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Bacchus Marsh Golf Club
Links Road
Bacchus Marsh Victoria 3340
Telephone
Facsimile
(03) 5367 2226
(03) 5367 5458
Email
Web
Pro Shop
[email protected]
www.bacchusmarshgolfclub.com.au
(03)5367 1410
FROM THE COMMITTEE
NEWSLETTER
March 2015
G’Day all
Firstly, I would like to inform you that John McInnes has handed in his resignation as President of the Bacchus
Marsh Golf Club. As most of you are aware John has been battling significant health issues over the last 9
months, and ultimately he needs to spend time making sure he gets back to full health. John has been a member
of the club for 40+ years, and quite simply "loves the joint!". On behalf of the Committee I want to thank John
for his contributions over his time as President, and he wish him all the best for his recovery.
With this set back however a volunteer quickly came forward, and I would like to take this opportunity to
welcome Tom Svaljek onto the committee as Vice President. Tom is well known to many at the golf club and
around town. He is a friendly and approachable character and is willing to get his hands dirty to help the club be
successful. So I welcome aboard Tom, I look forward to with you over the upcoming period. The current
committee is:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Captain:
Committee:
Simon Ovenden
Tom Svaljek
Matt Grigg
Ken Goodwin
Rod Keane
Judy Cox
An ongoing focus of the committee in the upcoming 6 months is to continue to refine and improve the
operations within the club. We are undertaking a review of all planks of the clubs business, and looking for
ways to increase patronage and increase our revenue streams. As promised the committee will continue
communicate to you with our progress and what we are intending to do to rectify the issues we identify. Rest
assured we are working very hard to increase the profitability of the club.
A great way to start this is to get the word out that our course is in “career best form”!! So please, bring guests,
share it on the internet, hassle social media. Lets try and get as many people playing the course over autumn as
we can. More people playing golf means more people buying things in the golf shop, means more people having
something to eat, and more people buying drinks in the bar.
Finally, I’d like to say what a great sight it is to see four of our life members back out on the course or around
the club after periods of illness. So to Jill Chapman, Lionel Holt, Tom Hill and Peter Parry – it’s great to see
you around the club again.
In the mean time, cheers to you all and good golfing.
Simon Ovenden
FROM THE RED TEES
Good to see more ladies playing golf on a Wednesday and Saturday now that the warmer weather is behind us.
Remember a 9 hole competition is available if the weather is warmer or if players are unable to play 18 holes.
The Bacchus Marsh ladies were well represented in the Bacchus Marsh Open. They all enjoyed the day, but for
some inexplicable reason the stableford scores were disappointing. Congratulations to the winners, and thank
you to the sponsors, CBS Accounting and to Rodney the Captain and Phil O’Bryan in the pro shop for
organizing the day.
Public holidays, an early Easter and school holidays make it difficult to squeeze a new Learn to play golf
program into March/April this year. We plan to hold it later in the year, possibly October/November. Don’t
forget golfers of all abilities are welcome to join us for a friendly 9 holes from 8.30am Tuesday morning and
from 9am on a Friday. Golf is followed by coffee in the club house.
To try to encourage those who participated in the past Learn to play golf programs we are holding a fun “Freaky
Friday 13th” 9 hole, 3 Person Ambrose, on Friday 13th March. The cost for the day is $12, which includes 9 holes
of golf and lunch in the bistro. A 3 Person Ambrose is a non-threatening way for new golfers to experience
playing in a competition. Teams will be a mixture of new and more experienced golfers.
Please let Margot, 0416058812, Judy 0427707099 or Phil 53672226 know if you are intending to play ASAP.
The ladies have been busy playing at other clubs and telling people how good our course is playing at present.
We have been represented at Midlands in Ballarat, Werribee, Gisborne and Trentham, and look forward to these
clubs playing in our Bacchus Marsh Bowl on the 10th of June.
The ladies locker room is looking much smarter thanks to the installation of our new white laminate cupboards.
Thank you to the club and to Drew Prince for installing them.
Judy Cox
Lady President.
News in Brief
The boy has done it again!!! Well done Mason Dickson, who today is the Central Victorian Junior Masters U16 Nett
Winner with 137 nett. Well done Mason. And well done to all the boys who played in this event on the weekend and
represented the club with aplomb. BMGC are proud of all of you!
Mason Dickson receiving his winning trophy in the recent Central Victoria Junior Masters
From the Captain
First of all Josh and his team congrats on the condition of the course. It is getting better by the week and word
around the club is it's the best it's been since the late 80's I wasn't a member then so I'll take you word for it.
Since my last report our juniors have had three wins Adam Svaljek the under 14 boys Vic open Mason Dickson
the Vic Open stableford and in the Central Victorian Masters Mason Dickson over a two day event won the net
event great efforts by all the juniors which should put the club in good stead for the future and helps to validate
why we are putting emphasis on junior development at the club.
Our VGA pennant is only a week away starting on the 21st of March and the squad has been busy preparing for
the season, we will be looking for caddies and support over the season so if your are interested please contact
me.
The Bacchus Marsh Open is complete for the year. Congratulations to all the winners it was a great day for all.
A shame numbers were down on last year and I'll wear the blame as the flyer was out a bit late due to some last
minute changes to the format. We have taken feedback and already are in discussion as to next years format to
help speed up play and improve the turnout for participants.
I'd like to thank Margot Dunne and Brendan Johnson for their efforts on the BBQ and Matt Grigg for loaning us
the gazebo for the day, also Phil OBrien for the draw and tee times.
The summer cup is a bit late; a shortened draw will be posted this Saturday with contact lists so we can get it
started. We have devised a top 16 ranking due to a lack of entries.
Good hitting
Rodney Keane
From the ProShop
We have 3 of our local boys on Tour and representing them selves on the PGA and Pro AM series tour. We
have seen some great results from the boys , and a summary of the recent results are highlighted here.
Luke Hickman has won The Moonah links Pro Am, tied for 1st at the Safety Beach pro am, tied for 1st in the
Raine & Horne Tasmanian pro am. He recently finished 26th at Portarlington and 12th at Anglesea and had a
great result at Sorrento where he finished r/up. He is currently sitting 3rd on the ProAM series OOM as the
leading Victorian. He also had the chance to get a start in the PGA events in Queensland and at the Vic Open.
Rory Bourke tied for 1st in the Kooringal pro am , T7th in the Eyensbury Pro Am. Rory has his tour card for
the Australasian PGA tour this year , he made the cut at Vic PGA Rory finishing 50th He also finished 50th in
the Vic Open . Rory had a super result at the NZ PGA finishing T8th at 8 under par. Rory is currently sitting
47th on the PGA OOM.
Josh Younger finished t7th in the Eyensbury pro am, T5th at Portarlington , T46th at Anglesea Pro AM. At the
Vic Open Josh finished T29 , Vic PGA T24. Currently Josh sits 49th on the PGA OOM . We know what a great
end to 2014 Josh had where he finished 11th on the OOM , but his summer form continued and allowed him to
crack the international scene for the first time by participating and winning his first Asian Tour card in
Thailand. This will mean Josh will have the chance to compete during 2015 in some big events across Asia and
start to compete with some of the best golfers from Europe and Asia.
We are proud of all of the boys , and we are sure that everyone at BMGC is behind them to achieve ongoing
success ! Watch this space for further updates through the year.
Also I would like to reinforce to the members / that it is imperative that they notify the pro shop if they will not
be playing. Calling their playing partners is not good enough. We can shuffle the time sheets around if we get
enough notice and stop the practice of having 2s, 3s & 4s in our larger sat fields.
Also to avoid disappointment could members please order their pies, pasties, sausage rolls for the half way
mark. That way it will be ready and waiting for you after the turn.
New in store is the Wilson brand, currently they have 3 models on the Golf Digest Hot list, and are making a
reassurgeance back into the retail business after a decade on the sidelines selling package golf gear to the Wall
Marts of this world. Their specialty is for custom made clubs and sets. We will soon have a fitting cart, and
currently have plenty of demos to have a crack with. Come into the shop and see what all the fuss is all about.
The Wilson distance range is sure to have a strong following.
Cheers Phil
Junior
Golf
2015 Season Events so far :
Kingston Health Classic
No winners boys that competed were placed in top 10 in there retro respective groups!
N. Gale (3)
A. Svaljek (4)
C. Salisbury (8)
Nathan was unlucky not to take out the under 16 stable-ford event with an impressive 41 points
Western Tri Series ( 3 day event)
No winners boys that competed were placed in top 10 in there retro respective groups!
C. Salisbury (5)
A. Svaljek (7)
Played over three courses in 3 days the conditions were trying & the final round was played at Kooringal with
temperatures in the high 30's
Vic Open
Winners
A. Svaljek (under 14 Handicap)
M. Dickson (stable-ford event open age)
We had a strong field of six (6) boys competing in very tough conditions a great effort by the two boys winning
Kilmore Golf Club (Junior Tournament)
Winners
C. Salisbury (under 18 stroke)
J. Harbison (under 14 handicap)
A great result by Corey & Jack leading the way for the Bacchus Marsh boys
Central Vic Junior Masters (Bendigo)
Winners
M. Dickson (under 16 handicap)
Played over two (2) days at Neangar Park with another strong field of boys from Bacchus & a consistent two (2)
days by Mason got him over the line
The support from Clint Salisbury & John Robinson has been fantastic in them working closely with the boys
over the past 3 months & the results are starting to show, we also need to remain focused on the continual
support of the junior program being run on Saturday mornings which Phil & Simon have been working hard on
this will ensure a flow on effect for generations to come. We look forward to some of the boys participating in
the upcoming pennant colts team event & a big thank you to Josh Younger & Luke Hickman who devote their
time to the boys when they are around!!!
Regards
Tom Svaljek
From The Venue :
There is lots happening over the coming weeks and months to help get all of our members and guests to the
venue.
Tuesday's : Parma and Pot for $19.50 plus kids eat for free
Tuesday's : Texas Hold'em Poker (Rego 6.30pm & Start at 7.30pm)
Tuesday-Friday : Lunches from $10
Wednesday-Thursday – Midweek Madness 2 courses @ $25 or 3 courses @ $30
Friday Night Members draw : Be there between 7-8pm to win . Currently up to $1300 ! If the draw reaches
$1500 spend $20 and get an extra ticket into the draw.
Friday 20th March : Courtesy Bus to BMGC : Pick up's from 5.30pm : Call 5367 2226 to book your time and
pickup location or see the staff at the bar.
Little Birdies Kids Club : Join up kids Under 13 to receive birthday vouchers , special invites to club kids
events plus heaps more.
Lots more going on over Easter Holiday's including, Easter Egg raffles; mini-golf to help families to come out
and enjoy the BMGC
We need your ongoing support so please come out to the club. Keep watching for new promos and some
special events over the coming weeks.
Julie White
Venue Manager
From the Superintendent:
Over the summer we have been pretty busy out on course as I hope you have all noticed. We have had a change
of staff, losing our apprentice. As a result however, we haver gained the very helpful, John Robinson. So far he
has been a terrific addition to the team, and as a keen golfer brings a great perspective to the team. We had
heaps of help over the summer from the juniors, especially Jack, and we all enjoyed the experience.
Our main focus has been to clean up the fairways and short rough. Hopefully the majority of golfers have
noticed the reduction in weeds throughout the whole course and as a result, the increase in couchgrass growth. I
would like to send a huge thank you out to Ken Goodwin who has been generous enough to donate his
time once a fortnight or so to spray out some Galenia. This is a huge effort and a great help as it is quite a time
consuming excercise. Spot spraying of weeds such as Galenia, Paspalum and Kikuyu is a job that will always
need doing and a job that any small amount of time spent on it will always make a difference. If anyone else
had thought about helping out for a couple of hours here and there, it is always appreciated. Let us know how
you can help as it is always welcome.
It still feels like we are chasing our tails on the fairways a little with the crabgrass, but we are making progress.
Larger bare patches on fairways have been sodded thanks to our couchgrass nursery at the end of the practice
fairway. I have heard mention that it may be easier to sprig these areas but i assure you that this isn't the case.
Without water available to these specific areas several times a day, the sprigs suffer and a poor result is
achieved. The topdressing of the smaller areas has proven to be great success with alot of the small spots
covered in already. We are pleased with the way the grass on 12 is quickly growing out following the top
dressing we applied.
We have begun work on the creek crossing through 9 and 18. It will be a gradual transformation so as everyone
can get used to it without being penalised. The creek on the left hand side of the fairway at 9 will be raised up to
the height of the fairway so as the run up to the green is still an option. It will add a challenge to both holes and
will be a a very aesthetically pleasing addition to the course.
Over the next month or so, we will be going about the same things; weed control and topdressing of fairways
and any help in these areas would be excellent. A few people have asked lately if there was anything they could
help with and how to go about it. For small groups, topdressing fairways is a huge help for us and is not very
labour intensive. For pairs or just people on their own wanting to donate a bit of time, spraying weeds is also
not labour intensive as we have a spray unit that tows behind a machine. Feel free to pop into the shed to have a
chat about helping at anytime. We will also post dates for ongoing Working Bees in the lead up to winter.
I will post another update in a few newsletters time and in the meantime, we will continue to keep the course on
the improve.
Cheers,
Josh Landells
The Wrap :
As promised at our AGM the committee continues to work hard to improve Golf and the experience our guests
and members have a BMGC. It isn't easy but it is reassuring to know that the membership love the club as
much as the committee do , which is why we are working to refine and improve the operations at the club. As
you saw over the last few months , we have adjusted the team setup in the Venue and Bistro. As you can see we
are running a number of new promos to help drive traffic and people back to our venue. This is where we need
you as the membership. It is tough at the moment , and the below statistics help to illustrate aspects of the
situation currently facing the club
Overall Revenues : Down 2.4% vs last year
Gaming Turnover : Down 2.6% vs last year
Gaming Revenue: Down 2.3% vs last year
Golf Revenue : Up 8.9% vs last year (driven by Green Fee rounds up 20% vs last year)
F&B Revenue : Up 2.8% vs last year
Whilst we continue to make adjustments to help the club re-establish financial stability for the long term , we
will need to rely on our membership more and more to help us volunteer , bring your friends , spend $$ and
provide us ongoing feedback. I remind all again as to why we are focusing on new initiatives within BMGC
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Establish clear accountability within the organisation
Establish transparent measures of success within BMGC
Ensure the club's financial stability and viability
Establish programs and initiatives for long term success of the club
The committee will rely on your ongoing support at the club to help our financial success off the golf course, so
please show us that support to strengthen BMGC for long term success.
Kind regards,
Matt Grigg
Secretary, BMGC
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