Last Saturday after many wet and miserable Saturdays the golfers were finally able to play in sunshine and be free of layers of wet weather gear. The main event on Saturday was the final of the mixed match play competition which after three knockout rounds saw brothers Yewls and Ming Kuan go head to head over 18 holes. Yewls won the final 3 holes up with 2 to play and will be presented with the trophy at Presentation Day in December. Congratulations to Yewls and well played Ming for reaching the final and for taking the game to the 16th hole.
Whilst Yewls and Ming were playing match play the other golfers were playing stableford. The ladies winner was Heather Jenkins (21) with 34 points beating Margaret Blair (33) by just one point. The men’s winner was Paul Martin (30) with an excellent 39 points followed by Peter Lilley (17) with 37 points. The nearest the pins were won by Yewls Kuan (2) Paul Martin and Peter Lilley who also won the Golden Shot. During the presentation after play the members acknowledged Jillian Chandlers Birthday and enjoyed sharing a delicious cake made by Helen Howard.
On Thursday seven ladies will play in the Strathbogie tournament and Marysville will host their ladies tournament on Thursday October 6th.
Next Saturday 1st October the men and ladies will play a stroke round for the October monthly medal. The men’s game will include the 1st round of the Club Championships and the ladies game will include the 4th round of the Barton Shield.
Beginning on Saturday 8th October, during the daylight saving months tee off time for the Saturday competition will be 9.00 am for 9.30 am.
Members are reminded that a working bee will be held at the club on Tuesday 11th October from 9.00 am. As has been proven in the past ‘many hands make light work’ and it is very rewarding to see the difference such a project makes to the beautiful gardens around the course and bowling green.
Lesley Rundle
RULES & ETIQUETTE CORNER
Tree Roots in the Rough!
Model Local Rule F-9.1 as used by MCG&BC (and on the website) "If a player's ball is at rest in a portion of the general area cut to fairway height or less and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. NOTE: Interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with the player's stance.
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There is always going to be contention around some rules (and local rules) and it is the ability of the Match Committee to work through the scenarios to determine what is best for the club and its members.
Having this rule extended into the rough is going to be difficult as you would need to determine whether it is all the rough (through the green) or a certain distance from the edge of the fairway (Model Local Rule F-9.2). Do you then get relief from a tree root if your ball is hard up against a tree trunk behind the tree?
I have personally always struggled with not getting relief from a divot in the middle of the fairway that someone has neglected to fill but understand that should these suddenly be deemed GUR then it is open to interpretation as to what is classified a divot and what is not. There is no easy answer for many of these scenarios other than to say, the rough is the rough for a reason and you need to deal with it when you hit your ball in it just the same as if you hit into a bunker, a water hazard, or the middle of a bunch of blackberries.
TIP: With the Men's Club Championships coming up it is always advisable to know your rules, or at least know where to get access to them quickly should the need arise on the golf course.
Andrew O'Shea
MCG&BC Secretary & Golf Australia Level 2 Rules accredited.
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