Upcoming Events

Cheers to the EOFY!!

Join us on Sunday, 25 June at noon for the levy buffet.

Including the chef’s selection lunch buffet & a glass of sparkling on arrival, the luncheon is the perfect option for those looking to spend up on their food and beverage levy as we approach the end of the financial year

$125 for adults | $30 for 5-12 year olds | free for under 5’s

To secure your booking, please contact Lynda on 5988 2734 or email functions@nationalgolf.com.au

Can’t make it and still need to spend your levy?

Remember that you can purchase bottles of wine. For a list of what’s on offer, please contact Tynaiya Tynaiya.Boyd@nationalgolf.com.au or speak to one of our friendly staff.

K9 & Dine

Following the successful inaugural K9 & Dine event held earlier this year, The National Golf Club is pleased to once again invite your furry friends to visit us on course.

Join us for nine holes on Sunday 2 July from 2pm, then enjoy a selection of housemade pizzas. Your $30 entry fee will include a $10 donation to the Mornington Peninsula branch of Pet Rescue.

Book a place for yourself and your pooch via the online booking sheet. Dietary requirements can be advised to Lynda Coombs on (03) 5988 2734 or by emailing functions@nationalgolf.com.au.

Little Nash' is Returning!!

After its summer success, Little Nash' will be open once again over the June/July School Holidays.

For those of you who aren't familiar with it, ‘Little Nash’ is a pitch ‘n’ putt course designed for golfers of all abilities. The course provides some challenge for the more seasoned golfer, whilst also allowing those who may not have played before the opportunity to succeed on a short course that is significantly friendlier than its neighbouring layouts.

Using the current practice chipping green and surrounding areas, between the Gunnamatta and Moonah courses, we have designed 6 short holes, ranging between 20 – 60m.

We encourage members to bring along their friends and family, from 2pm, for an afternoon of fun on the following dates:

• Sunday June 25
  
• Fri June 30
  
• Sat July 1
  

Clubs and balls will be provided for those who require them.

To book, simply access the timesheets as you would normally.

Any questions – please contact Ben Hall – ben.hall@nationalgolf.com.au

Around the Club

The National Becomes a Proud Signatory

The National is proud to become a signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter.

The Women in Golf Charter was launched by the R&A in 2018 to foster a more inclusive culture within golf around the world, and to enable more women and girls to flourish and maximise their potential at all levels of the sport.

We look forward to sharing stories of success and actively leading in this space for the women and girls who are connected to The National Golf Club.

To read more about the Women in Golf Charter, please click here.

Annual Cart Hire Fee

Over time, an annual cart hire fee has been available to members to allow them to cap their annual payment for that service. In FY23, the fixed charge for cart hire was $2,900, reduced to $2,600 based on medical requirement. More recently, the Club has had to introduce a waiting list for that arrangement to ensure that carts are always available to members paying the annual fee.

The Club is replacing the current Annual Cart Hire Fee with an annual rebate which applies automatically to all eligible recipients. We believe that this is not only a fairer approach, but one which protects those already on the list from paying too much should they play fewer rounds than they had foreseen in a given year.

From the start of FY24, an annual cart fee rebate threshold will be set at $3,075, reduced to $2,750 for medically exempt members who provide a (relevant) medical certificate to the Club. For any member who turns 80 prior to the end of FY24, or who has produced a medical certificate by the end of December 2023, a full year rebate will apply based on the following formula:

Total eligible member spend on cart hire in FY24 – Relevant threshold ($3,075 or $2,750) = FY24 Individual Member Rebate

For example, a member for whom cart hire is required on medical grounds, and who spends $4,000 on cart hire in FY24, will receive a rebate of $1,250 shortly after the end of that financial year.

For members who qualify based on the age criteria (ie. 80yo or higher), the rebate process will be automatically triggered. For those members whose eligibility is based on medical exemption, a certificate must be submitted to the Club by the end of December in the year of the rebate’s applicability. The Club reserves the right to review individual member eligibility and to void the availability of this scheme to an individual member at its absolute discretion. Any decision of the Club, in that regard, will be final.

Any queries in relation to this initiative can be directed to the Finance and Administration Manager, Eddie Warfield, on 5988-2722. Members should note that online cart bookings are now available on the timesheet at both locations.

Changes to Insurance

The Insurance coverage offered by The National is designed to be in the best interests of protecting our members and limiting any financial loss they may experience as a result of attending The National Golf Club.

Following is an update on some of the policies offered at The National.

Golf Equipment

The National is no longer able to offer the optional insurance policy to cover members' golf equipment. Previously, this had been a $10 optional charge on the annual billing. We have been informed by Golf Management Australia’s Chief Executive Officer that “the decision follows the fall-out from the Royal Commission into Banking and Financial Services misconduct, future renewals will not include member golf equipment cover, regardless of insurer”. It is an issue currently affecting all golf Club members during their Club’s insurance renewal process. It is The National’s recommendation that members seek alternate cover for their golf equipment, such as through home and contents policies.

Member’s Liability

All golf Club members have Personal Player and Liability Insurance coverage as part of their Golf Australia affiliation fee. Broadly this policy covers the legal liability of members to pay compensation for personal injury or property damage which occurs while playing or practising golf or attending a golf event or venue as a player, guest or spectator.

Green Fee Player’s Liability Insurance

Generally, non-members are not covered for Personal Player and Liabilities, however, The National takes out an additional policy to insure all Golfers at The National are covered. This means, that all non-members who cause any damage or injury while playing golf will have the same liability cover as members.

Cape Schanck Courses Named in Golf Magazines Top 100 in Asia-Pacific

We are excited to report that the three courses at Cape Schanck have all been named in the Top 100 courses of Asia-Pacific in the recent edition of Golf Magazine.

• Moonah - 25th
  
• Gunnamatta - 27th
• The Old - 78th
  

To see the full list, please click here

Reciprocal Access

As a Member of The National Golf Club, you have reciprocal rights allowing you to play at outstanding clubs around Australia and across the world.

For all reciprocal club play requests, please directly contact the club you wish to play at, to first ascertain date of play availability. You may then request a Letter of Introduction from The National Golf Club by emailing bookings@nationalgolf.com.au. Please allow 48 hours for Letters of Introduction to be complete, where possible.

Membership of The National Golf Club grants access to some of the best golf clubs both interstate and overseas.

INTERSTATE

NEW SOUTH WALES

Royal Sydney

New South Wales

The Lakes

Elanora

QUEENSLAND

Royal Queensland

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Royal Adelaide

Kooyonga

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Lake Karrinyup

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Royal Canberra

OVERSEAS

HONG KONG

Clearwater Bay

Discovery Bay

NEW ZEALAND

Royal Auckland

CANADA

Capilano Golf and Country Club

The National

JAPAN

Taiheiyo Club

MALAYSIA

Royal Selangor

TPC Kuala Lumpur

IRELAND

Donegal Golf Club

UK

Saunton Golf Club

Donegal Golf Club - Ireland

Member Story - An Unforgettable Trip to Japan

In April this year, eight fellow National members decided we would take advantage of one of our Reciprocal Club opportunities and put together a tour to Japan.

You may have noticed the one line that is afforded Taiheiyo Golf Club as one of our reciprocal clubs in our Information section, but that is misleading.

Taiheiyo Golf Club has 17 courses all across Japan, affording multiple opportunities and experiences.

We were aided in this adventure by Paul Sheehan, also a National Member but more importantly the Director of Elite Golf Japan and his help was indispensable in making everything go smoothly.

We played 5 different courses over 9 days (Gotemba, Gotemba West, Rokko, Narita and Tarakazuma).

While it's not our job to compare courses, the Gotemba courses, at the foot of Mt Fuji - with views to match - and the Tarakazuma course were standouts.

The novelty of a mandated lunch break between nines was taken in our stride, albeit scoring on the 10th hole each day was difficult to say the least.

The club staff are extremely friendly and always looking to make your day better.

All we can say, if you have the opportunity, inclination, curiosity to play some golf in Japan, then take advantage of the great reciprocity that presently exists.

- Geoff Chapman

Guest Access Restrictions

Maximum Rounds

In the interest of your fellow members, this is a timely reminder as we approach June 30, that an individual may not be introduced as a guest of the Club to play golf on more than six occasions in any one financial year.

Saturday Restrictions

Members are reminded of the following Guest restrictions on Saturdays.

* The three courses at Cape Schanck will rotate the above restrictions on a weekly basis.

Bump & Run

Parking

The demand for parking has eased with the cooler months and we ask members to refrain from parking outside the front entrance area, under the portico and in the general vicinity of the bag drop area.

Cancelling Bookings

If for whatever reason you are unable to make a tee time or you decide to cancel your booking within 24 hours of your tee time please advise the other members in the time slot.

Whilst you may have put your name in as a single it is polite to advise your playing partners and it ensures players aren’t left stranded at the tee box.

Member phone numbers are available in the App & website under Member Directory.

Golf Ops

Fitting Days

Unique fitting opportunities for our members over the next month.

• TaylorMade Fitting Day @ The TaylorMade Performance Lab in Clayton
  
• Friday 23 June - Bookings via this link
  

• Ping Fitting Day @ The Ping Fitting Studio in Moorabbin
  
• Thursday 6 July - Bookings via the Club website/app
  

On Course

Club Foursomes

A special congratulations to both Tom and Mark Limon on an extraordinary achievement, as they have now won three consecutive Club Foursomes Championships (Bongiorno Cup).

They achieved this by defeating Ryan Treweek and Jonathan Welsh in the Final with a score of 4&3.

Tom and Mark defeated Dean Alex and John d’Apice 3&2 in the Semi-Finals, while Ryan Treweek and Jonathan Welsh defeated Ben Hart and Dan Cousins 2 up.

Presidents Cup

Congratulations to Ray Berzins for winning the 2023 President’s Cup. Ray defeated Jack Newnes 4/3 on the Old Course.

The President’s Cup requires 32 players to compete through five rounds of knockout matchplay after an initial qualifying round. Congratulations to all players that made it to the match play rounds.

Staff Matchplay

As you may expect, many of our hard-working staff love having a hit outside of work, both socially and competitively at many of our neighbouring clubs.

Recently the staff were involved in a matchplay competition during the quieter times at our spectacular courses.

32 players took part, but there could only be one winner, with Damian Merks taking on Ben Murphy in the final. Ben had to give Damian a whopping 16 shots, which proved a difficult task, with Damian finally sealing victory on the 18th hole of Gunnamatta.

Holes-in-One

We celebrate the following members for achieving an ace during the month of May

• Darren Topham
  
• Con Christopoulos
• Guy Krall
  

Course News

Long Island - Irrigation Pipe

Over the next six weeks we will be taking on delivery of items for the project such as irrigation pipe. Pipe has been pre-purchased for the entire project to ensure the project won’t be impacted by supply shortages throughout the duration.

The irrigation pipe will be stored in areas amongst the course in preparation for installation.

We are also about to receive items of equipment that will be used extensively throughout the construction project

Moonah 17th Green

Works will commence on the 17th green starting Monday 24 July and a temporary green will be in play at the start of the 17th fescue approach.

The aim is to have the green back open for play for the Monthly medal in September.

A timeline of the works program can be seen below, with the plans below this.

Week One

• Greens turf sod cut and placed to the side to be relayed at a later date
  
• Thatch removed
  
• Sand carted in to raise the RHS of the green and surrounds
  
• Bob Harrison on site to supervise the shaping
  

Week Two

• Final shaping undertaken
  
• Greens turf relayed
  
• 
  

Week Three

• Surrounds turf laid
  

Gunnamatta 11th Hole

During Tom Doaks' visit in February, Tom reviewed the Gunnamatta course and a couple of items were highlighted. One item was the repositioning of the forward tee on the 11th hole of Gunnamatta.

Tom proposed to move the tee further out to the right which improves the visual of the hole and encourages more shot variety. The works for the construction of this new teeing area will begin in mid-October and will be opened mid-late November .

4th Hole of The Old - Restoration of Bank

The works on the 4th and 5th irrigation lakes on The Old Course are progressing well.

Sand has been gathered from the bank and used to refurbish the front slope of the 4th green. Over the years, the area has sunk and the edge of the dam has been eroded exposing the actual dam liner. The front left section of the green surround will be increased in height to lessen the risk of a golfer putting their golf ball into the lake when putting from the back section of the green over the ridge to the front pin position.

While the dam level has been lowered the entire surrounds of the dam will be trimmed and cleaned up to make the entire area more visually appealing.

Moonah OOB - 12th hole

The OOB at the start of the right hand side of the 12th fairway has become over grown, making it hard to locate your golf ball and to determine if it is in or out of the OOB area. In this area, the vegetation will be thinned out and trimmed up to make it easier to locate your golf ball or determine if it is OOB. These works will start in late July.

Moonah Fescue Diseases

The Moonah course fescue fairways continue to suffer from the effects of diseases attacking the lower sections of the fairway.

Numerous affected areas across the course were tested and the following diseases were identified.

• Spores of Fusarium sp found in the foliage.
  
• Spores of Drechslera sp found in the samples.
  
• Spores of Leptosphaerulina sp were present in the sample.
  
• Fungal mycelium of Rhizoctonia sp found in the roots.
  
• Spores of Pythium sp found in the roots.
  
• Fungal mycelium of Gaeumannomycetes sp found in the roots.
  
• Fungal mycelium and spores of Magnaporthe sp found in the roots.
  

As you can see by the list we are targeting quite a few different diseases affecting different parts of the plant.

A broad-spectrum fungicide will be applied to all the fairways and selected areas on the 7th hole will be re-turfed with fescue from our nursery.

Tip of the Month

with Nick O'Hern

We are back again with a fantastic tip from former European and PGA Tour player Nick O'Hern.

I'm sure we can all say that we have been guilty at some stage regarding a lack of a warm-up before golf (some are more guilty than others!!)

Check out this quick drill that will get the blood flowing and engage the hand-eye coordination to prepare you for that shot off the first tee.

Events in June

Winter Cup 4BBB

Saturday 17 June - Qualifying Round

Sunday 25 June - Quarter Final (play on or before)

David Inglis Captain's Trophy

Sunday 18 June - Final - 36 holes

Silver Spoon

Wednesday 21 June - Round 4

O'Shea Brothers 4 Ball Par

Saturday 24 June - Qualifying

EOFY Buffet

Sunday 25 June

Little Nash'

Sunday June 25

Fri June 30

Sat July 1

To view the 2023 Programme - please click here

Looking ahead

Monthly Medal

Saturday 1 July

K9 & Dine

Sunday July 2

Winter Cup 4BBB

Sunday 2 July - Semi Final (play on or before)

Sunday 9 July - Final

Sandra McCaw Qualifier

Wednesday 5 July

Bill Britten Qualifying

Thursday 6 July

Silver Spoon

Saturday 8 July - Round 4

Saturday 29 July - Final

O'Shea Brothers 4 Ball Par

Saturday 8 July - Quarter Final

Saturday 15 July - Semi Final

Saturday 22 July - Final

George Munn Event

Sun 16 July - Qualifying

Sunday 30 July - Quarter Final (on or before)

The Claret Jug Championship

Saturday 22 July

Winter Mixed Teams Event

Sunday 23 July

To view the 2023 Programme - please click here

Junior Clinics - Term 3

The Club is currently seeking expressions of interest for the Term 3 Junior Clinics, held on Sundays at Long Island.

To register your interest, please do so by completing the form via this link prior to 26 June 2023.

Please note that there are no junior clinics taking place over the June/July school holidays. Instead, we encourage those interested in getting involved to have a go at Little Nash over the holiday break.

The Longy Challenge

Open to all members under the age of 25, the Longy Challenge features great prizes throughout the round as well as for the winner and runner up.

Sign up now via the 'Longy Challenge' entry sheet on June 18.

Getting to know you...

Introducing - George Santalucia

For a lighthearted look at a round on The Old, take a look at Ron Chopper as he battles his way to try and break par.

Previous Editions