Aussie Golf Legends Set to Tee Off in Maleny in 2017
As a result of some fantastic publicity and intense promotional effort over the past month plans to host a PGA Legends Pro Am in Maleny next year are looking very solid indeed.

In fact a potential naming rights sponsor has already been identified and an in-principal commitment received.

Other potential sponsors have also expressed interest in being involved next year, underpinning confidence that our first Pro-Am – now being planned for December 2017 – will be well supported and highly successful.

Sourcing and locking in the level of sponsorship required to hold such an event next month was always going to be a challenge. However, the overwhelmingly positive response means our efforts to establish a local Pro Am as a signature annual event for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland region have not been in vain.

Membership continues to grow – fees now due
The club started its second full membership year of operation on Tuesday 1 November so don’t forget your 2017 subscription fees are now due.

Pleasingly, we have seen our Gold and Silver membership numbers continue to grow (up 30 at last count) due to the quality of our award-winning course and our friendly and inclusive approach toward visiting social players and members of other clubs.

Consequently, you may encounter some unfamiliar faces around the clubhouse over coming months. Please make an effort to introduce yourself to any new members you may encounter. Welcome and include them and in doing so you will be helping to justify their decision to join.

There are a still a handful of special 5-year memberships left if your are interested. CLICK HERE to download an application form.

The new membership year got underway on Melbourne Cup Day with a great competition field and a deluxe champagne sausage sizzle afterwards with prizes for the best hats and a plethora of sweeps.  (Pictured on the day above are from left: John and Seri Tytherleigh & Alison and Geoff Behncken).

Everyone was able to watch the great race at the clubhouse which now receives a good strong signal thanks to the generosity of Merv Shulz (pictured below) who donated and installed a new TV antenna on the building for the occasion.

More Golf Shop Volunteers 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 two 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 Sue Hardy who joined the golf shop team last month and also to Ron Smith who has volunteered to assist Steve Lawrence in keeping our expanded fleet of 10 golf carts maintained and in pristine condition for rental.

Social Media

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook, You Tube and Trip Advisor pages which can be accessed from the club website. Have a look and please feel free to Like and Share with friends on Facebook to expand the reach and effectiveness of our social media channels.

Competition Golf – Maleny Property Rentals Monthly Medals

The weather was perfect and the greens were fast for the men’s monthly medal on Saturday 29 October. Congratulations to Richard Clayton in A Grade who carded a net 66. He shut out both the ever-improving Chris Pottinger on a countback as well one of our visitors, Ross McCormack (Beerwah) also with a net 66.

In B Grade Noah Childe-Freeman (still in the junior ranks) got to the clubhouse with a net 67 – 2 shots clear of Richard Owen (net 69) with Paul Viertel taking the Bronze with a net 71. Gary Meredith (Beerwah) got nearest the pin on the 3rd/12th while Greg Childe-Freeman got it on the 5th/14^th.

Seri Tytherleigh carded a net 66 to win the Maleny Property Rentals glassware and edge out our runner-up Sue Hardy by one shot on Wednesday 26 October. Alison Behncken was third with a net 70. Sue also picked up nearest the pin on the 3/12th and Mo Lawrence got the pin on the 5/14th.

Saturday, October 8 2016 will go down in the annals of the club’s history as yet another red-letter-day when Liz Mellish aced the Par 3 Third Hole from 140m off the red markers during a competiton round to score her first Hole-In-One.

Congratulations go to Liz who is the first female club member to earn a place on the Terry Lee Memorial Hole-In-One Honour Board.

Golf Tuition

Having trouble getting out of bunkers? Is poor chipping costing you shots? Why not have a chat to PGA Professional Don Portway and get him to help you sort out those troublesome aspects of your game.

Don is usually in the Golf Shop on Tuesday and Saturday mornings and can provide group or one-on-one lessons to suit your schedule, including weekends.

Don is also running a Ladies morning clinic on Friday 11, 18 & 25 of November and 2 December (10-11am). The cost will be $100 for the four-lesson clinic or $30 per session if you are not able to attend all four. Numbers are limited again to 8 per session and 7 spots have already been filled.

For more information or to register your interest or discuss your coaching requirements contact Don by email at don.portway@gmail.com or call him on 0417 431 245.

Xmas Party & Hamper

The 2016 Maleny Golf Club Christmas party and presentation night is being held at Tranquil Park on the evening of Wednesday 7 December and the cost will be $50 per head which includes a welcome drink on arrival.

Places are expected to fill fast so please contact Margaret Trigger ASAP on 0417 633 660 or mjtrigger03@bigpond.com to register your interest and arrange payment.

As is our tradition we will be holding an Xmas Hamper raffle on the evening and are seeking donations of suitable items to fill the two hamper baskets which have been placed in the Golf Shop.  Thanks in advance for your contributions.

Poetry Trail Sponsorship

The Maleny Golf Club has been working collaboratively with the Hinterland Poetry Trail committee which is now seeking community funding.

The Maleny segment of the trail involves installations at several sites along the Heritage Trail flanking the 3^rd hole of the Maleny Golf Course between Pattemore House and the Old Cow Bails.

MGC President Dr Max Whitten said the Heritage Trail provided a physical platform which linked aspects of the human condition including sport, recreation, environment and heritage.

“However, the glue that will best weave these four threads together is the artwork and poetry,” he said.

A range of funding options is being explored, including grants for the arts sector, community sponsorship and donations through the Australian Cultural Fund. For more information on how you can assist CLICK HERE.

Witta Tennis Challenge

Witta Tennis Club is running a 4-Ball Ambrose fund-raiser this Sunday 13 November teeing off at 7am and there are still plenty of slots available if you would like to play. The cost is $30 to Witta Tennis which includes smoko snags and a BBQ lunch.

A $15 green fee is also to be paid at the Golf Shop, although there is no Green Fee for Gold Members of MGC. There are also still a couple of carts available if required. Call the Golf Shop for bookings on 5499 9960.

Captain’s Corner with Robin Hay

Hi All, firstly I would like to thank all members of the 2015-16 Match Committee for a great job which was difficult at times while beginning a new club.

Ralph Ding and Mike Finlay are “retiring” from the committee and I want to thank them very much for their input over the time served and thank all continuing members as well. Bob Whiteley and Dennis Brown have agreed to fill the vacancies and join Tom Bertwistle, Margaret Trigger, Jenny Oxenham and Karen Heading on the Committee. Welcome and thank you for your time.

Comments and suggestions from all members are very welcome as we begin our second year. They can be anonymous if desired by putting it in an envelope and leaving in the office.

This coming year there will be the occasional variation of the game of golf to be played. We encourage all players to try them. Some teach you Course Management as your partner will invariably put you in places you have never been before! Happy Golfing and see you on the wonderful golf course, Robin.

Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe

Our greens have responded very well following the renovation work early last month, but some good rainfall would be nice to help them along as well. (Pictured left: the 3^rd green being scarified)

In the absence of rain the fairways are getting quite dried out, providing a little bit of uncharacteristic run.

Our course volunteers have continued to put in some great efforts. We have been working on the drainage around the second hole and near the third tees which will be planted out with Lomandra grass.

A rock wall is also under construction to help manage water flow within this area. Meanwhile, we are continuing the tree pruning and weed eradication work in the creek area near the 4^th tees.