I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all our members for their unwavering support throughout 2024. Our golf events during the year were fun and memorable because of your ongoing participation and support.

A special word of thanks and appreciation to my Vice-Captain, Nick Mullings, for his hard work and assistance during the past year.

I would also like to thank Ryan, Phil, Ashleigh, Tim, and the entire Golf Services team for their hard work and efforts to ensure that our golf calendar and events run smoothly.

Special thanks must equally go to Cameron Smith and the Golf Course Maintenance staff for maintaining our golf courses and practice facilities in excellent condition throughout the year. Additionally, I extend my appreciation to Merriden and the Food and Beverage team for their friendly service and continued support.

The beginning of the year presented challenges due to high rainfall, storms, and damage to our golf courses. However, thanks to the dedication of our maintenance staff and volunteers, we managed to clean up and restore the courses relatively quickly.

Unfortunately, we could not play our annual Australia vs the Rest of the World contest, so I am sure it will be hotly contested in 2025.

2024 saw the introduction of new Monthly Medals, which were well received and have provided a beautiful incentive for participants.

The Pennant season commenced in January with the presentation of shirts and caps to our division 1 team by Anthony Quayle in front of a full Clubhouse. The season was highly successful, with the division 1 team reaching the semi-finals, the interclub team reaching the finals, and both the senior and super senior teams winning their respective Pennants. I am extremely proud of how each and every one of our players and the teams as a whole conducted themselves during their respective matches throughout the season.

The Easter Tournament, which continues to be our busiest weekend of the year, was well supported and enjoyed by all participants, contributing to the success of the weekend.

I would like to congratulate all the winners of our Major, Honour Board, Monthly Medal, and Medal of Medal Events for 2024. Winning in our Club these days is no small feat; so, well done.

The Club introduced Pick a Tee days on a more regular basis this year, and I would like to encourage everyone to make use of the opportunity to “play it forward” where appropriate and when possible.

During the year, we proudly hosted two inaugural Club Challenge events against Riversdale and Pennant Hills, emerging victorious in both. Our visitors thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated our facilities and hospitality, and they look forward to hosting us on our return trips to their clubs in 2025.

As is customary, the Club held numerous Member Guest Days, allowing us to showcase our exceptional facilities to our guests. These invitation days were once again well attended and enjoyed by both our members and visitors.

Remembrance Day was commemorated in conjunction with the Ex-Services Cup competition, highlighted by a bagpiper playing during the prizegiving. The day proudly raised significant funds for the RSL’s Poppy Appeal Fund, showcasing our members’ compassion.

In December, we held our inaugural Men’s Christmas Cup which was a very successful and fun day for everyone who participated. We look forward to carrying on this event in the coming years.

Throughout our various men’s events and initiatives this year, we are thrilled to share that we raised a total sum of $8,405 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Thank you very much to the men who contributed for your incredible generosity.

The always-anticipated Sanctuary Cove Men’s Shootout took place in very hot and humid conditions, with an exciting play-off on the 18^th hole to determine this year’s men’s winner. If you have not previously entered in the Shootout competition, I encourage you to do so for your chance of a spot in the final event, as it is a truly unique format and a fun competition. I am looking forward to The Palms 9-hole shootout to be held mid-2025.

The year presented an abundance of highlights, and it is difficult to single out one from the other. The common thread of all being the high levels of participation and the many spectators watching and supporting events.

Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this year a huge success.

I would like to wish you and your family a peaceful and blessed holiday season and look forward to your continued support and an exciting year of golf in 2025.

Kind regards

Michael Chapman

Captain of Men’s Golf