PIN HI Spring 2014

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

President’s Report In my final article for Pin Hi I set out my thoughts about the essential elements of a successful golf Club. These revolve around a Championship Course, with easier course settings when appropriate, so that the membership does not tire of playing at the Club. Camaraderie, where we look forward to catching up with friends and colleagues, plus relevant other policies in tune with membership expectations, sound financial management and human resources policies are all features seen in successful Clubs. Camaraderie is the “oil” of any successful Club and all of us have an obligation to each other to be respectful, patient and at times a little forbearing of the foibles of others. Slow play and the raking of bunkers are ongoing issues for golf Clubs generally, and RQ shares these challenges. Our course is more difficult to play than its official Slope Rating implies, as some of our long par 4s compare very favourably in distance with those on the US PGA tour and the bunkering and greens means one must be judicious in electing to play a hole aggressively or not, and on which side of a fairway to play the next shot to the pin. Then there are the winds to challenge the skills of any golfer. It seems that the Slope rating system has some limitations, which hopefully will be addressed in due course and see our course more appropriately rated.

Inside This Issue Welcome to

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New Members

Ideally, any Board should be comprised of Members who have a range of professional and life experiences so that a wide cross section of mature and sensible views can be expressed and debated in the decision making process.

Communiqué from the Captain

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A Board is enhanced if some members have high level Board and wide corporate experience at a very senior level. Corporate Governance policies are rarely well learned at privately owned companies as compared with publicly listed companies, where surveillance by shareholders, analysts, journalists, the Australian Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission ensures that any poor Board decisions and /or transgressions are publicised, and at times pursued in the Courts. We seem to have the knack, most of the time, of blending a Board with the appropriate range of skills and experiences.

From the GMs Desk

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JDP Programme

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Associates’ News

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Coming Events

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Course Manager’s Report

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25 & 50 Year Golf and Dinner

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Rules are Rules

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A Board functions really well if its members diligently prepare for all meetings and contribute to the debate of the issues. Board committees are also expected to contribute to the development of and changes to policies by research and discussion with informed parties, including Members of other Clubs. For this purpose reciprocal visits are invaluable. “Thought bubbles” often are tangential to an issue and are not a substitute for preparation. Boards also have an obligation to oversee the Club’s senior management activities to ensure that the Club’s policies and other decisions are not only carried out, but executed in a timely fashion.


President’s Report (continued) It is absolutely essential that any Board must exercise an overview function so that the integrity of our operations is maintained, our workplace relations are always conducted appropriately, and the financial integrity of the Club is never jeopardised. My final feature is financial management. The days of waiting lists are past as golf participation rates fall across the world, and “time-starved� people look to other sporting and leisure activities. Boards will be challenged to ensure that funding for the status of the course, ancillary facilities, and its playability is enhanced, while always noting that value and productivity must be continually sought to be extracted from expenditures through better processes. Borrowings can be seductive as they are an easy solution to capital needs, but repayment is never easy in a declining golf participation rates environment. It is worth noting the better golf Clubs have no borrowings. Financing as an issue is just as important as any other in any Club. We are entering a very interesting period of Club life with vacancies in Provisional Ordinary membership, but full Ordinary membership. Wednesday and Saturday fields are invariably full, but some other days could see more patronage. Against that background there is the development of the eastern land. Our current Balance Sheet is inadequate for funding purposes given the demands for essential capital expenditure and the necessity to rebuild cash reserves. The management and rationing of capital will test our Boards for years to come. However, we are very well placed to meet all of these challenges. On a personal note I thank the Members for their support over the past six years. It has been a very busy time although occasionally a little onerous, but it has always been a privilege to give something back to a wonderful Club.

Des Knight

Welcome to New Members Congratulations to 11 new Members who have joined RQ in recent months:

David Batkin

Bob McMicking

Craig Dupuy

Robyn Oliver

Damien Houlahan

Shane Parkins

Nick Houlahan

Claudia Spilsbury

Jack Hussey

Eleanor Wilson

Liam Hussey

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Communiqué from the Captain Welcome Members to another PIN HI. Well, Spring has well and truly sprung! A lovely and relatively dry winter with some timely showers has the course looking terrific as usual. The course continues to thrive under the guidance of Marcus Price and his dedicated team, who make my role as Captain a very pleasurable one. The maintenance regimes implemented by Marcus have proven to back his knowledge of our course with the greens in particular improving in health year after year. This winter the greens played at the best we have seen them. Cutting heights have remained unchanged pretty much throughout the year, and this again is testament to their health. Members have at times commented on the “brown” or drying tinges around the greens and fairways. Some of these have been due to ongoing pump and water delivery issues, but the course is able to withstand these easily because of its underlying health. The normal programme is to have the course on the “dryer” side of well watered with the course receiving a healthy watering on Sunday nights and then letting it dry out through the week. The Club competition schedule continues to be a full one, with my congratulations to the Members below: RQGC Mixed Match Play Characters’ Cup Professional’s Trophy Governor General’s Trophy Empire Cup Captain’s Trophy Mid Week Championships Members’ 4BBB Match Play

Sean and Jane Strange Geoffrey Maddison David Buckley David and Anne McEvoy Ryan Fensham Darren Bertwistle David Klaffer John Greenhalgh and Ivan Hodges

On the Club golf front, RQ didn’t have the season we were after in the BDGA Pennant fixtures in Division 1, and thus we will been relegated to Division 2 for 2015. Having said that, I must thank all caddies, supporters and managers in what was a great year for team spirit. It was also very encouraging to see many new faces representing RQ. Another successful staging of the Royal Queensland Cup Pro Am in conjunction with the BMAG Week of Golf saw the whole week this year covered on the Golf Show by Fox Sports. My sincere thanks go to the generous Members who backed the event this year on behalf of RQ, and I can report that this effort did not go un-noticed by the PGA or its playing Members. I have received numerous pieces of correspondence thanking RQ and in particular the ability of the Club to support the Professional level of the game to which so many youngsters aspire. This year we stepped back into the fold and hosted the Brisbane Amateur on behalf of the BDGA. This initiative was to try and lift the prestige of the event over the coming years. We have agreed to host the event between Brisbane Golf Club and ourselves over the next few years, and if the capacity field that turned out for the event is any indication, then I think we are well on our way to re-establishing this great amateur event. A team from RQ travelled to Avondale for an enjoyable weekend, with Avondale on home soil keeping the spoils of victory. A wonderful weekend was had by all. We also welcomed eight Members from Christchurch for the Queensbury Match in which the RQ team just held on for a win. The importance of the weekend is measured more on the camaraderie and rekindling of friendships, with the competitive golf a close second. To any Members looking to travel and make use of our great reciprocities, if you do not know anyone at the Clubs you intend visiting, please do not be shy - enquire with the office. We have a vast list of contacts that have been made over the years, and we may be able to put you in touch with someone who will make your trip a little bit more enjoyable. Our hospitality to visitors at RQ for us is never a chore and we are rewarded handsomely when RQ Members travel interstate or abroad. On the course we continue to strive to make improvements where possible. A couple of new sprinkler lines have been installed on the left hand side of the 5th fairway to extend the fairway watering, as the prevailing breeze regularly prevents the existing sprinklers from watering the left edge of the fairway. The work for the water across the 8th and the cleansing of the two ponds will commence in the next few weeks. Page 3


Communiqué from the Captain (continued) The bunker edging works on the last six holes will start in the next month and this will then complete the re-edging. Works will be ongoing on management of the bunker floors and walls to try to achieve the desired playability. Several greens will have sections of common couch removed from the surrounds and with some good spring weather we hope this work will bed in quickly. Finally, as this is my final PIN HI, I look back on what has been for me a personally rewarding six years on the Board and a wonderful two years that has allowed me to serve at the 50th Captain of this great Club of ours. To all our staff who have supported me through this time I would like to thank you all for your efforts and your dedication to the Club that we all enjoy. With the appointment of Tim Gahan the Club will move forward under a well guided hand, and as ever the course will continue to thrive with the enthusiasm and knowledge that comes from Marcus Price. To Marcus a special thanks for the patience that has afforded me during my six year “apprenticeship” being on and around our wonderful course. 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

From The General Manager’s Desk This being my first PIN HI contribution as General Manager, I thought I would take this opportunity to thank the membership for the warm welcome they have afforded me over the last two months since commencing in the role. For those who may be unaware I commenced my career in golf Club management here at Royal Queensland some 21 years ago during Ted Coker’s tenure as Secretary Manager. I took with me fond memories of the Club after moving on at that time and hoped to one day have the opportunity to return to the Club in the role of General Manager. I look forward to working with the Board and the staff for many years ahead. Members will have noticed the substantial change in house staff over recent months. Our next appointment will be a suitably qualified Bar Supervisor to fill the shoes of Mark Trestrail, who has very generously volunteered to return from retirement and assist through the transitional period. I would like to thank both Sharon Brodie and Kerry-Anne Bannon for their support through this period, as this has been most appreciated. As we move through this period of inducting and training a variety of new staff, I would like to thank the Members for their understanding and patience as we build that new base of hospitality staff. On the Clubhouse front the recently completed renovations will soon be complemented with a substantial kitchen upgrade following the Board’s recent in principle agreement to update these facilities. Stage one was the recent acquisition of two combi ovens which will assist the catering staff no end in terms of increased efficiency and variety of options that the team will be able to deliver. It is anticipated that the balance of the work will be done in the off season when trading activities are more subdued. We certainly look forward to enhancing our lunchtime offerings in the New Year when all the works are complete. Other significant upgrades scheduled for the 2014/15 year are the changeover of eight of the Club’s fleet of motorised carts and the installation of a new server and associated IT systems to ensure the stability of our IT platforms currently in use. It has certainly been a busy time at Club in recent weeks with any number of events held. Some of the more notable events were the RQ Cup, the Italian Night, which again proved to be a highlight on the Members’ social calendar, along with the sponsored night hosted by Victor De Pasquale and Bill Mallan. The entertainment was first class with “Nigel” the comic/magician proving to be a big hit. In wrapping up I would like to thank the office team for the welcome and support they have offered me, along with Course Manager Marcus Price and Chris Rutherford and his team. A final word of good luck to all those Members competing in the Club Championships.

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Tim Gahan


RQ Adam Scott Junior Development Programme All our young golfers have been busy in their respective groups. Junior Pennants Our Junior Pennant Side, under Manager John Greenhalgh, performed well against some very strong opposition, winning two and halving one of their six matches in Division 1. With many of the team still relatively young, and with several new players coming through, things are looking very promising for future seasons. Junior Section This year we have taken steps to reintroduce a structured Junior Coaching Programme. Professional Chris Rutherford has been taking fortnightly after-school coaching sessions which have been well received with much enjoyment being had together with significant improvement in the performance of the attendees Royal Queensland Adam Scott Junior Development Programme We now have 37 young golfers in the JDP group and 35 in the Pee Wee Group. Richard Gompels has done an excellent job of progressing our programme using the Long Term Athletic Development principles, together with development of specific golfing skills. He has been ably assisted by Andrew Le Brooy and Chris Berndt. We have made use of our "proper" greens on the driving range, both during clinics and for school holiday competitions allowing the more junior of our group the opportunity to play real golf at a much earlier stage than previously. We are also purchasing a "Big Hole Golf" kit to increase the enjoyment of this initiative. The older participants have been playing several holes on the main course and many are approaching the point where they will soon hold a Golf Australia handicap. We have also held structured and supervised competitions on Mondays during the school holidays. The Season will end with Parents' Day on 16th November and Championship Day on 7th December. The major fundraiser, The Graham Duus Day will take place on 14th December. I wish to thank all involved in the running of the programme including our Golf Professionals, Golf Service Centre, Cathy in the office, Caterers, and parents.

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

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Associates’ News July and September have seen all the Honour Board and major golfing events concluded as we now wind down to the completion of our golfing year in late November. With almost no rain in winter, all matches were finalised on time. Our Charity Bridge and Golf Day on 1st August raised a record $14,700 for our selected charity this year ‘Mummy’s Wish’, an organisation that supports families with young children where the Mother has cancer. Contributing to this fantastic result were wonderful raffle donations and the generosity of so many who purchased tickets in these raffles. Having a record number of bridge players and introducing on course novelty events which raised $2,430. We applaud the generosity of so many to support our Charity Day, especially those who gave their time to volunteer on the day for all the delicious baking. The Foundation Cup Foursomes Final was played on 7th August. Those who followed the match witnessed some great golf. In a closely contested match, Evelyn Foley and Anne Moran defeated Robyn Wilson and Jenna Lyons 2/1. The highlight of the golfing calendar is always the Club Championships and this year was no exception. Following two weeks of qualifying rounds and match play the finals on 2nd September did not disappoint those of us lucky enough to follow the matches. Congratulations to the finalists in four divisions. Charlotte Allen is to be congratulated as our new Club Champion for 2014, defeating Patricia Durack 3/1. The Beth Macdonald Trophy saw Diana Charlton defeat Elspeth Macdonald winning 2 up. The Bronze Cup saw Judy Theodoridis defeat Jacque Giles on the 20th hole in a very tight match. The Margaret Bergin Trophy finalists were Chris Holt and Susie Gray and Chris won 5/3.

Back row from left: Jacque Giles, Judy Theodoridis, Chris Holt, Susie Gray Front row from left: Elspeth Macdonald, Diana Charlton, Charlotte Allen, Patricia Durack

The same week we had our final Invitation Day with 100 golfers. It was a very successful day enjoyed by all Associates and their guests. The President’s Trophy played over two weeks saw Kayley Farrell win the best nett aggregate with 147. The RQGC Open Day held on 18th September was well attended with 61 entrants from other Clubs and 48 RQ Associates playing in two divisions: RQ Associates Cup – Best Nett Division 1 – Gail Madders Lilian Walsh Trophy – Best Gross Division 1 – Melissa Weber (Redcliffe) RQ Associates Plate – Best Nett Divisions 2 and 3 – Donaugh Cronin (Pacific) Molly Rankin Trophy – Best Gross Divisions 2 and 3 – Morvine Cox On 25th September we held our annual Associates 25/50 Year Membership Lunch and golf competition. Congratulations to our new 50 year Member and past Captain Joan Hogg, and to Jenny Adam, Lyle Lovelock, Marienie Cunningham and Edna McDonald who this year joined the ‘25s’. Fifty two Associates attended lunch and 42 of them played in the competition with Margot Sexton winning the 25/50 Year Trophy. Page 6


Associates’ News (continued) Thanks to Barbara Graham, our guest speaker, who regaled us with wonderful memories of her early years at RQ and as a Captain when the Associates’ Room was upstairs in the old Clubhouse. Joan also shared humorous past shared histories.

Twelve RQ men and women travelled to Avondale Golf Club in Sydney in the last weekend of September where we were hosted with great aplomb and played good golf for our annual inter-Club competition. Unfortunately we were unable to bring the trophy back to RQ, however it should be noted that Merita Pailthorpe and Darryl Tebbutt had an individual best score of 47 Stableford points. This spring we have welcomed Tim Gahan as our new General Manager and we look forward to a productive and exciting future. We invite all Members and guests to join us for the running of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 4th November with the theme of ‘Hats and Heels’ to include some imaginative jockey caps. The same week on Thursday 6th November is the Associates’ trip away and this year we travel to Palm Meadows Golf Club. Our Grand Finale Day on 11th November has the theme this year of ‘Musicals’ and we look forward to some creative interpretations from our teams of four who will play 9 holes of golf followed by lunch and celebrations. All Associates are invited to attend our AGM on 18th November at 10:30am.

Jan Olsen and Judy Theodoridis

Coming Events Club Championship Final

2nd November

Melbourne Cup Day and Luncheon

4th November

Course Closed for Renovations

6th & 7th November

Associates Grand Finale Day and Luncheon

11th November

Associates AGM

18th November

Mixed Closing Day

30th November

Members Closing Day, AGM and Dinner Graham Duus Memorial Day Royal Queensland Junior Open

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6th December 14th December 25th January 2015


Course Manager’s Report Maintenance Matters Spring has sprung and already we can see the growth across the course. Two significant rainfall events in August have helped promote this growth and also assisted in leaching detrimental salts from the profiles. The focus will now be on consolidating fairway health and coverage across the course as we prepare for the remaining golf season. There will be a busy schedule over the next few months as we close down the season with the Club Championships and move into our first lot of renovations. Drainage works and aerating of fairways have been ongoing and will continue through the growing season, with additional applications of gypsum on fairways if the drier weather continues. The cooler weather in mid-June through July peaked green speeds earlier than previous years, with speeds reaching just above 12ft. Reasons for this can be attributed to the cooler weather, but also to increased health and maintenance procedures on the putting surfaces. We have also retained our summer cutting height through the winter, and this has allowed less pressure to be forced upon the surface to get these results.

The greens are always faster over there There are few topics that attract as much attention or controversy than the speed of greens. It is a constant source of debate between players/Committees, superintendents, and agronomists who are regularly bombarded with comments and questions about this volatile subject. Golfers have become more aware of green speeds and accordingly have increased their demands for faster greens and more uniformity of green speed from course to course. These demands expedited lower mowing heights and changes in management practices such as double mowing/rolling and decreased fertility, resulting in more stress to the putting surface and to the golf course superintendent. We routinely hear about green speeds of 11, 12 and even 13 in modern golf. Every tournament wants fast greens and every golfer wants his Club to replicate this at his own course. When first starting in this profession in 1989, stimp readings of 8 - 9ft were the average readings taken for Member play. This was considered medium fast, and it was only in winter with the cooler snap that we were able to increase speed to 10-11 ft. I remember former Head Greenkeeper Kelly telling me “that no matter what the speed, never tell anyone that they are over 11ft”. How times have changed! Emphasis has now been on the importance of green speeds and having ultra-fast greens rather than the resulting problems and expense required to maintain these conditions. Everyone has the sense that greens used to be a lot slower, at every level of the game (even the highest level). And it’s true! In 1937 Eddie Stimpson introduced the stimpmeter. Its intended use was “to provide uniformity in speed from green to green on individual courses”. Mr Stimpson stated “For the greenkeeper who is harassed by two groups of Members, half of whom want faster greens and half of whom want them slower, it would be of some comfort to know that he was maintaining the same standard conditions as measured by the stimpmeter.” The stimpmeter is a device used to measure green speed. A simple tool, it has a plane with a channel running down the middle so as to keep the golf ball on track. The plane is raised to an incline and the ball is released from the top of the plane down to a flat part of the green. In short, it is a golf ball ramp. The distance the ball rolls is measured and repeated in the opposite direction; the average of these two measurements then gives the green speed. So if the average ball roll is 10 feet and 5 inches the green speed is 10-5. Typically TV tournaments will round off to even speeds (11, 12, 13…etc.) The first official use of the tool was at the 1976 US open. The USGA which had been “tinkering” with the stimpmeter through the 70s, then gave all its affiliated Clubs the tool. The Association then decided to investigate the speed of greens as related to the differing maintenance regimes within the Clubs, so teams were assembled and 1500 courses across the country were tested.

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Course Manager’s Report (continued) An article in 2013 Golf Digest notes some of the 1978 results of these assessments. The article included the speeds of greens at some of the top U.S. courses in the 1978 survey: 

Harbour Town, 5-1 (5 feet, 1 inch)

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Winged Foot, 7-5

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Congressional, 6-4

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Cypress Point, 7-8

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Merion, 6-4

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Medinah, 7-8

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Pinehurst No. 2, 6-10

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Augusta National, 7-11

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Pebble Beach, 7-2

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Oakland Hills, 8-5

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Shinnecock Hills, 7-2

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Oakmont, 9-8

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Pine Valley, 7-4

Oakmont, which some will argue has the fastest greens in the world (consistently 13-15ft and stimping at 15ft+ during the 2007 US Open), running at 9ft 8in 34 years later, and Merion averaging 13-5 during tournament week at the 2012 US Open. Why were these considered fast and appropriate for play at this time and why have green speeds increased so much? Largely it was a cultural shift - green speeds became a badge of honour with courses and tournaments. For this to happen though, new hardier varieties of turfgrass had to be developed. These new species have the ability to be cut lower, have a more horizontal growth pattern allowing for smoother surfaces and are able to survive on less fertility. In turn, machinery also had to be developed that could cut these grasses at a lower heights. Managers also, through greater understanding of agronomic principles and practices, have learnt how to keep these grasses alive at such low heights and how to manage the stresses placed on the sward through differing maintenance methods. Finances also played a part in the increase of speeds as well; Clubs which could afford to install sub-ground cooling systems then allowed the use of cool season grasses where they previously could not grow. This environmental manipulation can also be seen in the use of heating and artificial lighting systems for greens. Augusta National at the time of the ’78 survey had Bermuda grass greens; these were then switched to Bent grass a few years later as have many courses which could afford to implement these expensive systems. Putting greens are much smoother, roll much truer, and are in general in much better shape than they were back when the speeds were much slower. Green speeds are faster today because those rough conditions of yesteryear have been “ironed out”. But the trade-off is more speed, more break, more danger. The increase in speeds has also given rise to other problems such as slower play, longer periods for ball marks and old holes to repair themselves, and the loss of interesting pin spots with limited playing areas creating wear issues. Some feel that the topic has been beaten to death, but a good argument could be made that the issue of green speed is beating the game of golf to death. In the next PIN HI we will look at some of the factors which have an effect on green speed and what we do to maintain these conditions.

General The RQ ground staff would like to wish all Members, Associates, fellow staff and their families a very merry and safe Christmas / New Year period. We would also like to bid a fond farewell to our outgoing Presidents Des Knight and Jan Olsen and most of all Captain Ralph Heading as we move into the “changing of the guard”. I am grateful for your help and support over the past years and thank you for your devotion to your roles.

Marcus Price

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25 & 50 Year Membership Golf and Dinner On Friday 24th October, Royal Queensland Members played for the 50 Year Membership Cup and the Quarter Century Trophy, followed by the Presentation Dinner to honour these 25 and 50 year Members for achieving these milestones. Members attaining 25 and 50 years this year were: 50 Years Mr T.A. Barry Mr W.H. Bowden Mr. L.M. Brosnan Mr D.C. French Mr J.L. Goodman Dr B.P. Hickey Mr J.J. Kennedy AO, CBE Mr G.D. Macdonald Mr J.R. Noble Mr W.J. Sexton Mr L.N. Spork 25 Years Mr D. Graham (apology from the USA) Brigadier Lee Greville proposed the Loyal Toast and this was followed by John Goodman who spoke on behalf of the Members achieving their 25 and 50 years of membership. John and the other 50 year attendees were presented with their special 50 Year Ties by Honorary Life Member, Mr. Charles Earp. The longest serving Member of the Club in attendance was Mr. Frank Wilkie, having been a Member for 57 years. He also won the coveted 50 Year Membership Cup (this is the third time for Frank), and congratulations also to John Trubicyn who won The Quarter Century Trophy.

Frank Wilkie being presented with the 50 Year Membership Cup by Vice Captain Suddy MacKechnie

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50 Year Members attending the dinner. Back row from left: Barry Hickey, David French, Tom Barry Front row from left: Leo Spork, John Goodman, Bill Sexton


Rules are Rules The following situation occurred when I was playing a single stroke event at RQ. This incident highlights the sometimes complex interaction of Rules which may need to be considered when deciding what is the correct procedure to take in a particular circumstance. While on the 16th green two players putted simultaneously (or in close proximity to each other), both believing they had the honour and both unaware that the other was putting. Player A’s ball came to rest just beside the hole, and player B’s ball then hit this ball. What is the correct procedure to follow? The relevant Rules to consider:Rule 10-2 – Order of play, Stroke Play b. During play of a hole After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are equidistant from the hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable, the ball to be played first should be decided by lot. c. Playing out of turn If a player plays out of turn, there is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies. Rule 16 – The putting green 16-1f. Making stroke while another ball in motion The player must not make a stroke while another ball is in motion after a stroke from the putting green, except that if a player does so, there is no penalty if it was his turn to play. Rule 19 – Ball in motion deflected or stopped 19-5a. By another ball at rest If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it lies. In match play there is no penalty. In stroke play there is no penalty, unless both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, in which case the player incurs a penalty of two strokes. Rule 18-5 Ball at rest moved by another ball If a ball at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a stroke, the moved ball must be replaced. Rule 1-4 - Points not covered by Rules If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision should be made in accordance with equity. Analysis of Situation After both players A and B had hit their balls, it was not possible to be sure who hit first and also who was further from the hole. The following possibilities should be considered:1. If A was further from hole a. If A hits first: A has not hit while another ball is in motion and therefore not subject to a penalty under Rule 16-1f. On the other hand, when B played his shot, A’s ball was in motion and B is liable to a 2 stroke penalty under this Rule. B also infringed Rule 19-5a when his ball was stopped by A’s ball, but no extra penalty is incurred as one act resulting in 2 rules being breached does not result in extra penalty (Decision 1-4/12 point 2). b. If B hits first: A, being further from the hole, has the honour and is not penalised under Rule 16-1f for making a stroke while another ball is in motion. There is no penalty for player B for hitting out of turn, but he is penalised 2 strokes under Rule 19-5a when his ball is stopped by A’s ball. 2. If B was further from hole a. If A hits first: There is no penalty for player A for hitting out of turn. B is not penalised under Rule 16-1f as it is B’s turn to play but he is penalised 2 strokes under Rule 19-5a when his ball is stopped by A’s ball. b. If B hits first: A is penalised 2 strokes under Rule 16-1f for making a stroke while B’s ball is in motion. B is penalised 2 strokes under Rule 19-5a If A’s ball is moved by B’s ball, if A fails to replace ball, he is subject to a penalty of 2 strokes (Rule 18-5). Decision Before hitting, player A and B should have determined who was farthest from the hole. As it cannot be determined after the event who was farthest from the hole or who hit first, both players are at fault and under equity (Rule 1-4) both players should be penalised 2 strokes. This real life example again emphasises the importance of knowing the Rules so that the correct procedure is followed in any situation which may occur on a golf course.

Neville Sandford and Peter Monks Page 11


2014 Royal Queensland Pro Am Cup Perfect conditions greeted the 228 competitors on Friday 19th September for the Royal Queensland Cup Pro-Am. With the 13th hole playing from the back tee for the first time, a new course record was up for grabs for the professionals and elite amateurs. There were some amazing moments during the day with the highlight being an albatross from Nick Russell on the 9th, that’s right, a driver and a 3 iron were the only clubs needed to play the par 5, 9th 525metre hole! Congratulations to RQ Member Sven Van Puymbroeck (pictured below) who won the Royal Queensland Cup on a count back from Ryan Haller and Nick Russell all with scores of 69, which also sets the new course record.

Brett Rankin (pictured above) played great golf all week and was a very happy winner of the BMAG Week of Golf and took out the 500,000 Frequent Flyer Points which will be of great assistance as he attempts to try and qualify for the Japanese Tour over the coming months. Congratulations also to AJ McCoy who set the new elite amateur course record with a round of 71, which would have placed him equal 10th in the professional field. Ossie Moore conducted numerous interviews over the week and they were played on the Golf Show. Thank you again to our Member Sponsors below who made the day a very successful one.                 

Tim Crommelin Victor De Pasquale - VicPas Lew Draper Brian & Peggy Flannery David & Richard Hanlin – Hanlin Industries Ralph Heading – Principal Projects Rob King-Scott Des Knight – Knight Business Consultants Bill & Frank Mallan – WM & FM Constructions Doug McTaggart Neville Morgan – Hamilton Racing John Neylan – Neylan Architecture Paul Norris – Norris Motor Group Brian Richards Andrew Roubicek Neville Sandford – Sandford Medical Peter Stewart – McCullough Robertson

431 Curtin Avenue West Eagle Farm QLD 4009

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


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