Sunshine Coast Council has organised a community planting event for Sunday 17 September around part of the Southern Wetland.
This wetland, which lies to the west of our 9th fairway, will be a central feature in our completed 18-hole golf course.
Members will be familiar with Armstrong Dam, which is now developing as an ecologically healthy wetland between our 2nd and 3rd holes.
The fairways act as ecological buffers for the wetland. We see a similar outcome for the larger southern wetland, with fairways and low vegetation serving as buffers for acquatic plants and animals in the wetland.
The Golf Club encourages members to participate in this event. for those interested in the detail the document attached is to a PDF of the Council-approved Southern Wetland Concept Plan.
Fantastic day for our Cancer Fundraiser Day. Players from Northlakes, Caboolture, Royal QLD and Caloundra Golf Clubs came and enjoyed the day, so thank you all for coming to help raise money for Cancer.
The Men’s winner was Niel Cronk with 45 points, Tom Bertwistle in 2nd with 41 points and Chris Pottinger in 3rd with 40 points on a count from Don Lemon. Gross winner of the day was Dennis Brown with 95 off the stick.
The Ladies’ winner was Seri Tytherleigh with 38 points on a count back from Anne Devane in 2nd with 38 points and Margaret Trigger in 3rd with 37 points. Nearest to the pins for the Ladies, on hole 3 Lesley Foran, on hole 5 Judy Allen, on hole 12 Anne Devane, on hole 14 Judy Allen.
For the Men’s nearest to the pins on hole 3 Geoff Behncken, on hole 5 James Anderson, on hole 12 Niel Cronk, on hole 14 Don Lemon. Longest drive for the Ladies Cheryl Rudd and longest drive for the Men’s Mike Hallam.
We raised $738.60 for the Cancer Foundation and that was great ($370.15 on raffles $220.10 on fines and pink strings and $5.00 green fees from each player).
A big thank you goes to Don and Christine Lemon for donating all the prizes for the day and to all the committee members.
Mission accomplished: leading golf course designer and constructor David Burrup (right) with Maleny Golf Club President Max Whitten (centre) and Superintendent Mick McCombe
Maleny Golf Club remains on track to have 12 holes in play early next year following completion of bulk earthworks and installation of irrigation on the next three holes.
David Burrup Golf Course and Sports Turf Designs was contracted to undertake the earthworks construction which was completed in just 16 days during August.
Club President Dr Max Whitten said installation of the irrigation system was now well advanced in preparation for stolonising the new greens in conjunction with renovation of the existing nine greens renovation in late October.
“David Burrup and his team are highly experienced and have done an excellent job in shaping the greens and preparing these new holes which will expand our golf course to 12 holes,” Dr Whitten said.
Overhead shot of the new holes taken by Owen Foley of Above and Beyond Photography with a drone showing the recently-installed irrigation mainline.
“The Club has also received Council approval to construct a modern maintenance facility to maintain the course at a very high standard and work on this building is also now getting underway.”
Another project being undertaken simultaneously is the removal and relocation of the pump sheds on the right hand side of the second fairway to a position behind the 7th tee where there will be minimal interference to players’ golf shots. .
Dr Whitten said in addition to a Queensland Government grant of $100,000, Sunshine Coast Council had budgeted to provide $450,000 over the next two financial years towards the design, construction and establishment of stage two of the Maleny golf course to expand it from 9 to 18 holes.
“We have received support from both the state and local government as well as an enormous amount of support from local volunteers and our plan is to complete the final six holes in 2018,” Dr Whitten said.
“We have no doubt that once the Graham Papworth-designed course is completed, it will be one of the best community golf courses on the Sunshine Coast.”
Annual General Meeting
Don’t forget the 2017 Annual General Meeting of the Maleny Golf Club will be held in the Maleny RSL Club at 7:30pm on Wednesday 27th September.
The Notice of Meeting, Meeting Agenda, Management Committee Nomination Form and Proxy Voting Form were circulated to members via email on September 1.
The Minutes of the 2016 AGM held on the 29th September, 2016 and a proposed change to the Constitution of the Club were also provided.
The RSL Bar will be open from 7.00pm so come early for a drink and catch-up with members. If you require further information please contact the club secretary Roly Nieper by email to secretary@malenygolfclub.com.au or info@malenygolfclub.com.au.
Trading Update and Golf Shop
July trading was up significantly on the previous year and the trend continued in August – albeit at a reduced rate. Golf revenue net of membership receipts was pleasingly up 39% on the previous July’s while August’s result was up almost 11%. Significantly, Visitor Green Fees and Cart Hire were again the main source of the revenue increase and the outlook for September is also very positive with a number of big tournaments scheduled.
A big vote of thanks must go to Neil Stenhouse who volunteered to help run the Golf Shop and coordinate the weekly staffing roster while Manager Richard Owen was on leave. Neil is to be commended for doing a fantastic job during Richard’s absence and so too our wonderful group of volunteers – some of whom undertook additional shifts to fill gaps in the roster.
Call for Lions Welcome Dinner Volunteers
Every year the Maleny Lions Club organises a Welcome Dinner at the Maleny Showgrounds Pavilion for new residents and the golf club gets involved by contracting to provide a team to assist with clearing the tables after the main course and dessert. This year’s event is being held on Wednesday 20 September and we need a team of six or so volunteers who can commit to help out between 7pm and 9:30pm.
If you would like to help please advise either Richard Owen at the Golf Shop or President Max Whitten.
Southern Wetland Planting
Council has organised a community planting event for Sunday 17 September around part of the Southern Wetland.
This wetland, which lies to the west of our 9th fairway, will be a central feature in our completed 18-hole golf course.
Members will be familiar with Armstrong Dam, which is now developing as an ecologically healthy wetland between our 2nd and 3rd holes.
The fairways act as ecological buffers for the wetland. We see a similar outcome for the larger southern wetland, with fairways and low vegetation serving as buffers for acquatic plants and animals in the wetland.
The Golf Club encourages members to participate in this event. – Max Whitten
Club Championships
The men’s and ladies’ club championships were held during the last week of August and first week of September and hotly contested – the men’s in three divisions A, B & C Grades and the ladies in two A and B Grades.
Congratulations go to Garth Bailo who successfully defended his title to retain the Rickaby Cup as Men’s Club Champion and Robin Hay who won the Ladies’ Championship. Sue Hardy took the Ladies’ B Grade honours while Chris Plummer won the Men’s B Grade Championship and Tom Kennedy prevailed in C Grade. Richard Clayton earned the Senior Men’s title.
After an enjoyable eight weeks travelling to Darwin, Mt Isa and Birdsville, I am back in Maleny.
Firstly, please note there will be a Master’s Match Play golf event being conducted here in Maleny on Tuesday 17 October. This means there will be no regular Maleny Competition that day, but the Men are more than welcome to play on Wednesday 18 October, after the Ladies have teed off.
The Match Committee plans to re-introduce a competition on Thursdays. This competition will be a 9-hole event to begin with and be open from 7:00am until 4pm. Players will be able to take a card, complete it and place it in the return cards box and pay the competition fee after completing their round if the golf shop is unattended.
Pennant team players are advised that the club’s Pennant Team shirts are being ordered so please see Robin Hay.
A Maleny State High School Chappy Open Day is to be held at the golf club on Sunday 15 October so please support this day.
Thanks to all those members who have loaned carts for our Glasshouse Mountains Master’s 4BBB event here next Monday, 11 September. Also a reminder of our Pink and Blue Day next Wednesday, 13 September and that we still need raffle prizes for both days.
A big thank you to all who helped as spotters for the Championships and congratulations to all the winners.
“Golf for the most part relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules of golf. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the Spirit of the Game of Golf.
Happy Golfing, Marg Trigger (Captain)
Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe
Despite the absence of rain we are already starting to see kikuyu shoots coming up on the newly shaped fairways! The earthworks and irrigation pipeline servicing the new holes have been completed. Work is now about to commence on trenching across the exisiting course to connect the new holes up to the irrigation system which will impact the 1st, 8th and 9th holes.
Please take care around any of the open trenches and give way to golf course staff and volunteers while they are engaged in delivering this next stage of infrastructure. Everything has gone exceptionally well but we could do with a drop of rain right now. According to member feedback, the course played very well during the club championships and we are very happy to have been able to produce a great course which delivered a good test of golf.
B Grade Champion Sue Hardy (left) with Club Captain Margaret Trigger.
Congratulations go to Robin Hay who won the Ladies Championships held over two weeks on 30 August and 6 September. Robin posted a gross score of 189 with Seri Tytherleigh the runner up and best net score (193/142).
Congratulations also to our B Grade winner Sue Hardy (207) with Penny Edwards the Runner Up (212) on a Count Back from Christine Lemon. Best net score went to Anne Devane (213/147).
Many thanks to our sponsors Easton Lawyers and Practice Manager Sharon Schofield who was on hand to present the trophy to Robin and the other prizes.
Nearest the Pins on Day 2 went to Seri Tytherleigh on the 3rd and the 5th while Robin had the best second shot on the 14th.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who acted as spotters and bunker-rakers and to Mick McCombe and his team for presenting the course in such a fine condition.
From Left: B Grade Champion Chris Plummer, C Grade Champion Tom Kennedy and Club Champion Garth Bailo with the Rickaby Cup.
We had 44 players for each of the first two rounds which exceeded numbers for last year’s Men’s Championships and there was a good attendance at the presentations on the third and final day (Saturday 2 September) to see the winners receive their prizes from the Club President.
Brian Rickaby was also in attendance and represented his family to present the Rickaby Cup to Garth Bailo who retained his title as Club Champion. The A,B and C Grade champions will also each receive a medallion as a memento of their win.
A Grade – First place and the honour of Club Champion went to defending champion Garth Bailo with a gross score of 226. Runner-Up went to Blake Wellington and Third Place went to Marcus Wellington.
B Grade – First Place went to Chris Plummer with a gross score of 261 and Chris also had the best net of 210. Runner-Up went to David Hobbs and Third Place went to Corey Zammit.
C Grade winners – First Place went to Tom Kennedy with a gross score of 281 on a count-back from the Runner-Up,
Rupert Hohls while Third Place went to Don Lemon. Best Nett of 212 went to Ron Smith.
Senior Winner was Richard Clayton with a gross score of 227.
Nearest to the Pins on Saturday went to Paul Lowe on the fifth hole, Jimmy Byun
on the 14th hole, Rupert Hohls on the 3rd hole and Greg Childe-Freeman on the 12th hole.
Special thanks to our Sponsor Drummond Golf Maroochydore and to all our volunteers who helped as spotters and bunker-rakers on course and put on the sausage sizzle afterwards.
