Maleny Golf Club is offering another exciting series of fun lessons to lift your skill levels and improve your game.
The 60 minute sessions to be delivered by PGA Professional Don Portway on Sunday mornings are open to both men and women and will accommodate golfers with abilities ranging from beginner to intermediate.
Don Portway will be running the series of 4 clinics from 10:30-11:30am on Sunday 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th of July.
The cost will be $100 for the four-lesson clinic, or if you are only able to make one or two sessions the cost will be $30 a session. Total numbers are limited to 8 per session.
To register email shop@malenygolfclub.com.au or to discuss your coaching requirements contact Don by email at don.portway@gmail.com or call him on 0417 431 245.
Solar panels being installed on the cart sheds to help cut costs and reduce our carbon footprint.
Installation of Solar Energy System
Installation of the solar energy system by Gary Phillips of Negawatts Solar & Electrical got underway this month and is now being commissioned. The 5Kva system will soon be operational, cutting the cost of keeping our fleet of 10 golf carts charged and reducing our environmental footprint at the same time.
Purchase and fitting of the state-of-the-art system has been made possible following receipt of a $15k Federal Grant courtesy of Andrew Wallace – the LNP Federal Member for Fisher.
Trading Update and Golf shop
Trading in May was not quite as brisk as April’s due to the impact of Easter – but golf revenue excluding membership receipts was pleasingly still up more than 18% on the previous May with noticeable gains in visitor green fees and cart hire.
It’s great to see our new volunteers taking on rostered shifts. Many thanks also to those volunteers who have provided longer-range commitments to help collate a roster to cover the entire period while our manager Richard Owen is on leave during July and August.
There are still vacant shifts on the golf shop roster each week though and 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?
Taking on a shift need not be a commitment of more than a couple of hours plus some initial training. If interested in getting involved please get in touch with Richard Owen by phoning 5499 9960 or emailing shop@malenygolfclub.com.au.
Dark Sky Park Update The golf club has entered into an agreement with the Sunshine Coast Dark Sky Astronomers Group under which they will supply a small shipping container to be installed at the end of the existing cart storage sheds.
This container is to be wired and fitted out to store and charge two golf carts – freeing up one of the existing cart sheds for storage use by members of the Astronomy group.
The next public viewing night for those interested in observing the heavens has been scheduled for the evening of Saturday July 1. Click HERE for more details.
Competition Golf – Monthly Medals
From Left May Monthly Medal Winners: Mike Finley, Peter Gilbert and Geoff Hocking
A record field of 35 players contested the Men’s Monthly Medal and Maleny Mug competitions on Saturday 27 May and Superintendent Mick McCombe’s course set up did not disappoint due to some very tricky pin positions!
Congratulations to Mike Finley who won the A Grade Medal with a net 70 as Runner-up to Troy Edwards from Kilcoy, who again carded a net 70 but could not win the medal. Similarly, Peter Gilbert carded a net 70 to earn the B Grade Medal as a runner-up to Russ Rylance (Cooroy) who had a score of net 66.
Geoff Hocking was the star of the day winning the C Grade Medal with a net 61 off a handicap of 36 – which was 13 shots lower by the time he reached the carpark. Runner-up was Chris Pottinger with a net 67.
Nearest the pins went to David Killeen on the 12th after putting a 210m tee shot 1.5m from the hole, and Rex Clark on the 14th.
May MPR Monthly Medal winner Liz Mellish.
The winner of the Maleny Property Rentals May Ladies Monthly Medal and glassware, run earlier in the week on Wednesday May 24, was Liz Mellish who carded an impressive score of Net 66 from 87 off the stick.
Liz also won nearest the pin on the 3rd and a $20 prize voucher donated by Margaret Goodger who came 3rd with a net 74.
Our Runner Up was Christine Lemon (73). Nearest the Pin on the 5th went to Anne Devane.
Junior Golf The club, in conjunction with the Glasshouse Mountains Zone Junior Golf Association, held a tremendously successful Parent and Child golf day on Sunday May 28 with 56 players taking part in the 9-hole, 2 Ball Ambrose event followed by a BBQ lunch.
The gross winners were Steve & Matthew Comer and the Runners Up Greg and Chase Randell (pictured in our feature photo) while the nett winners were Michael & Sophie Thompsen with Brad and Joseph Drinnan the Runners Up.
Special thanks to Shaun and Sharon O’Hara and Mal Ewing for their organisational efforts and to the volunteer catering team of Michele Retschlag, Paul Lowe, Mandy McCosker, Ralph Ding and Anne Devane.
Sponsors Golf Day
Peter Gilbert – member of the winning MPR team
Maleny Golf Club held its inaugural Sponsors Golf Day on Sunday 21 May which proved to be great fun for all involved. We played a 9-hole 4-ball Ambrose and the gross winner was the team of Peter Gilbert, Dave Nielsen, Tom Kennedy and Jimmy Byuan with a 5 under Par score of 30 representing MPR Maleny Property Rentals!
The net winner was the team of Noela Cowell and Avrelle, Dan and Jason Montagnat with a score of 22 representing Trilogy Tax Maleny!
Longest Drive on the 6th went to Jason Montagnat on the 6th and Dan Montagnat on the 7th. Nearest the Pin on the 3rd went to Kerrin Tytherleigh.
Quite a few Sponsors were unable to be with us today for one reason or another but we will be holding another Sponsors Day later in the year. Thank you all for your wonderful support.
Thanks also to Paul and Leslie Lowe for their superb catering effort as the club layout and food were fantastic and to Liz Mellish for her organisational input. President Max Whitten was also on hand to thank our sponsors on behalf of the committee and members.
Captain’s Corner with Margaret Trigger
Firstly, I would like to thank our Superintendent Mick McCombe, Mark Kearney and the band of volunteers who have the course looking so magnificent at the moment.
Our first ever Ladies Invitation day on May 22 was a huge success. Many favourable comments were passed on to me from visiting ladies about the wonderful condition of the course and the quality of the food we prepared and served on the day.
Many thanks to the men who manned the bunkers on the day and helped the ladies pull buggies up the hill from the Ninth. Our only problem on the day was a computer glitch, mainly due to MiClub upgrading their system the previous week. This was all a great learning experience from which we can benefit when holding future tournaments.A big thank you also to those who provided prizes for the raffle.
Aida Lavings, with playing partners Penny Edwards, Margaret Trigger, Joy Hatton and Liz Mellish on the Signature Par 3 Third Hole.
Congratulations particularly must go to Aida Lavings from Nanango Golf Club. Aida will go down in the Club’s annals for her perfect tee shot on the Par 3 3rd Hole as the first visiting golfer (male or female) to score a Hole in One on the course during competition. Her feat also helped generate some welcome publicity to further promote awareness about our great golf course which is certainly a gem in the hinterland!
Competition fields seem to be improving weekly, especially on Monthly Medal days. The Ladies day on Wednesday is popular as is the weekly Chook Run on a Friday afternoon.
With several key members taking holidays in the following months (including myself) those with MiClub administration rights will be called on to help fill with competition management.
Margaret Trigger – Captain
Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe
No the greens aren’t dead! As we come into winter the greens turn brown and will become much quicker than they do through the summer. However, they have been aerated recently which has made them a little more receptive to approach shots. Consequently, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of pitch marks on them and ask that members please help me out by taking care to repair their own pitch marks as well as any others they see while time permits.
Our new driving net with a view will soon be ready for use to help hone your swing off the tee.
Construction of the second new bunker on the 3rd hole is now well advanced and should be completed towards the end of the month. The rock gully below the 3rd tees to slow the water flow down the hill is also nearing completion thanks to the efforts of our volunteer crew.
Members will also note that we are constructing a driving net at the end of the buggy sheds and I expect this to be completed quickly and in use.
The most frequent question I’m being asked by members relates to the start of work on the next three holes. And the answer is that work has already started. A lot of work has already been done on the irrigation design and planning and obtaining quotes for product and materials. Consequently, I expect construction work to get underway later next month.
Mick McCombe
Aida Lavings from Nanango sent a buzz around the course by Acing the Par 3 Third Hole.
Maleny Golf Club is celebrating the first Hole-in-One by a visitor during a competition since the 9-hole public course opened in July 2015.
Long-time member of the Nanango Golf Club Aida Lavings, 73, was playing in the club’s inaugural Ladies Invitational (on Monday 21 May) when she aced the Par 3 Third Hole from 140m off the red markers to score her first Hole-In-One.
“I just used my driver off the tee like I always do and hit what was the perfect shot,” said Aida. “I’ve never had a hole in one so I’m very thrilled and excited.”
Remarkably, Aida and fellow Nambour Ladies Veteran Shirley McDougal 82, were playing alongside Maleny member Liz Mellish who aced the same hole in October last year to become the first woman to score a Hole-In-One on the course during a competition.
Nanango Ladies Captain Joy Cavanagh said all the members at Nanango were very proud of Aida.
“We’re all so happy for her and we will be presenting her with a trophy on which the ball she used will be mounted,” Ms Cavanagh said.
Maleny Golf Club President Dr Max Whitten said he was delighted for Aida achieving the club’s first Hole-in-One by a visiting player during a competition on a day when the club was hosting so many players from other clubs within the District.
“This was also our first Ladies Invitational at Maleny when we were able to showcase the course and by all accounts we acquitted ourselves very well in hosting and catering for a field of 63 players on the day,’’ Dr Whitten said.
The odds of an amateur golfer achieving a Hole-In-One are estimated to be around 12,500-to-1.
The 9-hole course designed by Graham Papworth has a par of 35 (or 70 for 18 holes). Maleny member Blake Wellington holds the club’s 18-hole gross course record for men after carding 67 off the stick during a Monthly Medal competition.
The ladies 18-hole gross course record of 82 is still held by another promising junior Jessica Cook from Woodford.
Visitors are always more than welcome, so too new members with the new membership year commencing on November 1.
Club secures 30-year lease and funding for 18 hole vision
Maleny Golf Club marked yet another milestone this month with the official signing of a new 30-year lease agreement accommodating the entire 18-hole layout.
The documents were formally signed on Friday 5 May by President Max Whitten and Secretary Roly Nieper in the presence of local JP Judy Phipps (pictured).
They were then presented for execution by the Sunshine Coast Council and subsequent lodgement with the Queensland Titles Office.
“This is an historical occasion for the club and we particularly want to thank Councillor Jenny McKay and Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer for their efforts in marshalling Council’s support behind this significant, long-term, community project,” Dr Whitten said.
“We are also pleased to advise that we have reached agreement with Council officers for delivery of the project financing required for construction of the second nine holes in three tranches as provided for in our staged construction schedule.”
Finalisation of the lease will also enable the club to quickly move ahead with plans to build a new maintenance facility. More about that in a coming Newsletter.
Trading Update and Golf shop
Trading was up markedly during April – boosted by good weather over Easter as well as strong competition fields and social golf bookings. Golf revenue net of membership receipts was up 27% on the previous April with noticeable gains in visitor green fees and cart hire.
Many thanks to Victor Muscat who responded to our request last month and donated a TV on which we are able to promote our sponsors and display competition Leader Boards.
We also managed to pick up a reasonably priced display cabinet for our growing collection of Silverware and Plaques.
It’s great to see our new volunteers taking on rostered shifts. However, there are still vacant shifts on the golf shop roster each week and 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?
Taking on a shift need not be a commitment of more than a couple of hours plus some initial training. If interested in getting involved please get in touch with Richard Owen by phoning 5499 9960 or emailing shop@malenygolfclub.com.au.
Competition Golf – Monthly Medals
Sue Hardy (left) with Robin Hay
Congratulations go to Sue Hardy who won the Maleny Property Rentals April Monthly Medal after carding an impressive net 64. Sue beat Runner Up Beth Glover (69) by 5 strokes! Karen Heading was 3rd with a net 71.
Nearest the Pins went to Beth on the 12th and Liz Mellish on the 14th.
It’s always a stern test of golf off the blue markers and Troy Edwards from Kilcoy Golf Club fired a creditable net 68 to card the best A Grade round and win the Prize Voucher.
How good is golf! Grinning C Grade Medal Winner Mark Green.
Unfortunately for Troy he has not yet joined the club’s membership lists so the TFM April Monthly Medal went to runner-up Blake Wellington (again) with a net 70 on a count back from Garth Bailo.
Paul Viertel had a very good day winning the B Grade medal with a net 69 as well as Richard Clayton’s Birdie Bag for his effort on the 15th. Runner up was Rex Clark with a net 71 on a countback from Chris Pottinger.
The C Grade medal went to Mark Green with a net 70 on a count back from Mike Burgis with Jon Fairman third on 72.
Nearest the pins went to Greg Childe-Freeman on the 3rd and Jon Fairman on the 14th.
Junior Golf
Such was the success of the experimental parent and junior golf day last month that the Glasshouse Mountains Zone Junior Golf Association has asked if we could stage another on Sunday May 28.
The Committee said yes to a shotgun start at 12:30pm for a 9-hole, 2 Ball Ambrose event to be followed by a BBQ lunch.
The cost is $35 per team including green fees, a burger and a cold drink each. Please book via the GMZJGA Facebook site or directly through the golf shop.
Members who regularly play socially on Sundays should note that the golf club also has a large social golf club booking of 30 players teeing off from 7am the same day.
Legends ProAm Sponsors sought
Maleny Golf Club’s PGA Legends ProAm sponsorship package has been well received by the local business community and this exciting tournament now looks set to go ahead on Saturday 16 December.
Stay tuned for more information. However, there are still some great sponsorship opportunities available so if you know any business owners who might be interested, please suggest that they get in touch with Richard Owen at the golf shop.
Captain’s Corner with Margaret Trigger
Winter is upon us so could competition players please note that our Competition tee times now run from 8-9am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Friday Chook Run will also now start at 2pm as will the Sunday Competition until Spring.
It has come to my attention that many players are not remaining for presentations on both Men’s and Ladies Monthly Medal days. It would be greatly appreciated if players could remain for presentations after such sponsored events if possible.
The divisions for the Monthly Medal and Championships in our computer match templates have been rectified to reflect the divisions as they appear in our fixture book: Men – (A) 0-12, (B) 13-20, (C) 21-36; Ladies – (A) 0-25 & (B) 26-45.
Additional hazard signs are to be erected near the water course on Hole 4 as well as additional out of bounds signs down the left-hand side of the fairway on this hole.
The Match Committee has developed a list of course rules for visitors now available in the golf shop.
Margaret Trigger
Ladies Invitational – assistance sought
Maleny Golf Club will host a Ladies Invitational tournament on Monday May 22 and a field of up to 72 players is expected. If anyone with a private cart is prepared to loan it to the club on the day please contact Margaret Trigger. Your help would be greatly appreciated and you will also receive the member’s rate hire fee.
The club is also calling for donations of raffle prizes on the day. Please just drop off your donations in the basket in the clubhouse.
Furthermore, the Match Committee is seeking help on the day from male members to act as spotters and bunker rakers, so if you can assist please also contact Margaret or Richard.
Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe
I saw this sign (left) on a website recently and thought it might serve to help impress upon members just how important it is to try and leave your course in better condition after playing your round than when you teed off.
Based on the metrics cited on the sign, we could expect more than 52,000 pitch marks a year on our greens here in Maleny and we are clearly getting busier by the week!
A couple of websites (HERE and HERE) currently rank Maleny at No 3 on their lists o Sunshine Coast golf course to play. Golf courses are critically dependent on the quality of their greens.
So please invest a little extra time repairing pitchmarks while your are on the greens to help maintain our quality putting surfaces and protect our hard won reputation. Remember to also take a sand bucket with you and fill your divots and those of others who’ve failed to do so. If we all treat every hole as a repair hole whenever we play, our course will be all the better for it!
The new back right bunker on the 3rd hole should be in play within a couple of weeks following completion, now that we have the materials, as will the new Ladies Tee on the 1st.
Solar Power Grant to cut costs and carbon footprint
Andrew Wallace with President Max Whitten
Maleny Golf Club will be able to reduce its energy costs and environmental footprint after receiving a $15,000 Federal Government Solar Communities grant.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace visited the club last week to announce approval of the grant to fund the purchase and installation of battery storage and rooftop solar photovoltaic panels on the clubhouse and buggy sheds.
Maleny Golf Club President Dr Max Whitten welcomed receipt of the Federal Government’s grant which he said would help reduce both the club’s energy bill and carbon footprint.
“The club’s philosophy is all about sustainable development so to have solar power installed not only saves us money but reduces our environmental footprint as well,” Dr Whitten said.
“We’ve also done a lot of research to make sure we get the best products in order to get the best results.”
The club has been working with local expert Gary Phillips of Negawatts to design, supply and install the new system. The research involved installing a monitor on the club’s switch box to determine and analyse our current energy usage.
The Solar Communities program provides funding for community groups in selected regions across Australia to install rooftop solar PV, solar hot water and solar-connected battery systems.
Trading Update and Golf shop
Wet weather negatively impacted revenue growth in March – washing out the Men’s Monthly Medal (held on April 1) and social play on two weekends. However, total Golf Shop revenues were in line with takings during the previous March, after excluding membership payments.
We had a fantastic roll up for our Volunteers Workshop and Morning Tea – resulting in a number of new recruits including Stuart Patterson, Liddie Shaw, Clair Hickey, Jillian Jones and Beth Glover. We also welcomed Stan Toleman who is now working part time on the course with Mick under a Government-funded pension scheme for not-for-profit organisations.
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?
Taking on a shift need not be a commitment of more than a couple of hours plus some initial training. If interested in getting involved please get in touch with Richard Owen by phoning 5499 9960 or emailing shop@malenygolfclub.com.au.
Competition Golf – Monthly Medals
Liz Mellish (right) with Beth Glover
The Heavens opened up just as the field was turning for the second 9 holes of the MPR Ladies Monthly Medal – dissuading most from continuing.
However, three dogged competitors knuckled down admirably and should be applauded for completing their round despite the intermittent heavy rain.
Liz Mellish carded a net 71 to win the Glassware and a $30 Supa-IGA Gift Card provided by Maleny Property Rentals with Beth Glover the runner up on a score of 74. Penny Edwards was third with a net 81. Liz also picked up a ball for nearest the pin.
It was a particularly stern test of golf off the blue markers despite the preferred lie option to account for the somewhat soggy ground underfoot after the recent deluge that was Cyclone Debbie. The unmown rough was especially difficult to negotiate under the conditions.
Graham Shoebridge with Captain Marg Trigger and Dennis Brown
However, Graham Shoebridge shook free of the pack to win the overall best net and the C Grade Medal with a 69 on a count-back from Mal Ewing who was the runner up and the B Grade Medal winner. B Grade runner-up was Paul Viertel with a 71 and the C Grade runner-up was Dennis Brown, also with a 71.
Garth Bailo was our A Grade winner also with a net 69 while Jan Johnston got runner-up with a 71 on a count-back from Mike Finley. Tom Kennedy won “The Maleny Mug” with a 69 with John Hay the runner-up on 77.
The pins went to Greg Childe-Freeman on the 3rd and Jan Johnston on the 5th.
Junior Golf
The Glasshouse Mountains Zone Junior Golf Association held a special novelty parent and junior day at Maleny Golf Club on Sunday 9 April to augment the Junior Pennant Team finals won by Wantima.
Apart from the 10 pennant players some 10 parent and junior pairings played the course and a great day was had by all with plans being considered to hold a similar event later in the year.
Sponsors sought
Maleny Golf Club’s sponsorship package has been well received by the local business community with all but two of the 9 available Tee Signs taken, as well as the Golf Cart fleet and the Sand buckets. There are still a few options left including the Men’s Championships.
The sponsorships have been 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 website and if you know anyone who might be interested then please send them this link. CLICK HERE
One of the sponsorship options include taking advertisements in our Fixtures Book which is now available at no cost from the Golf Shop.
Captain’s Corner with Margaret Trigger
We have a duty of care to all players who use our course and to protect the golf course and equipment from damage on wet weather days. Prior to cancelling, postponing or modifying a competition a representative/s from the Match Committee will inspect the course.
Players are advised to contact the club on 5499 9960 after 7:00am for an update. The Match committee will reschedule competitions if possible. No carts will be allowed on the course if the Match Committee deems it too dangerous to use then following consultation with the course Superintendent.
On Monthly Medal days, the competition may be altered to 2 Divisions, 0 – 19; 20 – 36. Five players will constitute a competition. Once a player has nominated and paid no refunds will be given. If a player has any doubts about the weather and its impact on play, please contact the golf club.
Happy Golfing, Margaret Trigger.
Night Golf
On Thursday 20 April, we will be holding 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. Balls available on the evening.
Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe
From left – Jimmy Buyan, John Hay and Rob Bailo during construction
We’ve had some welcome rain recently and the course has held up remarkably well despite the deluge! The new front right bunker on the 3rd hole will not be in play upon completion until the end of the month to give the turf around the edges time to settle properly. The second back right bunker will be completed as soon as we have the material available.
The fill from the bunkers has been used to construct the new Ladies Tee on the 1st and this should be in play by the end of the month as well once the turf has settled.
The members have found the roughs a little long following the recent rain which interrupted our mowing schedule but we are now getting back on top of it. The greens have responded well following the recent renovation and are now back to their very best and should remain so throughout the coming winter.
VALE John Oxenham -10.1.1942 – 4.4.2017.
John hamming it up on the 5th for a publicity shot about his Ace to promote the golf club.
The Committee and Members of Maleny Golf Club convey their sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of John Oxenham who passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday 4 April in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. He was just 75.
John was a founder and former committee member of the Maleny Golf Club. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by those who knew him for his friendship, joie de vivre, and contribution over many years toward the establishment and development of both the golf club and the course.
John is pictured here in early April 2016 on the 5th Green where he scored the first Hole-in-One on the new course during a competition round – a feat immortalising him as the first to have his name recorded on the Terry Lee Memorial “Hole-in-One Club” honour board which now hangs in the clubhouse.
He was always pitching in to help do one thing or another around the club and loved getting out on the course for an early morning round on Thursdays with some good mates.
