 13ft 5 in (Tournament week)

General Welcome to new staff member Matt Baddiley, Matt joins us from New Zealand where he worked at Cape Kidnappers amongst other courses. Matt has also had a year long stint in the UK where he worked on the St Andrews – Jubilee and New course. A highlight of his tenure was the chance to be involved in the set up for the “Open Championship” at Turnberry in 2009. His experience with links style maintenance will be an added bonus and we welcome him to the staff.

Marcus Price 7.

NOTES FROM THE ACTING GM Entering an extremely busy period of the golfing calendar, the Club has also experienced several changes in staff.

Jo Moloney our Administration Assistant resigned from her position to pursue other career and personal opportunities. We are fortunate that Cathy Keighley who had stood in for Jo during a recent holiday, agreed to take on the role permanently. Cathy has extensive experience in administration, human resources and personal assistant roles, all of which will no doubt come in very handy in her new position.

Ilse Serfontein has been appointed as the Accounts Officer. Ilse is working on a permanent part-time basis which allows her to manage her young family. Ilse has lived and worked in several countries and has an accounts and administration background in training and logistics organisations.

As this edition goes to print we are in the recruitment process to replace our highly regarded House Manager, Ken Brown. After 2 ½ years at RQ, Ken has accepted a position with his previous employer, Federal Golf Club in Canberra, as the Assistant General Manager. Ken has endeared himself to our membership by his willingness to assist in any way possible and always pleasant manner. We all wish Ken the very best in his future endeavours in the Golf industry.

My thanks and congratulations to our staff including the food and beverage attendants, caterers, Golf Service Centre and course maintenance staff for their sterling efforts in recent times. Major events have included the BMW and Audi Corporate Days, the Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation fundraising golf day, the Associates’ Charity Day, and most recently Heritage Day. These were in addition to many smaller seminars and functions which have resulted in July 2013 achieving an extremely pleasing financial outcome for the Club. These events require all areas of the Club operation to come together to present our Club at the highest standard. Each of these events have resulted in many complimentary remarks from both organisers and participants.

The busy times will continue with the Australian Senior Amateur Men’s Championship in the first week of September, closely followed by the Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup Pro AM on Friday 13 September. These events will no doubt further demonstrate the quality of the course and Clubhouse facilities to visitors from around Australia, which is the result of several years of upgrade projects of which Club should be very proud.

I would also like to offer special congratulations to Greenkeeper Mick McDonaugh, of the course maintenance staff who completes 25 years of service to the Club on 5 September. More about Mick in this month’s “In the Spotlight”

Russell Muir

PRO SHOP PRONOUNCEMENTS Dear Members and Associates, I would like to congratulate all of the winners of the long drive competitions. The opportunity to photograph everyone bought a number of things to light. Having watched each of the players previously in regular play and in competitions it became obvious that the occasion had a significant effect.

The key to hitting the ball further is to ensure that the sequence/rhythm of your swing remains the same and the tempo increases. Unfortunately with almost everyone in the competition, in an attempt to increase the clubhead speed, they changed the sequence/rhythm of their swing and the results confirmed that. I completed an exercise some years ago with 12 people in a driver clinic.

I recorded their clubhead speeds while they were hitting their average drives. I then recorded their clubhead speeds after asking them to “give it a rip” and in all but three cases the clubhead speed reduced. The greatest increase was three miles per hour and the quality of the shots deteriorated to an unacceptable level.

Even with the modern drivers there is a premium in hitting the ball out of the middle of the club. A shot hit 12mm off centre will lose 7% of the distance it would have produced if hit out of the middle. A shot hit 25 mm off centre will lose 14% of the distance it would have achieved if hit out of the middle.

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PRO SHOP PRONOUNCEMENTS (cont.)

There are not many people who can increase their club head speed by 7% - 14% to make up for the miss hit.

If you would like to see your picture and discuss the changes please call me.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed their used golf equipment to the Growing the Game program.

We have been to Alice Springs, Gayndah, Moree, Bourke and Kalbarri and are in the midst of planning a trip to Port Augusta in October.

I have been overwhelmed with the support and have been able to send some of the equipment to Papua New Guinea. A relatively new Member of Royal Queensland Golf Club, Phil Frame, lives in Lae, PNG and is heavily involved in the junior programs in PNG. Below is a picture of some juniors from Lae Golf Club with some of the clubs and a big “Thank you” card from the juniors.

Custom Fitting The benefits of custom fitting are well documented and just two weeks ago I witnessed one of the most dramatic changes in some time.

The attached pieces of face tape tell the story. The two drivers have the same head, the same loft and the same setting. They have the same shaft other than the flex.

As a result of changing the flex not only did the shots come from the middle of the club but the distance increase was 20 metres plus. A fantastic result.

Bob Vokey meeting I was very fortunate to spend some one on one time with the legendary wedge designer Bob Vokey and his assistant Aaron Dill at the Titleist Performance Institute back in March.

I would like to offer you the opportunity to spend some time with me to learn more about these very important clubs in your bag. th

On Friday 30 of August between 3.00pm and 4.00pm I will be hosting a complimentary wedge fitting presentation on the driving range. If you would like to know more about wedge design and performance and or would like to have your wedge tested for the correct bounce and lie angle please come along.

There will also be a Callaway fitting day from 1.00pm to 4.00pm on that day.

Things to look forward to in September.

Golf Pride Grip Day. A golf Pride representative will be here to regrip your Driver FREE of CHARGE. The Super Clinic. This will involve all of the teaching staff covering all aspects of the game. Positions will be limited. The date and time will be advertised on the Club website.

Fathers’ Day gift packs. If you are looking for that gift for the hard to buy for father we may have just the thing.

Titleist Golf Ball special. Titleist DT SoLo two dozen for $49.95.

New arrival. The latest LOUDMOUTH products including golf bags, umbrellas, putter grips and markers.

Chris Rutherford

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Australian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup Pro-Am Associates’ 25 / 50 Year Membership Lunch Italian Night (Members, Associates and Partners Only) Members’ 25 / 50 Year Membership Dinner Sunday Invitation Mixed Competition – followed by canapés Melbourne Cup Day

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Mon 2 – Thur 5 September Friday 13 September Thursday 19 September Sunday 22 September Wednesday 2 October Sunday 13 October Tuesday 5 November

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Mick McDonaugh will reached the milestone of 25 years’ service with RQ on 5 September, and is a valued member of the team. Find out more about Mick below: What has been the biggest change at RQ you have seen over the last 25 years?

Certainly the transition from the old course to the new course, but I have also seen several changes in the hierarchy.

What do you enjoy most about working at RQ? The office space and the great outdoors.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

I listen to a wide variety of music and spend much time in the garden growing exotic fruit and rare cacti.

If you could invite three people to spend an afternoon with at a backyard BBQ, who would they be?

David Attenborough, Brian Cox and Michael Parkinson.

Where would your dream holiday destination be?

Trekking the Tasmanian highlands.

Who makes you laugh?

Ricky Gervais and Bill Bailey.

RULES ARE RULES DEFINITIONS – PART 1 There are 62 definitions at the start of the Rules of Golf which are critical to the understanding and application of the Rules. I have selected some of these definitions to illustrate how important it is to know these definitions when interpreting the Rules. Part 1 of this article follows and Part 2 will be in the next edition of Pin Hi. Addressing the Ball Question 1: The player has “addressed the ball” when: a. He has taken his stance, b.

He has grounded his club immediately in front of or behind the ball

c.

He has taken his stance and has also grounded his club

Answer 1: (b). In January 2012, the Definition of “addressing the ball” was amended, from requiring a player to take his stance and to ground his club to only grounding his club immediately in front of or behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance. As a player cannot ground his club in a hazard, a player can no longer address the ball in a hazard.

Advice Question 2: Two fellow competitors are considering their next strokes. Which of the following questions would incur a penalty? a. How far am I from the flag? b. Is there any hidden water between me and the green? c.

Is there a bunker at the back of this green?

d. What is the line of play to the hole? e. Did you hit a 6 or a 7 iron? f.

There is a lump of mud on my ball, may I clean it?

g. Should I deem my ball unplayable?

Answer 2: (e) and (g). Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules, distance or matters of public information such as position of hazards or the flagstick is not advice.

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RULES ARE RULES (cont.)

Ball in Play Question 3: A player teed his ball within the teeing ground. He made a stroke at the ball but missed it (an air swing).

He addressed the ball again and accidentally knocked the ball off the tee. What is the ruling?

Answer 3. When the player made a stroke at the ball, it was “in play”. When the ball was knocked off the tee, the player incurred a penalty stroke and was obliged to replace the ball. (Decision 11-3/1.)

A ball is “in play” as soon as the player has made a stroke on the teeing ground. It remains in play until it is holed, except when it is lost, out of bounds, or lifted, or another ball is substituted. If a ball is outside the teeing ground when the player is starting play of a hole the ball is not in play (see Rules 11-4 and 11-5). In match play, the ball in play includes a ball played from outside the teeing ground if the opponent does not require the stroke to be cancelled in accordance with Rule 11-4a.

Bunker Question 4: In which of the following situations is a ball in a bunker? a. When it is on sand spilling over the margin of a bunker. b. When it is on grass growing into a bunker. c.

When it lies on the edge of the bunker overhanging but not touching the sand.

d. When it is embedded in the vertical lip of a bunker which is not grass-covered. e. When it is lying on an obstruction in a bunker.

Answer 4: The ball is in the bunker in situations (d) and (e). Sand spilling out of a bunker (Decision 13/1) and grasscovered ground in a bunker is not part of the bunker (Decision 13/2). Unlike a water hazard, the margin of a bunker does not extend vertically upward, so a ball on grass above a bunker is not in the bunker (Decision 13/3). An embedded ball is considered to be lying in the part of the course where it entered the ground, and as the non -grass covered wall or lip of a bunker is part of the bunker, the embedded ball is deemed to be in the bunker (Decision 13/4).

A ball lying on an obstruction in a bunker is in the bunker (Decision 13/5).

Example (a)

Example (b)

Example (c)

Example (d)

Casual Water Question 5: Which of the following is “casual water” from which a player may get relief without penalty? a. Soft, mushy earth. b. Overflow of water from a water hazard. c.

Pitch-mark containing water.

d. Dew on the grass. e. Water appearing around the sole of his shoe only when a player presses down hard with one foot.

Answer 5: (b) and (c) are casual water (Decisions 25/2 and 25/3). Soft, mushy earth is not casual water unless water is visible on the surface before or after the player takes his stance (Decision 25/1). Whereas snow and natural ice are casual water, dew and frost are not casual water (see Definition). Water visible through undue effort with the feet is not casual water (Decision 25/4).

Example 5 (a)

11.

RULES ARE RULES (cont.)

Equipment Question 6: Which of the following is player’s equipment? a. Their hat b. Their caddie’s towel c. Their ball marker d. Their mobile phone e. Their golf cart f. Their ball in play.

Answer 6: (a), (b), (d) and (e) are player’s equipment; (c) and (f) are not. “Equipment” is anything used, worn or carried by the player or anything carried for the player by his partner or either of their caddies, except any ball he has played at the hole being played and any small object when used to mark the position of a ball or the extent of an area in which a ball is to be dropped. Equipment includes a golf cart, whether or not motorised. Note: A ball played at the hole being played is equipment when it has been lifted but not put back in play.

Ground Under Repair (GUR) Question 7: Which of the following are considered “Ground under repair”? a. The continuous white line around an area of GUR. b. A fallen tree which has been sawn and piled ready for removal. c. The tree stump left after removal of the sawn timber. d. A hole dug for access to drainage pipes. e. Mounds of mulch under newly planted staked trees. f. A wheel rut made by a greenkeeper’s vehicle.

Example 7 (a)

Answer 7: (a), (b), (d) and (e) are GUR. When the margin of GUR is defined by a line, the line itself is in the GUR. A tree stump which the Committee may plan to remove, but is not in the process of being removed is not automatically GUR (Decision 25/8). GUR includes a “hole made by a greenkeeper” which includes ground temporarily dug up with course maintenance such as made by removing turf or a tree stump, laying pipelines etc, but does not include ruts made by vehicles (Decisions 25/14 and 25/16). RQ has a Local Rule which states that with all th GUR, relief must be taken in accordance with Rule 25-1. For example if when playing the 16 hole a player’s ball ends in the area enclosed by the white line on the left side of the fairway and the nearest point of relief is in the rough beside the fairway, the player must drop the ball in the rough; he does not have the option of playing the ball from the area of GUR on the fairway.

Example 7 (f)

Loose impediments Question 8: Which of the following are loose impediments? a. Stones in a bunker b. Sand on the fringe of a green c. Worm casts d. Dog droppings e. Mud on the ball f. A broken but still attached branch g. Dew on the putting green h. Hail on the putting green Answer 8: (a), (c), (d) and (h) are loose impediments; (b), (e), (f) and (g) are not. “Loose impediments” are natural objects as long as they are not fixed or growing, solidly imbedded, or adherent to the ball. Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green but not elsewhere. Snow and natural ice are, but dew and frost are not.

Except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty. Therefore stones in a bunker may not be removed unless detailed in a Local Rule of the course being played which is not the case at RQ. I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Peter Monks in reviewing this article. Further definitions will be dealt with in the next Pin Hi. Neville Sandford.

Neville Sandford and Peter Monks 12.