Dear Members,
I have completed the 2024-25 golf program. The full program can be found on our website under > Competitions > Program. Following widespread consultation and with the assistance of the match committees and the endorsement of the main committee, I have decided to stay with our current program structure. This means that Presentation Day will be April 6 next year (perhaps I might win something one year) and the Club Champs start on April 13 (we have allowed one extra week for catchup in case of bad weather) The main highlights of the 24-25 season are:
We are publishing the program well in advance to try and provide plenty of advance warning for those keen golfers who also like to get away during the season. The good news is that the weather forecasts suggest we should have good conditions for some time ahead (mind you, they said the same to Morocco!) - so we will be playing a lot more than last year. Rob Eibisch (Club Capt. EGC) “Let’s remember - we come to golf to have fun" After the course was looking near perfect on Wednesday Echunga received 34mm of rain Thursday and overnight into today. Unfortunately this means that the course is quite wet again and due to the likely small number of players the competition planned for Saturday 9th September has been cancelled.
The course is still open (front nine only) and the clubhouse will be open for limited hours, however there will be no carts available for use. Fingers crossed that this is the last of the regular rain and with some sunny and warm days forecast the course should recover quite quickly from this latest down pour and be looking good for golf very soon. On Wednesday 4th October the club is hosting a Charity Day supporting the Hutt Street Centre. The competition will be a mixed pinehurst foursomes format with full details found in the flyer attached below:
Charity Day Flyer - 4th October Dear fellow golfers
I joined our great golf club in 1976. In the 47 years since Echunga Golf Club has provided me with enormous enjoyment (and more than a few tribulations as well). And, of course, I have made many great friends too. Over the years many people have assisted me in many ways - building a house, assisting me with the next drink, laughing at my poor jokes and worse golf and just giving me unwanted but probably warranted general advice. In order to partially pay back these generous gifts I joined the Committee in 2010 to help support the club that supported me. I have been Vice President, President, member of the grounds committee, sponsorship coordinator and, recently, Club Captain. However, the recent arrival of my grandchildren means I now have competing priorities. Those of you lucky enough to have them know just what a joy they are and what an opportunity they provide for engagement and fun. I love being with these kids and want to spend more time with them. So, at the next AGM, I plan to resign from the Captaincy. Doubtless this will make barely a ripple, but it will create an opportunity for someone else; younger, more energetic, and almost certainly cleverer than me to assume to role of Captain. So, consider putting your hand up, I can assure you the effort spent helping our Little Gem of a club will be well worth it. Regards Rob (Soon to be Ex) Club Captain “Remember we come to golf to have fun”. Updated 19/6/23
The weather has not been kind to us over the later part of the weekend, with more rain falling again. While the course is still playable, there are a lot of spots on the course that are too soft to have carts on them. Hopefully we get some better weather over the next few days / week and we can get the course ready for carts again. Any update to the course condition and carts being allowed will be reflected on the website. Thank you (& good golfing). Murray Bridge Golf Club has informed us that they have increased the green fee under our reciprocal rights agreement to $20 per round due to increased costs. This fee will need to be paid in addition to any applicable competition fees.
For members looking for alternative courses through the winter months that may be more convenient the club has secured the following reciprocal agreements:
The above rates, which equate to a reduction of approximately 50%, apply to an 18 hole round excluding competition fees. To enjoy the benefits Echunga Golf Club members simply need to confirm current membership status (active golflink number). Note – rates nominated are as at June 2023 and are subject to change Dear Members
The following update is provided for your interest and understanding. After enduring the impact of an extraordinarily wet and extended winter, summer has produced its own challenges for the ground staff. Numerous hours have been devoted to dealing with the back 9 irrigation issues. Despite numerous attempts to rectify, the new automated “Hunter” irrigation system remains un-operational and a continuing work in progress. The installer of the system has maintained contact with “Hunter” head office in their attempts to solve the matter. They continue to seek resolution. Time constraints have resulted in job priorities having to be set – some standard operational aspects have been modified or put on hold for the short term. Notably the greenkeepers have developed an overall spraying and rejuvenation plan covering Greens, Fairways and Tees. The goal is long term health. Recently purchased equipment has made implementation of the spraying plan far more efficient and in addition to dealing with eradication of weeds, fungus and pests the program also includes replenishing of nutrients. Back 9 Fairways Following on from the above commentary, recently replaced sprinklers have enabled watering albeit on a manual basis. Notably the new sprinklers have a wider and more consistent spread of water which will assist in achieving a broader fairway grass coverage over time. Greens Replacing sprinklers at greens where required is also part of the plan and work in this regard has occurred at several greens. These particular sprinklers will enable an even flow of water across the greens thereby alleviating the need to over water to ensure coverage. This should assist in avoiding patchy areas developing. Other rejuvenation works will include an internal Verti coring program using finer tines. This coring program will have a number of benefits including -
Enduring some short-term limitations will be more than rewarded in the medium to long term. As a result of our rejuvenation plans rotation of pin placements will be more limited in the short term. Progressive improvement in the greens will see more regular pin placement changes introduced on a green-by-green basis. Things of note
Conclusion We trust this summary provides a better overall understanding of current circumstances. There are many aspects which will come into play in some order of priority. We wish to assure members your Volunteer Committee together with the grounds staff are committed to positive outcomes for our Club – We thank members in anticipation of their patience and understanding. Echunga Golf Club Committee Reciprocal Right Benefits March 2023 update
Dear Members We are pleased to confirm reciprocal golf playing benefits have been established with the following Golf Clubs
To enjoy the benefits Echunga Golf Club members simply need to confirm current membership status Note – rates nominated are as at March 2023 and are subject to change With Compliments Robert Eibisch Captain - Echunga Golf Club Dear Fellow Golfers,
We’ve had a few recent events of late I would like to go through. Notably now that the greenkeepers can water the back nine, we can see progressive improvement. On the 25th of February I had the pleasure of umpiring the handicap match play final, it was won with a very solid performance by Lloyd Jackson with a very close 1 up victory over well-known Collin Stevens on the 18th and final hole. Collin tried hard but at the end of the day it only takes one shot! The Autumn Classic was held on the 5th of March. As always, this day is open for members of other clubs to come a play our course. The field of 80 players included 46 visitors from 10 different clubs. It started at 7.30am with Bacon and Egg sandwiches (Eggs donated by Peter Anderson) cooked by Mark Davidson. At the front of the club house thanks to the efforts of Creagh Bedson players enjoyed a “sausage sizzle” and invited to enter the day’s raffle. The outcome of the raffle was interesting with the convener, our “Pres”, Ray D’Alessandro managing to draw himself 4 times, this was probably due to the massive prizes on offer mainly supplied by our sponsors. I would like to thank on behalf of EGC our sponsors for the day - Old Mill Hahndorf for one night's accommodation Mt Osmond pro shop for $650 of vouchers Swan Reach Hotel One night's accommodation in the new apartment's Hagan Arms for wine Solitaire Estate Wines (Paul Freer) for wine Neutrog for gardening supplies Volvik for the golf balls Coopers Brewery After completing the 18-hole comp there was a draw with 2 players getting 76 in tough conditions. The result forced a playoff between Stephen Grow from Aston Hills and our own Hugh Griffin (ex Capt.). After 3 holes into a wind, I have not felt since my last stay in Tasmania, Stephen was successful on the 3rd playoff hole. Next year the Autumn Classic will be held on 3rd March, so put it in your diary now. Other people I would like to thank are VC Randy for all the background work and results on the day - Ben behind the bar for his work with the set-up and efforts on the day, plus Ben's Mum & Co for a lovely BBQ chicken lunch. Next big day is the presentation Day April 1st _ I know is the captain pulling one? but it's really 8.30, 1st April 23. We will be presenting all the trophies won during the 22-23 season. The game is Ambrose - pick your own team – the day concludes with a presentation lunch. (Note there is a raffle on the day with great prizes to win) See you then! Rob Captain EGC Remember we came to play golf to have fun! |
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October 2023
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