$100,000 course expansion grant on the way

Maleny Golf Club has successfully applied for a $100,000 Queensland Government “Getting Places and Spaces” grant under its 2016-17 “Get in the Game” funding program designed to support sport and recreation at the grass roots level.President Dr Max Whitten (pictured here left with Superintendent Mick McCombe in the area earmarked for course expansion) thanked all members of the grant application team led by the club’s Secretary Roly Nieper for a fantastic result.

“These funds will be utilised to help finance development of an additional three golf holes to expand the present 9-hole golf course to 12 Holes,” Dr Whitten said.

“The addition of another three holes will significantly improve the playing experience for all, thereby enhancing the Maleny Golf Club’s ability to grow its membership at all levels and attract visiting golfers to play this high quality and award-winning course.” CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY

Membership fees now overdue

Membership renewals, new applications and the take up of the Special Five-Year offer have been very encouraging and the club has therefore embarked upon its second full year of operation since completion of Stage 1 in a strong financial position.

However, there are still quite a number of Gold and Silver members who for one reason or another have not yet renewed their membership and the committee will be reaching out to you over coming weeks.

For more information on memberships go to the Membership Page on the website or CLICK HERE.

Mick’s making us all proud

Congratulations to our amazing Course Superintendent Mick McCombe who has capped off 2016 by picking up yet another prestigious industry gong.

Mick recently travelled interstate to attend a gala dinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground where he was presented with Australian Golf Digest’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year Award.

In March Mick was presented with the Queensland Golf Industry’s 2016 Course Superintendent’s Achievement Award. Then in July he won the AGCSA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award.

Well done Mick (pictured here on the 3rd green with the latest gong). You’re making us all so proud.

Golf Shop hosts MVIC Visit

Maleny Golf Club was privileged to host a group of almost 30 volunteer staff from the Maleny Visitor Information Centre for morning tea last month.

The MVIC group were on a familiarisation mission to learn more about the golf club, the Friends of Pattemore House and the head of the Maleny Trail.

Many thanks to all who made the time and effort to take part and a special thanks to our own team of Maleny Golf Club volunteers who provided the home baked goodies. (Pictured above is MGC President Dr Max Whitten fielding questions about plans for the future.)

Volunteers still needed

The number of vacant shifts on the weekly golf shop roster is expected to increase as we approach the festive Xmas Holiday season. 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.

Thanks to Neil Stenhouse who joined the golf shop team last month and a warm welcome back to Mo Lawrence and Bob Hall.

Competition Golf – Maleny Property Rentals Monthly Medal & Medal of Medals

The weather was as hot as the competition on Saturday 3 December for the Men’s and Ladies end-of-year 2016 Medal of Medals competition. But you’ll have to read Robin Hay’s Captain’s Corner for the results.

The heavens finally opened up drenching most of the field for the Men’s November Monthly Medal on Saturday 26 November, but some winners still emerged despite the retirement of most to the clubhouse.

Congratulations to Division 1 winner Chris Pottinger with a net 70 and runner up Rob Bailo with 73. Graham Shoebridge was our Division 2 winner with a net 70 and the runner up was Tom Bertwistle with 71 on a count back from David Killeen. Nearest the Pin on the 3rd went to Greg Childe-Freeman and new member Cory Zammit on the 5th.

After an extended holiday Mo Lawrence blitzed the field by carding a net 65 to win the Maleny Property Rentals glassware – 4 shots clear of our runner-up Alison Behncken with Margaret Trigger third on 74 after edging out Seri Tytherleigh on a count back.

Mo also picked up Nearest the Pin on the 3rd with Robin Hay taking the honour on the 14th.

Other News

Maleny businessman and Supa IGA owner Rob Outridge has indicated that the former MGC Club House – built in 1935 and gifted by the former golf club to the Maleny School of Arts in 1954 – will be “returned” to the MGC.

The historic edifice (pictured) resides in Maple Street on 4 parcels of land recently purchased by Rob and until recently served as the QML building. It is likely to be a couple of years before the building returns though – providing plenty of time for the reintegration planning.

A group of Sunshine Coast amateur astronomers is assessing, with Council and MGC, the suitability of the former Barung site on the Precinct for an outdoor night star gazing park and possibly sharing a Club House with MGC.

Xmas Party

The 2016 Maleny Golf Club Christmas party and presentation night was held at Tranquil Park on the evening of Wednesday 7 December and a great time was had by all.

Here is a LINK to a brief report on the club’s Facebook Page @malenygolfclub, including a few snaps taken on the night.

If you have any good pictures from the night send them to Richard at shop@malenygolfclub.com.au to be added to the Facebook or add them yourself using the comments field.

Captain’s Corner with Robin Hay

The hot weather is upon us at last! I think we all were wondering where it was now it is here we wish it would cool off just a little. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new golfers. There are quite a number of new names appearing on our membership lists, which is great to see.

All the regular players are continuing to record some great scores, especially with the extra run on the very dry course. The small amount of rain we have had in the last week has begun to show in the growth and colour of the course. The greens are fantastic, so well done to Mick, Marc, Rob and all helpers for their hard work.

By now you all will know the results of the Medal of Medals as the presentation has been done on our Christmas Party night. Congratulations to Christine Lemon (pictured here with the perpetual trophy donated by John and Jenny Oxenham) for the ladies and Jan Johnston for the gentlemen. Well played to all who were eligible as it was a very hot day and the course was not easy.

The Match Committee wish all members a safe and merry Christmas and look forward to next year. Robin Hay

Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe

I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and extend a special thanks to my team of volunteers on the course. We’ve done a magnificent job despite the lack of rain. The greens are really lovely and been performing well following the recent renovations and they should be great for next few months.

May I remind everyone to repair their divots and pitch marks on the greens and rake bunkers after use.

It’s great to see our grant approved to fund construction of an additional three holes and I look forward to getting work underway on them next year.

Have a safe and joyous festive season – Richard Owen (Manager)

Postscript

VALE Garry Mayer – The Committee and Members of Maleny Golf Club convey their sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Garry Mayer who passed on Saturday 10 December 2016 in Maleny Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, having succumbed to cancer after a valiant fight. He was just 70.

Garry was a staunch supporter and contributed greatly to the club’s establishment as both a long-serving member of the committee and as a volunteer who was always ready to lend a hand during construction of the course.