Aussie Golf Legends Set to Tee Off in Maleny – But Sponsors Needed
Some of the greatest legends in Australian Golf are expected to take part in an inaugural E-Z-GO PGA Legends Pro-Am event at Maleny Golf Club on the weekend 17-18 December, but sponsors are needed to get behind the event now and help make it happen.

The tournament, targeting a Prize purse of $15,000, should attract a large number of the Legends Players such as Rodger Davis and Ian Baker-Finch who will already be visiting the region at the time to play in the Sunshine Coast Masters.

Maleny Golf Club is working with experienced sports event manager Brett Holdway from BH Sports Management to plan and promote the Pro-Am and establish it as a signature annual event for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland region.

For more information on sponsorship packages and player registrations please direct enquiries to Brett Holdway on Mobile: 0409 654 993 or email: bhsportsmanagement@outlook.com

AGM – 2017 Management Committee blends stability with renewal

Members will be pleased to learn our President Max Whitten will lead Maleny Golf Club for another exciting year in the club’s development after being unanimously re-elected at the AGM on 29 September 2016.

Also re-elected unanimously were the club’s Secretary Roly Nieper, Greens Director Rob Bailo, Vice President and Captain, Robin Hay, Vice-Captain Margaret Trigger and committee members Tom Bertwistle, Jenny Oxenham, David Edmonds and outgoing Treasurer David Killeen.

David Killeen stood down as Treasurer at the meeting after almost four years in the role. The Treasurer’s position has been filled by Darryl Harbottle, an experienced businessman, management consultant and company director. David will now focus his attention and considerable commercial skills on business development.

Darryl’s appointment to the committee also fills a vacancy created by the departure of Mike Norman who did not re-nominate this year for personal reasons. Dr Whitten thanked both Mike and David for their invaluable contributions to the club on behalf of members and warmly welcomed Darryl onto the committee.

Dr Whitten said another significant and exciting year in the club’s development lay ahead, including construction of the club’s new maintenance facility and commencement of work on building the next three holes.

New Membership Drive Continues

As part of our 2017 Membership Drive, Maleny Golf Club is still offering up to a month’s complimentary membership to those joining between now and 1 November when the new membership starts.

Bronze Members who pay early to upgrade to Silver or Gold Memberships and Silver Members who upgrade to a Gold Membership will benefit similarly.

And don’t forget our 50% Green Fee discount all day Monday and on Wednesday afternoons for visitors playing as member’s guests. Green Fees will also be waived if a visitor applies and pays for either a Gold or Silver Membership immediately after playing the course.

Please spread the word and promote this great offer to assist in growing our membership and making our club strong.

For further information about memberships go to the Membership Page on the website or CLICK HERE.  Also there are a still a handful of special 5-year memberships left. CLICK HERE to download an application form.

Club Shop

The number of vacant shifts on the weekly golf shop roster has been steadily diminishing. However, there is always someone going off on holidays, so if you have some spare time on your hands 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. We are also looking for another volunteer to help clean the club’s golf carts. This would involve a commitment once a fortnight to clean 5 of our fleet of 10 carts – all equipment and expert tuition will be provided.  If interested in getting involved please get in touch with Richard Owen by phoning 5499 9960 or emailing shop@malenygolfclub.com.au.

Social Media

Don’t forget we now have Social Media Portals such as Facebook, You Tube and Trip Advisor on 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

Congratulations go to Paul Viertel (86/66), winner of the Maleny Property Rentals B Grade Monthly Medal with the best net of the day on Saturday 24 September. Paul won on a countback from runner up David Killeen. Doug Hancock was third with 71. Greg Childe-Freeman (81/67) won the A Grade Medal aer carding a net 67 while David Flowers was runner up with 70 on a countback from Richard Clayton. Nearest the Pins went to Peter Gilbert and Rob Bailo.

Well done Liz Mellish (94) who fired a net 73 to win the MPR Monthly Medal glassware on a countback from Robin Hay. Penny Edwards earned the Bronze with a net 75 and also picked up Neatest the Pin on the 5/14^th while Margaret Goodger got it on the 3/12th.

Some large groups of visitors from Beerwah, Caloundra and Cooroy made the trip to Maleny last month to play in our regular competitions and we certainly hope this trend continues.

MGC also continues to do well on away trips as well. Congratulations to Liz Mellish and Seri Tytherleigh who travelled to Woodford on September 30 to represent the club at the Queensland North Coast Zone 2016 Foursomes Championship and won Division 2 of the 27 Hole Nett event. They shot three 51s over the 27 holes for a nett score of 115.5. It was a very good day out by all accounts and Liz and Seri were happy ambassadors. Fantastic effort and well done ladies in making us all very proud!

Junior Golf

Maleny Golf Club hosted another successful Glass House Mountains Zone Junior Golf Association event on Sunday 11 September when some 50 competitors took part.  Both the men’s and ladies course records were broken by two young players of the future Sean Daines and Jessica Cook. To read more CLICK HERE.

Witta Tennis

Maleny Golf Club has entered into an affiliation agreement with the Witta Tennis Club which entitles our members to a number of benefits including:

• 10% off WT annual membership
• free annual membership of Witta Recreational Club
• Adult member rates for social play and court hire
• Free team and player competition registration
• Free junior membership
• Member rates for use of club house for functions
• Free use of ball machine
• Tennis Queensland insurance
• Entry into WT’s Grand slam ticket draw.

Under the affiliation agreement Witta Tennis Club members will be afforded Bronze member benefits, including a 25% discount
on green fees and entitlement to electric cart hire at member rates. Maleny Golf Club looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Witta Tennis Club.

Sculpture on the Edge

Maleny Golf Club is a proud sponsor of Arts Connect Inc’s 2016 Sculpture on the Edge event featuring 35 sculptures displayed around the lush tropical grounds of Spicers Tamarind Retreat.

The exhibition is open to the public with free entry so please take time to visit between the 7^th and 23^rd of October. For more information CLICK HERE.

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 mornings and can provide group or one-on-one lessons to suit your schedule, including weekends.

A new Ladies Learn/Improve Golf this Summer Clinic is also scheduled to run on Thursdays for 4 weeks at the club on (20 & 27 October and 3 & 10 November) between 10am and 11am. The cost will be $99 per person.

For further information please feel welcome to contact Don directly on don.portway@gmail.com or 0417 431 245, or alternatively please enquire at the Golf Shop.

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.

Captain’s Corner with Robin Hay

Hi all, it’s hard to believe we have been open for business for well over a year now. What a long way we have all come. The course has continued to improve and comments from both members and visitors make me for one realise how proud we all should be.

Scores are continuing to improve every week – well done all players in competitions and casual play. Numbers of players are also on the rise.  The Match Committee is attempting to compile a full year program.  A huge job so if there are any competitions or if there is anything you wish to see included please contact one of us.

Please note due to the Greens Renovation work being undertaken next week the usual Tuesday morning competition will not be held, but the Wednesday morning competition will be an 18-hole medley for both men and ladies.  We have also begun to play a 9-hole event on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month. Bookings can be made on line or through the Golf Shop.

A quick reminder to those who drive motor carts to park as far away from the greens as possible. All should avoid driving across the front apron of the greens as this can leave tracks which make it even more difficult for approach shots. Never drive between bunkers and the green. I know that some have a Doctor’s certificate to allow you to park a little closer, but please bear in mind to park to the side of the greens. Happy and good golfing, Robin.

Course Update – Superintendent Mick McCombe

As most of you may be aware the course will be closed next Monday and Tuesday for our summer greens renovation program.

All the greens will be scarified on Monday and Tuesday to remove dead grass thatch and we then be aerating the greens following completion of the competition on Wednesday.

The greens will then be top-dressed and fertilised and allowed to settle for about a week. Although the greens will be covered in a lot of sand they should be relatively smooth.

About two weeks later we will apply another layer of sand to ensure the surfaces are level and the greens should be back to normal in about 4 weeks, albeit a little slow, but quite nice to putt on.

Could members also please be aware of the four new Swamp Hen chicks in our wetland area between the second and third fairways and take good care of them. Thanks, Mick.