Captain's Blog

Take Pride in Our Golf Course!!!!

Hope everyone is having a great year at the club.  We are truly blessed to have THE best conditioned course in Manitoba that seems to get better every year!!!!

However……Recently we have seen some issues that need to be addressed by the members in order to help our Turf Care Team keep things moving forward.   The 3 concerning issues we are seeing are: 

1.  Cigarette Butts.   There appears to be an increasing number of butts showing up all over the course.  Cigarette butts can take up to 14 years to decompose.  The back shop has secured ashtrays that smokers can put in their carts.   It is very important that all smokers make an effort to use these ashtrays.  If you are bringing guests who are smokers, please supply them with ashtrays and stress to them the importance of using these ashtrays. Please do not use the divot mix bottles.

• Un-Repaired Ball Marks.   We are seeing these on all greens.  Please take a moment to review the attached link on the proper ball repair method.  While repairing your own ball mark, please look around and fix any other marks that may have been missed.  Attached is a link to a short video on proper ball mark repair techniques.   https ://youtu.be/SJ6CegCUPfw

• Unfilled Divots On The Fairways.  Every cart is supplied with a bottle of divot mix.  Please take the time to fill your divots.  It takes no time at all to fill any other divot you see.  For those who carry their clubs, there are small sand bottles that can be attached to your bag.

Please remember, even though our course is great, it takes an effort from each and every one of us to make it even better!!!

Keep It On The Fairway!

Captain Bill

Welcome back to Niakwa!!  Hope everyone has had a chance to get out and enjoy the fantastic conditions that we have.  Just a friendly reminder to fix your ball marks, fill your divots and rake the bunkers.

To clarify a few things about entering your scores into the handicap system.  All scores should be entered.  This includes both 18 hole and 9 hole scores.  Any “match play” scores should also be entered…players should use Rule 3.3 from the Golf Canada Handicap Manual to determine their “most likely” score. Click here to read Rule 3.3.

Rule Changes for 2023.       There have been 5 Key Changes.

1.  The 24 Rules of Golf have now become The 25 Rules.  Modifications for players with disabilities have been incorporated into the overall Rule Book and become Rule 25.
2.  Handicap on Scorecard (Stroke Play Only). You are no longer required to put your handicap on the scorecard and there is no penalty if you return a scorecard with an incorrect handicap in a competition.  This is now the Handicap Committee’s responsibility.  
3.  Replacing Damaged Clubs.  If your club is damaged during a round, you can now replace it, repair it, or continue to use it.  However, this rule does not apply if the club is damaged through abuse.
4.  Ball Moved by Natural Forces. When your ball is at rest after taking relief (dropped or placed) and rolls to another area due to natural forces, the ball must be replaced in its original position without penalty.
5.  Simplified “Back-of-the-Line” Relief.  We’ve all used this when taking relief from a penalty area or an unplayable ball.  Now, when you drop your ball on the line, the ball must come to rest within 1 club length from where it was dropped.  This can be in any direction (even closer to the hole).

Keep It On The Fairway!

Captain Bill

Golf Canada requires a Member Club, which uses the Golf Canada Handicap System, to have a formal Handicap Committee. The Niakwa Handicap Committee is comprised of the Club Captain (chair), the S&C Committee Chair, the Past Club Captain and the Head Professional. The Committee is required, by Golf Canada, to send a Notice to Members at the start of each season. Issues of importance for 2023:

1. Entering Handicap Scores

In 2022, there were over 30,000 rounds played at Niakwa.  Out of these rounds, only 13,498 scores were entered into the handicap system.  Yes, some of these rounds were from outside tourneys, guest play, etc… but we can do much better!!  Every golfer, regardless of ability, should have an established handicap. Establishing a handicap will allow you to keep track of where you stand with your game at any given moment. It will also allow you to enter any Niakwa Golf event.

   All scores should be entered into the Golf Canada Handicap System. Scores can be entered online at http://kiosk.rcganetwork.org/Default.aspx  or through the Niakwa website. You can also download the Golf Canada app to your phones. If you are having trouble entering your scores, please contact the Pro Shop and they will help you enter your score.

• Winter Scores Played Away From Niakwa

All away scores from games played during your winter vacation must be entered into the Handicap System. The Pro Shop will be happy to assist members entering away scores in the Handicap System.

• Course Rating

Now that the major construction projects have now been completed, we have had the course completely re-rated. The new ratings and slopes are as follows:

Men          Gold Tees                        Rating 72.6 (From 72.3).   Slope 138 (From 131)

                  Blue Tees                         Rating 70.6 (From 70.5).   Slope 127 (From 123)

                  White Tees                      Rating 68.7 (From 69.0).   Slope 124 (From 122)

                  Green Tees                      Rating 66.2 (From 66.1).   Slope 115 (From 116)

                  Gold/Blue Combos         Rating 71.6    Slope 132

                  Blue/White Combos       Rating 69.7    Slope 126

                  White/Green Combos    Rating 68.0    Slope 120

Women     White Tees                      Rating 74.2 (From 74.3).   Slope 129 (From 131)

                  Green Tees                      Rating 71.1 (From 71.1).   Slope 125 (From 124)

                  White/Green Combos    Rating 73.0    Slope 126

All of these new numbers have already been adjusted on the Golf Canada Handicap system.  Any score you enter will reflect these adjusted ratings and slopes.

• Regular and Combination Score Cards

New score cards have been printed. These cards will reflect the new ratings and slopes as well as adjusted yardages (The course was also re-measured)

The combination tees have been slightly adjusted for 2023.

However, the individual hole handicap ratings remain unchanged.  We ask every member, that any score you enter should be done on a hole-by-hole basis.   This will provide more accurate data, and allow us to ensure that each hole is handicapped correctly.

• Local Rules

The local rules for 2023 will be the same as 2022.  These local rules can be found on the scorecards

For more information or any questions that you may have, please contact the Pro shop or any member of the Handicap Committee.

Sincerely,

Niakwa Handicap Committee

Bill Bench, Club Captain (Handicap Committee Chair)

Mace Mazar, Social and Competition Chair

Rob Sproule, Past Club Captain

Terry Reilly, Head Professional

STAY TUNED! New Captain’s Blog coming soon!

There appears to be some confusion about what scores (if any) should be posted to the handicap system from any match play events that you play in. Hopefully, we can clear this up once and for all. Read More>>

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