HKSGS NEWSLETTER November 2024

"What? Two letters almost back to back?".

Well yes; I recently wrote inviting members to re-subscribe to the society for the 2025 season. Rejoining fees are steadily coming in and the pollsters' predictions indicate that we will have enough members to sustain the society, retain our events manager and service the site and the weekly events throughout the year. Current rates remain the same as last year thus I do encourage you yet again to take advantage of the early bird rates. Details of subscription rates are at https://hksgs.com.hk/membership.

But the early bird rates, applicable before Trump's tariffs come into operation, are...

Check your Membership Status by downloading your  HKSGS Membership Card

Christmas - Shotgun Start, Deep Water Bay 16th December 2024

The main purpose in writing is to encourage you to join us on the 16th December. The always fun and very popular Christmas "shotgun" golf start and equally popular "shotgun" Indian buffet start will take place on 16 December 2024 at Deep Water Bay. The event will include a stableford or greensoms competition, a putting competition and new this year a golf rules and general knowledge quiz. The buffet is open to all members and their guests and friends including those members who perhaps cannot play on the day.

Year End Event

HKSGS Member: $1,098
HKSGS Guest: $1,198
HKSGS + HKGC Member: $498
Curry Buffet Lunch Only: $398

8:30am: Putting Competition - Terrace Green

10:00am Shotgun Start
Individual Stableford

1:00pm Orchid Room Indian Curry Buffet
Prize-Giving

Committee - No change.

The committee remains unchanged since the last AGM. I would like to thank all Committee members for the advice and support throughout the year. We still have an empty seat on the committee. If there is anybody in the Society who would like to join this august group, this happy breed of men, please do speak to any of the Committee members or the Event Manager Mike Edie. (You don't have to wait till August!) BTW The current Committee members and their roles are listed on the site at https://hksgs.com.hk/about-hksgs

WhatsApp Community.

In the coming year we intend to set up a WhatsApp community which will include all members. The group will only be for the event Manager, Mike Edie, to keep you updated on event details and other administrate issues. Thus it will be a "no-reply" group.

WARNING - Anti-Boar Fence in Deep Water Bay.

Success. Full membership compliance. In February we warned the society to be aware that the electric fences throughout HK are frequently on and powered up throughout the day. This was prompted by a Seniors event in which a member at Deep Water Bay unwittingly touched the powered fence and received a very nasty shock bringing him to his knees. He quickly recovered but the experience was a most unpleasant and frightening thing to happen particularly to the unwary. We have had no further "shocking" reports but remind members to "Stay canny" particularly when stepping over the boundary wires.

Raking of bunkers and course maintenance.

Please continue to ensure that you rake all bunkers, fix divots, and appropriately repair marks on the green to ensure the course is kept as you find it and that those behind you can enjoy as pristine a course as possible. Sometimes to ensure your group keeps up with the pace of play it is suggested one rakes out others in your group who have been slowed down by a bunker.

Pace of Play.

We should always keep a vigilant eye on the group ahead of us to ensure we are keeping up with the pace. This ensures the group or groups behind aren't being slowed down. This also ensures that the course marshallers don't step in and force the flight to skip a hole or force the flight to just play their first from the drop zone. To increase pace of play please get into the habit of never leaving your buggy without the club you are likely to use in your hand. Additionally watch your partner tee off so you can assist him/her to find a stray ball. On putting out you might also consider returning your putter to your bag and at the same time pulling out your next club, probably your driver. These kinds of routine actions and habits might save a minute a hole which adds up to a round some 18 minutes shorter.

Overseas tour or trip to China?

Only a few members have played with the society in Macau this year. Prior to Covid, we regularly went to China but we hope that with the new mainland China travel permit for Hong Kong permanent residents card, more members can play across the border without the fuss of getting a visa. Some members, even some committee members have already added this card to their quiver or golf bag. You might be intersted is the following explainer... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3268818/unpacked-new-mainland-permit-hong-kong-permanent-residents-foreign-passport. We still have plans, perhaps we should say we have "concepts of a plan" to go across to Xili in a few months but also aspire to visit Thailand or Vietnam. Very recently several members went to Chang Mai, and others went to Angeles in the Philippines returning with very encouraging reports. If there is anybody who would like to act as "tour guide" and take the lead on an overseas tour, please do let us know.

Yet another timely reminder on punctuality.

Punctuality has improved over the year. Please, for the sake of all players on the course and the good name of the society, report to the starting tee no less than 10 mins prior to the published tee time. This allows Mike Edie to "Instagram" your group, issue you with scorecards, psych you up and put you under starters' orders.

Thoughts over Tees?

Usually the men play off white tees at KSC or the Club tees at Fanling. The Event Manager's scoring system is set up to handicap members accordingly. The committee have been musing about allowing members who are over 70 years of age to play off the forward Yellow or even Red tees if this would make their day out more enjoyable. The scoring system will have to be reprogrammed but before we do this we wondered what members thought of this initiative. If you have any view either way please do let us know.

Late withdrawal penalty system.

Very occassionally we have to apply the late withdrawal penalty. The rarely used, late penalty system is clearly defined within our rules. (https://hksgs.com.hk/rules-guidelines) The whole purpose of membership is to make our golf enjoyable and fun and thus we do not wish to include a penalty system for late withdrawals but if this was not in place and strictly enforced, we know from experience that late withdrawals will increase, and they would very likely confound the system imposing more work on the Event Manager. Please refresh yourselves with the withdrawal system. There is a reminder system of e-mails in place to ensure you don't get penalised. Please do not book an event unless you know for certain that you will be able to attend. If you must withdraw, please ensure you withdraw prior to the publication of the tee time sheet.

Conclusion.

Your committee wish you happy golfing and look forward to seeing you hopefully on the 16th December at Deep Water Bay where we hope your golf will be plain sailing with no pericombobulations!