RICHMOND GOLF CLUB LTD
The Oldest Golf Course in NSW

34 Bourke Street
PO BOX 5
Richmond NSW 2753

Pro Shop: (02) 4578 2272
Club House: (02) 4578 1739
Fax: (02) 4588 5881
Restaurant: (02) 4578 4233

Email: admin@
richmondgolfclub.com.au

Captain's Corner

While I haven’t been playing golf lately, I have received many compliments from members regarding the current condition of the course. These comments are certainly appreciated and our thanks must go to the Course Superintendent, Mark Williams and his team, for the way they present the course.

5th and 17th Tee Area
The 5th and 17th tees are an area of much discussion among members and committee alike. As a result of these conversations, the Board has decided to construct a new tee for the 17th hole next to the current tee and return the 5th tee to its original position.

This will see the initial construction of a screen on the left side of the 5th tee to provide protection for those on the new 17th tee and those waiting next to the new 17th tee. Once the screen is completed, the 5th will return to its original position and a temporary 17th tee will be established forward of the new tee construction area. Following this, a low level tee the size of the old 17th tee will be constructed. This will be opened after some settling in - if all goes well, in time for the Richmond Cup.

While this will not address all the issues that exist in this high traffic area of the course, it does solve some problems. With attention to safety by all playing on the course, hopefully no incidents will occur.

Slow Play
How frustrating it is to spend over 4½ hours playing a competition round.

This is an ongoing problem at Richmond and I’m sure at many other golf courses. I am frequently approached by members with complaints about how slow the group in front of them were and why doesn’t the committee do something about players who are always slow and hold up others on the course.

To help improve your enjoyment of the game, and that of your fellow players, I have three suggestions for groups having difficulty maintaining their position on the course:
1. Take some time to read and absorb page 13 of your Fixtures Book.
2. Always proceed directly to or adjacent to your own ball and wait there for the player farthest from the hole to play their shot. Use that waiting time to assess your own shot. Be ready to play once it is your turn.
3. Reduce the time you spend between the 9th hole and 10th tee. Take any food and drink to the tables near the 10th tee. That way you can easily see where the group in front is. The 10th hole is a call up hole and your group should be on the tee to be called up by the group in front.
We also have a Course Marshall, Ross Pascoe on the course on Saturday and Sundays. He has the full authority of the Match Committee in regard to pace of play and care of the golf course. Ross reports back to the Captain and Vice Captain each week regarding matters affecting the play of golf at Richmond.

The Match Committee remains reluctant to penalise players for slow play, but will do so if necessary. Your efforts to play golf at an acceptable pace will be much appreciated by those playing behind you.

Bunkers
Bunkers are always a point of debate, however, the cost to fix up all of the bunkers at Richmond to a standard the members may desire, is too high at the moment.

We will be looking into rotary hoeing the bunkers again like we did last year, removing matting that is showing and applying additional sand where required. These practices only provide a temporary solution to a far more complex problem, but we can only address a little at a time.

4th Hole

In regard to the hazard and wood chipped area on the right side of the 4th hole, relief is only available from the recently, extensively planted area in the drop zone provided.

Relief is not available from the wood chipped area outside the extensively planted area. It is an integral part of the course.

Relief is available from staked trees in this area, as per the rules of golf.

Pennant Team Nominations
Nomination forms have been placed on the notice board near the office for players wishing to be considered for selection in the following Pennant teams.
• Super Seniors Pennant
• Masters Pennant
• Major Pennant

And finally, I will be resuming playing golf in the next few weeks. I ask people to respect my right as a member to a game of golf without being interrupted by complaints, gripes and suggestions on the course.

If you wish to discuss issues, I am always available after my round, or you can leave a message at the office or bar and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.

Anthony Bye
Club Captain