Draft Minutes of TMGC Management Committee, October 23, 2024

Welcome and Apologies. The meeting was opened at 1.15 pm by the President in the Chair.

Attendees. Gerry Moloney, President; Kevin Arnold, Vice President; Ross Barnes, Treasurer, John de Jersey, Secretary, Kristo Bradley, Katy Hewitt and Ross Hodgson. Apology: Simon Briggs, Captain. Guests: Andrew Revie, Club Professional, and Graeme Andrews, Greenkeeper.

Professional’s Report. Andrew reported that 14 women had signed up for a beginner’s clinic, to be held on the four Fridays in November. Derek Shirlaw will assist. A clinic for juniors is also starting soon with at least six registrations. Andrew noted that he will run competitions over the holiday period when the normal women’s competition is in recess, particularly targeting beginning women members and including 6 and 9 hole competitions. Unfortunately, the netball sponsorship did not result in a clinic for netballers interested in a beginner’s golf clinic since a mutually agreeable time could not be found.

The Club will participate in the Road to the PGA competition to be run alongside our normal Saturday competition. Members can pay an extra $10 to be part of the competition. The winner gets a free game at RQ on the Monday before the PGA and participants get a free ticket to one day’s play.

Andrew reported on the GA/PGA Summit Meeting in Melbourne which he attended. Golf in Australia continues to do well but retention of members is becoming an issue.

Andrew suggested that instead of offering new members a $50 voucher for the club house and pro shop, the offer be changed to that of an introductory lesson of 45 minutes, to be valid for two months from the receipt of a voucher to this effect. Katy agreed to prepare a voucher for the Secretary to send with the welcome letter.

Greenkeeper’s Report. Graeme reported that the new irrigation system should be effectively complete by Friday (25/10) and ready for testing. The tree felling program had been completed and the greens renovation had gone according to plan except that the weather was not kind. Fairway spraying for clover and bindii and spraying for beetle infestations are ongoing. The roughs mower needs repairs and these are underway. The posts for the wrongly located fence near the 6th tee will be relocated on 24/10.

There was discussion about the upcoming need to purchase a new greens mower, with the current mower to be used on tees and surrounds. Graeme will report back with prices and trade-ins.

A water tank has been obtained and will be installed near the machinery shed. Options for a toilet unit for the shed are still under consideration. Kevin will obtain a price for a concrete pad near the machinery shed (4m x 4m) to facilitate washing of machinery.

The problem with golf balls from errant drives damaging properties along the 4th fairway is still under consideration.

Minutes of previous MC meeting and 2024 AGM. Draft minutes had been circulated. Both sets of draft minutes were approved: MC meeting, moved by Katy, seconded by Kristo, carried unanimously; AGM, moved Kristo, seconded Ross H., carried unanimously.

Business arising from September minutes. Graeme to check refrigerator in the ladies’ room and dispose of it if not required. Kevin is continuing to investigate an alternative insurer. Gerry is negotiating with Chatterbox regarding a pro Shop speaker system.

New Membership Approvals. The following applications were received and all were approved.

New members: Aidan Smith, Junior; Avery McKail, Junior; Ken Hayter, Junior; Wes Hayter, Junior; Richard Wood, Full; Matt Brady, Weekday; Tony Hoefs, Full; Coen Blunt, Y/Adult; Miles Tyler, Weekday; Aymen Urbain, Y/Adult; Don Harvey, Full; Dominique Trauttmansdorff, Weekday; Tony McNeil, Full; Janet McNeil, Full.

Members rejoining: Francis Bergila, Lifestyle; Anthony Wise, Lifestyle; Wayne Joe, Country.

This brings the total number of members to 259.

Financial Report. Ross B had pre-circulated the financial report for September. This showed a closing balance of $217,683.83, compared with $168,546.90 at end of September 2023. The report showed that the number of visitor rounds in the previous 35 days was 992 or almost 200 per week. It was agreed that the new schedule of fees be instituted from the beginning of November. This schedule had been agreed earlier but put on hold until the new irrigation system had been installed.

Workplace Health and Safety. The dead trees along the fourth fairway have been removed along with dangerous liquid ambers near the first fairway. Graeme will mount the defibrillator on the outside of the machinery shed.

Competition Report. The program for the rest of the year was discussed. It was agreed to hold further discussions with the veterans and ladies sub-committees about gender neutral tees. Members agreed that it was desirable to establish a Match Sub-Committee of the Management Committee, especially with the imminent introduction of Golf Connect. The following committee was nominated: Simon Briggs, Ross Hodgson, Andrew Revie and Di Lilley. 

TMGC Strategic Action Plan. A meeting with Mike Orloff will be held soon.

Correspondence. Sports and Recreation Department re our successful grant application regarding repairs and mitigation after the Christmas day storm. The grant received was $55 000 and further discussions will be held with Sports and Rec representatives about details.

Craig Brown of the GCDGA , re a survey of pennants, interclub etc; responded to by Gerry.

Letter from Greg Kearney re several course and competition related issues. Responded to by Secretary after discussion.

Emma Hawker, re chain fence. See above in Greenkeeper’s Report.

General Business.

1.    Ideas for S and R grant. Further discussion required about what expenditure is allowable.

2.    Quotes and Positioning of Cart Sheds and Storage Shed. There was further discussion about the proposed storage and buggy sheds and it was agreed to go ahead with a definite plan that meets SRRC requirements. It was decided to proceed with final planning for the storage and buggy sheds, getting quotes for concreting and construction (Kevin to follow up earlier quotes). A storage shed would free up space in the second greenkeeper’s shed for machinery. A discussion was held around starting with the buggy sheds and if possible using a few of them for storage in the short term. It was agreed to proceed with concreting using club funds and apply for a Gaming Fund grant (up to $35,000) to partially cover the cost of the sheds.

3.    A working bee is being planned to undertake various jobs around the clubhouse and course.

4.    Minutes of AGM. See above.

5.    Graeme Andrews request for leave. February 1-10. Approved.

6.    Match committee. See above.

7.    Update re Lady members survey. Gerry has sent a synopsis of the feedback received to all lady members and the MC. He is in discussion with Judy Barnes re options for 2025.

8.    Chain Link fence. See above.

9.    CPR and First Aid course. To be held on December 3 at the Clubhouse.

10. Honour Boards and Trophies. To be completed.

11. Trophies to be inscribed with names of recent winners.

12.  Proposal to hold the AGM in November or December rather than at the end of September. This was discussed and it was agreed that for the present, we would retain the September date to ensure that the new committee was bedded in before the Christmas/New Year break.

13. Secretary and treasurer to seek regular updates from sub-committees.

Closure and Next Meeting. The President closed the meeting at 3 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20

Minutes prepared by John de jersey, Secretary, TMGC.