54th LEFT-HANDED GOLF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Captain’s Report
As Captain NALGA Tasmanian Division it is with pleasure I present my report on the 54th Left-Handed Golf Championships.
Tasmania’s Welcome Function on the Sunday night was highly praised by those in attendance, and it set the scene for a memorable week.
We had 120 competitors enter in either the 54 Hole Championship, Right-Handed Stableford Event or elected to play on individual days. Tasmania was well represented with 28 of our members competing in these events.
First and foremost, I want to thank John Mendel General Manger of Royal Hobart Golf Club, the Board, staff and members for the magnificent support it provided to NALGA Tasmanian Division which allowed us to host this event. Course Superintendent Steve Lewis and his dedicated green staff for their efforts in course preparation with the view to make it a fair and equitable challenge to all competitors. Golf Tournaments require many behind the scenes actions. Thanks also to Matthew Docking Head Professional and his assistant Jake Savage, for their efforts in computerising the various competitions that make up the Championship, along with printing of daily score cards. Daily prize results, and final tournament results, for all competitions through the computerised system, reduced our workload considerably.
The Championships was scheduled to be played on the challenging layout of the Royal Hobart Golf Club 18th - 22nd November. However, Day 1 unfortunately saw weather conditions work against us. Due to extremely strong winds the start was delayed by 1 hour. Consultation with the RHGC Course Superintendent and taking into consideration safety of all competitors the decision was then made to reduce the Championship to 54 holes. We did provide an 18 Stableford event for those that wished to participate. The majority, of competitors welcoming the opportunity to go out and play. We were congratulated on our decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes given the conditions we faced.
I conveyed, my appreciation to the competitors each day at Prize Presentations in the timely manner they moved around the course. I was only aware of a couple of occasions during the week, that required either John or myself to drive out on the course to investigate delays. Guidance was provided in restoring the acceptable pace of play. Motorised Cart breakdown was also minimal, with 1 cart requiring to be removed from a fairway and replaced. This sort of result is reflective on the care and maintenance RHGC and its members undertake on their equipment and for that I am truly grateful.
Each day brought challenges for various reasons. Whether it be competitors scores or changes to the draw or cart issues, we followed the processes developed in our tournament planning to obtain the desired outcomes.
Many tasks required attention each day to ensure the players only had to concern themselves prior to play with collecting their scorecard, their clubs and finding their cart and on completion of round, handing in their score card. Organising and recording score cards, storage and presentation of golf equipment along with buggies and carts requires volunteer assistance. To the following my gratitude and thanks for all the support you provided during the week. Bill Mace, Luke Maynard Keith McWilliams, John Galpin, Ron King, Phil Scanlon, Florry Scanlon, Sally Eastwood, Jake Savage and Barry Miller.
It is my belief that we provided a very high standard Tournament that was well received and appreciated by the competitors. This was reflected in the closeness of the scores for many of the major awards. Congratulations to Michael Maynard on winning the title of Open Champion and Johanna Wylie Ladies Champion well played and the spoils well deserved. Special mention to our Tasmanian members who were successful in the following events.
B Grade Gross Runner up Damian Davidson 276
C Grade Gross Winner John Tiffin 280 Gross Runner up Keith McWilliams 281
C Grade Nett Winner John O’Shannessey 203
Founders Shield Winner John O’Shannessey 203 Runner up John Tiffin 217
Super Vets Nett Winner Allen Fletcher 224 Nett Runner up Kerry Christie 230
Congratulations to all other prize winners whether it be, Daily, NTP, Grade, Veterans or Super Veterans you accepted the chaallenge and met with success. See attached for a listing of all major trophy winners.
In closing I thank my fellow committee members Phil Scanlon and John Galpin for your dedication and hard work since Tasmania was announced to host the 54th Championships. To our Tournament Director John Bosworth, on occasions such as this saying thank you seems inadequate. Without your guidance, organisation, and leadership, skills this tournament would not have been the success that we all experienced congratulations on presentation of the 54th National Championships.
Brian Bannister
Captain NALGA Tasmanian Division
Tasmania’s Welcome Function on the Sunday night was highly praised by those in attendance, and it set the scene for a memorable week.
We had 120 competitors enter in either the 54 Hole Championship, Right-Handed Stableford Event or elected to play on individual days. Tasmania was well represented with 28 of our members competing in these events.
First and foremost, I want to thank John Mendel General Manger of Royal Hobart Golf Club, the Board, staff and members for the magnificent support it provided to NALGA Tasmanian Division which allowed us to host this event. Course Superintendent Steve Lewis and his dedicated green staff for their efforts in course preparation with the view to make it a fair and equitable challenge to all competitors. Golf Tournaments require many behind the scenes actions. Thanks also to Matthew Docking Head Professional and his assistant Jake Savage, for their efforts in computerising the various competitions that make up the Championship, along with printing of daily score cards. Daily prize results, and final tournament results, for all competitions through the computerised system, reduced our workload considerably.
The Championships was scheduled to be played on the challenging layout of the Royal Hobart Golf Club 18th - 22nd November. However, Day 1 unfortunately saw weather conditions work against us. Due to extremely strong winds the start was delayed by 1 hour. Consultation with the RHGC Course Superintendent and taking into consideration safety of all competitors the decision was then made to reduce the Championship to 54 holes. We did provide an 18 Stableford event for those that wished to participate. The majority, of competitors welcoming the opportunity to go out and play. We were congratulated on our decision to reduce the tournament to 54 holes given the conditions we faced.
I conveyed, my appreciation to the competitors each day at Prize Presentations in the timely manner they moved around the course. I was only aware of a couple of occasions during the week, that required either John or myself to drive out on the course to investigate delays. Guidance was provided in restoring the acceptable pace of play. Motorised Cart breakdown was also minimal, with 1 cart requiring to be removed from a fairway and replaced. This sort of result is reflective on the care and maintenance RHGC and its members undertake on their equipment and for that I am truly grateful.
Each day brought challenges for various reasons. Whether it be competitors scores or changes to the draw or cart issues, we followed the processes developed in our tournament planning to obtain the desired outcomes.
Many tasks required attention each day to ensure the players only had to concern themselves prior to play with collecting their scorecard, their clubs and finding their cart and on completion of round, handing in their score card. Organising and recording score cards, storage and presentation of golf equipment along with buggies and carts requires volunteer assistance. To the following my gratitude and thanks for all the support you provided during the week. Bill Mace, Luke Maynard Keith McWilliams, John Galpin, Ron King, Phil Scanlon, Florry Scanlon, Sally Eastwood, Jake Savage and Barry Miller.
It is my belief that we provided a very high standard Tournament that was well received and appreciated by the competitors. This was reflected in the closeness of the scores for many of the major awards. Congratulations to Michael Maynard on winning the title of Open Champion and Johanna Wylie Ladies Champion well played and the spoils well deserved. Special mention to our Tasmanian members who were successful in the following events.
B Grade Gross Runner up Damian Davidson 276
C Grade Gross Winner John Tiffin 280 Gross Runner up Keith McWilliams 281
C Grade Nett Winner John O’Shannessey 203
Founders Shield Winner John O’Shannessey 203 Runner up John Tiffin 217
Super Vets Nett Winner Allen Fletcher 224 Nett Runner up Kerry Christie 230
Congratulations to all other prize winners whether it be, Daily, NTP, Grade, Veterans or Super Veterans you accepted the chaallenge and met with success. See attached for a listing of all major trophy winners.
In closing I thank my fellow committee members Phil Scanlon and John Galpin for your dedication and hard work since Tasmania was announced to host the 54th Championships. To our Tournament Director John Bosworth, on occasions such as this saying thank you seems inadequate. Without your guidance, organisation, and leadership, skills this tournament would not have been the success that we all experienced congratulations on presentation of the 54th National Championships.
Brian Bannister
Captain NALGA Tasmanian Division