Welcome and Apologies. 

The meeting was opened at 1 pm by the President in the Chair. Present were Gerry Moloney, President; Kevin Arnold, Vice President; Ross Barnes, Treasurer, John de Jersey, Secretary; Katy Hewitt, Ross Hodgson; and Kristo Bradley. Simon Briggs (Captain) was an apology.

Guests were Andrew Revie, Club Professional; Graeme Andrews, Greenkeeper; and representatives of the Ladies’ Sub-Committee (Judy Barnes, Connie Moloney) and the Veterans’ Sub-Committee (Stephen Berry). Guests were present only for the directly relevant parts of the meeting.

The President welcomed the representatives of our two sub-committees and indicated that their presence at the beginning of each MC meeting would be welcome as a good way of informing the committee about activities and vice versa.

Veterans’ Report. Stephen reported that the Vets Christmas Party had been very successful. The bank balance in the relevant account is $2800. In a modification to the Wednesday Competition, women players can play off the blue tees or the white tees. Men are required to play from the blue tees. The President noted that work was due to commence on the roof over the back deck on February 5 and that foot traffic would be diverted for the construction period, likely to be three weeks.

Ladies’ Report. Judy reported that the Ladies’ Competition will recommence on Tuesday, February 4, and agreed that for consistency, the competition fee be raised to $12. On February 4, 24 women players from Burleigh Golf Club are expected to play. Andrew will set up the competition details and time sheet in MiClub. Judy reported that they are working on clinics for new and less able players. Ross H said there should be no problem in setting up two competitions on Tuesday morning, one for women and one for men, if the demand so required. Andrew R will ensure that the Ladies have right of way on the course as Tuesday is set aside as Ladies Day. The continuation of a shortened competition for women on Thursday mornings was also supported.

Professional’s Report. Andrew noted that visitor green fee receipts had been very strong in the Christmas-New Year period (about $18k). Andrew noted that he had ordered the required shirts for pennants and would confirm dates and times for the interclub competitions with Gerry (Pennants, Interclub and Super Seniors). Andrew noted that a Charity Day was being organized on February 28 for Victims of Domestic Violence. It would be a 9 hole event and approx. 30 players were expected.

Course Report. Graeme outlined current activities including attacking paspalum grass on fairways and around greens. This was best done by using a brush to paint the plants with Roundup. Graeme noted the green watering problem which arose while he was absent with Covid. The failure of the watering system for several high temperature days resulted in death of bent grass in patches on a number of greens. Graeme discussed ways of preventing similar problems in future if he is away, notably by installing a flow meter (remotely accessible) on the pumping system to ensure greens are actually being watered. The MC indicated that there should be effective methods in place, including delegation of responsibilities, to cover for Graeme’s absences. In this context Graeme is preparing a list of people able to help out during his absences, in the case of breakdowns etc.. Graeme is seeking quotes for upgrading of our green watering systems (around the greens).

In response to a member’s question about bent grass greens, and the lifetime of greens, Graeme noted that he is now seeding greens with a much-improved strain of bent grass which is expected to become dominant in a fairly short time. In response to the question on the lifetime of greens, Graeme noted that newer methods of aeration and drainage should extend the lifetime of greens from the 30 years previously considered. Members agreed that our bent grass greens are a significant attraction for both members and visitors and they were recognized as being superior to couch grass greens found on most Queensland courses. In response to a question about whether we should be seeking to employ an apprentice greenkeeper, Graeme note how difficult it is to attract good people to the greenkeeping role.

In response to questions about covering bare patches on fairways (e.g. the irrigation trenches), Graeme noted that some high quality turf would soon become available because of the construction of a line of buggy sheds adjacent to the putting green (also see below). This would provide turf to cover some of the more difficult areas.

Graeme noted that members and/or visitors were abusing the new practice nets. One issue requiring attention is that during westerly winds, the netting billows back interfering with golf swings. He will pursue a solution involving the weighting down of the netting and ensuring that the synthetic grass mats cannot easily be moved.

Graeme noted that the area where Andrew’s carts are parked during the day is subject to degradation of the grass. It was agreed that rather than putting in a concrete pad with synthetic grass we should re-turf the area.

Gerry brought to the attention of Graeme and the MC that remote controlled electric fairway mowers are now available at what appears to be a reasonable price (Ref. Woodford Golf Club has purchased two thereof at $55k each.) Graeme said he had doubts about their ability to tackle the tough kikuyu grass on our course. It was agreed to wait and see how the Woodford trial goes.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting. The minutes of the December 18 MC meeting had been pre--circulated and were approved, moved Katy, seconded Ross H, carried unanimously. ,

Business Arising. 

Graeme agreed to extend the 7th and 17th fairways further into the gully (weather permitting) to help shorter hitting players.

Gerry has updated MiClub access usernames and passwords. It remains uncertain how spaces can be booked so quickly.

Graeme Andrews holiday leave February 1-10 was noted.

Protective netting has been obtained for solar panels on a house on the fourth fairway and will be installed by Liam.

Sponsorship of the Club by The Professionals for 2025 has been confirmed.

Liam will continue with gutter cleaning as weather permits.

The Vets will contribute to the cost of Inside Golf magazine.

New Membership Applications. Ross B tabled a list of applications for membership, as follows. Caleb Sowden, Junior; Bill McMahon, Full; Brad Everett, full; David Lappan, full; Arthur Harris, Junior; Tony Collins, Weekday; Jean Meakin, full; Ken Vandermocen, Full; Greg Jensen, Weekday; Riley Gilfeather, Junior; Julita McKechnie, Junior; Tony McKechnie, Full; Nathan Weir, Weekday; Xavier Weir, Junior; Taj Weir, Junior; Jason Jardine, Young Adult. All applications were approved. This brings the total membership to 293, but this total includes 36 currently unfinancial.

Financial Report. The monthly report for December 2024 had been precirculated and was approved unanimously. The report shows a balance in the main operating account of $173,881.16 at the end of November, 2024. Note that this includes a grant towards the roof on the back deck which will soon be spent. A commitment has also been made for the construction of additional buggy sheds in a line parallel to existing sheds and closer to the practice green. Funds were also committed for purchase of safety equipment and golfing equipment to allow acquittal of the Active Clubs grant.

Vets Balance: $2 800

Ladies balance $11 000

Workplace Health and Safety. Various items of safety equipment (vests, gloves etc) were purchased as mentioned above. No new issues were advised.

Competition Report. Also see above. The President asked that the AGM be moved to November 9 which is scheduled to be a shotgun start and the final Honour Board event of the year. This was agreed to.

TMGC Strategic Action Plan. Prior to the MC meeting, members of the MC and several invitees attended a meeting with Mike Orloff for Golf Australia to discuss the Club’s strategic plan and in particular the marketing strategy. See separate notes on this meeting.

Correspondence. Letter from GCDGA re Pennants. See above. A letter was sent to our insurance broker Louise Nelson re TMGC insurance.

General Business. 

Re the Ladies Bank Account. The following motion was moved by Katy Hewitt and seconded by Kristo Bradley: “That a new Ladies Account be opened at NAB Helensvale to sit beside our other Management Committee Accounts. The signatories to the new account will be Judith Anne Barnes, Connie Louise Moloney, Ross John Barnes, and Gerard Edward Moloney.” The motion was carried unanimously.

A working bee will be held on Thursday January 16 to undertake various tasks in the Clubhouse and around the course.

Update of options for new Buggy Sheds and Storage Shed. It was agreed to pursue the already discussed line of eleven buggy sheds to be erected by Titan. These sheds are not connected to any other building and their approval should be straightforward. A deposit had already been approved at the previous meeting to allow the project with Titan to proceed. A grant application is pending to contribute to the cost. Further plans will be considered at future meetings.

Because of time considerations, several matters were held over until an additional MC meeting on January 22, viz. Priority List for 2025, further discussion of storage and buggy sheds, decision on Club insurance policy, toilet

ceiling repairs.

Closure and Next Meeting. The next monthly meeting of the MC is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. The meeting closed at 4.05 pm.

Minutes prepared by John de Jersey, Secretary, TMGC.