The Pennant season is approaching and I want to take this opportunity to ask members to come to the matches, volunteer as caddies or just support the players in their endeavors to represent our club.

The Mt. Lofty Amateur was held on Sunday the 17th February 2002. Perfect weather greeted the players and the course was in excellent condition. Some of the states best golfers, including a number of scratch players, took part in the event. The winner in a playoff was Andrew Johnson from Grange on a score of 133 from Matthew McMahon.

Thanks to all those who turned up on the day and special mention to the volunteers for refereeing and scoring. These were Matthew Dent, Geoff Denyer, Ray Freer, Darryl McKee and Col Mulroney.

The Presidents Cup event is coming up shortly on the 10th March and I urge members to come and play in this three club fun event.

A reminder to members who have not paid the recent call, that they are unfinancial and until their accounts are paid they will not be able to participate in any golf events.

Ross Deans. Match Committee.

"Fast golf without haste."

Are golfers entitled to take time over a shot. I believe they are! It's when golfers waste time that the game gets tedious.

Always aware when it's your honour? Be aware and be with it. Get up there and have a hit. Don't score first, hit first. If you can't remember the score until after you've teed off, maybe you should consider another sport! Time saved? Possibly 18 to 20 minutes per round!

Look for your ball for 5 minutes before calling up the next group? Don't! Call them up as soon as it looks as if you won't find it easily. It's not a status thing being in front. You can look while they hit and both groups will be quicker. Time saved? At least 5 minutes per round, per lost ball!

Annoyed by golfers who putt out every hole, even when it's not a stroke round and they've had eight already? Right! Don't do it yourself. Time saved? Around 18 minutes per round!

Have to go back across the green to get your bag before the group behind can hit up? Leave it on the next tee side of the green to save time. Time saved? Possibly 5 to 10 minutes per round.

Avoid these errors and save the whole field anything from 30 minutes to an hour per round.

That's extra drinking time!

No need to rush around the course. Just give common sense and consideration a go.

These are not Rules of Golf, just etiquette; common courtesy. No strokes go west, but many friendships are frequently strained.

See also, the note on Four Ball Play, in the segment, "Worth a Thought".

Roney on the Rules

A player's ball comes to rest on an artificially surfaced path. He is entitled to drop away but the nearest relief from the path is in the bushes where the ball would be unplayable.

What are his options?

See later for answer.