Women’s NSW Open It has been a big month for our Club with the staging of the Women’s NSW Open over the Easter week. This tournament, sponsored by the NSW Government and operated by Golf NSW, WPGA and Ladies’ European Tour, carried total prizemoney of $500,000 making it one of the richest events in Australian golf. More importantly it showcased the incredible golfing talent of 132 young women, the Central Coast and our wonderful Magenta Shores golf course. Across the PayTV and free to air channels the coverage was glowing and the Club was praised for its many attributes. The winner, Mariajo Uribe, birdied the final hole (our 9th) to win by a stroke from Bronte Law. To our Course Superintendent, James Newell and his team, assisted by additional staff from interstate, and to General Manager Rob Hurley, Sam Mecham, Renay McParland and the golf shop team, thank you for your dedication and talent. The TV coverage was exciting to hear, the descriptions of the course and its condition, and of the work of the staff and volunteers, was a great reward for the hours of hard work. Everyone involved with Magenta Shores can justifiably be proud of our achievements. Members and residents hosted golfers from many of the 32 nations represented, in a way that went well beyond the expectations of the organising Tours and the players. Congratulations to Margaret Sanger, our Women’s Captain, for organising a very successful billeting programme. The players were all highly complimentary of the warm welcome, fine accommodation and excellent catering from all involved. Right across the Magenta community we saw the many volunteers marshalling, traffic controlling, scoring, divoting, driving camera carts, working as caddies and so on, all masterfully organised, as usual, by David Stuart. Special thanks also to Drs Susmita and Damend Naidu who were the on-site medical specialists for the players. The sense of cooperation across Magenta was magnificent, all done with grace, good humour and willingness. The Pullman Hotel provided sustenance for the players throughout the week of practice and tournament play. Again, players and organisers were very appreciative of the services provided. The Magenta Foundation BBQ of bangers, burgers and brisket was a triumph, and great credit to Pixie Sasse and David Gordon, with their many helpers, for staffing the bbq over many days. And the Monday play of the Sunday final day course setup with lunch was a great way to celebrate the week’s activities. Congratulations to Brian Smith, winner of the inaugural Magenta Foundation Cup. Thank you also to all Members for giving up your course for the week. The Board understands it’s quite an “ask” of Members to do this however the feedback has been universally positive and we would like to continue to promote Magenta Shores in this way in future years. Course Renovations You will recall our intention to reconfigure the 3rd hole and refurbish the bunkering around the 15th hole. Members were asked to comment on the 3rd hole proposals and two observations were received from across the membership. While the board has committed to the plans as presented, these Members’ observations will be discussed with Ross Watson prior to work commencing later this month. Of concern is having to build a new green on the 3rd hole with the consequence of the hole being out of play for several months. As you may be aware the first 7 holes at Magenta are built on a disused rubbish tip and in the area of the 3rd hole methane gas continues to escape. The Santa Ana couch grass copes with methane very well but the bent grass on the green struggles. Over the years since construction the 3rd green has had to be reduced in size considerably to allow us to have a grass surface to play from. Membership Thank you to all Members who have renewed their membership for 2024/25. A reminder that those who have not yet renewed will be unable to book a tee time until they become financial again. We do expect attrition at renewal time, as we do every year, but we are pleased to advise at the end of March we stood at a total of 1,011 Members having granted admission to the following new Members: Individual – Simon Garske and Darren Watt; Intermediate – Adam Osborne, Jonothan Bish, Chan Moonchiangtai, Flynn Anastas and Ryan Hedges; 9-Hole – Caroline Dean; Midweek – Bruce Farrar; Lifestyle – James Legge, Tim Kelleher, Brett Grehan and Robbie Attwood. Club Magenta Following protracted negotiations we are pleased to report the Club Magenta Licensing Agreement, which provides access to the Club’s gym, indoor pool, tennis courts and BBQ areas for property owners at Magenta Shores, has now been signed with a revised fee structure that more closely aligns the use of the facility with the needs of the community while continuing to provide a source of additional funding in support of golf course maintenance. Pennants The Board placed on record its congratulations and appreciation of the outstanding performance of Magenta Pennants teams, in particular A grade, captained by Jason Hyde, for winning their grade for the first time in the Club’s history, and all players for winning the Sterland Shield for the best performing Club across all grades. Pennant teams were strongly supported by Club Captain John Wylie and Peter Holz. Construction The new toilet block at 4th and 6th tees is now operational. The Swing Studio will be fitted out by Trackman later in April while construction of the exterior is finished. We hope to be operational by the end of May. For the Board, Peter Gaydon Chairman
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