I am sure Members are pleased to hear that Stage 1 of the R&M Project has been completed on time and on budget, no surprises. It is always foolish to declare victory too early in a long-term project but the discipline of the budgeting work and the determination of the Technical Committee and Board to stay on plan provides confidence that this will continue. I will have more to say about that in Bulletin # 3 in the next week or two.
This letter is about the amazing waterfall opportunity on the “postcard” 9th hole. This feature is not in the budget, it is out of scope and under normal circumstances the Board would be inclined to defer it until near the end of the project when there is more certainty about costs and available cash. The initiative is an outcome of the creative minds of our Superintendent, Michael Hedger, the Player Group and with input from our shaper, Craig Brown. Michael has long held the idea but as they cut back into the rock at the back of the hole the vision of the tumble ponds leading down into Devlins Creek took shape and quickly pushed off the page the planned covered drain solution to the water over spill from above.
The Technical Committee and The Board were immediately impressed with the concept and Barnaby was asked to seek advice and develop a plan to get it done. He has since reported that quotes are in and the estimate is $50k and which, unfortunately, is well above what it is prudent to spend on an out-of-scope option at this early stage of the R&M Project. The major component of cost is getting power to the site as well as tank storage, pumps, sealing the tumbling basins and access to water top up in dry periods.
The Board has since asked the Foundation to consider conducting an appeal for funds. The Foundation immediately arranged a meeting of Trustees and have responded positively.
But first, reflecting on comments made to me from time to time it might be beneficial if I clear up some apparent points of confusion. The Board asked the Foundation to raise money and work together to prepare a design and to obtain development approval (DA) for a Golf Academy (GA) and solve the cart storage problem. This was in response to Members making it clear in the Voice of the Member Survey that training and indoor practice facilities should be a strategic priority. The funding of the GA was broadly expected from three sources, Member appeal, government grant and Club contribution. When later the Club elected to proceed with the R&M Project as a priority the GA was deferred for future consideration when the R&M Project was all but completed and costs were known. This remains the case, the Foundation has obtained a DA and has continued to peg away at the conditions leading to a construction certificate in readiness of a future time when the Club is able to proceed. Some very good work has been done at little cost to the Club. It is our intention to make a detailed presentation to Members of the GA project and its status later in the year.
Similar with the Gates Project, or more accurately, The Second Memorial Gates Project, which addresses the second or lower entry to the Club from Burns Road South. The Foundation has handed $70k to the Club to fund this project, most of that money was raised by the ex-service section of the Club, mainly by direct donation of the servicemen themselves together with money raised on their annual golf day held on or around Remembrance Day. Three complications became apparent, firstly the guttering and ingo from the street. This was raised with Hornsby Shire Council who made it clear there was no appetite for Council to do anything, it was not a priority and if the Club wanted to pay for construction, it could be arranged. Secondly the flow of water from the street is across our car park into the grate in front of the chipper, our car park floods in heavy downpours. The solution, in the absence of street guttering and water collection is to dig a trench from the grate near the chipper to the street then reseal the car park. Expensive, perhaps it is better to put up with occasional flooding. Finally, the R&M Project required heavy vehicles in and out of the gates area during Stage 1. This is finished as Stage 1 is now complete. We have elected to defer the drainage and guttering issues with Council and proceeding to build the gates. The work is now underway with the kind assistance of Rob Stevenson and Members can expect activity soon. In the event that we cannot address the drainage and guttering matter with Council, we will need to undertake this work ourselves but not before the completion of Project R&M.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Ross Jackson has advised that Simon Tremlett has volunteered to act as appeal Chair and that Ben Saw and Michael Thompson have joined the Appeal Committee. Ross, together with the House Committee are looking for others to join the Committee. I expect that Ross will write to all Members in the next few days setting out the Committee membership and appeal strategy. We are expecting to raise $50k with any surplus remaining in the Foundation accounts but allocated at the direction of the Board.
In conclusion;
- The Board thinks the waterfall concept is an outstanding initiative.
- The cost is too great to incur as an out-of-scope item this early in the R & M project.
- Signs and pre commitments indicate a successful appeal and the Board has elected to immediately begin construction.
We do hope Members will rise to the challenge and support this appeal; the result will be a truly spectacular feature on our 9th hole. You will shortly receive a letter from the Chairman of our Foundation inviting you to participate.
Michael Rowan
PRESIDENT
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