b

Hooks & Slices

DGCC Out of

Administration!

Trivia Night

Friday, 20 February

7 for 7:30 pm

See flyer inside.

COMING EVENTS

Friday

20th February

Trivia Night

Friday

20th March

Songs of the

Legends

February 2015

I would like to wish you all a happy and safe New Year. I hope the New Year will also bring a happier and brighter future for our club.

As most of you will realize, the Golf Club has been under administration for the past few months. As we now come out of administration, we face the challenge of maintaining the club with very limited finances. The timing of the transition to the new Committee, during the Christmas-New Year break,

President’s Message

Course Superintendent’s Report

Over the past few months we have seen quite unique weather patterns hitting our beautiful golf course. This has made the ongoing maintenance of our main 18 holes very tough. We have sprayed much needed pesticides out on the course when the days are calm enough. We have seen a larger than normal stem weevil population begin to emerge this year and have sprayed insecticide on greens as usual but also surrounds and tees this year.

was unfortunate but we are now established and, with your support, ready to take up these challenges.

The administration of our Club has transitioned to another phase and I am now able to communicate the state of our Club’s financial position to you.

The Administrators of the Club have given the day-to-day control of the Club back to the Committee under the condition that we deed them control of certain assets. These assets will be

sold by the Administrators to satisfy our creditors and clear accumulated debts as follows:

1. The house and one acre of land at the front of our club will be sold.

The sale of the house will be used to clear a loan of $250K with the Bendigo Bank which is still accruing interest.

At the time of sub-dividing this property from its current title, they will …..

Continued on page 2

We have completed one round of Paspalum spray on the ‘Old Course’ and 11 and 12 with mixed results. The spraying of this product will need to be an ongoing exercise every year at the start of summer to have any success as our plant size and population is at an extreme level. We will conduct a second round of applications in late January (weather permitting).

‘The best fairways in Gippsland’ are growing better than ever after a well overdue fertilize at the

beginning of December. There are still one or two bare patches (9 especially) that we are encouraging to grow in with aggressive mowing patterns.

We have now had both pumps fully repaired and they are up and running. We still have one or two technical difficulties which are slowly being fixed. We have also had our irrigation software given a much needed upgrade. We have jumped from version 1.1.1 to version 7.4.4 in one hit.

Continued on page 3

Hooks & Slices

“The best fairways in

Gippsland’ are growing better

than ever.”

excise the acre lot from the same title with a view to selling it in the future.

Any excess funds from these sales will be returned to the club as trading capital.

2. The deed also applies to the parcel of land of approximately 25 acres between the dam on the left of what is now the fourth hole and backing onto properties on Fairway Drive.

The funds from this sale will be used to retire Club debts of $100K overdraft at Bendigo Bank, the payment of fees owed to the Administrators of approximately $255K + GST and the payment in full of all our unsecured creditors and all outstanding employment entitlements.

Any excess funds will be returned to the club as trading capital.

After this process, the Administrators will retire and the club will be returned entirely to the members. All this information has been passed on to our Creditor’s

President’s Message Continued

Page 2 of 8

and is therefore now in the public domain. I hope this clarifies the Club’s position and quells many of the rumors that have been circulating. In effect, the challenge we have is to ensure this situation does not recur and that a sustainable business plan is formulated for the future security of the Club.

Many aspects of our club, such as the decommissioning of the additional 9 holes, operation of the function and bar facilities, staffing and other areas are under review. Any members with concerns or suggestions should lodge them in writing to the committee.

I am sure you all realize this is not going to be an easy process and difficult decisions will need to be made. We will endeavour to keep you informed of developments in upcoming newsletters and on the News/Reports link on our Website.

On a brighter note, our membership is on the rise and our greenfee use seems to also be improving. This is a reflection of the hard work

and dedication of our staff, members and volunteers over the past 12 months.

To Matt and the ground staff, I would like to offer my sincere thanks for presenting the course in the best condition it has been in for many years. They should be justifiably proud of their efforts.

To Catherine and the bar staff, thank you also for your efforts during some very trying times.

I would also like to thank Anthony and his staff for their support of the club during this difficult time and hope all our members continue to support him during the oncoming year.

My thanks also to all our volunteers for their ongoing support as the Club continues to reap the benefit of their effort.

We on the Committee appreciate and thank you for your ongoing patience and support.

Neill Linklater President

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With the pumps being upgraded it has resulted in our mainline having a couple of blow outs directly next to the pump shed. This is due to the now better pressure and PVC pipe exposed to direct sunlight. After having 27mm of rain fall on January 20 we had not watered greens until a light water on January 29 which had to be conducted on town water to give the new mainline at the pump station time to settle.

To reduce costs we then did not water again until the night of February 1

st. the

greens were dry during this time and have scarred up marginally but for the most part it shows that the new management patterns have created a far stronger plant that can now survive on far less water.

Course Report Continued

It's with regret that the Committee of Management have accepted Catherine Thorpe's resignation, effective February 20th. A search is ongoing for her replacement. She especially proved invaluable during our period of voluntary Administration. She will be missed and we thank her for her support, effort and valued contribution.

Catherine Thorpe is leaving

Jenny Smith from the

Warragul Sports & Leisure

Club with Captain Glenda

Warren and B Grade winner

of the Summer Cup, Olive

Reid. Not pictured is the A

Grade Winner Faye

Downward.

Trivia Night February 20th

7 for 7:30 pm. Bring your own nibblies. $15 pp. Book now!

Due to ‘dirty’ water being pumped though the system from our irrigation dam we still have issues with the odd solenoid being ‘stuck’ on, which is a result of the ‘dirt’ getting into the bladder of the solenoid.

If when playing golf you encounter any sprinklers running it is paramount that you do not turn them off yourself! We recently had part of the 16

th green turned

off and we did not find this out until several days later resulting in turf damage. We as a crew don’t open every tap box every day to find simple issues like this so they can go unnoticed for long periods of time. If you believe a sprinkler is stuck on please report it to the pro shop or clubhouse and they can forward that information

onto me.

The practice nets are now complete with just a strengthening bar required across the top of the nets and some tidy up work around the edges. Once again thanks to Simon and The Family Hotel for the kind grant. It is great for a small country golf club to be able to provide first class practice facilities.

So get the word out to all your friends and family to come along and try golf in a fun and friendly atmosphere and get them to spread the word.

Thanks Matt Heeps

CHALLENGING ALL MEN!!! Did you know that the Ladies have sponsors for almost every one of their competition days? Did you know the men don’t? Imagine how much money the club would save if the men had sponsors for each of their comps?! So, here’s your challenge, should you choose to accept it. Sign up to sponsor one competition day. The cost is $150 for a regular Wednesday or Saturday and $200 for Monthly Medal Days. You’ll be recognized for your donation and you’ll be saving the club a heap of money. To take up this challenge please contact Catherine in the office or any one of the Marketing Committee: Tom Carroll, Peter Daniel, Rod Gardner or Wendy Hitchins.

Hooks & Slices Page 4 of 8

Hello, Glenn Flowers here, fellow Drouin Golf Club member and tour guide for Aussie Thai Golf Tours.

The final dates and pricing flyer for our next Tour leaving on Saturday May 23rd from Melbourne is included for you to peruse.

Aussie Thai Golf Tours

,

Thanks to Simon and the Family Hotel for their

grant to rebuild our practice nets.

Congratulations to the

winners of the Ladies

Summer Competition

and Summer Match

Play. See page 6 for

all the details.

I know a lot of you have been interested in coming along so I’m happy to talk with anyone regarding this trip not just the golf but other activities in and around Hua Hin. This trip is certainly open for non-golfing partners as well.

Mike Waring, John Gardiner and Reg Dixon would also be happy to tell you all about it too having joined me on last year’s Hua Hin Golf Tour. I can send you Mike's 2014 Tour report for your reading pleasure!!

Drouin Golf Club Members Hua Hin, Thailand Golf Tour

Saturday May 23rd – Sunday June 7th 2015

$2490

Return Flights with 20kg baggage, transfers to & from Bangkok to Hua Hin, 14 nights twin share accommodation inc breakfast and 6 rounds of golf inc transport

Tour includes playing 6 courses including Black Mountain, Majestic Creek, Sea Pines, Banyan, Springfield and possible day trip to Kaeng Krachan with all transfers to and from Golf. Caddie tips not included (Norm is about $10)

Return economy airfares with Jetstar new Dreamliner JQ29 departing MEL Saturday 23

rd of May at 2.55pm arriving in Bangkok at 9.05pm.

• Transfer to Hua Hin Whitesands, Wananara or Grand Hotel & Plaza in Hua Hin staying in Superior room for 14 nights including breakfast. Twin share (Single Share available). Non Golfing Rate $1530 inc breakfast, flights, transfers.

JQ30 Returning Saturday June 6th

from BKK at 10.25pm arriving MEL Sunday June 7

th at 10.00am

Tour includes 20kg of baggage and meals on flights plus seat selection (up the front on the new Dreamliner). If you’re a QANTAS Frequent flyer member you get the points

I can now accept Visa/Mastercard for payment, get frequent flyer points!!

You will need money for Lunch and dinner, shopping, any other tours, tipping the caddies, driving range and cart hire although I will be trying to do a deal with cart hire on all courses before departure.

Make sure you have travel insurance. Check around on prices, make sure you cover your Clubs.

Lunch & dinner can cost as little as $2 AUD (pork noodles) or as much as $20 AUD (steak house etc). The average is about $7 including a drink

Bars and restaurants are all within walking distance of our Hotel

Hua Hin and surrounding areas such as Pranburi are renowned by the Thailand population as some of the best restaurants in the country

Glenn Flowers Ph 0418 556 512 or 5628 1701 or email:flowzie@hotmail.com

Hooks & Slices

Page 5 of 8

Treasurer’s Report

Course aerial photo

Club Championships start in March!

Ladies start March 3rd Men start March 7th.

The Golf Club currently has a balance in the General Trading Account of about $15,000, we will owe the Tax Office approximately $4,000 for GST soon, and expect a charge of approximately $20,000 for affiliation fees from the Victorian Golf Association at some stage in the next few months.

We resumed day to day management of the club from the administrators on December 19

th, with no

significant transfer of funds to the club. Since the resumption of our management the club has traded on revenue generated within the club. We have maintained positive bank balances and started to use dedicated accounts for employee entitlements and dedicated sponsorship monies.

There have been unexpected expenses associated with urgent repairs to the irrigation system which have cost us $6000 directly and a further $3000 is to be paid in February. The system is operational – which is a relief with warmer weather approaching.

While I am aware of Cor Cordis pursuing sales of surplus land, I do not expect any cash to result to the club in the near future. We therefore face a difficult six months. I would encourage members to support the club by:

Participation in golf competitions

Participation in club events such as the Trivia Night & Songs of Legends Night

Support raffles and the clubhouse services offered to members

Sponsorship of club events

We have made significant savings by reducing the number of holes – this saves the club money through less expenditure on labour, chemicals, machinery costs, and fuel costs.

We will continue to evaluate staffing and clubhouse operations as we strive to establish a sustainable golf club – changes may be necessary and we seek the understanding of members.

Graham Rawson Treasurer

February 2015 Saturday 14 Stableford (M & L)

Tuesday 17 Drouin/Garfield Challenge at Drouin 8.30 for 9.00 start: Brian Soutar Harcourts

Friday 20 WGWG Open Day – Morwell

Saturday 21 Don Piner Memorial Trophy 2-person Ambrose (M & L) Enter in Pro Shop prior to day

Sunday 22 West Gippsland 80th

Anniversary Golf Day (M & L) at Drouin – Entry Form – 11.30 for 12.30 Shotgun

Tuesday 24 Par – Sponsor: Shannon Trumper

Entries close for Club Championships Friday 27 Silver Salver – Shotgun Start 9.00 am

Sponsor: Von Kenny & Diane Sullivan Saturday 28 Stableford (M&L)

Gippsland Championships – Bairnsdale 28th

& 29th

March 2015 Tuesday 3 1

st Round Club Championships Stroke – Medal

1st

Round Edna Cropley Trophy, Time Sheet 1

st Rnd Silver Spoon, Mona McLeod, Count putts.

Sponsor: Drouin Family Hotel

Saturday 7 Club Championships (M) (First Round) Monthly Medal Stroke

Monday 9 Labour Day Stableford (M & L)

Tuesday 10 2nd

Round Club Championships 2

nd Round Edna Cropley Trophy

Sponsor: Wendy Hitchins

Saturday 14 Club Championships (M) (Second Round) Stroke

Tuesday 17 3rd

Round Club Championships 3

rd Round Edna Cropley Trophy

Sponsor: Drouin Advantage Chemist WGWG Capt/President at C/Monash

Saturday 21 Club Championships, 3

rd Round - Stroke, Shotgun Start 11.30am.

Seeded draw for top 8 players in each grade.

Tuesday 24 Stableford Sponsor: Elaine Howlett RESERVED FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN EVENT OF A WASHOUT IN PREVIOUS WEEKS

Saturday 28 Par (M & L)

Sunday 29 Stableford (M & L) All guests welcome

Tuesday 31 Open Day – 4BBB Stableford Shotgun start 9.00am Entry Form

Weekly events, unless otherwise indicated above: Mondays Stableford 9 or 18 Holes (M & L) Wednesdays Stableford (M) Thursdays 9 Hole Stableford (M & L)

Members are encouraged to invite guests from other clubs to

play with them in competitions

Hooks & Slices

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The Summer Cup, sponsored by the Warragul Sporting and Social Club (formerly the Downtowner), continued on Tuesdays throughout January. Our ladies came along prior to 9.30 for a Stableford round. So on hot days some players were out there bright and early. The presentation day was held on Monday 2 February. The weekly winners were: Round 1 A Grade Wendy Hitchins (38) B Grade Faye Downward (41) DTL Balls: Deb Daniel (39), Sharon Rippon (36), Audrey Smethurst (35) Round 2 A Grade Glenda Warren (38) B Grade Pat Alexander (44) DTL Balls: Monica Gidley (40), Lorna Hoskins (40), Faye Downward (39) c/b Round 3 A Grade Bev Goodwin (37) B Grade Robyn O’Brien (38) DTL Balls: Judy Dixon (37), Glenda Warren (36), Pat Alexander (36) Round 4 A Grade Kay Feaver (45) B Grade Olive Reid (41) c/b DTL Balls:Vanessa Campbell (41), Marg Rowe (38), Audrey Farthing (38), Judy Dixon (37) c/b

LADIES REPORT

Summer Match Play

A Grade winner

Glenda Warren and

runner up

Marg Rowe

Songs of the Legends

March 20th

!

Book Now!

Round 5 A Grade Lorna Hoskins (40) B Grade Olive Reid (46) DTL Balls: Judy Bibby (40), Mildred Lyon (38), Audrey Smethurst (37) c/b Round 6 A Grade Glenda Warren (37) c/b B Grade Faye Downward (41) DTL Balls:Ann McGougan (40), Jeanette Phillips (38) Helen Moon (38), Ethel Manley (37) c/b Round 7 A Grade Judy Dixon (37) c/b B Grade Jan Leys (40) DTL Balls: Marg Purcell (37), Viv Brereton (37), Ann McGougan (37), Ethel Manley (36), Mary Tymensen (36) c/b WINNER BEST 4 ROUNDS OF 7 Faye Downward with scores of 41, 39, 37 & 41 = 158. RUNNER UP Olive Reid with scores of 34, 41, 46 & 35 = 156. The Warragul Sporting and Social Club (Downtowner) has been sponsoring this event for 15 years and the Drouin Golf & Country Club appreciate their continued generosity.

Our Summer Match Play competition is played over the summer. The finalists of this event play their matches on our Opening day of the year. The Summer Match Play winners were: A Grade – Glenda Warren B Grade – Marion Devlin Next week 17

th February is

the Drouin / Garfield Challenge, which is an annual event alternating between the clubs. Trophies are kindly donated by Harcourt Real Estate. We appreciate their continued support. Lady Member President Peggy Hocking

B Grade Summer Match Play winner

Marion Devlin. Not pictured

Sue Hatfield, Runner Up.

A dedication to four of the greatest singers / singer songwriters of our time as performed by

sensation David McMillan. “The amazing David McMillan mesmerizes

audiences at Jazz & Blues Festivals, Arts Festivals and Concerts throughout Australia,

New Zealand and Canada with his soulful voice and dynamic guitar playing

I would like to thank all members for their support for 2014. Let us, as members, make a huge effort to make our club bigger and stronger in 2015.

Book your private lesson now to improve your game. We’re also offering group lessons. So sign up today.

Good golfing to all & Best wishes from Anthony, Leanne, Lachie and Zach.

From the Pro Shop

Book your Tickets Now!

Page 7 of 8

Hooks & Slices

PRO SHOP SPECIALS

Drouin Logo shirts From $49.95 each or 2 for $80

Callaway Driver was $419 now $199

Smoothy Rovic Buggies $229

All Eagle and Birdie bags 30% OFF

Titleist Pro vs $59 per Dozen

Friday 20 March, 2015

$35.00 per person BYO Nibbles only

Book tickets at the

bar or

Ph 5625 1330

ATTENTION MEMBERS! PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK! Members are parking their cards adjacent to or near the practice fairway. Be aware the Club will not be held responsible for any damage caused to cars from wayward golf balls. This is a no parking area for members and we ask you to obey the No Parking Signs posted and park in the car park.

Thanks to our Sponsors

McGlone Road P.O. Box 179 Drouin, 3818

PHONE:

CLUBHOUSE

03 5625 1330 PRO SHOP

03 5625 4985

FAX:

03 5615 3648

E-MAIL:

dgcc@dcsi.net.au

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.drouingolf.com.au

Like us on Facebook

Hooks & Slices

Page 8 of 8

LIKE US AND SHARE ON FACEBOOK

Facebook is one of the best marketing tools available today and it’s FREE. So like us and share our posts

Tell all your friends through Facebook how good the course is and what’s happening. Stay tuned for a Facebook comp too!