I wish everyone a wonderful Festive Season and happy and safe New Year.
2023 will go down as a year of change and recovery and our Club has blossomed into one of the best Member-owned, public-access courses in the city (if not the State!). We have taken the opportunity to invest for the future with the new Sports Bar, Administration Offices, Course equipment, Paths, Carts, Greenkeepers' Facilities and renovated 8th tee. Importantly, these investments have been made without acquiring any debt.
This has been done during a major change in management and I'd like to thank Anthony Ryan, Luke Telford and Lian Smedley and their teams for the fantastic work they do every day.
This year has seen the busiest year ever with over 80,000 rounds of golf. Thanks to Marty and his team in the Pro Shop who look after all of us, always with a warm welcome.
Our Volunteers continue to play an important role in amazing and different ways, thank you to all of you. Special acknowledgements to Russ Fennell, our Club Person of the Year, Gordon Edwards (Raffles), Ross Donaldson (Everywhere) and Serge Puz (Course Maintenance). I encourage all Members to get involved in some way, as contributing is so much more rewarding than complaining on the Third Tee!
To the Women's, Vets' and Juniors' Committees, thank you for your work over the year.
To my Team; Ben Brown (Captain), Alex Cicchini (Vice President), Glenn Woodley (Vice Captain), Henk van Diggele (Chairman FTAA), Steve Bradley, Steve Callaghan, Ann Conway and Greg Sheaves; thank you for your skill and effort in successfully leading the Club over the entire year.
The Christmas Extravaganza on 2 December was an overwhelming success with over 120 Members and Guests. The performers were world-class and the audience were spellbound with songs from Christmas to The Phantom of the Opera to West Side Story and dancing to ABBA et al. I saw tears of joy on several faces and one Member commented that "the Club had its mojo back". Management is working on bigger and better next year.
Work will commence on the new 14th Green in early January and we have been lucky to get this in, to take advantage of the excellent growing conditions before Autumn bites. The Golf Committee and Superintendent will also look to improve the "pin-ability" of Holes 2, 5 and 10, as part of the project.
Also coming soon, is a Kids' Playroom which replaces the old gaming area and further enhances our family-friendly areas and completes the separation from gaming and loud events.
Members will receive their Annual Membership Renewals in the coming weeks and I'm happy to report that the increases are modest and remain excellent value for money.
I would like to thank you all for your patronage and the many Members who have offered kind words and support over the year.
I look forward to sharing your Fairway soon!
Mark Mathieson - President and Chairman of the Board
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