Program to address out-of-bounds golf balls

A program of tree planting, wire screens and two 25m high synthetic nets are planned by Everglades Country Club to address the problem of out-of-bounds golf balls.

The program was proposed by a sub committee formed to address the issue.

It consists of two members from each of the men's and women's clubs and two club directors: Patsy Elliott, Cathy Shannon, Paul Thorpe, Neil Watts, Roger Ford and Bill Balneaves

Surveys pointed to problems with holes 1, 10, 11, 7, 8, and 9.

The worst affected were holes 7 and 11.

Advice as to how to remedy the problem was sought and an on-course study of players habits and ability was collated.

Of 212 golfers surveyed, the average drive distance from the tee was 160 metres over the entire field.

Of those players, 20 per cent hit less than 140 metres, 18 per cent hit 140 to 160 metres, 24 per cent hit 160 to 180 metres, 26 per cent hit 180 to 200 metres and only 12 per cent hit their drive 200 metres or more.

The survey also revealed that about 90 per cent of players were right handed and about 65 per cent of these right handed golfers sliced or faded the ball.

After reviewing the information, the sub committee prepared a program of remedial measures, the board's consent to spend $120,000.

The approved program includes extensive tree planting along the sides of all of the affected fairways, creating a natural buffer zone of vegetation between the golfer and the course boundary.

An arborist was engaged to inspect the course and recommend the best-suited and most effective species of tree for this purpose.

Approximately 2000 casuarina (she oak) and melaleuca (paper bark) species have been ordered and planting is complete of about 600 of the trees.

It is estimated that the remainder of the trees will be planted over the next three months.

On advice the trees were planted in cultivated and mulched areas to effect maximum growth in the shortest possible time.

Golfers have been asked to respect these areas and protect the newly-planted stock.

Local rules as to penalty or non-penalty drops for balls coming to rest in these environmentally-sensitive areas will be considered and advised by match committees.

Steel and wire tee screens will be erected on many of the problem tees and teeing ground areas narrowed towards the screens in an effort to better align the shot away from the boundary fences.

Two large synthetic net catching screens about 25 metres high are also proposed on the side of the 11th fairway, to further reduce the risk of the sliced tee shot.

Council approval for the construction of these nets is currently being sought.

For safety reasons, the par four seventh hole has been closed for some months because of an out-of-bounds problem.

It has for some time been played as a par three from the existing social tee.

However due to the re-design and relocation of the green, the hole will be played as a par four starting early in the new year.

The new seventh hole has been shortened from the previous 330 metres to 285 metres, however a major hazard (190 metres from the tee) has been installed directly in the driving zone.

Hitting a tee shot over the hazard would require a shot of approximately 225 metres on the full.

It is hoped to carry out all of the course renovation works with the least disruption possible.

Further information regarding the proposed changes to your course is available at the club from members of the sub-committee.

Bill Balneaves, December 17