Rules Update

Captains Report January 2018

The Holiday season is now past and we now look forward to another year of golf.

During the last month there have been a number of significant changes to the course and Local Rules.

The major change to our club deals with handicapping and the course rating. In December we applied to Golf Australia to have a desktop audit of all our scores since the introduction of Golflink. The result of this survey was that it was recommended that the slope rating for the Blue Course be decreased from 122 to 119 with a scratch rating of 74 and the White Course increased from 116 to 118 with a scratch rating of 70.  The match Committee has agreed to implement this change as from the 1^st February 2018. The overall effect of this new rating should see your handicaps come down which we all strive to achieve. The ladies ratings were reviewed and it was decided not to adopt the changes as advised by Golf Australia.

Our Local tree root rule has been amended so that a drop is not allowed if outside of two club lengths from the base of the nearest tree if the position of the root interferes with your stance. The new rule is printed on the back of the new scorecards.

Around the course there have been a number of changes that members should note:

·        White posts have been removed from the Camelias at the back of the 10^th Green

·        White posts have been removed from the Tibochinas on the second fairway

·        Drop zones have been removed for the 17^th green. The garden to the left front of the green near the bunker is GUR and the rules of golf apply for the taking of relief. The rear of the 17^th green newly grassed area is in play. There is GUR beyond this area and the rules of golf apply when taking relief. The bunker at the right of the green is GUR and is being rebuild hopefully will be in play within the next couple of weeks

·        Members are advised that for the time being that the areas under and near the Bunyip Pines on the 16 and 17^th should be treated as GUR. It is very difficult to mark the whole of the area but members should exercise common sense when playing a shot in this area. This will apply till the end of February.

·        There has been a recommendation that we make all hazard markers Red. This would simplify the rules especially on the 3^rd Hole. I would appr3eciate any feedback from member and you rule experts.

The 2018 Mens CCDGA pennants commences on Sunday 4^th February All matches will be played at neutral courses and we wish all the selected players great golfing. Gosford will host 3 games for visiting clubs and this will effect the Sunday Competition. Dates have been included in the Fixtures Book. The Junior Pennants season commence on 4^th February. Four of our Juniors will be representing other clubs. Jemison Fitzgerald, Cruz and Lincon Papallardo will play as part of the Morisset team and Flynn Cho will play for Wyong. Next year we will have our own team.