Flagstaff Hill Golf Club Newsletter April 2020
The latest news from Flagstaff Hill Golf Club
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Welcome to our April Newsletter
Hi <<First Name>>
Its been a very unusual month with rapidly changing COVID-19 requirements. Unfortunately these have impacted the Club's services available for Members, and we thank you for your ongoing support and patience during these challenging times.
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Late-breaking news - COVID 19
As South Australia stabilises the COVID_19 'curve', we have moderately relaxed some restrictions, while still being mindful of keeping our Members and Staff safe.
Three Player Groups
We are pleased to announce that 3 player groups are now allowed from Sat 25th April. Read more here
It is still very important that members do not gather together in groups of more than 10 in any one area, before, during or after the game.
Further updates will be posted on the website and emailed to members, so please monitor the website or your emails regularly.
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Online Booking Sheets upgrades
The online booking pages are being upgraded to make them easier to use, especially on mobile devices.
The changes come into effect from late on Monday 27th April. The changes will mean the page looks and operates differently, but we expect members will find the changes intuitive. The booking process will be easier and faster and is better suited to mobile devices.
You can view how the new booking pages will look here.
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Women's News
This is indeed a weird and worrying time! After a period when only social golf was available, it is great that, with the reinstatement of competition golf, Tuesday mornings are looking a bit more like they used to!
Some of us are playing and some are self-isolating, but, with the weather still being conducive to being out on the course, I think we are lucky to have this choice.
Not surprisingly, our Special Competitions have been suspended until further notice and so have the Golf Australia (SA) ones, including Country Week.
Keep safe
Anne Graham
Women’s President
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Pennant Team News
You may not be aware, but Golf SA Pennants have been cancelled for 2020.
Prior to its cessation thing were looking good. A new sponsorship with “Drummond Golf” who provided practice facilities at Darlington (simulator) & West Beach (driving range with supplied practice balls).
A couple of players moved on, but thankfully a couple of players were recruited into the group (excellent work from Brad Manton in particular).
The downside of the cancellation is our ‘B2’ side can’t get back into ‘Bonner Cup’ as quickly as we had hoped.
The upside is our ‘Simpson Cup’ team will be undefeated this season (something I expected anyway).
Andy Collins
Simpson Cup Team Manager
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Juniors News
Junior clinics have been suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, but, never fear, coaching is still available!
The first of a planned series of short videos can be found via Facebook on either Sarah’s Golf Group or McCormack’s Junior Golf. This one focuses on pitching and is worth a look, whether you are young or not!
Thanks to Jan, Sarah and Nick for being creative about giving our juniors ideas about how to practise while clinics are unavailable.
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Course Report
Greens
Greens continue to perform well, with good colour and density. A little bit of disease has crept in again this month which has been treated with fungicide
Tees
The tees are greatly improved however further improvement will not come from couch growth now until springtime. The 14th ladies tee, recognised as one of the 3 worst on course, has had some minor irrigation alterations which have already had a positive impact on the couch. We predict the tee will recover with cool-season varieties very quickly and transition into full couch coverage very early in spring. The 5th tee has had sodding and plugging work.
Fairways
12th fairway sodding has been very successful and we believe it will be among the best fairways on course from this coming spring onwards.
16 and 17 fairways continue to be the weakest on course. The solution here is not simple and this will be another area of focus over the cooler months as to how to move forward with better results.
Overall the fairways are in great condition given where they have come from in such a short space of time.
Bunkers
With no rakes in bunkers, and local rules supporting preferred lies if desirable, the amount of work being done in bunkers over the past month has diminished. That said we went out just yesterday and sprayed all the weeds in all bunkers. Edges are fairly tidy also.
Irrigation
No major irrigation works, apart from minor alternations to 14th ladies’ tee has taken place over the last month. However, we have been approved to do a minor irrigation upgrade on the 8th fairway, with the installation of a single pipe and sprinkler to an unsightly dry area left start of fairway.
Special projects
We have done a lot of chipping of piles of branches in several spots on course including the 16th tee and left of 17th tees.
Paths
We have done quite a lot of path work, a combination of major and minor upgrades. Those of significance include the lengthening of 12th tee to fairway path, and the great work done on the path from Infront of 8th tee, right around to in front of 11th tee.
Mulching
At the club’s direction, we have started implementing a plan to mulch some areas between tee and fairway starting with holes 12, 15 and 16. See below the 12th tee mulching.
We have done additional work on the 10th tee, to clean up behind the turf line. It has been suggested and waiting for confirmation, that we mulch behind this turf line to tidy the area up and make it look deliberate. We will be grabbing any exposed rubber matting while there also.
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The Bore Update
We have some fantastic news to announce regarding our new bore. The Club has met with AquaTech regarding the installation of pump and infrastructure to facilitate water delivery from the newly drilled bore to Loch Hillan (our dam).
Tests have provided strong evidence to suggest the water will be suitable for golf course irrigation and we are excited to move forward with pump and infrastructure installation. This has been made possible via donations from our exceptionally generous member.
The works will commence on Monday April 27 and take roughly 5 days. The pump will be installed, piping trenched from the bore site and culminate in water being delivered to the dam on the western side of the currently exposed spit. This should allow the water to shandy in an area which is not directly in pumping vicinity.
The works will affect the course slightly, however Aaron Kelly understands all the ramifications for golf and will adjust accordingly. The blue and white markers will be moved forward to the red tee blocks on the 8th and 18th holes, hence eliminating any danger to workers.
This is an exceptionally exciting time for the Club, a great stride forward in our future.
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FHGC History - Lock Hillian
With news of our new bore, it's a good time to reflect on the history of our dam - 'Lock Hillian'. This critical water resource was named in honour of David Hillan, the Hooker Rex General Manager who had a key role in the formation and development of the golf course in the 1960's.
As many members will know, Lock Hillan also has a voracious appetite for wayward golf balls should they fail to cross it on the 7th tee.
The official opening of Lock Hillan
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Fence repairs
Members will also notice our fence on Daveys Road will be repaired. Works will start on the week commencing Monday 27th of April.
Over time the fence on Daveys Road has deteriorated and been severely damaged by members of the public jumping over it to access the course. This has led to serious concerns not only for the safety and damage of the Club, but also residents homes which border the course.
We look forward to our new fence being completed and ensuring access via Daveys road is all but eliminated. If any member sees people damaging the fence or accessing the course via Davey’s road, please report to the Club.
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New Members
Please welcome the following new (or returning) members to the club who have joined since the previous newsletter
| Preferred name |
Surname |
Membership type |
| Darren |
Chandler |
Cat B - Gold |
| Ryan |
Hanlon |
Cat B - Gold |
| Peter |
Johnson |
Cat B - Gold |
| Matt |
Finlay |
Cat C - Silver |
| Peter |
Cox |
Lifestyle |
| Fred |
Nenasheff |
Lifestyle |
| Niels |
Van Diermen |
Lifestyle |
| Liam |
Warburton |
Lifestyle |
| Allan |
Wiseman |
Lifestyle |
| Sam |
Wong |
Lifestyle |
| Jung |
Young Syob |
Lifestyle |
| Craig |
Grigg |
Try Golf |
| Luke |
Johnston |
Try Golf |
| Glen |
Simpson |
Try Golf |
| Stuart |
Embury |
Social |
| Luke |
Granleese |
Social |
| Henry |
Grebenshikoff |
Social |
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New Member Profile
Please welcome new member Glenn Freestone.
Glenn is a 20 year resident of Belair with wife Cathy and Family. He is an Electrical Technician in the Oil and Gas Industry. He enjoys outdoor activities, fishing, walking, boats and nature.
A former member of Stirling GC (he says it was too steep for his knees) and then Belair Park GC ( until its sudden closure)
Glenn is now adapting to the challenging fairways, hungry bunkers and interposing trees at FHGC
Glenn's ambition is to break 90 or enjoy trying.
Say hi to Glenn if you see him on the course!
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The FHGC Newsletter
We hope you found our newsletter informative. The Board of Management has produced this newsletter to help keep our members informed.
Please let us know your feedback and in particular other items you would like to see in future newsletters.
If you would prefer to not receive any more newsletters, you can unsubscribe here.
If you know other members who did not receive a copy of the newsletter they can request a copy by emailing manager@fhgc.com.au |
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