Newsletter May/June 2008
Elders Real Estate – Welcome Back
The new year of golf is now in full swing and this being our first newsletter on behalf of Members, the Board would like to welcome back for another year as the Clubs Major Sponsor: Elders Real Estate Ballina.
Retirement Drinks for Trevor & Vicki
All members and friends of Trevor and Vicki Russell are invited to attend Trevor’s Retirement Drinks held at the Club on Sunday 29th June from 3 pm.
Head Golfing Professional Appointment
After vetting 20 applicants, the final interviews were held and it is with great pleasure that the Board is able to announce the successful applicant was our own Brad Saunders. Congratulations Brad! The calibre of applicants was extremely high and the process of elimination was very difficult but has ensured our Club has the best possible candidate for our Club.
END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SALE – PRO SHOP!
Don’t miss out on the June Sale! 10-50% off all stock !!!!!!!!! $ $ $
Members Vouchers – Pro Shop Accountants
Members are reminded that Trevor has only four (4) weeks to go before he retires and all credits should be redeemed before he retires. Also, all monies owed to Trevor should be finalised before the end of June.
2008-09 Membership Fee Increases
In addition to last years ‘Pay as you go’ payment option, a recent upgrade to our administration golf software will enable Members to pay per month as a “direct debit” from a Credit or Bank Account at even a better rate. Please enquire at the office for details.
Insurance
Questions arising from recent break-ins to the Buggy Storage Sheds need answering.
(i) Buggies are not covered by the Clubs Insurance ONLY by private cover taken our by the individual member.
(ii) Members Golf Clubs that are stolen are fully covered but attract the $500 excess per claim to be paid by the member.
(iii) All other Insurance claims are dealt with on the circumstances involved. The club is fully covered for all bona fide claims under its current Insurance Portfolio.
A second break-in in the school holidays occurred and the recent upgrade to the security proved invaluable. Our thanks go to Tony for his swift actioning of this upgrade.
Motorised Buggy Fleet – “Club Car Vehicles”
A new fleet of buggies have been ordered to arrive at the end of June (see picture below). For further information go to: http://www.clubcar.com.au/precedent.htm They will be leased by the Club and maintained by the incoming Golf Professional. Club Car has also joined us as a sponsor for the upcoming year.
Seafood Buffet
1st Saturday of every Month. The first of this full Seafood Buffet was recently held and was an immediate, outstanding success.
This night will prove to be another successful promotion for our diners.
At $25 per head it is a steal!! Bookings are essential as next months booking will fill up quickly. Well done Peter and Vince. Another great innovation!
2nd State of Origin Game
Members and guests are reminded that the 2nd State of Origin Game is on live on the big screen from 7.30 pm on Wednesday 11th June 2008. FREE BBQ, footy doubles available and prizes to give away.
2008 Centenary of Golf Celebrations: 1908-2008
A full week of celebrations will kick off on Monday 30th June with the Vets Special Day.
The Ladies will host a ‘shot gun’ start competition on Thursday 3rd July followed by High Tea at 2pm and the cutting of the Centenary Birthday Cake by a ‘mysterious special guest’. All past golfers are welcome to attend.
An expanded Friday night 4th July traditional raffle will have a High ‘Ballina’ Trivia Night – some very interesting questions about Ballina, the Club, its characters and special events - with great prizes to be given away! Entertainment will be ‘The Alderman Brothers’, so get ready to dance the night away!
Saturday 5th July will see the launch of the Ballina Golf Club Centenary Book and 100 Year Dinner. This is not to be missed! Old friends, old competitors, photos to stir the memory and a good time all round! Book your table early as there is limited seating. Cost is $25 per head – Tables of 8 people. Gather up your friends and book now. Entertainment will be enjoyable duo of “Majic”, who know how to get you up on the dance floor!
Sunday is a Mixed Golf Day and a full afternoon of Jazz and finger foods to enjoy and relax with. A great wrap up of a full week of celebrations. Book early to play golf as places will go quickly, then come and relax with friends and walk down memory lane with old photos and artefacts on display.
There will be Centenary merchandise available for purchase during our celebration week ie. Centenary Book, Port, Shirts, Hats/Caps, Golf Balls, Tees etc.
Junior Development Program
A big thank you must go the Phil Dowling, Brad Saunders and the large group of volunteers that have launched this 2008 initiative. On behalf of the juniors, the Club would also like to thank all those members who have donated clubs, practice balls and other equipment. Any excess equipment will be passed on to other NRDGA Clubs trying to get their Junior Programs off the ground.
Mike Creighton
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
BALLINA GOLF & SPORTS CLUB
FEBRUARY 2008 NEWSLETTER
Dear Member
A belated welcome to 2008, a year which promises to be both challenging and interesting. Already quite a deal has happened and this newsletter will attempt to cover recent developments.
I read a newspaper article last week which claimed that a statistician had concluded that, since 1972, when the Federal Government is Labor, we have above average rainfall, when the Coalition is in power we have drought! Any member with Labor party connections might like to contact Kevin and let him know we’ve had enough. There have been few if any days in 2008 when we haven’t had some precipitation. While this has had an impact on our golfing programme and course trading, it is a tribute to, both our course and Wayne Tickle and his staff that we have been able to play as much as we have.
While the Board realises some members would like to see funds directed almost exclusively to the course, it is a reality that we must make our clubhouse an attractive, comfortable and very importantly, safe place for members and visitors to come and enjoy. Without a viable clubhouse, it would be very difficult to sustain the present competitive playing costs. To this end the Club has tackled some much needed infrastructure issues.
Car Park Lighting & Electrics
The absence of appropriate lighting in the Club car park was an issue which could not be allowed to go unattended any longer. It was unwelcoming and dangerous. The installation of the eight lights was considered the best option because in the future, having perimeter lighting allows for any development to the Club House but most of all they gave the best illumination to all extremities of the car park.
A less obvious, but even more important area of work has been the repairs to the electrical switchboard behind the old BBQ. This main distribution switchboard had been obsolete and did not allow the Club any flexibility for the future. This was a must do project!
New Till System
The Club is also introducing a new till system. While these tills might seem state of the art, it is really technology which other venues around the town have had for some time. The advantages of these tills are to enable the Club a secure way of spending golfing vouchers won within the Club. This system can also be expanded upon with the introduction of other member facilities ie. earning “dollar points” for money spent when enjoying golf or in the Club House.
New Staff Member
A warm welcome to our new Staff Member ‘Michael Ciccia’. Mick and his family have moved to the area from the Wagga region. He brings with him a depth of Club experience to compliment our existing permanent staff. We wish him a long and happy stay at the Golf Club.
Garden Mulch – 2nd Fairway
“FREE” to members – please contact Wayne Tickle on the Greens Shed Number: 66 86 0552.
Web Site & Computing
The Club’s website has now been updated and will hopefully become a more appealing, informative and effective mode of communication. We apologise for any inconvenience to our Members while we were rebuilding, with the good news that all results are now up and running and can be found on: www.ballinagolfclub.com.au. Please take the time to view and enjoy our Web Page.
New members are invited to provide an email address when they nominate. If you are a member of some standing, who has access to an email address and would like to be contacted by the Club in this way, you may lodge your details at the office or through the Clubs new website.
The Board attended a presentation regarding the introduction of an online booking system. The company comes from W.A. While the product seemed attractive and would be favoured by some members, there were some issues, including cost and management, which raised questions. Until these aspects and more pressing priorities have been attended to, the Board has deferred the installation of this facility.
There also seems to be a rumour doing the rounds that the Club is replacing the “Golflink” system. At present there appears to be no better system for golf management and therefore, there are no plans to replace it.
The Restaurant
Since December, East Gardens Family Restaurant has been operating a Family Buffet on Monday nights for a cost of $7 per person. The Monday night record was 272 diners. It is difficult to imagine this many people in the Club on any one night let alone a Monday. This buffet does seem to be attracting new patrons to the Club plus giving members a value night out at their Club.
The Seafood Buffet on a Wednesday continues to prove popular. If you haven’t been to our East Gardens Restaurant recently, I would encourage you to do so.
While on catering, the Board is well aware that many golfing members miss the “halftime” BBQ. Options to restore this are being drawn up. However, in the short term it is not a viable exercise to implement these options. There have been some fine tuning for golfers in the middle of their round - in the Restaurant. There are up to 8 food options now available and these can all be served quickly.
Fairways and Rough
There has been much comment about the condition of the rough and the reshaping of the fairways. The reshaping of the fairways was undertaken under the guidance of Golf Director, Kel Pearce, with a view to adjusting the course’s ACR. The process involved narrowing the fairways at the ‘240 metre mark’. However, the weather has compounded the impact this has had on the enjoyment of many members with the rough growing at an extraordinary rate. Course Superintendent Wayne Tickle, assures me the rough is being mown as low as possible; tree roots and rocks preclude mowing any lower.
A re-widening of the fairways will begin Monday 24th February 2008.
Mr Trevor Russell Retires After 36 Years!
Many members will be aware that Trevor has decided to retire from his position as Ballina Golf and Sports Club Professional. Trevor has been the only professional our Club has known.
The exact date of Trevor’s retirement has not been finalised and is subject to commercial factors but will be before the end of the financial year. Members will be advised of any plans for a retirement function for Trevor and Vicky.
One of the factors to be considered is the redemption of vouchers on the ‘credit box’ system. Members are encouraged to use their ‘credit’ in the coming weeks and months. While new vouchers may be used in the Pro Shop, members are asked not to place anymore on the credit system.
The Board is considering options for the future operation of the Pro Shop and will keep members informed about developments in this area.
Centenary of Golf: 1908 - 2008
I hope most members are aware that 2008 marks 100 years since the first game of competitive golf was played in the town. Life Member and club historian Mal Parry had identified the 4th July as the exact date of this competition. The Club intends to recognise this event by producing a commemorative publication, golfing memorabilia, themed golf events and social functions. The golfing and social events will focus on the days around the 4th July.
The deadline for the publication to the printers is April. If you have any material you think might be of interest (especially relating to the early decades) there is still time to submit it.
Resignation
Finally, Mr Paul Selman has resigned as a Director of the Club. I would like to thank Paul on behalf of the Board and Members for his contribution over the past 15 months. He brought some unique qualities and skills to the table.
The Board is considering a replacement for Paul in accordance with the constitution.
Steve Morris
PRESIDENT
BALLINA GOLF AND SPORTS CLUB
Good Friday 21st March - Easter Raffles:
1st Prize $50 Easter Basket + Choc. Baskets, Meat Trays & Seafood Vouchers to be won!
2nd Chance Draw – 21st March 08.
Win $250 of Easter Goodies including: 2 folding chairs, Large Easter Rabbit & Basket of Chocolate. To win: simply purchase raffle tickets on Friday Night and drop your 2nd Chance Slip into the Barrel!
Cadet Golf Coaching with
BRAD SAUNDERS
Sunday Afternoons
Cost is $4.00 per afternoon (given to Brad)
Starting time is approx. 3.00 pm.
Meet @ the cadet room.
For more information contact Brad: 66 860569 Mb: 0409862022