News

March ENews

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.

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=12s
Denis Clifford (Club President)
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.

Monthly Medal
• A Grade – Jesse Bartlett – 65 nett
• B Grade – John Moffit (Guzzlers Cup) – 65 nett
• C Grade – William Mitchell – 65 nettLadies Medal
• Div 1 – Kate Stuart
• Div 2 – Su Yeon Kwak
• Div 3- Judith HilaneyHolroyd 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

• Good Friday Ambrose

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

VICE CAPTAIN’S REPORT

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

LADIES PRESIDENT’S REPORT

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

LADIES CAPTAIN REPORT

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)

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

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

HUMOUR OF THE MONTH
We’d like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support.

Pennant News

Major Pennants Report – Round 5 V Fox Hills

Arriving home this past Sunday, our course was looking in fantastic condition. Our opponents were our closest golfing neighbours in Fox Hills. Both teams were looking for a good win to take the advantage in the section with no team winning away yet this season.

A large gallery of spectators were treated to some veery close match’s coming to the turn with Fox Hills having the advantage 4 matches to 3.

Great wins from Sean Moylan and Josh Madeleine and another good half from Bailey Leafe, the tides started to turn our way. Wins on 17 for both Issak Pemble and Adrian Welsh saw Cumberland claim the win and the very important table points.

Cumberland were victorious 4 1/2 matches to 2 1/2.

I’d like to thank all those family, friends and members that took the time to come out and support the team, it’s very much appreciated.

Our next game is against Fox Hills on Sunday 10th March at Fox Hills with a 11:30am tee off. We hope to see plenty of Cumberland out there supporting the team in the last of the regular season fixtures.

Results:
Josh Russo 1 down
Isaak Pemble 2/1
Chris George 7/6 down
Adrian Welsh 2/1
Sean Moylan 4/3
Josh Madeleine 1 up
Bailey Leafe Square

Matt Andrew
Team Manager

2024 Women’s Grade – 1st March
Cumberland vs Mona Vale at Cumberland

Our Grade team had a great 3 and 2 win in the third round of the competition. Everyone is extremely happy! There’s nothing like a win, it put smiles on our faces.

Sally, Soon and Kate won their matches. Eunmi went to the 17th and Dianne’s opponent played very good golf.
Our team was:
Sally Son
Soon Lee
Kate Stuart
Dianne Nam
Eunmi Pyun

Reserve: Maria Golden

A big thank you to:
– Our Caddies, Cecilia, Agnes, James and Jieun. Some other clubs didn’t have caddies. We’re very fortunate that all our players have caddies every match.
– Michelle McPherson and Sujung Lee who did a great job hosting the day. It ran like clockwork.
– Anne Carr, Maria Golden and Won Kim for assisting with the hospitality and spotting on 7th and 14th/15th holes.
– Crystal and her staff for providing a delicious banquet. Everyone loves coming to Cumberland for the scrumptious food!
– Matt Turner and his team in preparing a well manicured course. There were many comments, from our visitors, about how good the course was presented.

– Matt and Damon for assisting the ladies in the clubhouse and the Board for supporting all the pennant teams.

Our next match is on 8th March at Asquith against Asquith. Good luck!

Diane Morgan
Team Manager

LADIES WESTERN DISTRICTS MATCH AT LIVERPOOL – 1/3/24
 
Our team – Tracey Hilton, Helen Cho, Judy Attwood, Jane Lavercombe and Monica Lee.
 
Our ladies travelled to Liverpool last Friday to do battle against Carnarvon.  Sadly, we were soundly defeated this time around 4/1, Carnarvon were just too good for us on the day.  Some days are like that, but not to worry, we will be out there again this week.  Our one winner was Jane Lavercombe, that makes it two from two. I think Jane is eyeing off the MVP Trophy again this year.
The course was in good condition and at its usual tricky self with dog legs, water, bunkers, trees and rough, sometimes all on one hole! The Liverpool ladies were very welcoming and we definitely enjoyed their hospitality when the game was all over.
Our next match is at Brighton Lakes this Friday 8th March against Cabramatta and then we follow up with another match on Monday 11th March at Stonecutters against Liverpool. A VERY BUSY FEW DAYS FOR PLAYERS AND CADDIES.
Whilst talking of caddies I would sincerely like to thank our caddies for all their effort and willingness to volunteer.
THANK YOU – TRICIA JOHNSTON, YUNI SONG, EUNMI PYUN, JOON JEON, MONICA LEE, PETER LAVERCOMBE, JAMES PARK AND PETER STRETTON.
Until next time,
Michelle McPherson

Live Scoring App – Simple Golf Score

We are excited to advise, that after a period of successful testing the MSL Scoring App is now available for all members to use at no additional cost.

The Scoring App, known as Simple Golf Scoring can be downloaded from both Apple App Store and the Google Play Store at the links below.

Apple:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/simplegolf-scoring/id1532172222

Google:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sogo.golf.msl&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1

Once downloaded members will have the ability to score thier partners and their own scores without the need for a physical scorecard.

A useful “How to” guide is available to members at the link below.
https://www.cumberlandgolf.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Scoring-App-Score-Entry-2023v.2-.pdf

This Guide is also available in the Club News section on the Club Website.

If members have any questions about the Scoring App, please contact the Club Office.

Development Update – Agreement Signed with Pariter Pty Ltd.

Dear Members,

On behalf of the Board, I am very pleased to announce that we have today entered into a Contract with Pariter Pty Ltd. This is one of the most significant events in our Clubs’ history. We have been working with Pariter for two years to seal this deal which will give us a new clubhouse, quality improvements to the course and regular share of profits to ensure our financial security for the next 99 years.

It has been a very complex, time consuming and painstaking process to get us to this point. I’d like to acknowledge a number of people who have worked tirelessly on this project; Our team of lawyers from Hall and Wilcox and Ron Cardwell for his independent commercial advice. My fellow Directors who have spent many hours working their way through commercial terms, project documents and designs. The Golf Course Planning Committee who spent many hours working with our course architect to come up with a design for a top quality 18 hole course. I especially thank our General Manager Andrew Laplain for the magnificent effort he has put into this project. He has been the centrepin for everything we’ve done so far, including complex document review, meetings, correspondence, planning committees and on and on it goes.

Where to from here? In-conjunction with Harrison Golf, designs for the temporary course layout are complete and they include construction of temporary greens so that we can continue to play 18 holes while the Golf Course Enabling Works are being undertaken. The temporary greens will be constructed before we touch any existing holes. Once we have official development approval, we will release a Tender for all development related course works. Under the contract, the 1st will remain in play until the new holes are completed.

Our bunker repair and cart path projects will continue with the aim to compliment development related changes to the course. It is important to note that these projects are undertaken based on their associated master plans to ensure consistency of design.

I thank you the members for your understanding and patience. We still have a long way to go but it will be well worth it when we get there. Thank you for your continued support.

Denis Clifford
Club President

2020 PGA National Club Professional of the Year Joanne Bannerman

Joanne Bannerman has been named the 2020 PGA National Club Professional of the Year. Jo was acknowledged for her game development initiatives, her continued advancement in coaching and community engagement activities and especially for the great work she does with Juniors.

 

Joanne’s passion is working with young people to develop their golfing skills, their character and love of the game.  She currently has over 50 boys and girls in her Junior Academy with the youngest just five years of age.  She runs a structured junior program including golf excursions and a weekly Junior Golf Fitness Class which focuses on speed and power.

 

Joanne is contracted to run our Pro Shop where she and her staff provide excellent service to our members and visitors alike.  It is a very professionally run operation and the friendly welcoming attitude she has engendered in her staff is often acknowledged.  They are qualified to provide excellent advice on equipment, club fitting and repairs.

 

Joanne has built a High Tech Indoor Teaching Centre and has added a number of technical innovations along the way.  The Centre is a first-class teaching facility that gives her the ability to analyse a player’s swing and provide a visual computerised assessment.

 

We are so immensely proud to have Joanne as our very own, home grown Club Professional. Well done Jo! …

 

 

Course update

Just a quick update on course current course conditions.
During the month of March we received a total of 277.5 mm of rain. Fortunately while many other courses have been closed during this time we have continued to operate at all times.
This week we have had the mowers over all surfaces as growth is at a high. Fairways were raised last week to 25mm to help stop the mud from coming to the surface. This week we lowered the mower to 23mm and cut in the opposite direction. Going into the cooler months with a longer leaf blade is not a bad process.
We dropped the height of the greens mower by .25mm and cut today and we will look to cut and roll tomorrow morning. We were not able to top dress greens after the hollow core and with them being so wet it has been important to lower the height gradually. We will continue to lower the height next week and a light dusting will take  place as soon as weather permits.
Bunkers are always an issue during prolonged bouts of rain. We have continually pumped and raked them to keep them in play as much as possible. Last night another 30mm of rain meant 7 hours of pumping today. We are doing our best during these times and i guess they are a hazard.
We will continue to basically concentrate on course preparation and hope that the weather gods can give us all a break.
​Enjoy your weekend and good golfing.

Front entrance to club.

 

p78

The front entrance got a makeover this week with turf laid in front of the garden, an irrigation system installed, fresh mulch and plants replaced. The other side also had a irrigation system installed, plants and mulch added and timbers freshly painted.

They got it right!

p74

What a week. 55 mm of rain Tuesday, Wednesday followed by 43 degrees yesterday and 44 today. A green keepers life is always on call. I’m sure most people are enjoying a nice cold bevvy in the air conditioning. Think of us while you are and thanks to Lewie and Troy for helping me out this afternoon.

p75

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