The Clarens - March 2025 Newsletter

Dear Member

February has been a challenging month as we continue to feel the effects of the ongoing drought, with the rain staying away and the impact becoming more apparent each day. Despite these conditions, we saw 758 rounds of golf played, which speaks to the dedication of our members. It was also time for membership renewals, and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have renewed their memberships.

In addition, preparations for the upcoming Club Championships have been completed, and we are excited to see the course looking great up for this exciting event. All in all, despite the challenges, February was a positive month for the club, and we look forward to what’s ahead.

March 2025 Calendar

Greenkeepers Report

We’ve experienced a welcome 109mm of rain this month, which has helped somewhat with the ongoing drought conditions. However, as we continue to face the challenges of water shortages, we’ve had to take proactive measures to maintain the course. Additionally, due to the drought, we pumped water from the 14th dam to the 15th dam to support our irrigation needs and keep the course healthy.

At hole 13, the faces of both greenside bunkers were rebuilt to ensure they remain in top condition.

On the 2nd fairway, we reseeded several problem areas, and we’re pleased to report that the new grass is progressing well, showing positive signs of establishment.

As we look ahead, preparations for the Club Championships have begun in earnest.

We’re working hard to ensure the course is in prime condition for this exciting event.

Membership renewals

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our members who have already renewed their memberships for the upcoming year. Your continued support is greatly appreciated, and we’re thrilled to have you with us as part of our golfing community.

For those who have yet to renew, please be reminded that the deadline is fast approaching. As of 20th March 2025, all members who have not renewed their membership will experience a freeze on their benefits at the club, as well as a disconnection from the HNA system. This means access to booking rounds, participating in certain events, and other member benefits will be temporarily suspended.

To avoid any disruption to your membership, we kindly encourage you to renew as soon as possible.

Should you have any questions regarding membership arrangements or payment options, please liaise directly with our Golf Director at golf@theclarens.co.za for assistance.

Thank you again to all those who have renewed, and we look forward to another great year ahead!

Clarens Club Championships 2025 – A Remarkable Success!

The Clarens Club Championships, held on the 14th and 15th of March 2025, were a fantastic success, with an outstanding turnout of 76 players. It was truly a prestigious event, and we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to all the members who participated. Your enthusiasm and sportsmanship made the competition truly memorable.

We are thrilled to announce the following winners in their respective divisions:

Men’s A Division:
1st: Edward Pienaar
2nd: Hendre van der Watt

Men’s B Division:
1st: John Craven Snr.
2nd: Pieter Boshoff

Men’s C Division:
1st: Dawie van der Walt (also the 2024 defending champion)
2nd: Louwrens de Jager

Ladies Gold Division:
1st: Rose Mokoena (2022, 2023, and 2024 Champion as well)
2nd: Janice Brownlee

Ladies Bronze Division:
1st: Lindsay van Rooyen (also the 2024 defending champion)

Visitors Division:
1st: Tommie Terblanche
2nd: Pierre Coetzee

In addition, we’d like to recognize the following additional winners for their excellent performances:

Men’s A Division Nett Prizes:
1st: Malefane Mokoena
2nd: Kobedi Mokoena

Men’s B Division Best Nett:
1st: John Craven Snr.
2nd: Pieter Boshoff

Men’s C Division Best Nett:
1st: Louwrens de Jager
2nd: Mike van Niekerk

Men’s C Division Best Gross:
1st: Mike van Niekerk
2nd: Dawie van der Walt

Overall Best Nett Members:
1st: John Craven
2nd: Pieter Boshoff

Visitors Best Nett:
1st: Tommie Terblanche
2nd: Louise Nel

A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every player who participated in this prestigious event, both on and off the course. Your support and dedication helped make the 2025 Clarens Club Championships an unforgettable experience.

We look forward to seeing everyone again for the 2026 Club Championships, and we’re excited for another fantastic year of golfing excellence!

Congratulations once again to all of our winners, and thank you all for your continued support of the club.

Clarens Open

Weekly Competition Results

Wednesday 05 February 2025 (IPS)

Business League Round 1

• First Place: Team Afgri Equipment
• Second Place: Team Fire Balls

Friday 07 February 2025 (IPS)

Puma Energy Competition

• First Place: Johan Keyzer
• Second Place: Louwrens de Jager

Wednesday 12 February 2025 (2 Ball Better Ball Stableford)

18 Hole Competition

• Competition Rained Out

Friday 14 February 2025 (Medal)

• No Competition took place

Wednesday 19 February 2025 (IPS)

18 Holes Competition

• First Place: Steve Oliver
• Second Place: Mike van Niekerk

Friday 21 February 2025 (IPS)

Ciglers Meat Competition

• First Place: Michael Macdonald
• Second Place: Neil Mann

Wednesday 26 February 2025 (Medal)

KWV Thirsty Thousand

• First Place: Johnny Barnard
• Second Place: Janice Brownlee

Friday 28 February 2025 (IPS)

Ciglers Meat Competition

• First Place: Otto Wachter
• Second Place: Louwrens de Jager

Caring for Our Course – A Team Effort

As we continue to enjoy our beautiful golf course, it’s important that we all take a collective responsibility to maintain it in top condition for everyone.

Your attention to detail and care will help preserve the course for all to enjoy.

Here are a few key reminders:

1. Repairing Divots and Pitch Marks:
   Please remember to fill in your divots on the fairways and repair any pitch marks on the greens. This simple act helps ensure the course remains in pristine condition and fair for all players.
2. Raking Bunkers:
   After playing out of a bunker, please take a moment to properly rake it, ensuring it’s smooth and free of footprints or tire tracks. A well-maintained bunker makes for a better experience for everyone.
3. Parking Golf Carts:
   Please be mindful to keep golf carts at least 5 meters away from all bunkers, tee boxes, and greens. This small effort will help protect the delicate turf around these areas and prevent unnecessary compaction.
4. Proper Waste Disposal:
   We encourage all players to use the garbage bins located around the course for any litter.

Please do not discard cigarette butts or trash on the course.

If you're smoking, make sure to properly dispose of cigarette butts in the bins or an ashtray provided on the course.

By following these simple guidelines, we can all contribute to keeping the golf course in top condition for years to come.

Let’s work together to ensure it remains a place we’re all proud to play on.

HNA News

“The Importance of Peer Review in Golf Handicapping

Fair play is at the heart of golf, and a well-maintained handicap system ensures that every player competes on an equal footing. A key element in upholding the integrity of handicaps is peer review—a process that allows players to confirm or challenge the accuracy of a score or Handicap Index®.

What is Peer Review?

Peer review is the mechanism that ensures the legitimacy of a player’s posted scores and Handicap Index®. While the Handicap Index® calculation includes safeguards to prevent manipulation, human oversight is equally essential. Peer review is typically conducted by:

• A fellow golfer who played in the same group during a round.
• A club member with knowledge of a player’s demonstrated ability.

By verifying scores in this way, we ensure that every golfer’s Handicap Index® accurately reflects their ability, promoting a level playing field across all competitions and casual rounds.

How to Conduct Peer Review

To enable effective peer review, scores must be posted as soon as possible after completion of a round. This allows:

• Fellow golfers to confirm or question the accuracy of the score.
• Handicap Committees to investigate anomalies and maintain the integrity of the system.
• Other club members to have transparency in the scoring process.

If a discrepancy is identified, it should be discussed with the player and, if necessary, reported to the club’s Handicap Committee for further review. This ensures that any disputes are handled fairly and according to the World Handicap System’s™ Rules of Handicapping.

The Role of the Handicap Committee

Each golf club has a Handicap Committee responsible for overseeing handicaps and ensuring compliance with the World Handicap System’s™ Rules of Handicapping. Their role includes:

• Reviewing submitted scores and investigating inconsistencies.
• Educating members on the importance of timely and accurate score submission.
• Addressing disputes raised by fellow members regarding a player’s Handicap Index®.

Ensuring Transparency

For peer review to be effective, player scoring records must be accessible to other members of the golf club. This visibility allows fellow golfers to monitor and verify posted scores, reinforcing the integrity of the handicap system.

Final Thoughts

Golf is a game built on trust and honesty, and peer review plays a critical role in maintaining these values. By actively participating in the review process, golfers contribute to a fair and competitive environment, ensuring that handicaps remain a true reflection of ability.

So, remember: Post your scores promptly, review fellow golfers’ records responsibly, and help uphold the integrity of the game we all love!” Quoted from Handicap Network Africa

Rule of the Month

Purpose of Rule: Rule 2 introduces the basic things every player should know about the course:

• There are five defined areas of the course, and
• There are several types of defined objects and conditions that can interfere with play.

It is important to know the area of the course where the ball lies and the status of any interfering objects and conditions, because they often affect the player’s options for playing the ball or taking relief.

2

The Course

2.1

Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds

Golf is played on a course whose boundaries are set by the Committee.

Areas not on the course are out of bounds.

2.2

Defined Areas of the Course

There are five areas of the course.

2.2a

The General Area

The general area covers the entire course except for the four specific areas of the course described in Rule 2.2b.It is called the "general area" because:

• It covers most of the course and is where a player’s ball will most often be played until the ball reaches the putting green.
• It includes every type of ground and growing or attached objects found in that area, such as fairway, rough and trees.

DIAGRAM 2.2: DEFINED AREAS OF THE COURSE

2.2b

The Four Specific Areas

Certain Rules apply specifically to the four areas of the course that are not in the general area:

• The teeing area the player must use in starting the hole they are playing (Rule 6.2),
• All penalty areas (Rule 17),
• All bunkers (Rule 12), and
• The putting green of the hole the player is playing (Rule 13).

2.2c

Determining Area of Course Where Ball Lies

The area of the course where a player’s ball lies affects the Rules that apply in playing the ball or taking relief. A ball is always treated as lying in only one area of the course:

• If part of the ball is in both the general area and one of the four specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in that specific area of the course.
• If part of the ball is in two specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in the specific area that comes first in this order: penalty area, bunker, putting green.

2.3

Objects or Conditions That Can Interfere with Play

Certain Rules may give free relief (relief with no penalty) from interference by certain defined objects or conditions, such as:

• Loose impediments (Rule 15.1),
• Movable obstructions (Rule 15.2), and
• Abnormal course conditions, which are animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions and temporary water (Rule 16.1).

But there is no free relief from boundary objects or integral objects that interfere with play.

2.4

No Play Zones

A no play zone is a defined part of an abnormal course condition (see Rule 16.1f) or a penalty area (see Rule 17.1e) where play is not allowed. A player must take relief when:

• Their ball is in a no play zone, or
• A no play zone interferes with their area of intended stance or area of intended swing in playing a ball outside the no play zone (see Rules 16.1f and 17.1e).

‍Quote of the month

‍Kind Regards / Vriendelike Groete

Heindrich Dyer
Golf Director

URL: www.theclarens.co.za         |          Email: golf@theclarens.co.za         |       Tel:  +27 58 256 1270

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