DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
We have had a slight delay in submitting the Development Application due, would you believe, to yet another requirement to do a Bat Study along the first fairway. Again, believe it or not, they found that we have a colony of microbats in some of the trees. That said, it is not expected that the development will have a significant impact on the bat’s habitat. If you see one can you let me know!
It is now expected that the DA will be submitted for consideration in mid-March and then it depends on how long the Department of State Planning take to assess it.
Plans for the temporary greens and the proposed future course layout will shortly be on display in the clubhouse and our Vice Captain Marty will issue a special newsletter with the details.
BEER PRICE INCREASE
Here we go again !! We’ve been hit with yet another bulk beer price increase. Unfortunately, we will have to pass the increases on to our members with a higher increase for visitors. Carlton United have already increased their prices however we are in discussion with Coopers Brewery in an effort to minimise any increases for their products. Notices will be displayed in the bar in coming weeks.
With people struggling to put food on the table we probably shouldn’t complain about beer prices, but the chart below shows just how much drinkers have been slugged in recent years. It’s worth noting the disparity in price between the two breweries, the Asahi owned CUB and the fifth generation Australian owned Coopers. Let’s hope we get a break from further increases for a little while anyway.
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SHOWTIME AT CUMBERLAND
Tickets are on sale for a spectacular show for the 23rd March at the from office.
Why not book a group table and enjoy a fantastic night of entertainment. Check the Mad Hatters out on youtube at the link below. Their performances do not dissapoint.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH2vFhxq22Y&t=12sDenis Clifford (Club President)
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FROM THE CAPTAIN’S DESK
Well, another month has passed and we are well into the 2024 golfing calendar. I have noticed a lot of new faces on the course over the last couple of months which is great to see. To those members that have recently joined Cumberland GC, welcome and I hope you enjoy your time as a member of our great club.Again, February has thrown up some challenging weather. Let’s hope we can get some more stable weather through March and give the course staff some normality when preparing the course. Also, keep an eye on the notice board for possible changes of playing conditions.The use of the ‘Simple Golf’ app by members has seen a considerable uptake in usage over the past 2 months which is great to see. For those members still not using this scoring application feel free to ask someone in the pro shop as they will be more than happy to assist. We also have a tutorial on our member’s portal for you to review.
So, if you haven’t tried the ‘Simple Golf’ app yet download it now and give it a go when you next play at Cumberland. By the way, it’s free for Cumberland members to use.
Congratulations to those members who have qualified for the ‘Cock of the Walk’ match play. This event is always high on Cumberland member’s agenda so good luck to all. Progressive scores are displayed in the clubhouse above the booking terminals.
1st round matches for Saturday qualifiers need to be completed by Saturday the 16th of March and the Sunday qualifiers will need to have their 1st round matches completed by Sunday the 17th of March.
I would also like to congratulate this year’s Holroyd Shield winner Michael Ford. Michael had an excellent score of 67 nett and I’m pretty certain he took some cash from his playing partners with that score!! I would also like to congratulate all the following winners during the month of February.
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Monthly Medal
• A Grade – Jesse Bartlett – 65 nett
• B Grade – John Moffit (Guzzlers Cup) – 65 nett
• C Grade – William Mitchell – 65 nett Ladies Medal
• Div 1 – Kate Stuart
• Div 2 – Su Yeon Kwak
• Div 3- Judith Hilaney Holroyd Shield
• Michael Ford – nett 67
February Hole in Ones
• David Jin – 11th Hole – 4th February
• Paul Hilton – 16th Hole – 24th February
Upcoming March Special Events
• March Monthly Medal – Saturday 2nd February (C grade Guzzlers Cup)
• Cumberland Bowl – Saturday 9th February – Note: bookings for A grade will open on Wednesday 6th March at 5pm subject to available spots.
• Ladies St Patrick’s Day Event – Tuesday 12th February
• Ladies Easter Open – Tuesday 26th February
• Ladies 1st NSW Medal – Tuesday 27th February
• Return to Cumberland Weekend (former members invited) – Friday 29th February – Monday 1st March
Major Pennants
Our Major Pennant team has had a strong start to the 2024 pennant season. We have had wins at home over Liverpool & Pennant Hills and just recently we lost in a close match against Pennant Hills away last Sunday. So after 4 rounds it’s still anyone’s section to win.
All teams have 2 wins and 2 losses so the last two matches home and away against Fox Hills are crucial to Cumberland winning the section.
It’s also great to see members coming out and watching our Major Pennant team. They certainly appreciate the support. This Sunday we are at home against Fox Hills and it’s a 7am start. We look forward to seeing you there and supporting the boys.
On special note, last Sunday against Pennants Hills our youngest member of the team Bailey Leafe won his 1st match since being a part of our major pennant team for the past 2 years. Bailey remains undefeated this year with 3 squared and 1 win. It’s great to see how much he has matured into a very strong member of our team.
Finally to our Irish members, on behalf of the Match Committee we would like to wish you all a Happy St Patrick’s Day…..to be sure to be sure!!
Good Golfing,
Darren (The Fox) Stocks
Club Captain
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I know we talked about La Nina and El Nino weather patterns in recent times, I going to introduce, Ill Confused. The cousin of the two. Some days will be hot, some days cold and for variety it will be hot, cold, humid and wet all in one.
Notables
• The four (4) Temporary green locations have been finalised to enable the Course Enabling Works to proceed when the Independent Living Unit Development Application is approved. Discussions are underway with contractors to undertake the temporary green earthworks in the coming weeks. More detailed information pertaining to the designs and locations will be circulated and displayed around the clubhouse.
• Freshwater dam on the 12th is at 100% capacity. The 2nd dams are at 100% capacity, while the 5th dam is at 90% capacity.
• The Calcium application program continues on fairway and tees to further improve the soil structure.
• February 2024 weather has been interesting, with 76mm of rain received during the month. Between 1966 –2023 the average monthly rainfall has been 131mm.
• Gypsum in the form of Tru – gyp has been applied to the greens surfaces to decrease compaction and encourage aeration, this is to combat the bio carbonate and sodium build up.
• Severe disease pressure continues as a result of the extreme humidity and overnight warm temperatures, which is presenting in the bottom practice green. This green suffers from low air flow and poor water infiltration due to both its location and design. The green is currently receiving an intensive care program and will return strong and healthy soon.
• The Greens Committee has undertaken a review of our current bunkers, to refresh our bunker strategy heading towards 2030. The objective is to review all existing bunkers to identify what needs to be maintained, upgraded, or removed. I will report more on the strategy in the coming months.
• An inspection of the greens Saturday afternoon and Sunday, shows that Members are not fixing their lob marks on greens. If you hit the green fix your lob mark, if you miss, fix a lob mark and pretend you hit the green.
• Bunker rakes are not ornaments, please use them if you’re in the bunker and then return it to the middle of the bunker.
Interest fact
Did you know that Greg Norman created a number of grass varieties, if fact there are two patents:
1. Cynodon dactylon or commonly known as Green couch or in the Turf Industry as CT-
2. GN-1® (registered trademark of Great White Shark Enterprises Inc (Greg Norman)).
CT-2 is a fine-textured green couch variety that has distinct, reddish-coloured stolons and has a low seed head production. CT-2 has been used “widely” on golf course fairways and sports fields within NSW and Melbourne.
GN-1 has a high level of cold tolerance. This allows it to remain green longer into the autumn and green up earlier in the spring. The grass was developed through a collaboration between Greg Norman Turf Farms and the University of Georgia’s Turfgrass Breeding Program.
Greg Norman has a turf farm, out in the middle of nowhere in Central Florida. This is where he grows pricey grass that becomes the playing surface for golf courses and stadiums around the world. So well respected these grass types are, they have been used for the Sydney Olympic Stadium during the 2000 Olympics and 2 Super Bowls in the USA.
Cumberland does not have any CT -2 or GN -1 on course, though we do have the following varieties across the course:
• Poa annua
• Kikuyu
• Bent
• Rye.
Martin Smith
Vice Captain and Chair of the Greens Committee
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LADIES PRESIDENT’S REPORT
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Hello Ladies, it has been a busy start to the year particularly with both our Grade and Western District Pennant teams now well underway. I know our team Captains Di Morgan and Michelle McPherson have been very busy sorting out the teams each week. Well done ladies.
We hosted the Western Districts teams on Friday February 23 on what was a very hot day. I understand the ladies were all very complementary about the condition of the course and once again had a lovely Chinese meal at the end of a very hot day of golf. I thank the ladies who gave up their time and helped once again to make this day a success. Without your support these days would not be possible.
Earlier today we were up again as we hosted the Grade teams. I filled in for the grade team last week and some ladies from other clubs were already talking about and looking forward to a great lunch that Cumberland is well known for. Our team managed to take away a victory over Mona Vale making the day all the better.
I thank the ladies who give up their time to help make these days a success.
Finally, we are getting ready to hold our first Open Day of year which will be our Easter Open on March 26. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you out in the course that day and at lunch afterwards.
Happy Golfing
Judy Attwood
Ladies President
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Our first Trophy event for the year, 2BBB Knockout (Matchplay), was an extraordinary win for our 2024 Champions.
While 1 up and in the bunker next to the 18th hole, with their opposition eyeing off an easy putt to square the match and force a playoff, Josephine held her breath, her sand wedge, chipped out of the bunker, hit the flagstick, in the hole for a WIN! That was one almighty Gobbler!!!
Congratulations to Josephine and Jina, the ladies had some great wins on their way to the final, defeating the very formidable pairing of Sally Son & Eunmi Pyun for the champions trophy. (L-R) Josephine Kim; Jina Lee)
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There are some great events coming up in the ladies March Fixtures. St Pats Day warrants an apt event, Irish Split
6.The rules of the game say that we must make our own luck, however we’ll take any that’s given to us. Another popular event is of course our Easter Open Day.Bookings from visitor teams are already coming in, the ladies love our course and Harmony hospitality, it will be a huge day so make sure you get your teams together and book early.
PENNANTS:
Our Pennant teams are off to a flying start, thank you and congratulation to all of our ladies who are participating in these events.
Western Districts had an outstanding first round win (5/0) over last year’s champions, Brighton Lakes, while in week two, the ladies had to cool their heels as Cumberland GC played host to the rest of the competition. Their next round is on Friday at Liverpool where they’ll take on Carnarvon, good luck ladies.
Today Cumberland hosted the NSW Womens Grade, with teams from Moore Park, Royal Sydney, Woolooware, Asquith & Mona Vale, we were drawn to play Mona Vale and were good enough to emerge as winner on the day.
Good luck to all our ladies and men’s Pennant teams in your upcoming matches, go get’m!!
Finally, a HUGE thank you to Matt Turner and the Greens team. The course condition has been outstanding, beautifully presented for our Pennant competitions and very much appreciated by all players.
Kate Stuart
Ladies Captain
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Handiskins are back at Cumberland !
This years competition promises to be the biggest yet. Simply pay your entry fee on March 16th of $40 on top of your normal competition fee. For this you receive a sponsors product bag and entry into the daily and overall Handiskins events.This years event dates are as follows, Saturdays 16th and 23rd March, 13th and 27th April, 11th May with the Final on Saturday 18th May.The event works by taking your best 3 stableford scores from the 5 qualifying rounds and updating them at the conclusion of each round. The top 4 players after all 5 qualifying rounds are then eligible to play off on the date of the final for huge cash prizes. As long as there are 40 entrants, then the Final has a total of $1200 up for grabs between the 4 finalists. As long as you can play 3 of the qualifying rounds, then you have a chance to qualify for the final. Obviously, the more of the qualifying rounds you play, the better your chance.
Simply click the link below to find out more information about the Handiskins. You can pre register in the proshop any time before the first round or show up on Saturday March 16th with your entry fee when you register to play the comp and away you go !
For any of your golfing needs call into the Pro Shop and talk to our friendly staff.
Joanne, Matthew, Myo, Arthur, Luke, Alex and the Juniors
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We’d like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support.
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