GREAT NEWS:
The Countdown Clock is about to start winding down for the New Course Opening.  We are in the final throes of getting ‘sign off’ from our Quantity Surveyor and Course Architect to certify that the course is ready to satisfy Practical Completion.  We are putting the final touches on new tee signage, course ratings and cart mapping then we’re ready to go.  Stay tuned for a special announcement on the opening date in coming days.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS:
Once we open the new course, we will be looking to activate a lease with Pariter so they can commence work on our new clubhouse and residential units along the current 1^st hole.  Whilst we have been building the new course they have been working away on unit sales, construction planning and builder engagement, so they are ready to go.  When we have a firm construction schedule, we will let you know but at this stage is sounds like we’ll be in our new clubhouse sooner than we thought.

CLUB SPONSORSHIP:
We have had strong interest in our new sponsorship packages including displays on our digital sign out the front.  This is a great opportunity to promote your business with over 10,000 vehicles and pedestrian traffic passing the sign each day.  You can also advertise on the digital screens in our golf carts and on busy days we have up to 60 carts a day hired out.  For information on the range of options and prices please contact the office.

PRESIDENT V CAPTAIN TROPHY RESULT:
If you played in position 1 or 2 in your group on Saturday 23/5, congratulations for being part of the victorious President’s Team.  The aggregate scores were President’s team – 3002 to Captain’s team – 2953

This makes it back to back wins for Team Pres and the beer from the winner’s trophy never tasted better.

2026 AGM:
Our AGM is scheduled for 7pm Tuesday 14^th July and we’re aiming to publish a formal Notice with our Annual Report later this month. 

Denis Clifford
Club President

I’d like to start this month’s newsletter by once again congratulating the President and his team for winning the annual Presidents vs Captains day that was held through the month. Well done to you all!  For those of you who were a part of my team, close but no cigar and please be better next year.

As we get closer to the opening of the redesigned course, please watch this space for further information regarding new competitions that are currently being discussed and reviewed. I’m sure many of you have ideas on what we should be doing for the opening week, so please don’t be strangers and share your thoughts with me.

WINNERS FOR THIS MONTH
May has once again produced many great scores and our monthly medal winners were,

• A Grade – Tae Kim (12) 62 c/b
• B Grade – Sean Kennarney (14) 57
• C Grade – Phil Brown (20) 61

May was the month for our Triple 6 challenge with 80 players participating and again scoring was great!

• 1st Place – Timmy Lee & George Wong (Fox Hills) 73
• 2nd Place – Jenny & Michelle Choi 69

Bateman Cup (Cock of the Walk)
Congratulations to Chris Wering and Isaac Sampson who are our Cock of the Walk winners for 2026, defeating a very competative Greg Northam & Ian Giltinan.

Our Match play championship is nearing completion, with the final round to be played on June 13th.  For those of you still competing, good luck!

MASTER PENNANTS
The Club’s Master Pennant team has begun their season with 2 narrow losses away to Lakeside and Richmond but then stepped up with a great win last Sunday at home to Camden Lakeside.  They now have another two home games in a row and can look to establish themselves as real contenders for the division.  The team hit off at a user-friendly time of 11am Sundays, so I encourage all of you to come out and support the team.

Cumberland defeated Lakeside 6 – 2

Adrian Welsh won 2/1
Greg Northam won 1up
Sean Moylan won 5/3
Mark Guinney won 2/1
Ian McCarthy won 4/3
Matthew Andrew lost 1 down
Martin Smith lost 5/3
Matty Jones won 7/5

Eric Apperly & Super Senior Pennants
Congratulations to the following members, who have been selected to represent Cumberland in the upcoming Eric Apperly and Super Senior Pennant seasons, both commencing in July. We know you will do Cumberland proud!

I recently received some feedback that we need to improve our communication regarding the course conditions, course closure and whether carts are on or off.  Our main comms mode is though the Club’s portal which gets updated as conditions change.  A number of these decisions are made in the early hours of the morning in consultation with the course Superintendent and then the portal is updated.  We are also able to update players who are on the time sheet for the day in question through the use of SMS.

I encourage you all to familiarise yourselves with the portal and to be regularly checking it when we have adverse weather conditions like those experienced over the last few weeks.

Happy Golfing!
Shannon Bridger
Club Captain

COURSE UPDATE
Well done Cumbo, 11 months from the commencement of CEW works and I am proud to say the finish line is now visible.  Not sure about you, but from July 2025 to now has felt like eternality!

The course construction phase has reached a major milestone.  The CEW works are complete and importantly, all machinery has now been removed from the course.  The absence of heavy equipment has been widely welcomed by both turf and members, and the course is beginning to present as intended rather than as an obstacle course.

The opening of the new course is now in reach.  This represents a transition from construction to consolidation, with the focus turning toward conditioning, presentation and member experience.

GREENS CONDITION
Our Course Superintendent confirms that all new greens are in superb condition.

Greens are now maintained at an average 3.2-3.5mm consistent across both existing and new surfaces.  Daily mowing continues to deliver a uniform and true playing surface

Turf health is stable despite seasonal slowing of growth.  Colour and density remain strong with minimal thinning observed

SEASONAL CONDITIONS AND MANAGEMENT
May conditions reflected a typical autumn transition.  Cooler temperatures have reduced growth rates across the couch and the kikuyu.  Recovery from wear is slower, requiring more deliberate turf management.  Soil moisture variability has required targeted irrigation responses.  Increased dew presence has elevated disease risk, requiring closer monitoring typical for autumn.

COURSE AREAS OVERVIEW
Tees remain stable, with worn areas improving and new tees now integrated into the mowing program.  Fairways are maintained at 12mm with efficiency gains through revised mowing patterns.  Rough management continues to prioritise presentation and playability.

Bunkers are maintained regularly with consistent raking and post rain repairs, sadly some members continue to disrespect the course and do not fix lob marks or rake bunkers.

 The overall standard across the course is consistent with a facility transitioning from works to refinement.

LOOKING AHEAD
The immediate focus is on consolidation and readiness.

Continued nutrient programs to support turf health through cooler months

Irrigation adjustments to encourage deeper rooting

Monitoring of all newly established surfaces

Preparation for winter conditions including disease prevention

With the digging things gone, the course has entered a quieter phase.  The turf is responding well, the presentation is improving, and the end is finally in sight.  It has taken considerable effort to reach this point, and I wish to call out our course crew for all the hard work achieving this milestone.  The course is no longer a construction project with a golf course attached. It is, once again, a golf course that happened to have endured construction.

Members will now notice that the loudest thing on course is now the shouts of FORE rather than an excavator!

Martin Smith
Vice-Captain (Chair of Greens)

LADIES CAPTAIN REPORT

June already and halfway through the ladies golfing calendar for the year.

The Bronze II ladies pennant team has been fighting bravely against strong competitors in the Northern Districts Pennant Competition. With only one round left for our team to play, they have enjoyed the competition and played on some wonderful courses. Bring on next year girls!

Congratulations to our 2026 Foursomes Champions!

Champions Sally Son and Eunmi Pyun 161 scr

Bronze I Champions Min Nam and Stella Park 195 scr

Hello again shoppers and welcome to June – the US Open looms in the next few weeks, the shorter but beautiful sunny days have overtaken the rain, the dew covers the ground in the morning and I am freezing.  Yes folks, the only way I will be able to stay warm this winter is rugged up in the highly fashionable and practical range of winter golf apparel now available in the proshop.  Every morning we warm our hands on the red hot prices to keep the cold away.  We have Footjoy, Callaway, Under Armour and more – pants, jumpers, jackets, polos and even shorts still in stock for those looking for the winter tan.

After the runaway success of the last Callaway Fitting Day, keep an eye out for the next Taylormade Day on the 11th and then Titleist on the 18th.  All the new GTS range is ready to try instore now and will be available for custom fitting on the day.  Bookings are essential.

New instore are the full range of Footjoy Winter and Raingrips and the number one selling umbrella in Greystanes – the Sun Mountain UV plus Dual Canopy.  Our Waterproof shoe special has proved so popular we have decided to extend it to the end of June. Get fitted for a pair of Footjoy or Mizuno shoes and receive 15% off the RRP until the end of the financial year.

Winter is the perfect time to change those grips after a long and extremely hot and sweaty summer.  Typically, the more we sweat on the hot days, that sweat soaks into the grips on our clubs and come winter the rubber starts to perish and crack, especially when the average grip is over 5 seasons old.  Change them more often people – they are your only connection to the golf club. Luckily our grip special continues this month.  Simply purchase 10 grips, have them expertly fitted for free and also choose a sleeve of premium balls at no charge – you cant loose.

The PGA Bag Raffle continues until the 12th of June.  Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of history with a range of prizes to celebrate the second major of the year in May. Some great display pieces or just practical conversation starters.

The Callaway Quantum Promotion continues this month as well. Purchase 8 Quantum clubs to receive a FREE bag or get a box of Chrome Soft premium balls with any Driver purchase from Callaway.

This month’s tip comes from our Head Professional Joanne.  Warm up before you tee off. None of us are as young as we were yesterday and the cold air generally does not help with our flexibility.  Some basic stretches and some warm up swings can improve your score and help avoid those winter niggles that don’t heal as quick anymore.

Alright then, off to the course for another 18 and make sure you come in and visit us at the shop even if it’s just to say g’day……

The Team at Banners Golf

Web: www.bannersgolf.com.au

  www.cumberlandgolf.com.au