2017 News & Member Information

Topics:

* Dec – Aggregate 2 Team Stableford at Churchill Park.
* Nov – ESVGA Championship Stroke & AGM.
* Oct – Highlights from Horst & Dermot’s visit to St. Andrews.
* Oct – Report & Photos from Cardinia-Beaconhills 4BBB.
* Sept – Report & Photos from VVGA Teams Championship Nhill Golf Course.
* Sept – Photos from Heidelberg game Sept 4th.
* Aug – Photos from Ringwood Golf Course August 7th.
* July – Photos from Rosanna game July 3rd.
* June – Great winter golf at Waterford Valley June 5th.
* May – Amendment to 2017 syllabus for Heidelberg & Rosanna
* April – Wonderful weather at Warburton Golf Course
* April – AVGU National Championships Gold Coast 15-20 Oct Gold Coast
* March – Modernising Golf’s Rules – USGA 0r R&A announcement.
Draft Rules for 2019, Sample of Proposed Rule Book Style
* March – Highlight from Yering Meadows
* February – Central Victorian Goldfields Open
* February – Report on ESVGA Round on February 6th at Box Hill

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(Posted 23/12/2017)

Aggregate 2 Team Stableford at Churchill Park

Our day at Churchill Park ran quite smoothly, despite the hiccup with all members having to tee off the blue markers. Scores reflected this with the highest score being 36 stableford points. The course was in fine condition but the greens provided some difficulty.

Hospitality from the club was very good and members appreciated the free drink voucher (even the ones who lost theirs and needed to sheepishly request another one!) The hams instead of the meat trays were also a winner. Great to see Rod Coling attending for lunch.

President Ron thanked the committee for its efforts in 2017 and wished all present a safe and happy Christmas season.

Barry Smith
for ESVGA Committee

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(Posted 15/1/2017)

Championship Stroke at Gardiners Run and AGM

Our round at Chirnside Park that included the AGM generally ran smoothly. Members were very keen to get out to their respective tees so that an 8.30 am start was well and truly accomplished. The Pro shop’s and catering’s expertise ensured a smoothly functioning day and the general opinion was that it is a shame that Chirnside Park is not on the 2018 calendar. NTP prize provider this month: John Matthews (Chirnside Park) was acknowledges for his generosity.

Photos of play in progress, trophy winners and the AGM have been included in this report. Photos supplied by Barry Smith, Ray Keppie & Neil Muller. Click photos to enlarge.

Brian Murphy putting while Ho Siauw holds the pin.	2017 ESVGA championship leaderboard.
ESVGA Champions: L-R Daryl Dyer (B Grade), Derek Wilson (A Grade), Russell Manning (ESVGA Champion) & Ray Keppie (C Grade).	Happy winners, Graeme Salter (NTP C Grade) and C Grade Champion Ray Keppie.
Despite the slight hiccup in presenting one or two vouchers to the wrong members, (which allowed the usual wits to flourish), congratulations was conveyed to all winners especially Peter Long whose Parmaker Buggy win was a most popular one. Hopefully it has Peter right back on the path to complete health after an intensive twelve months for him. A report on Rod Coling’s progress after a serious operation was made for all members. Rod Coling (9 years as treasurer) and John Hall (1 year) were thanked for their time on the committee.
New treasurer Gary Thompson giving the treasurers report.	President Ron Hottes presenting the presidents report.
Reports from Ron Hottes (President) and Gary Thompson (treasurer) provided a clear picture of the happenings in 2017. Neil Muller who was especially mentioned for his quality of work as secretary and webmaster, provided the current membership standing which was 157. This compared more than favourably with the same period last year. The new committee was elected, welcomed and looks forward to a busy but successful 2018. New committee member, Max Bracegirdle was thanked for standing and it should be noted that there is one vacant position that still needs to be filled. It was appreciated that members came forward and thanked the committee for its time during the past year. Meat Raffle winners went home happy. Photos of play in progress and trophy/winners have been included in this report. Special thanks to Ray Keppie for providing several of these. Barry Smith

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(Posted 28/10/2017)

Highlights from Horst & Dermot’s visit to St. Andrews

Fellow ESVGA Member, Dermot Magee, his wife Pauline and I enjoyed a “week of golf at St Andrews” as part of our separate UK & European Holidays in August & September just gone. My wife Beverley (not a golfer) was our photographer.

Our package included playing the Old Course, New Course, Kingsbarn and Castle Courses and concluded with a round at the Gleneagles, Kings Course.

The weather was generally kind and nothing like we see regularly on TV watching golf in Scotland.

We had hired local professional caddies to add to our experience for the Old Course. We were joined by a forth player, a gentleman from the US and his friend. The golf was thoroughly enjoyable. Hitting fairways, finding the greens and making putts had that extra “special” feel about them. We each enjoyed the challenge of playing from some of the bunkers on the course, whether we got out first time or not, just a good laugh afterwards, knowing we had seen many good golfers struggle over the years.

Being able to have an occasional shot from the “Seve Ballesteros Territory” was also a special treat and being able to then hit the green and sink the eagle putt on one of the holes was my most outstanding highlight. (the advantage of the caddie can not be understated)

Kingsbarn was played only a week after the Ladies had played their British Open there. The course was in pristine condition. The Castle Course proved to be the most difficult, as we had a very strong wind blowing from off the land.

To finish our week of golf at Gleneagles was an absolute delight. Many of the ESVGA Members would remember the “Celebrity Golf” series on Channel Two in the 70’s. Hence my wanting to play a round there.

Overall, I was able to play 10 games of golf during the seven weeks away. One in Rome, five in Scotland, three in England and one in Ireland. (that’s more than what I play here in a similar time period)

Both couples caught up again in Ireland, Sligo, for a round of golf at Strandhill, before going their separate ways around Ireland, England, Germany, Italy and then home.

Horst Eberius

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(Posted 10 & 16/10/2017)

Photos & News from Cardinia-Beaconhills 4BBB 9th Oct.

What a day of contrasts with a loud clap of thunder and flashes of lightning greeting some of us departing for the course. Fortunately, things improved and the round finished with our members bathed in sunshine. (No repeats of last year}

The course was in very good condition although several felt that the rating was rather low. Catering and pro-shop were up to the usual very good standard.

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(Posted 26/9/2017)
VVGA Teams Championship at Nhill 18-19th September

Max Baxter, Neil Cowie, Neil Muller, Barry Smith, Neil Smith and Dave Waters,
won the right to represent our association at the VVGA Teams’ Event held at the Nhill Golf Club. 35 teams of 3 competed, with the winners determined by the aggregate total of team scores over the 2 days. West Gippsland won win 222 points, the runner up was Wimmera with 215 and the ESVGA & Geelong came in equal third with 211.

Pros:
* The township of Nhill is a small, friendly town.
* The course was in excellent condition
* Giveaway items provided including delicious lunch on the first day.
* Quality of meals on Monday night and Tuesday lunchtime.
* Comradery developed between all golfers
* Best Wines No 1 Shiraz.
* Our first team of Neil Muller, Neil Smith and Dave Waters recording equal-third place in the overall rankings.
* Max Baxter and Neil Cowie winning NTP awards on the Tuesday.
* Best ESVGA player score Max Baxter with 40 points
* Organising of the shotgun start each day.
* The work done by the ladies of Nhill Golf Club.

Cons:
* The township of Nhill is struggling economically.
* The greens were fast and tricky.
* Ridiculously late start on Monday (11.15 am) which culminated in the last three holes being played in pouring rain. The weather forecast had predicted this.
* Too much good food.
* Best Wines No 1 Shiraz which spilt on the tablecloth and worse, on our secretary’s jumper (and he wasn’t imbibing!)
* A score of 47 stableford points on Tuesday by a golfer from Goulburn Valley.
* Retaining the same groupings and tees on both days.
* Tuesday was a VERY long day …pack-up your gear, golf, lunch, presentation, plus a drive home of approximately 400 km.

All members representing the ESVGA appreciated the opportunity to attend.

Barry Smith

 

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(Posted 26/9/2017)
Heidelberg Golf Course 4th September

Despite the dire forecast, 65 players enjoyed a cool, breezy morning of golf.
Considering the weather of the previous weeks, the course was in very good condition and greens demanded respect.
As seen by the result sheet, scores were close.
Heidelberg provided a mixture of sandwiches and hot nibbles which was a nice touch.

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(Posted 17/8/2017)
Ringwood Golf Course 7th August

Winter golf conditions returned at Ringwood Golf Course for our wettest game for the year. Seventh three players braved the weather which was worse on arrival than at any time during the game. Many thanks to the Ringwood Golf Club for the use of their clubrooms and Maroondah Council for their assistance it was much appreciated.

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(Posted 15/7/2017)
Rosanna Golf Club 3rd July

A great day for our past secretary Michael Mulcahy below, C grade winner and nearest the pin on the 3rd hole. Well done Michael.

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(Posted 15/6/2017)
Waterford Valley Golf Course 5th June

Wonderful winter golf was experienced at Waterford Valley this year. The course was in excellent condition with most players enjoying the experience given the many good scores. Conditions were generally overcast, but the rain and wind kept away, with the sun even appearing as we were finishing our round. Many thanks to Wes and his staff for great hospitality. Thanks also to Waterford Valley for offering a free round of golf for 2 with cart as our major raffle prize. Congratulations to the winner Keith Eddison.

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(Posted 22/5/2017)
Churchill Park game report 8th May

Despite our local committee man, Dave Waters attempting to assure all members at Churchill Park that the weather was on the improve (by turning up in tee shirt and shorts), it wasn’t an ideal golfing morning….umbrellas up, umbrellas down.. rare glimpses of sunshine and annoying brief drizzle.

The course was in very good condition (see photos below) but quite tricky greens and heavy bunkers made scoring difficult. Stableford scores were low but Greg Allen, Chui Goh and Max Bracegirdle achieved success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice to see that four new members Ian Storey, Reg Broad, Gary Gray and Alan McMeekin enjoyed the day whatever their scorecards showed!!

Churchill Park was thanked for its hospitality and provision of the NTP prizes.

Winning a meat raffle did help to improve the day for one or two members!!!

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(Posted 4/5/2017)
Heidelberg and Rosanna date changes
Due to a scheduled power outage at Heidelberg on the 3rd July the committee has decided to swap the Heidelberg and Rosanna games.

We will now be playing at:
Rosanna G.C. on 3rd July and
Heidelberg G.C. on 4th Sept.

Neil Muller for ESVGA committee

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(Posted 6/4/2017)
Highlights from Warburton – 3rd April 2017
One could not have ordered a more perfect day for golf. If one’s golf was not going as planned, taking in the magnificent views of the Warburton surrounds was truly a relief.

How close was the A grade result with all three players finishing on the same score, in fact 36 points was quite a popular total.

With C grade having the smallest number, it appeared fairly easy for someone to win with only seventeen other members against whom to compete!!

 

The Warburton Golf Club should be congratulated on the condition of the course. Some greens were very tricky.

All day, bottomless coffee/tea was available and the cake topped-off the lunch beautifully.

A couple of our Royal Park members discovered how to drive different golf carts having to change on at least two occasions!!

 

Perhaps the local resident bordering the fourth fairway felt we had been playing long enough…… our group thought it was a lit incinerator full of leaves that caused the enormous smoke screen.

Despite this, a really marvellous day. Do enjoy the photos showing how picturesque the course was.

How accommodating the ESVGA is ….. providing the opportunity for a young golfer to gain a handicap by playing in our comp last Monday Josh Bulman.

 

Barry Smith for ESVGA Committee

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(Posted 6/4/2017)
AVGU National Championships Gold Coast Oct Gold Coast
For details of AVGU National 54 hole Stroke Championship for both Ladies and Men on the Gold Coast click here.

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(Posted 11/3/2017)
Highlights from Yering Meadows – 6th March 2017

Our “friendly grouping” day of 107 members at Yering Meadows proved to be a most enjoyable one and we hope you savoured the opportunity, in most instances, to play with someone you didn’t know.

The course was in excellent condition, the weather was fine and the new personnel at the pro-shop and catering provided excellent service. The continuous coffee/tea was much appreciated.

 

 

Congratulations to our winners and to Jack Kerin (Eastwood) for his Eagle on the Par 4 15th hole. All results are on our ESVGA website.

 

Instead of sending him half-way across the course to find his correct hole, thank you to the group on the 18b who welcomed one of our new members into their fold and played as a “five”.

The committee is aware of the imbalance in Monday’s grade numbers …almost as many ‘C’ graders as ‘A’ and ‘B’ combined! Various slope ratings of ESVGA courses is contributing to this problem. Of course, the purists would say to improve your golf and move into a higher grade!!

Finally, whether personally or by email, we appreciated the members who went out of their way to thank the committee for its efforts.

Barry Smith for ESVGA Committee

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(Posted 19/2/2017)
Central Victorian Goldfields Open, 3 – 4 April 2017

This event is run by the Central Victorian Veteran Golfers Association and is open to all members of Veterans’ Golfers Associations.

Click here for Entry Form & more information

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(Posted 6/2/2017)
Report on ESVGA Round on February 6th at Box Hill

Many parts of Melbourne had their average February rainfall total overnight! Box Hill had 48 mm since 6.00 pm yesterday.

After much discussion and consultation with several members, today’s stableford round at Box Hill was unfortunately abandoned. With the constant light rain, the course was unable to be played-on till 8:30 or potentially later and with the weather radar showing heavier rain likely, the difficult decision was made. The announcement by President Ron Hottes was made at approximately 7.50 am.

This was a difficult decision but with overnight cancellations alone we were already down to less than 100. Coupled with the number who turned-up but immediately cancelled and the players who decided against playing in wet conditions altogether, the field was considerably reduced. At the time, we made our decision, many members present were most appreciative of the resultant outcome.

It should be mentioned that apologies (latish or otherwise) for an inability to play in today’s round were much appreciated. Similarly, thanks to Ashley Mitchell, who had the NTP markers out on the course by 7.00 am!

Negotiations with the club were successfully made concerning catering and further communication should follow, hopefully in an amicable manner. Consideration into some form of financial restitution to Box Hill Golf Club may be made, more as a good-will gesture on our part rather than one of demand from the club management. (Our June 2016 round at Box Hill was a financial loss of $309.)

Fourteen members decided to play a round at a cost of $30 green fees.

Having three trays of meat in the upstairs fridge meant the meat raffle with Derek Wilson In charge, just had to go ahead.

Happy winners were Dennis Philipson, Dick Thomas and Alan Young

In conclusion, the Committee, at its next meeting, will discuss the situation that arose this morning and create an advisory policy to follow if and when future fixtures are affected by adverse conditions.

Barry Smith for ESVGA Committee

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