Pin Hi Autumn 2014

PIN HI The Official Newsletter of Royal Queensland Golf Club Autumn 2014 Edition

President’s Report Membership We read with interest that the Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrews is to admit women into its ranks. About fourteen years ago the RQ Board at that time showed commendable foresight to revise the definition of “Member” and “Associate” so that each word became genderless.

Numerous of our Australian Reciprocal Clubs have full female membership, although in some cases the change appears to have occurred as a result of a State political agenda rather than a specific drive by the Associate Members.

Our Associates’ Committee recently asked the Board to consider issues involving female membership and the Board agreed to conduct a review. The Membership Committee consisting of Mark Williamson and Neville Sandford met with Barbara Barnett, Joy Kruger and Anne McEvoy to form a joint Committee to identify, to consider, and to report with recommendations to the Board. A meeting of Members will need to be called to pass any amendments to the Constitution.

Their review will examine a wide range of items including current membership categories, nomination of new Members, and eligibility rules, so that we are aligned with our Reciprocal Clubs.

Inevitably, the review will include the process by which Associates become female Members of the Club with an entitlement to play in Saturday competitions. Initially, there may not be many Associates who will seek full membership of the Club, and it is emphasised that current Members will not be disadvantaged in their ability to book for play on a Saturday.

Without in any way attempting to foreshadow the recommendations of the joint Committee, it may be that the Associates will continue to enjoy exclusive rights to play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while the current Members will continue to be an allmale competition on Wednesdays.

Change is inevitable if we are to remain relevant and abreast of our Reciprocal Clubs and our community. The process outlined above will explore the ways our entire membership will enjoy more access to our facilities so the Club is able to grow through increased participation.

Inside This Issue Communiqué from the Captain

3

JDP Programme

5

Associates’ News

6

From the GM’s Desk

7

Course Manager’s Report

8

Progress on Eastern Land

10

Rules are Rules

11

Club Centenary

12

Reciprocal Clubs Weekend th

th

Commencing on Friday 6 June and concluding on Sunday 8 June, the weekend promises to be a gala event. Friday evening arrangements are open as some guests will wish to dine, while others may prefer an early night. Dinner on Saturday is planned, as well as Breakfast and Lunch on the Sunday. continued on page 2

President’s Report (continued) The Board has resolved that female Members from Reciprocal Clubs be invited to play in the Saturday Reciprocal Clubs competition, as are our own Associates who are involved in hosting those visiting female Members wishing to play on the Saturday.

This implies some dislocation to Members and their Saturday game. So that all Members wishing to play on 7th June can do so, the Club has booked times at North Lakes Golf Club. The Golf Service Centre will have full particulars of times and availability.

Sunday Dining Sunday Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch continue to be popular but challenging to the House Committee and Board, due to penalty wage rates required to be paid our serving staff.

It is noted that numerous highly regarded city and suburban restaurants close on Sundays for this reason. The Club remains open for the benefit of Members, and bookings allow our management to plan for the most efficient staffing levels.

While a few mishaps have occurred, the overwhelming majority of diners report a very positive experience so I thank the unstinting efforts of Jillz Catering and her chefs, Celia our Acting House Manager, Mark our Bar Manager and all the serving staff who strive to make your dining experience enjoyable.

Course Amendments Ralph will write in detail of these changes, but there is no doubt they improve the visual aspects of the course and the playability of the third hole amongst others. The enhancements were designed by Ogilvy Clayton, thoroughly considered by the Match and Greens Committee, The Course Committee, and were approved by the Board.

Ratings of courses change over time so it is essential that we as a Club relentlessly pursue improvements so that golfers want to join our Club, wish to play our course, and that we continue to attract Reciprocal Club visitors across Australia and the globe to Brisbane and our Club.

Please use and enjoy your Club and your course, and don’t forget to use as often as you can the practice facilities which are widely regarded as the best in Australia.

Des Knight

Welcome to New Members Congratulations to 18 new Members who have joined RQ in recent months: Matthew Bastain-Jordan

Tony Lynch

Michael Brimson

Sarah Mainwaring

Susan Colley

William Mair

Mark Dal Pra

Stephen Olrich

Louis Dobbelaar

Thomas Pearson

Philip Fraser

Brendan Rehbein

Hamish Haddock

Ken Thomson

Scott Hartley

Kenichi Udagawa

Yugo Kiyofuji

Darcie Weaver

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Communiqué from the Captain Welcome Members to another PIN HI. The receipt of this one might finally mark the change of season, which some would say is slightly overdue given a warmer than normal March and early April. However these last few months also provided rain when we needed it most. While the course looked and played well, the weather disruptions played havoc behind the scenes.

All throughout the year a variety of fertilizer and herbicide programs are scheduled to either make things grow or to get rid of the unwanted. These days a lot of products are designed by the manufacturers to be watered in for better root zone penetration. Over the last couple of months we have relied on Mother Nature to assist with the watering in and luckily she has mostly played her part.

A huge thanks to our Course Manager Marcus Price and Irrigation Specialist Mick Todd and all the team for their attention to detail and their commitment to providing us with the consistently first class course we all enjoy.

As mentioned by the President the Reciprocal Clubs weekend is not far away and again we look forward to welcoming many visitors from around Australia and overseas for three days of great golf and socialising. For anyone who might be displaced for a Saturday game during this time, alternative arrangements have been made for a game at North Lakes which we hope you will enjoy. Any Members who would like to participate in the weekend and assist in hosting a visiting couple would be greatly welcomed.

I would like to thank the Members who have participated in the Veterans’ competitions. I sincerely hope these competitions have been more enjoyable than the stroke rounds and that the White Course is more to your liking. I can say that offering an alternative format has had a positive effect on playing times and also pace of play.

As Members will be well aware the course works are now complete. The range and all the holes are settling in as planned and everyone is navigating them well. The works had been planned for quite some time. They were sequenced for “out of season” playing as best we could, hence why we halted other programs to carry them out.

The works for the three new driving range target greens, alterations to the 3rd, works to the rear of the 6th, the carry on the 7th, carry on the 13th, new championship tee on the 13th and extension to the waste bunker on the 15th were budgeted at $160 000 and came in at $170 000. The overrun was due to a decision to relocate part of the sprinkler main behind the 6th to high ground for ease of any further maintenance.

These works now complete areas that were draining poorly and which were untidy in comparison with other parts of the course. The 3rd hole now achieves the aesthetic and playability that was first envisaged when the new course was conceived. The changes to the Professional’s driving range means that it can double as a great Junior facility when the course is busy. Given we run approximately 26+ JDP clinics per year, it’s sure to get its fair share of use.

I sincerely thank Members for their patience whilst these works have taken place and trust everyone will enjoy them for many years to come.

On the works program each year there are significant projects, some visible, some not so. One of those not so is the earlier installation of the state of the art wash down facility which is now running extremely well. We now have the highest environmental compliance of almost any Golf Club in Australia, and importantly the cleanliness of our turf machinery has translated into better productivity, better running life, and higher retained machinery values.

The next works priority is a return to the bunker programme. Whilst the other works were being undertaken we have had a more detailed look at the bunkers and how they have developed / moved over the last seven or so years since construction of the new course.

Comments in January by the original shaper of the works spurred us into digging out original photos of some of the bunkers. We studied them in more detail and it became apparent that they had in fact “crept” inwards over the last seven years or so.

To this point at the end of April we will complete and document an audit of the first of three groups of six holes at a time, which I will publish to all Members. This photographic audit will identify the bunkers where the grass edges have grown in over time. We will re-cut the edges back to their original shape, thus widening the base in many cases, and photograph the works in detail for future maintenance reference.

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Communiqué from the Captain (continued) When mowing and tending to the same areas week in and week out it is conceivable that very small changes go unnoticed. However the photos below show what seven years can do. The line of the rope is general only and will be documented accurately in the upcoming audit.

These works will be combined with the normal drainage checks and rectification where required. Some of the bunker faces will also be checked for depth against the backing material, as in some cases the heavily used bunkers receive a build up on the face quicker than others and this then moves the position of the bunker floor toward the rear of the bunker as the sand piling on the face changes the face angle. All of which in a perfect world we would have documented and photographed, but given it moves up to 100mm in any given couple of weeks, a lot of the work is done by eye.

This report should be available to Members by mid next month, and the program is to commence on the first six holes straight away to restore the edges and walls where required.

In the coming months, with assistance from Golf Queensland, we will again run a Rules night. The proposed date is 6th August, and will be open to all Members and Associates. The last one we ran a couple of years ago was well patronised. It was a very interesting evening with many interactive examples of on course situations.

Since my comments on Dress Code in Captain’s Tee I have had numerous responses. The one overriding comment I would like to make is from the first few lines of the Fixture Book.

“At all times both on the course and in the Clubhouse, Members, Associates and their guests are required to dress and present themselves in a manner respectful of each other and consistent with the standards and status of the Club”.

I ask all Members for their co-operation in this matter.

In closing I would like to thank the Members for their continued support and I look forward to the remainder of the golfing year being a successful one for everyone at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

Ralph Heading

Coming Events Senior & Junior Club Championship Finals Club Foursomes Championship Reciprocal Clubs Weekend

Saturday 24th May 2014 Sunday 1st June 2014 6th—8th June 2014

Mixed Foursomes Championship Characters’ Cup French Food & Wine Night

Sunday 29th June 2014 Wednesday 23rd July 2014 Friday 18th July 2014

Mixed Invitation Day followed by Dinner

Sunday 15th June 2014

Associates’ Charity Bridge & Golf Day

Friday 1st August 2014

Holden Scramble

Sunday 22nd June 2014

Black Tie Gala Dinner Dance

Saturday 23rd August 2014

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RQ Adam Scott Junior Development Programme Members, Associates, Young Golfers, The first three months of 2014 have been an exciting time for all involved in Junior Golf at Royal Queensland.

We have 62 young people enrolled in our Sunday morning RQ Adam Scott Junior Development Programme, 28 in the Pee Wee group, and 34 in the Junior Development Group. It is particularly pleasing to note that over one quarter of the Pee Wees and over a third of the JDP participants are girls.

The increase in numbers has led to division of the JDP golfers into four groups, 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze, with each group doing a combination of physical skills and golfing skill instruction in keeping with our long term Athletic Development Strategy.

Thanks go to Richard Gompels, who has been instrumental in the structuring of the programme, and to David Cardillo, Leah Hart, Chris Berndt, Andrew Le Brooy, and Chris Rutherford who have also provided their professional services. Thanks also to Cathy Keighley in the office who has done a mountain of work in administering the Programme.

Additionally Associate Captain Judy Theodoridis, Board Member Neville Sandford and Associates’ Committee Member Julie Phillips have given their time on Sunday mornings to assist the coaches in conduct of the sessions, and I particularly thank them for their help.

Already there has been significant improvement at all levels both on the Practice ground and on the Course. It is hoped that the second semester will see some of the Gold group progressing into our new Junior Section.

The Junior Section has been receiving fortnightly clinics from Head Professional Chris Rutherford after school on Tuesdays. These clinics have concentrated on development of some of the more advanced skills, including tips on putting practice and a variety of short shots around the green, rather than on basic coaching, and the participants have been educated and entertained while developing friendships with other young golfers.

All Junior Members of RQ with a less than maximum Golf Australia handicap are encouraged to attend these free clinics.

On Sunday 13th April we had our first Junior Four Ball match with Wynnum Golf Club. This is the first of hopefully a series of matches aimed at encouraging Junior Members to appreciate the social aspects of friendly competition with young Members of other Brisbane Clubs, and to enable our Juniors to play on different courses. With many sports vying for the limited spare time of schoolchildren, we have to be pro-active in providing different golfing activities to advertise our game.

RQ and Wynnum Junior golfers prior to tee off—Sunday 13th April

Any Junior Members interested in playing in future matches should contact myself, or Cathy in the office.

We enthusiastically look forward to the remainder of the year in all Junior Golfing groups.

Suddy MacKechnie Club Vice-Captain and RQ Adam Scott JDP Co-ordinator Page 5

Associates’ News Our official golfing year began with the Mixed Opening Day on Sunday 9th February. 117 Members, Associates, and partners attended a dinner which followed a 4BBB competition won by Elaine and Tim Crommelin. Our guests of honour were Golf Course Manager Marcus Price and his wife Jane, Marcus having attained a remarkable 25 years working at RQ. Although reluctant to take to the podium, he was very entertaining and well received.

The Associates’ Opening Day on Tuesday 11th February saw 84 women play a 4BBB shotgun start, 8 or 10 combination of holes due to course modifications and spare holes in play. This proved successful with golfers finishing in time to shop and catch up with those not playing for morning tea. Jan Kildey and Jan Gregory once again produced fantastic craft, with contributions from talented Associates. Lindsay Edmiston convened an ever popular and profitable gourmet stall. With proceeds from these two stalls and a book stall along with fantastic raffle prizes, we raised $5378. Suddy MacKechnie and Chris Rutherford addressed almost 150 Associates on the Junior Development Programme, relevant to a number of our families involved in the programme.

Pictured above are Lindsay Edmiston and Lyle Lovelock

A free clinic for three weeks on Mondays in early March was attended by 10 women and this was Leah Hart’s final project at RQ before she left us. She will be sadly missed and we wish her all the best. These clinics have proved very successful in the past and we hope to continue to offer them in the future.

With 10 new Associates having joined the Club since late 2013, we held a welcome to the new Associates on 25th March. They played in a 4BBB competition with their Proposers/Mentors and joined us for lunch. This is an important and enjoyable introduction to the Club and gives them the opportunity to meet fellow Associates.

President’s v Captain’s: Teams Match was played on Tuesday 18th February. The Captain’s team won 10 ½ games to 9 ½ games. It was wonderful to have the support of Past Captains and Presidents in the competition field.

Past Captains: Joy Kruger, Sandy Greenwood, Jan Bray, Judy Street.

Past Presidents: Anne Marie Malouf, Jennifer Vickers, Judy Street, Di Millar.

Professional’s Trophy was played on Tuesday 25th February. It is always a very generous trophy donation by Chris and Jane Rutherford. Congratulations to Jan Leggett who won with a nett score of 67.

Isabel Conwell Trophy and Division 2 was our first Honour Board event for the competition year and was played in early March. It is a 36 hole stroke event and the winner was Janet Draper, with Verity Hanlon winning Division 2.

Family Trophy: The inaugural Family Trophy was held on Sunday 30th March in conjunction with the Father and Son Trophy. There were 100 in the field with 33 competing for the Father and Son event and 18 pairs competing for the Family Trophy. The winners were Domenica De Pasquale and her father Victor with 43 points. The runners-up on a countback were Lucy Child and her dad Tony. The speeches were very moving as both fathers and daughters valued the time spent together.

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Associates’ News (continued) Miriam E. Wippell Final: The final for the Miriam E. Wippell Trophy was played on Thursday 3rd April. Thank you to those Associates who followed the match.

Congratulations to Joy Kruger who won 6/4 against Evelyn Foley and in Division 2 Verity Hanlon defeated Jane Brady on the 20th. There was some fantastic golf played by all the players. It won't be long and we will see Jane and Verity progressing to Division 1. They both played very impressive shots.

Mary Brown Trophy: Robyn Byrnes won the Mary Brown Trophy with two great rounds of 67 and 71 for a nett 138.

Hole in One: Lesley Ingram played in a weekend competition and successfully achieved a Hole-In-One on the 3rd hole.

Eagle: Nolsie Pelly achieved an Eagle on the 5th hole during our Tuesday stroke round.

Pictured above are Verity Hanlon and Joy Kruger

The field sizes are remaining strong and it is wonderful to see so many Associates playing in both the 18 and 9 hole competitions. We look forward to the cooler months ahead.

Jan Olsen and Judy Theodoridis

From The General Manager’s Desk The golfing year is now well under way and thanks must go to our Captains - Ralph Heading and Judy Theodoridis, for their time and support of the Club staff in overseeing the golfing events, particularly through the implementation of the new Slope handicapping system.

The introduction of this system has brought with it some unexpected glitches with the production and processing of autoscore cards and processing of competition results. Special thanks to Steve Rhind for his perseverance and management of the implementation process. I am sure there are many golf Clubs around Australia who have benefited from the forward thinking and problem solving that Steve has produced through the initial stages at the operational level. Many of Steve’s recommendations have resulted in amendments to MiClub software programs used around the country.

The Club is in the process of appointing a new House Manager. We are very fortunate to have Celia Mason filling the role in an acting capacity whilst the recruitment process is under way. Celia has a great understanding of the membership requirements and the Club’s operation, and her skills and assistance in organising Club events are highly valued.

Of particular note was the recent Father/Son and Family Trophy day which saw a capacity field and a fantastic atmosphere in the Clubhouse afterwards. Similarly, the US Masters Breakfast and Golf provided Members and guests with a very relaxed and convivial venue for watching one of the premier golf events in the world, starting with a hearty breakfast and rounded off with a delicious carvery lunch.

As mentioned elsewhere in this PIN HI, a major focus will be preparations for the Reciprocal Clubs Weekend on the long week-end in June. We will shortly be calling for Royal Queensland Members and Associates to host our visitors, and to assist in promoting our fantastic course and facilities to our guests from both Australia and overseas.

Russell Muir

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Course Manager’s Report Maintenance Matters A complete reversal of weather patterns from the last few years has our total rainfall sitting well below the average with only 253mm falling on the course as at 21st March. Compared to last year’s 648mm received by the same date, we are well due for a drop of rain at the time of writing this article.

New works to the practice fairway, 3rd, 7th,and 13th have been completed and areas are now receiving extra attention so as to establish quickly and mesh with existing turf. Refinements as the areas settle and compact will be made where needed, and recuperation of traffic areas is underway.

These new works help to tie in existing design features through the course and link areas from hole to hole. Apart from the 3rd, most areas will not have a direct impact on play, but help change the uniformity of topography within the hole and surrounding areas. It also increases the visual impact of the holes from other angles and views as can be seen with the new works on the 3rd which has improved the visual from the 2nd fairway/green areas. The same could also be said of the 7th—it has improved the look from both the 6th fairway on your approach to the green and the 15th fairway/green as you traverse the hole. While, as mentioned above, most of these areas do not have a direct impact on play, the aesthetics they achieve in an otherwise bland and boring area adds to the golfing experience of playing Royal Queensland Golf Club.

The Tidal Wetlands of the 6th and 7th Some of the works on the 7th involved the construction of new fingers of tidal wetland between the teeing areas.

These tidal areas have become a real feature of the river holes and some wonderful photo opportunities are available – especially at dawn and dusk. The wetlands have continued to develop through encouragement from both the Club and nature to a stage where it is of ecological and environmental importance to the area. Many species of plant, birds, and crustaceans can be present at any time, showing the diversity within these areas.

Most think of tidal areas and think of mangroves, but they are not the only inter-tidal vegetation. Salt marshes and tidal flats have been ignored until recently, when it was realised that they are a vital habitat for many species and have a major role in the nutrient exchange between terrestrial and marine environments. This is the environment we are trying to promote.

Though there are a limited number of plants that can tolerate the extremes which are part of this environment – variable tides with variable salinity, no shade, exposure to wind and most often a degraded soil, some species have thrived among these newly constructed areas. Some of the most common plants in these wetlands which we have been promoting are: Ruby saltbush – Enchylaena tomentosa var. glabra A semi-woody, low growing shrub which can grow up to 1m tall, it was found throughout most of Queensland, but is less common north of Townsville. It survives in the tidal region of the wetlands and requires tidal inundation for survival.

Sea purslane – Sesuvaium portulacastrum A spreading creeper of the succulent herb variety, Sea purslane can often be seen growing as a mat or carpet in sunny, exposed areas. This plant was once found along the entire Queensland coast.

Samphire – Tecticornia sp.

This annual succulent grows up to 40cm tall. Its leaves are opposite and are a bluish – green, but during dry or stress periods they have a purple tinge. Samphire grows in upper tidal areas where there may be some fresh water influence.

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Course Manager’s Report (continued) Saltcouch – Sporabolus virginicus A perrennial grass which grows from rhizomes in mat formations to a height of 15-30cm. It grows in upper tidal, inter-tidal and some inland areas, and it prefers sandy soils and tends to a dense vegetation. It is an excellent plant for rehabilitation of saline wetlands and appears Queensland wide on both the coast and in inland saline soils.

The photo above shows the wonderful mosaic patterns the differing tidal plants give.

Salt marshes and tidal flats are under threat from not only the impact of humans but by invasion from mangrove colonisation. There are many factors contributing to the incursion of mangroves, with many pointing to changes in rainfall patterns, increased agricultural activities, sea level rises and increased sediment and nutrient outputs from urban activities and development. Mangrove invasion is also a problem for us with continual weeding of sapling mangroves through these tidal regions. With a strong and aggressive growth habit and an ability to quickly adapt to their environment, they are indigenous to the surrounding areas.

Through Council and State authority we have a perpetual permit to remove new mangroves so as to maintain the area as a tidal marsh/wetland, and both have expressed their pleasure with the outcome of the project and the importance of the variety of species present within the zone. Some of these species were once prolific throughout the Moreton Bay region, but have since declined in population numbers or disappeared altogether. Experts believe some of the colonies of plants existing in the area are the last of some species and the biggest population of others in the region.

Along with plant species there are also numerous wildlife species including birds, fish, insects, and crustaceans that use this habitat as a home or a waypoint in migration and movement through the region. Although the number of bird species that breed within the zones is quite small, they provide an invaluable feeding ground and sanctuary for many of the wading species.

Although hard to see, (picture on right) there are two crab holes around the base of the vegetation. The photo also shows the diversity of the area with all the above mentioned plants present in this one square metre of the wetlands.

The more we observe the more we learn (in relation to the maintenance of these zones) and the more we understand the more we appreciate these areas for the habitats they are, and vistas they provide.

Through the stewardship of the Club these areas will only improve, providing an environmental and ecological feature the Club can really be proud of.

Congratulations Congratulations to Adam Mills on the birth of his first child Emmett. Both wife Natalya and baby are doing well and our best wishes go to them. New staff member Murray Cockroft has passed probation and is welcomed to the ground staff. Murray comes to us from New Zealand where he worked on the Mount Maunganui and Tauranga Golf Courses. After arriving in Australia, Murray had been working at the Carbrook Golf Club when he saw the position for a Greenkeeper at RQGC advertised and jumped at the opportunity. Murray brings a mature and positive outlook and we welcome his contribution to the course.

Marcus Price Page 9

Progress on Eastern Land Options Proposed Timetable of Activity A detailed presentation paper is being prepared by the Board, and it seeks to present options objectively and allow informed consideration by Members. Possible timing is to achieve the new use of the Eastern Land by the Centenary Year in 2020 (and call it “the Centenary Nine”). For this to occur a decision in principle will be required before the end of 2014. The presentation paper will allow discussion and information. The Board hopes to send out the paper by July 2014. There will be information presentation sessions where Members will be invited to attend. Meanwhile comments and inquiries can be sent to easternland@rqgolf.com.au .

Current Status The Club currently has a Perpetual Lease on the land east of the Gateway Bridge. Now that construction of the Gateway Duplication has ended, the Club has had its access reinstated to its Eastern Land.

There have been several discussions with the Queensland Government in recent years about the Eastern Land. The Government is happy for the Club to proceed with its chosen option for golf in a time frame that suits the Club. Currently the land is zoned for golfing recreation, and the land valuation reflects this usage. There have been discussions but no solution about the possibility of renting part of the land as an industrial hardstand as an interim revenue raiser.

Summary of Eastern Land Options Main Option

Description

Sub Option

Description

1

Traditional Nine Extrapolating off Existing Championship Eighteen.

A

Nine holes all east of current 18. Further operational decision to be made whether to have a small golf centre or motorised buggy fleet for transport to and from Eastern Land.

B

Nine holes returns to main Clubhouse; current practice area reduced.

C

Nine holes returns to main Clubhouse; current practice area remains the same – current holes modified.

Innovative nine hole design; perhaps reversible holes, daily multiple choice of tees and greens; quality holes with quality maintenance and presentation.

Aim at Members/new “time poor” Members. Also general public.

A

Administered from current golf centre.

Own golf centre with country club facilities, child minding etc.

B

With own golf centre on Eastern Land.

Eastern facility constructed for immediate use by general public; after time it reverts to Club exclusive use.

A

Up front construction of eventual facility to revert to Club. This might be the option in 2 B with a small golf centre facility on the Eastern Land.

B

Cheaper initial construction; renovated and improved later before moving to Club exclusive use.

Hybrid golf facility – practice area/ driving range; 6 hole course with multiple tee and green layouts to play three circuits.

A

Design for general public; operate by Club or lease out.

B

Design for Golf Academy (aimed at Asian young stars), lease out; some shared use for general public possible.

Purchase Eastern Land freehold, rezone to industrial and sell off, retaining the profit. This can be done with degrees of risk in the development taking by the Club.

A

The profit for the Club would be the difference between the value required to be paid to the Queensland Government and the amount(s) paid by a developer(s) less transaction fees for free-holding and re-zoning.

2

3

4

5

Andrew Corrigan Page 10

Rules are Rules Over the last few years that I have been writing these articles for Pin-Hi, I have used hypothetical scenarios to more clearly explain the interpretation of the Rules. In this article, I will give real life examples of Rule adjudications which Captain Ralph Heading has had to make in the last twelve months.

1.

During a Sir Leslie Wilson match, a player accidentally dropped a club in the water hazard at the 8th hole. The opposition stated that this constituted a loss of hole penalty and proceeded to the next tee.

After teeing off on the 9th, the players discuss and ultimately disagree on the ruling. How should they proceed?

The first appropriate rule to consider in this situation is Rule 13-4b which states that when a player’s ball lies in a hazard, it is prohibited for the player to touch the ground in the hazard with his hand or a club. There are exceptions to this Rule, namely: “Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground or loose impediments in any hazard or water in any water hazard as a result of or to prevent falling, in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in marking the position of, retrieving, lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or (b) places his clubs in a hazard.”

Dropping clubs in a hazard is accidental and not testing the condition of a hazard and is covered by the exception “places his clubs in a hazard.” Therefore the player did not incur a penalty for dropping his club in the hazard.

When the players picked up their balls and moved to the next tee, the players moved balls in play, and did not replace them (Rule 18-2), the penalty of which is loss of hole. The players should have notified their opponents at the time that they disputed their assessment of the situation and wanted a ruling from the Committee (Rule 2-5). The Committee may only consider a claim made in a timely manner, i.e. before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground. In important competitions and Honour Board events, there is often a referee appointed to assist in interpretation of the Rules. If no referee is present, the balls should not be moved, and a call to the Golf Service Centre should enable the correct advice to be given before play is recommenced. If no authorised representative of the Committee is available, the players must continue the match without delay.

2.

In a stroke event, a player hits his tee shot on the 12th towards the water hazard, but cannot find his ball. He returns to the tee and hits a “provisional ball” and then proceeds down the fairway. His partner then finds the original ball.

Once a player moves forward to look for a ball, he may not play a provisional ball (Rule 25-2). When he hit his “provisional ball” this was a stroke and distance penalty (Rule 20-5), this ball became the ball in play and he has now played three strokes. If he then plays the original ball, this was the wrong ball, and he incurs a penalty of two strokes.

If he does not correct the mistake by playing the correct ball before making a stroke on the next tee, he is disqualified (Rule 15-3b).

3.

A player’s approach shot is hit too hard and the ball, which is heading towards a bunker, is deliberately stopped by a fellow-competitor who is standing on the green. The player plays the ball on the green where it has been stopped.

If a ball in motion is deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency (a fellow competitor in stroke play is an outside agency), the spot where the ball would have come to rest must be estimated and, through the green or in a hazard, the ball dropped as near as possible to that spot (Rule 19-1). In this case the ball must be dropped in the bunker. When the player played his ball on the green, he played from the wrong place. As this was a serious breach and he failed to correct it, he is disqualified (Rule 20-7c Note 1). As a player must not take any action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball, the fellow-competitor is subject to a two stroke penalty (Rule 1-2).

If a player’s ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by an outside agency, it is a rub of the green, there is no penalty, and the ball must be played as it lies.

4.

In a match, A plays out of a bunker onto the green, and the ball is on B’s line of putt. B marks the position of A’s ball and lifts it without A’s authority. B holes out. A picks up the ball-marker with which B has marked the position of his (A’s) ball and claims the hole. B disputes the claim. What is the ruling? continued next page

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Rules are Rules (continued) A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player, his partner or another person authorised by the player (Rule 20-1). B incurred a penalty stroke for lifting A’s ball without authority (Rule 18-3b). When A picked up the ballmarker, he incurred a penalty stroke for moving a ball-marker while not in the process of marking the ball (Decision 20-1/2). A must replace his ball and hole out; otherwise, A loses the hole (Decision 20-1/3).

It is again demonstrated from these real life examples that knowledge of the Rules is critical to avoid unnecessary penalties, and to know what to do in the many diverse situations which can occur while playing golf. Thanks are extended to Ralph Heading for providing these examples.

Neville Sandford and Peter Monks

Club Centenary — 2020 It will be a big year for the Club in 2020 when we celebrate the centenary of our founding. The events planned are: Centenary Ball/Dinner at the Club for Members/Associates 

As close as possible to 19th August (which was the date in 1920 when the Club was founded)

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Black tie, guest speaker, displays of heritage

Reciprocal/Royal Clubs Event 

Around the third week of March – this fits in well with Northern Hemisphere participants

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Exhibition of golf history

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Events will consist of: 

Cocktail party at the Club

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Centenary Dinner of Members, Associates, Reciprocal Club visitors and guests, perhaps 300 – 400 people, at a venue such as the recently restored Brisbane City Hall

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Heritage /hickory competition

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Competitions over several days—individual, 4-ball, etc.

A tournament in the first week of December and/or an event in February 

Might be a further event in a series that has been held for several years leading up to 2020. The participation of notable amateurs to be considered

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Events organised in conjunction with Queensland golf organisations

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If the December event is to be an Australian Open then sponsors are required

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There is the possibility of a Pro event in February – ladies or other male tournament – eg “The Brisbane International Golf Championship at RQ”

The Centenary Committee currently consists of Andrew Corrigan (Chairman), Mark Williamson, Di Millar, Barbara Barnett, Andrew Roubicek, Ian Perkins, and John Duncan. Extra participants are the Coordinator of a Tournament Ralph Heading, author of the Club’s History Book – Ian Lynagh, and Manager of Heritage Materials – John Greenhalgh.

Comments are welcome – email andrewc@ewineconsult.com.

Andrew Corrigan

Royal Queensland Golf Club 431 Curtin Avenue West Eagle Farm Page 12 QLD 4009

Phone: 07 3633 6500 Fax 07 3633 6541 Email info@rqgolf.com.au