Dear Members,
Please see the following items from the most recent Match Committee meeting.
Competition Season
The Match Committee has decided to shift the season from its current dates (1st March to 28th/29th Feb) to a Calendar Year format.
This will mean that the first event of the season will be the January Monthly Medal & Summer Cup Qualifier, and the last event of the season being the Gold Medal (Sir Philip Baxter Cup), which will coincide with the December Monthly Medal.
The Club’s Presentation will be held on Friday 12th December after the draw for the Christmas Ambrose.
For Season 2025 Only:
- There will be no 2025 Summer Cup – The event held in January of 2025 was the 2024 event and that will skip straight to the 2026 event next year.
- The 2025 4BBB Championship will be held in August September of 2025 (a date will be advised shortly).
MiScore Nearest the Pins
You may have noticed over the last 2 weeks that we have begun to trial a new feature on MiScore. You can now record your Nearest the Pin (& Pro Pin) results through the MiScore App. In recent weeks, there have been a number of occasions that due to weather or poor markings resulting in results not being recorded, NTP results have been invalid.
How to use the feature
On holes that have NTP’s, the NTP logo will appear at the bottom of the screen. You can tap that icon to record view the current NTP and record your own mark if closer. You may also record the result of any other player in your group if they aren’t using the app.
During the trial period, the traditional NTP markers will remain on the side of the green, however we encourage all members to use the app and provide their feedback on the process to the golf shop or by email to club@coastgolf.com.au.
Once you are back in the clubhouse and wish to view the NTP leaderboards, you can access them through the “NearPin Leaderboards” in the MiScore menu.
Eagles Nest
Members (particularly newer ones) are reminded that an Eagles Nest Jackpot is up for grabs each Saturday on the 8th hole. The prize goes to anyone who hits their ball within 50cm of the pin in the Saturday Members Competition. If the prize is not won, the Jackpot increases by $24 to the next Saturday.
On Saturday, May 24th, the jackpot stood at $48 after being won on the 10th May at $312. If more than one golfer hits within 50cm, the prize is shared (it is not a matter of who is closer). If you hit your ball within 50cm, you need to indicate this on the “Eagles Nest” marker located on the side of the green (and have your marker sign it). Of course, you can also complete the other marker for “nearest to the pin” (or on MiScore during the trial period).
Slight Adjustment to Mid-Week Handicaps
Through necessity, the greens staff need to rotate the positions of the tee markers throughout the week. This results in the course playing slightly shorter Monday to Thursday. To acknowledge this, there are 2 minor adjustments to the calculation of your daily handicap:
- The slope rating drops from 132 to 130 (this will result in approximately 5% of golfers losing a shot).
- The scratch rating drops from 70 to 69 (this will result in most golfers losing one shot).
These adjustments are calculated automatically when you register for your game. You can see these modifications when you check your handicap on (golf.org.au). On this website the shorter course appears as “Orange Course”.
Clarification of Use of Rangefinders
It has been brought to the attention of the Match Committee that a small number of members are wrongly taking advantage of information supplied by their Rangefinders.
The Official Rules of Golf are very clear on what is permissible with such devices in Rule 4.3a. If you do not have a current version of the Rules, they are easily available on the internet (www.randa.org). This site also contains an app that can be downloaded to your phone for easy reference on the course.
To summarise Rule 4.3a:
- Acceptable use of such devices allows a golfer to measure the distance to a flag or any other part of the course.
- Illegal use involves accessing information such as wind direction, elevation changes and which club to hit.
The Committee acknowledges that this rule is a difficult one to police. It is up to every golfer to follow the rules for the benefit of all. If you become aware of someone abusing this rule then you should report it to a member of the Committee.
The penalty for breaking this Rule is 2 strokes in the first instance, disqualification in the second.
Sunday Members Invitational Competitions
Members are reminded that Sunday & Public Holiday Competitions are “Invitational.” This means that Members may bring 1 guest per member.
In the case that a member brings a guest, they must play in the group with them.
Due to the stress on Sunday timesheets, the Match Committee has decided that the first 5 groups on a Sunday or Public Holiday will be dedicated to Members Only slots, meaning that members will not be able to book guests into these slots.
Pace of Play
Pace of Play has been generally good in recent times, but there have been some instances of breaches of this policy that have resulted in members receiving warning letters.
Members are reminded that if playing in the first 10 groups of the day, that you must be able to complete a round of golf in 3 hours 40 minutes. Members who can’t adhere to this pace of play, should consider playing later in the field. The Match Committee understands that there are many factors that can lead to slow play, some of which are outside of your control, but ask that all members do their part.
Remember that the number one rule with Pace of Play is to keep up with the group in front.
Below is a list of average round times per tee time (since 1st March – excluding wet weather days):
- 7am – 3hrs 45min
- 8am – 4hrs 4mins
- 9am – 4hrs 17mins
- 10am – 4hrs 20mins
- 11am – 4hrs 25mins
- 12pm – 4hrs 14mins
