GM Report March

Some of you may have noticed Simon's absence in this month's newsletter, unfortunately he has been unwell. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he is feeling better soon.

What a fantastic run of weather we have had, which has meant a lot more golfing days throughout February. A big thank you to all members who have, when instructed by the pro shop, been driving their carts at walking pace when the fairways have become particularly wet. If we can continue to do this, we will be able to have carts out on the course more often.

Regards, 

Brett Lubicz

International Women's Day Raffle

Hi Members, 

This month has seen the grass continue to grow due to the weather conditions we are currently experiencing with the right mix of rain and sunshine. This is keeping the Tod and the PT staff extremely busy with keeping the grass down. I would like to thank Darryl Frost or Frosty as most of you know him for volunteering his time to cut the rough. I know that he’s not doing this for praise, but his work doesn’t go unnoticed, and this frees up the PT team to concentrate on other areas of the course. 

I understand that there are some issues with the bunkers, eg drainage and weeds etc. The weeds are being sprayed regularly and once the rain stops the bunkers will be renovated with the old sand being removed where needed and new sand put into the bunkers. 

Some of the fairways on the front nine (3,4,6 & 7) are starting to pool water in places. Could I ask all members to refrain from driving through any standing water and where possible on the wet fairways and stick to the cart paths or the rough to preserve the condition of the fairways. It has also been noted that people are driving closely to the tees and greens in golf carts. Unless you have a Pink Flag, please stay at a minimum of 10 meters from the edges of the greens and 5 meters from the edge of the tees. If possible, please stick to the cart paths. 

I would like to thank the vets for the work that they are continuing to do on filling the irrigation trenches and the gardening committee for maintaining the gardens around the club house. Coring of the greens will take place around the 10th and 11th of March depending on the weather. The exact dates will be communicated in a Members Bulletin. 

Lastly could I ask that all members remember to fill in their divots, repair their pitch marks on the greens and rake the bunkers once you have played out of them. A little bit of etiquette goes a long way and makes the course more enjoyable for everyone. If you don’t have a pitch repairer, please see Greg and his team in the pro-shop and they will be able to help you out. If you have any questions or concerns about the course, feel free to send me an email and I will respond in due course: simon.rogers@darwinggolfclub.com.au 

Happy golfing, 

Simon Rogers

March update from  Match Committee February saw the conclusion of our internal Pennants with a robust final being played out between Black Rams and X-Men.  The tenacious X-Men lived up to the Marvel comics Superhero status by defeating the Rams 6/2.  Impressive scores: 4 Draws and 4 Wins!  
Our attention now turns to the Opening of our 2025/26 Golf Season. Saturday 22 March we kick off the season with our traditional 6 Person Mixed Ambrose to be followed with an informal Opening ceremony when members can enjoy a drink and canapes.

A couple of major changes to the program occur in coming months. In March we introduce a 4BBB Match play knockout competition played over 3 rounds prior to a Final.  This concept of an intraclub comp (16 pairs) was suggested by Rex Wild and Tom Harold and we hope to see it gain momentum.  It should add an additional bit of interest to our Stableford rounds.

Our long-standing Thursday Business Ladies internal golf association is folding after approximately three decades.  It has had huge success in building a strong female golf fraternity over the years and many of our members credit it with introducing them to golf. It has fostered strong relationships with its social and golfing program. We applaud the passion and professionalism that the many volunteers have brought to the club in their co-ordination of the 9 hole program for women who are working and cannot participate in the midweek 18 hole competition.  It has been an exemplar in providing work / life balance to many women over the years. DGC will take on the role of continuing to foster opportunities for Women in Golf and run an afternoon 9 hole comp on a Wednesday in the new golf Season.  This after 3:00pm fixture will incorporate the Moxie ladies who are putting their recently learned golf skills (PGA Pro clinic attendance) into practice with game uptake.  It is hoped that we have renewed interest in members taking up the opportunity to play an additional 9 holes during  the week.  

Moving into the mid-year; we will just give you a couple of events to circle in your calendar. The Great Northern Open occurs on the May long weekend. June is when we have our major internal Club Championships event. July is an even  bigger month with DGC hosting NT Classic and Darwin Open OoM events,  when we see many interstate players vying for the trophy!

Just a reminder to our players that the MiScore app features R& A Rules as well as our Local Rules under their Menu items.  The Local Rules will feature the inclusion of a new road under the classification of an Immovable Obstruction and players can take free relief under Rule 16.1b .  The dirt road LH side of 14th fairway to bitumen road adjacent to Green bunker will join roads on Hole 7 & 15 as being of the Immovable Obstruction category. No other worn dirt track areas are to be considered as Immovable Obstructions under this relief ruling unless listed in the Local Rules.

Our Golf Australia / PGA Rules official, Amy Griesbach,  has accepted our invitation to run a Rules of Golf practical session in March to give us all the opportunity to make a rules call with confidence when we are out there next debating whether we get a 'free drop' or not!

Happy golfing!

Regards,

Michele Cody
Woman's Captain, 
womenscaptain@darwingolfclub.com.au

Leighton Schultz
Men's Captain, 
menscaptain@darwingolfclub.com.au

The Hole In One Jackpot is up to $600 for March, thanks to our sponsor Tim Mackenzie - Elders Top End Group. 

Thank you to Tim for his sponsorship and support.  *T&C's apply