Back in August 2015, following an SGDGA review of the pennant competition format, the Club entered teams in all four divisions for the 2016 season based upon the understanding that the Pennant competition format would most likely be changed for the upcoming season, and that we had sufficient low handicap golfers. However this was found not to be the case, and the pennant draw for 2016 was sent to Clubs in October with no changes to the format – Divisions 1 and 2  scratch play, Divisions 3 and 4 handicap play as previous seasons.

At it’s last Meeting held in November, the Men’s Committee unanimously agreed that we should attempt to withdraw our Division 1 team from the upcoming 2016 SGDGA Pennant season. This decision was based upon the lack of low handicap players within the Club willing to play pennant for us, and the given this, the likelyhood that any Division 1 team we were able to field would be once again be hoplessly uncompetitive, leading to low morale and enjoyment of pennant by players who sacrificied themselves to allow us to field a Div 1 team.  Our withdrawal from Div 1 would also prevent the situation of the stronger teams dropping players to Div 2 when they played against us in Div 1. This did nothing for the integrity of the whole competition.

To this end, in mid December I wrote to the SDGDA requesting that we be allowed to withdraw our Div 1 team. The SDGDA Executive have met this week and granted permission for us to do so. We will still be fielding teams in Division 2 (Scratch competition) and Divisions 3 and 4 (both handicap competitions) this season, and thus will still give those of you who want to play pennant a game in either a scratch Division or a handicap Division. Expressions of interest for playing pennant for us this year will be called for shortly. The season commences on Sunday 20th March.

Following the resignation due to work and other committments of our encumbent Pennant Coordinator Dan Poynton, we will also require somebody to take over that role for the 2016 season. Should you be interested in the position, I would very much like to hear from you. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks, and those of my Committee, to Dan for the hard work and enthusiasm he bought to the position.

Finally, the SGDGA have also flagged the possibility of a change to the pennant format from 2017 onwards. They have proposed a new format comprising 2 scratch and 2 handicap divisions as is current, but with Clubs only being allowed to field one team in the scratch divisions. A promotion and relegation system would operate between Div 1 and 2 at the completion of the season.

Each Club is being invited to provide feedback on the proposal at the upcoming SDGDA AGM to be held on Feb 3rd. The proposed format will be displayed on the noticeboard in the clubhouse by Saturday, and you are welcome to provide your thoughts on the proposed format to me in person or by email at peter.waters1@bigpond.com

Peter Waters

Men’s Captain

A perfect day for golfing saw many players produce their best. Some hot scoring, with 36 points needed just to win a ball! Well done to two of our life members, Jon Smith and Allan Edney for winning their grades.

62 Players

Winners

• A Grade (0-17)   Jon Smith (13) 40 pts
• B Grade (17-20)  Fred deBondt (19) 42 pts
• C Grade (21-36)  Allan Edney (24) 39 pts

NTP’s

• 4^th:  Marilyn Williams 8.8m
• 7^th:  Martin Edney 5.5m
• 14^th:  Bruce Hutton 2.1m
• 16th :  Keith Finney 2.6m

DTL Balls

• Trevor Steer 39
• Mick Thomas 38
• Kevin Scott 38
• Peter Hartigan 37
• Russell Williams 37
• Ian Barlow 37
• Frank Smedley  36
• Malcolm Legge 36
• Bob Smith 36
• Mark Anderson 36
• Geoff Maher 36
• Ian Baker 36
• Geoff McDonald 36
• Bruce Hutton 36
• Phil McNutt 36
• Mick Oliver 36

Aanother good day for golfing saw another big mid-week field of 79 players.

After coming close a couple of times recently, Russell Williams finally cracked it for a win today with an excellent 41 points in A Grade. B Grade was won on count back by Ray Burton with a similaly great 41 points, while C Grade went to Peter Jackson with the best score of the day, 42 points.

Winners
• A Grade (0-15): Russell Williams (8) 41pts.
• B Grade (16-22): Ray Burton (17) 41pts
• C Grade (23-36): Peter Jackson (25) 42pts

NTP’s
• 4th. Russell Williams 4.48m
• 7th Al Sperling 3.03m
• 14th  Patrick Broughan 0.33m
• 16th Peter Hobson 1.3m
D.L.Balls
• Steve Fisher 41
• Chris Leaver 39
• Doug Clemann 37
• Bruce Hutton 37
• Nick Lafferty 37
• Tim Carberry 36
• Al Sperling 36
• John Dalton 35
• Geoff McDonald 35
• Bruce Cathie 35
• Dennis Wallace 34
• Brian Fennessy 34
• Peter Waters 33
• Leigh Baker 33
• Grant McRitchie 32
• Jon Smith 32
• Andrew Macfarlane 32
• Col Sperling 32
• Patrick Broughan 31
• Dennis Russell 31 on count back from 6 others

A reminder, particularly for new members of our Club that the 2016 South Gippsland Golf Classic (SGGC) event is rapidly approaching. This year the event commences on Saturday February 13^th and concludes after 9 consecutive days play at different courses on Sunday February 21^st.

Now in its 27 year, the Classic attracts around 400 players from all over Australia as well as a couple from Overseas! Leongatha is one of the 9 participating clubs in the South Gippsland region that hosts a day of the event.

This year’s program is as follows:

Day 1: Saturday 13^th Feb.                      4BBB (Men, Ladies or Mixed)             @ Yarram

Day 2: Sunday 14^th Feb.                     4Ball Mixed Ambrose                           @ Korumburra

Day 3: Monday 15^th Feb.                     Irish 4 Ball (2 Men, 2 Ladies)               @ Woorayl

Day 4: Tuesday 16^th Feb.                     Stableford (Men’s and Ladies)  @ Meeniyan

Day 5: Wednesday 17^th Feb.                Mixed Canadian Foursomes                 @ Welshpool

Day 6: Thursday 18^th Feb.                    Stableford (Men’s and Ladies) @ Phillip Island

Day 7: Friday 19^th Feb.                        4BBB Stableford (Men’s and Ladies)   @ Leongatha

Day 8: Saturday 20^th Feb.                     1st Round Sth. Gippsland Classic (Men’s and Ladies, A Grade Stroke, B and C Grades Stableford)                                                       @ Mirboo North

Day 9: Sunday 21^st Feb.                       2nd Round Sth. Gippsland Classic (Men’s and Ladies, A Grade Stroke, B and C Grades Stableford)                                                       @ Foster

Our Club has had a long association with this event, being one of the founding Clubs. In addition, one of our Life members, Trevor Steer is President of the Classic Committee, and our own Anna de Bondt has taken on the job of Tournament Secretary this year. Further information about the event can be gained from these two people, and out Club’s two representatives, Ian Nunn or Peter Waters.

Entries close on Friday 15^th January, so if you have not already entered, you can pick up an entry form from the Clubhouse. You can also download and entry form online from the South Gippsland District Golf Association website:

www.southgippslandgolf.org.au

You can play in just a single day of the event, or all 9 days if you are a tiger for punishment! Entries are filling fast, with our own day, the 4BBB Stableford event attracting a field around 240 players each year! The cost per day is a very reasonable $10, or $80 for all 9 days.

Tournament Secretary Anna can be contacted as follows:

Anna de Bondt, 42 Freda Street Inverloch, 3996. Phone (03) 5674 6422,

Mobile 0407 543 701   Email: sggclassic@outlook.com

As in previous years, in order to make our day (Friday Feb 19^th) run smoothly we will require the assistance of a good number of volunteers. If you are not playing on that day please support the club by helping man the barby, do some spotting etc. A call for volunteers for our day will be made in a couple of weeks. Many hands make light work!!

Looking forward to seeing you in action at this popular event!