Amended TMGC Minutes of February 26, 2025.

1.    Welcome and Apologies

Present: Gerry Moloney, President and Chair; Kevin Arnold, Vice President; Simon Briggs, Captain; John de Jersey, Secretary; Kristo Bradley and Katy Hewitt.

Guests: Graeme Andrews, Greenkeeper; Andrew Revie, Professional; Stephen Berry (Vets Sub-Committee), Judy Barnes (Ladies Sub-Committee), Bjorn Schmal (Webmaster).

Apologies: Ross Barnes (Treasurer) and Ross Hodgson.

2.    Veterans Report. Stephen asked a general question about plans for the course going forward, particularly in the context of the rough’s mower which was being repaired. See below under Greenkeeper’s Report for discussion of the rough’s mower situation. Steven was also made aware of steps being taken to ensure that there will be no repetition of the greens watering problems (also see below).

3.    Ladies Report. Judy reported very favourably about the recent visit from Burleigh lady golfers for a Tuesday morning game. The total field was about 40 players. The normal Tuesday morning competition is now attracting 15-17 players. Judy raised the possibility of a future joint golf day with Canungra ladies and asked that attention be paid to mowing of the 7^th and 17^th fairway further back towards to tee.

4.    Professional’s Report.  Andrew noted that there had been a robbery on Sunday morning in the pro shop. The thieves were recorded on security cameras. They stole a Titleist driver but were unable to reach the club house proper and the bar which was probably their main target.

There will be a Charity Day on February 28 in support of domestic violence victims. It is expected that 30-40 players will take part in the 9- hole event.  Andrew will look after the timesheet.

Andrew met with a representative of Golf Now which runs a booking service. They have been successful in booking games at TMGC (for 10% of the green fees) but would be able to function better if they could book in games using the club booking system. It was agreed that Bjorn be asked to set this up if it was decided to go ahead.

The Professionals are planning a golf day in the near future and will agree on a suitable date with Andrew.

Andrew agreed that water by the glass would continue to be made available at the bar on request.

Andrew agreed that his staff would place the wire rope across the driveway where possible but noted that staff sometimes finished their shift and left while there were still cars in the car park. It was agreed that in such circumstances the rope should not be put in place.

5.    Digital Matters with Bjorn Schmal. This was the first report to the Management Committee which has contracted Bjorn to work on the Club’s digital presence and how it can be used to strengthen numbers of women and junior members. Bjorn agreed to attend each MC meeting and give a report, until his six-month contract is completed.

Bjorn and Andrew will work together on developing special offers for different groups following on from the ladies’ coaching series held in late 2024. Bjorn noted the ongoing need for social media content and noted that Andrew has been very good at replying to messages.

Bjorn is working with Katy on a fun series of about 20 short videos of 10-20 sessions, relating to golf.

Further plans are to develop tips for beginners, an FAQ section for the website and a special website section for juniors (perhaps involving Emma Revie). Andrew will attempt to work through schools to attract more juniors. He repeated the request for someone to come forward as a community coach and do the Golf Australia training, to assist with group lessons.

Bjorn suggested a monthly giveaway prize such as a game of golf for two to the winner of a competition or lucky draw. This was agreed to, with further consideration from Andrew and Bjorn. A priority will be to attract more social players at quiet times. It was agreed that the monthly newsletter be made available on social media.

Bjorn will also continue to add more photographs and other improvements to the website and asked committee members to send him ideas.

6.    Greenkeeper’s Report. Graeme noted that the turf from the area to be covered by the new buggy sheds adjacent to the putting green will be used for returfing bare areas such as beside the 8^th green and behind the committee room in the parking area for hire bubbies.

A defibrillator is now in a cupboard located on the machinery shed outer wall. Members have been asked in the newsletter to update the list of those who do not wish to be resuscitated using the defibrillator.

Graeme has been asking Toro constantly about the repairs to the rough’s mower. Kevin said he had found a suitable mower on ebay for about $8000, and he agreed to pursue this. The MC agreed that this could be a good purchase as a backup to the mower being fixed. Expenditure of $8000 for this purpose was approved on the motion of Gerry, seconded Simon, carried unanimously. Graeme will look into a suggestion from Gerry to obtain an attachment to the front of the mower to pick up branches etc.

Graeme thought that the greens should improve rapidly given cooler weather. Bare patches have been seeded with 328 couch and bent grass will then take over.

Three concreting jobs are in the works: pad for the new buggy sheds; a washing down pad for machinery near the machinery shed, and repairs to concrete paths near third and fifth tees. Kevin agreed to write to Greg Kearney confirming that the turning circle for the new buggy sheds would be sufficient.

The MC considered the need to undertake additional works so that the new irrigation system would become fully reliable and effective. Firstly, it was agreed to provide $16,943 for the electrical connections, excavation and products to revamp the bores and two new water tanks to the pump shed, according to a quote from JDH Irrigation Services (moved Gerry, seconded Simon, carried unanimously.) Secondly, it was agreed to consider the installation of new ring mains around each green at a cost of about $5k per green but this was put on hold until a later meeting e.g. May.

7.    Minutes of previous meeting. The minutes of the February meeting had been pre-circulated and were confirmed (moved Katy, seconded Kevin, carried unanimously).

8.    Business arising. Katy reported that the netting to protect solar panels was no longer available. Liam has cleaned out the gutters on the club house, cart sheds, greenkeeper’s shed and rental house. Remaining questions concern removal of Perdurable sign and freezer in ladies’ room.

9.    New member approvals. Ross provided a list of new member applications as follows: Cameron Doherty (Junior), Tracy Clifford (Weekday), Jeff Dais (Full), Cara Poulsen (Young Adult), Luke Poulsen (Lifestyle), Kenny Conomos (Full), Peter Bichsel (Full), Ashley Young (Country), Declan Ansell (Young Adult), Fredoy Knight (Junior), George Bulog (Full), Tom Hayton (Full), David Wilson (Weekday), Elke Wilson (Weekday) .Members rejoining were Alan Stewart (Full), Mark Pemberton (Full) and Perry Pemberton (Junior). All of these applications were approved. This brings the total number of members to 293.

10.   Financial Report. Ross circulated the financial report for January, showing a credit balance in the operating account of $174,206.83, compared with $74,290.07 in January 2024. There were 1012 rounds played by visitors in the previous 35 days. The report was approved unanimously. Balances in the accounts of Vets and Ladies to appear in future minutes.

11.  Workplace Health and Safety. It was agreed that the trench behind the 6^th green should be topped up.

12.   Competition Report. It was agreed to cancel the Elton Staffsmith Single Matchplay event because very few nominations were received by the due date. It was agreed that there not be a shotgun start on March 22.

13.   Correspondence. Inward from Andre Cafun re SRRC grant application for cctv and dismantling and then reinstating of cctv hardware on back deck; Bardera re back deck; Greg Kearney re drinking water on course (under consideration); John Mark and Di Lilley requested leave of absence for medical reasons (approved).

Outward to GCDGA re pennants, to Elders Insurance, SEQ Insurance, Cornerstone Insurance and AON insurance (all concerning the Club’s insurance policies), to Scott Buchholz re Stronger Communities Program Rd 9 and to Jessica Smallbone to acquit the grant for the back patio roof.

14.   General Business.

·       Course improvements, see above.

·       Machinery. See above for discussion of roughs mower. Ongoing.

·       Succession planning. Need to identify skill sets of present committee and how they can be supplemented. Ongoing.

·       Wish list and tour of course. Plan for a course tour on Wednesday, March 5. Postponed due to rain.

·       Back patio roof update. Lights are yet to be installed. Members are very happy with the new roof.

·       Non-financial members and sponsors, for further consideration.

·       Cart sheds update and future plans. See above and for further discussion.

·       Storage shed. On hold until other financial commitments are met.

·       Thermal scanning was required by the insurance company. This was performed and the result submitted to the insurer.

·       Membership lists. We need to develop a more comprehensive list. Gerry has details from Lonsdale Links.

·       Water fountain outside clubhouse. Kevin will ask for Tim’s views. Similarly, we need to put filtered water signs in the toilets.

·       It was suggested that wet bitumen can be obtained from Bunnings in small amounts to repair holes in front driveway.

·       Wall planner for MC provided.

·       Gerry indicated that a meeting of GA was planned for Thursday March 6 at Sanctuary Cove, coinciding with the Women’s PGA Championship and asked if anyone would like to accompany him to the meeting.

·       New carpet for Clubhouse and Ladies Room. A quote had been received for $4400 to provide new carpet for the clubhouse, replacing the old, and $2090 to extend the coverage to the ProShop and $1250 for the Ladies Room. Proceeding with this quote was approved unanimously. 

15.   Call of Next Meeting and Closure. The meeting was closed by the Chair at 4.50 pm. The next meeting is set down for Wednesday, March 19.

Minutes prepared by John de Jersey, Secretary, TMGC.