News Archive

Course Care – Our Shared Responsibility

Happy New Year and I hope this message finds you well and enjoying your time on the course.

I am writing about an issue that sits at the heart of golf and of Pennant Hills Golf Club, respect for the course and consideration for your fellow Members.

Our course is one of the Club’s greatest assets. It reflects significant investment and countless hours of work by our Course Team and volunteer groups. Every round is not just a game of golf but an act of custodianship, where we hand the course on to the Members who follow.

In recent weeks there has been a noticeable increase in poorly repaired and in some cases, ignored pitch marks on our greens, along with inconsistent divot repair and a lack of attention to raking bunkers. This is disappointing and directly affects playing conditions and enjoyment for everyone.

Our new greens have been particularly impacted. As young surfaces, they are more vulnerable while we fine-tune moisture levels and poor repair techniques by a small number of players are compounding the issue.

Most Members know what is expected. The challenge is not awareness but action. A pitch mark repaired correctly can recover in days, while an unrepaired one can take many weeks and cause lasting turf damage. Divots and bunkers left unattended have a similar cumulative effect.

To assist Members, Michael Hedger, our Course Superintendent, has posted short videos on the Club website demonstrating correct and incorrect pitch mark repair techniques. The website also provides guidance on all aspects of course care, including divots, bunkers and general etiquette. Members are encouraged to review this material.

I ask every Member to take personal responsibility by doing the following each time you play:

• Repair pitch marks correctly by working from the outside in and smoothing the surface
• Carry and use a sand bucket to repair divots on fairways and in the rough
• Rake bunkers after playing your shot

These expectations are clearly set out in the Club’s Course Care and Local Rules.

This call to action is about respect for the course, for the Team Members who prepare it each day and for your fellow Members who play after you.

Pennant Hills has always been a Club where Members take pride in their course. I ask for your support in restoring and maintaining those standards.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Good golfing,

Damian Maguire
Captain

Read More

Course & Project R&M – Update

Stage 3 of the Project Refresh and Maintenance Programme will commence on 12 January. This stage includes the reconstruction of the 4th, 7th and 8th greens, along with the 8th tee and associated pathway works.

Works will begin on the 8th hole, with the intention of completing the eastern end of the course before progressing to the 4th and 7th green complexes. This sequencing will allow holes 5 and 6 to come into play during the construction period. Temporary course routing will be communicated via the Pro Shop and scorecard notices.

Holes 5 and 6 will remain in play until works on the 8th hole are completed. Subject to weather conditions, this is expected to occur in early February.

With three shapers and one offsider on site, construction is expected to progress efficiently. Ideally, favourable weather conditions will allow us to take advantage of summer growing conditions, assisting turf establishment prior to the onset of the cooler season.

If works progress as planned, these holes are anticipated to be back in play by July.

The temporary tees on holes 1 and 10, which have recently been enlarged, are scheduled to be laid next week.

Course Update

The Christmas period has been characterised by hot conditions and minimal rainfall, coupled with several issues requiring repair at the Water Recycling Plant (WRP). As a result, water production has been extremely limited over the past seven days, with irrigation focused solely on greens and tees. Repairs to the WRP are being prioritised and will be completed as soon as possible.

Sunday’s storm delivered only 1.5 mm of rainfall, with the course unfortunately missing the 10–15 mm received across much of Sydney. Current high temperatures, combined with the course’s tree-lined fairways, are placing ongoing stress on turf conditions. Rain is forecast for next week, with encouraging totals and we are hopeful to receive the full amount forecast.

This weather pattern is not expected to significantly delay the commencement of construction, as the first week of works will primarily involve stripping and stockpiling.

During this heat period, mowing heights on fairways and surrounds have been raised from 12 mm to 14 mm to assist with turf recovery following rainfall. As a result, several fairway and surround areas will not be cut this week.

With temperatures forecast to reach 43°C on Saturday, greens will be cut on Friday only, with no cutting scheduled for Saturday to reduce plant stress. The maintenance team will focus on monitoring and managing green moisture levels throughout the day.

Waterfall Update

The waterfall has been switched off over the past two weeks for the following reasons:

1. The waterfall requires a small amount of irrigation water each day to initiate its recirculation process. Given the current limitations on water production, all available water is being prioritised for the course.
2. While the cascades were operating daily, I wanted to address potential seepage concerns in the clay-based ponds located on the right-hand side of the hole.

To address this, Bentonite will be applied to these ponds. This product is most effective when applied dry, prior to the water being turned back on, as it acts as a sealant within the clay base.

Michael Hedger – Course Superintendent 

Read More

A.E. Marks Cup – 2026 Draw Released

Matchplay Draw Link:
MATCHPLAY DRAW CLICK HERE

The A.E. Marks Cup is a Major Event played as a Four-ball (2 Ball) Best Ball, Handicap, Match Play knockout competition. When matches are played: Matches are played on the stipulated date unless played earlier by mutual agreement

---

History

Formerly known as the Hislop Cup, donated on 17/1/1927 by James Marsden Hislop (joined 11/5/1925). The event name was changed in 1980 in appreciation of 28 years of service to the Club by Alex Marks as Secretary Manager.

---

Eligibility

This is an amateur competition open to the following categories (including all related sub-categories) of male Members provided the Member has a current GA Handicap:

• Full Playing

• 6 Day

• Flexible

• Country

Under 21 Members: Entry is restricted to those with a GA Handicap of 29.1 or less.

Minimum handicap record requirement: All entrants must have a minimum of 10 rounds on their GA handicap record, with at least 6 rounds in the previous 12 months at the time entries close.

---

Format and Handicap Allowance

• The event is a Four-ball Handicap Match Play Knockout competition.

• Pairings are drawn in two conferences and the winners of each conference play off in the Final.

• All play is from the Blue tees (Blue plates).

• There is no handicap limit for this competition except as noted under Eligibility.

• The handicap for each round is the player’s current handicap.

Handicap allowance (Match Play):

• The lowest marker plays off scratch

• The remaining three receive the difference between the handicap of the lowest marker and their own stroke handicap

• Strokes are taken according to the Match Play Index on the score card

Absent partner:
A side may be represented by one partner for all or any part of a match. In determining the handicap allowance, if the absent partner has the lowest handicap, his handicap is still used as the basis for determining the handicaps of the remaining three players.

All square matches:
Matches square at the 18th must continue until a result is obtained.

---

Entry Fee

• $30 per team for the entire event (prepaid).

• Flexible Members must also pay their standard access fee on the day of their match.

---

Rules, Referees and Disputes

• These Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the Conditions of Match Play.

• The Match Committee appoints a Referee for the Final only.

• In the absence of a referee, if players do not agree or have doubt about how the Rules apply, procedures pursuant to Rule 20.1b (Match Play) are to be observed.

• Disputes and claims must be reported to the Captain or Match Committee immediately at the conclusion of play.

---

Starting Times, Bookings and Playing Dates

• It is preferred for matches not to be played during competition times.

• For those wishing to book within a competition field, prior permission must be sought from the Director of Golf or his Assistant.

• Bookings within a competition field will only be permitted at the back of the afternoon field and matches must keep up with the pace of the competition field. Members who book incorrectly will be asked rebook their match.

Tee starts:
Matches may commence from the 1st or 10th tee. For matches commencing off the 10th tee, that will be treated as the 1st hole and the 11th as the 2nd hole and so on for the purpose of the Match Play Index.

If a round date cannot be agreed:
If a date for round matches cannot be agreed to be played by both pairs prior to or on the final date set down on the draw, then the unavailable pairing must forfeit the match. Any disputes must be referred to the Match Committee prior to the final date.

Semi-Final and Final:
The Semi-Final and Final must be played on the date set down on the draw. Where Saturday is not a participant’s day of access entitlement, exemption will be granted.

Late to start:
If a team does not have one player at the starting point ready to play within 5 minutes after the starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole in match play. Otherwise, the penalty for breach of this condition is disqualification.

Match Committee discretion:
The Match Committee reserves the right to make variations to the program including the suspension, cancellation or postponement of competitions and to fix and or alter dates and starting times for competitions and for individual competitors.

---

Carts and Caddies

• Carts may be used under the conditions as outlined within the Motorised Cart Policy.

• Caddies are not permitted.

---

Withdrawals

If a player in a pair withdraws before the first round, the remaining partner has two options:

• Find a new partner who will then compete for the entire tournament, or

• Play alone for one or more rounds until the original partner returns

In special circumstances the Match Committee may extend this condition. The Match Committee also reserves the right to amend and publish an updated draw before the first round.

---

Trophies and Honour Board

• Trophies Honour Board: Yes

• Perpetual Trophy: Yes

• Winners’ names are to be inscribed on the plate and on the Honour Board in the Clubhouse.

• Major Event Trophy presented at the Annual Dinner.

• Major Event trophies for each winner and runners up trophies.

• Trophies presented at Presentation Night.

• Cup to be engraved.

---

 

 

Read More

Project R&M – Bulletin #4

Click here to view Bulletin #4

This Bulletin marks an important point in the life of the project. It reflects on the completion of Stage 2 works and explains how the Club has responded thoughtfully and decisively to the very real challenges presented by record rainfall and subsequent weather extremes. The decision to concentrate efforts on Holes 5 and 6 and to defer Hole 8 was not taken lightly. It was however, a decision grounded in experience and guided by a long-held principle that work, once undertaken, should be done properly and without compromise. In hindsight the quality of the finished greens confirms the wisdom of that approach.

Members will read with interest about the opening of the new 5th and 6th greens and the considerable care taken in their design, construction and grow-in. These holes now sit comfortably alongside earlier completed works and clearly demonstrate the consistent design philosophy that is shaping the future of our course.

The Bulletin also reports on the continued progress of the waterfall feature at the 9th hole. This has become one of the most distinctive additions to the course in recent years and stands as a fine example of what can be achieved through careful planning, generous support and a shared pride in our Club.

Bulletin #4 outlines the scope and timing of Stage 3 works including Holes 4, 7 and 8 together with associated drainage and infrastructure improvements. Members will appreciate the clear explanation of how these works will be staged so that the course continues to operate in a manner that is familiar coherent and enjoyable throughout the construction period.

I trust you will enjoy this Bulletin. 

Barnaby

Read More

Stage 2 Launch – Clubhouse presentation

For those who have a few minutes, we hope you enjoy the following presentation made in the Clubhouse following the launch event.

Read More