Despite the threat of rain which prompted a few withdrawals a strong field took to the course including visitors from Wantima and Caloundra and conditions for golf were ideal. Doug Johnstone (Maleny) the men’s event with a score of 41 points. The runner-up was Ray Harvey (Caloundra) with 38 points with Rod Waldron (Maleny) in 3rd on 36 points.
Toni Bishop (Maleny) won the ladies event with a score of 38 points on a countback from Wendy O’Donnell (Wantima). Liz Mellish (Maleny) was 3rd with a score of 31.
It was perfect weather for golf and Richard Owen finally managed to string a decent enough round together to win with a score of 42 points – just a point clear of runner-up Paul Viertel on 41 points with Gary Dallyn third on 40 points. Liz Mellish was the best placed lady with 35 points.
The big news, however, was that Gary Dallyn sank enough birdie putts to win the Richard Clayton Birdie Ball Bag! One of those putts on 5/14th also secured him nearest the pin. The other pin on the 3/12th went to Jimmy Byun.golf_competition_report_307172_2017318_1053
The rain stayed away long enough for the ladies to sneak 9 holes in and Toni Bishop emerged victorious with a score of 21 points. Penny Edwards was 2nd with 19 points and Beth Glover was 3rd with 16 points. Beth also collected nearest the pin on the 5th.golf_competition_report_302607
Due to the inclusion of a couple of threesomes the complex Irish rules were further convoluted to produce a 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 scoring format instead of the usual 6-1, 5-2, 4-3, 3-4 approach most are familiar with. Suffice to say congratulations to our winners – Mal Ewing, Chris Pottinger, Robin Hay and Toni Bishop with 77 points.
They were just 1 point ahead of runners up: John Hay, Rod Waldron, Doug Johnstone and Margaret Trigger. Third place went to Niel Cronk, Dennis O’Neill, Dennis Hickey and Liz Mellish. The men’s pins went to Niel Cronk on the 3rd and Jan Johnston on the 5th. The ladies pins went to Toni Bishop on the 12th and Liz Mellish on the 14th.
President Max Whitten with Gary Tronc finalising the lease boundary surveys for registration of our lease expanded lease.
The Sunshine Coast Council unanimously approved our amended lease boundaries at their meeting in late February, returned a Licence to Use area and endorsed plans for restoration of the Southern Wetlands.
Maleny Golf Club President Dr Max Whitten welcomed council’s approval of the amended golf course lease boundaries, enabling final survey work and documentation to be completed for lodgement and legal sign-off.
“We want to thank all the council officers involved in assisting with the preparation of the extensive reports to council and to Councillor Jenny McKay for her indefatigable support in achieving such a great community outcome, including plans for the restoration of the southern wetland,” Dr Whitten said.
Once the lease is signed and registered, council is expected to favourably consider our request for access the first tranche of funds from the remaining $550,000 originally pledged to assist with construction.
Construction of the next three holes is expected to get underway in the second half of this year. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Trading Update and Golf shop
Some very hot weather and heavy rain curtailed both social and competition golf on occasions during February, most notably on the day we had a full field of District seniors. However, February’s trading result was very encouraging with golf revenue (net of membership payments) up almost 20 per cent on the previous February. We are getting busier and the figures are reflecting this, but we still have a long way to go.
We continue to encourage members to become involved as golf shop volunteers and this month welcome and thank two new recruits – Derrick Strother and Tony Allison – for generously donating their time.
Scott Alexander deploying his green thumbs to help beautify the golf club precinct.
We also extend a special thanks to member, Day Lilly expert and skilled gardener Scott Alexander (pictured) for establishing and continuing to improve the lovely garden in front of the Clubhouse. It’s looking a picture Scott!
There are still a number of vacant shifts on the golf shop roster each week and there is always someone away on holidays or indisposed for one reason or another creating a vacancy. So if you have some spare time available and want to lend a hand, why not consider volunteering to work in the golf shop?
Don’t forget we are holding a Volunteers Workshop and Morning Tea next Monday 27th March at the Golf Club at 9:30am. Taking on a shift need not be a commitment of more than a couple of hours plus some initial training. If interested in attending the workshop or getting involved please get in touch with Richard Owen by phoning 5499 9960 or emailing shop@malenygolfclub.com.au.
Competition Golf – Monthly Medals
Blake Wellington slices 3 shots off his own 2-month old course record!
It’s always a stern test off the Blue Markers, but not for young Blake Wellington who carved 3 shots off his own course record to card a score of 67 off the stick including an eagle on the Par 5 4th! His net score of 65 was also good enough to secure the TFM-sponsored men’s A Grade medal this time, much to the lament of Mike Finley who had to settle for runner up after losing to Blake on a countback!
John Clayton won the B Grade Medal with a score 67, with Bill Reynolds the runner up on 71. Niel Cronk took C Grade honours also with a score of 70 on a countback from Dennis Brown. John Hay shut out Joe Walters in the over 70s battle to win the Maleny Mug. Nearest the Pins went to Bill Reynolds on the 3rd and Dennis Brown on the 5th.
Strong winds made the approaches a little tougher than usual during the Maleny Property Rentals’ Ladies Monthly Medal but not for last year’s Medal of Medals winner Christine Lemon. Christine triumphed over the conditions to card a winning net score of 67 – 4 clear of runner up Robin Hay. Liz Mellish came 3rd a further 3 shots back on 74. Pins went to Christine on the 3rd and Robin on the 5th.
Thanks again to our sponsors Rod and Joe Eccles from Trophies, Frames, Medals and Karen Worcester and Isabel Bruderlin from Maleny Property Rentals.
Sponsors sought
Maleny Golf Club has developed a range of sponsorship opportunities designed to appeal to local businesses and create additional recurrent income streams to offset the cost of providing services and infrastructure.
You can access the presentation on our new website at the link below and if you know anyone who might be interested then please send them the link below as well.
The golf club has invested in the redevelopment of our website and we would like to thank Edwina Kelly for a first class job. The new website is fresh, functional and worth a look – just CLICK HERE.
Ladies Let’s Golf & Junior Golf
Don Portway demonstrates some of the finer points of chipping during the Ladies Level Clinic at Maleny Golf Club.
The golf club, in conjunction with Golf Queensland held another Ladies Let’s Golf Level 1 course.
It was very encouraging to see another seven ladies participating and hopefully continuing on to Level 2 and playing regularly.
Maleny Golf Club in conjunction with Maleny Primary School successfully delivered a junior golf program over the last 6 weeks. Thanks again to the school’s Physical Education Teacher Shane Turner and MGC member and high school teacher Mike Railton for helping to deliver this much needed program.
Captain’s Corner with Margaret Trigger
A steady roll up of members are participating in our Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday competitions and our Veteran’s Day on the third Tuesday of each month is steadily also growing with a $5:00 Green Fee, $10 competition fee.
A full field for our Glasshouse Mountain’s Senior’s event on Monday 27 February was welcome, but unfortunately it was rained out, however, another has been scheduled for Monday, 11 September. Competitors who were rained out on the 27th will enjoy a discounted $5 competition fee and pay a cart hire fee for 9 holes.
The District Association has also schedule a Sunshine Coast versus Glasshouse Mountains Masters Match play tournament at Maleny on 17 October.
Acknowledgement of Eagles is to be made at a presentation in future. Our call for members to donate to competition days has been encouraging, but there are still plenty of opportunities available.
In 2017 there will be two grades for the Women: A Grade 0 – 25; B Grade 26 – 45. Men: A Grade 0 – 12; B Grade 13 – 20; C Grade 21 – 36.
For all the Honour Board Events, members must have been a Golf or Silver Financial Member for 3 months prior to close of nominations and have played three competition rounds in that time.
Two special events have been planned for March and April, firstly St Patrick’s Day on Friday 17 March, Chook Run, 2 Clubs and a putter.
On Thursday 6 April, a game of Night Golf for all those who like a challenge. Arrive for a barbecue at 6:00 pm to be followed by a fun game of night golf.
Happy Golfing, Margaret Trigger.
Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe
Construction of the drainage system within one of the two dreaded new pots on 3rd hole.
The greens have responded well following the recent renovation and will be back to their best after a couple of light top dressings.
The rain has been fantastic for us and freshened the course up nicely. You will notice construction of the two revetted bunkers on the 3rd hole has commenced. All going well they should be in play by the end of the month.
Fill from the bunkers has also been deployed to shape and construct the Ladies’ Tee on the 1st hole and this should be in play within a few weeks as well.
Just a reminder to please take and use sand buckets at all times to repair divots and don’t forget to attend to any pitch-marks on the greens.
