Club Email

President Pete's Paragraph

Membership Renewal

Our administration team has commenced preparing our Annual Membership Subscriptions. Our renewal policy can be found here, and it also details the fee schedule for the upcoming year. Members will receive invoices next week. If you have any questions regarding your membership, please contact reception@nelsonbaygolf.com.au.

Members Prize Account

A reminder to all members that, from 1 July 2025, any funds in prize accounts will be automatically cleared 12 months after the prize has been allocated. This policy helps ensure prizes are used within a reasonable timeframe.

Please note that this only applies to prize accounts. House accounts and top-up accounts are not affected. If you’re unsure about your account balance or have any questions, feel free to speak with the office or the Pro Shop team.

New Toro Machinery Fleet

After several months of negotiation, we are pleased to receive our new fleet of golf course machinery. It is refreshing to see a mix of electric, hybrid, and fuel machines now making up our entire fleet. Another major adjustment is acquiring two larger and heavier fairway mowers. These two mowers will increase our efficiency, allowing us to cut all fairways in one day, as opposed to 1.5 days.

Farewell & Thank You Gary

After more than 30 years behind the microphone, our much-loved Friday night raffle host, Gary Troon, has officially retired. Gary and his team of dedicated volunteers have been the heart of our Friday Raffles for decades, creating a warm and familiar experience for members and guests alike.

While we’re sad to see Gary step away, we’re pleased he’ll now have the chance to enjoy his Friday evenings with family.

We extend our sincere thanks to Gary for his remarkable commitment and many years of service to the club. Thank you also to everyone who came along to support his final raffle night; it was a wonderful send-off.

Peter Fagan

Club President

General Manager's Update

Golf Shop Update

Our Golf Shop renovation is well underway, with the demolition and removal of internal walls, flooring removal, and installation of new doors running as scheduled. The next steps are to coordinate the supporting trades so that they can complete their work prior to the shop fitters completing their installation for the scheduled opening on July 16th. A special thanks to Terry Hall and Duard Nel for preparing our temporary Golf Shop. They did some great work in bringing this up to operational standards.

We’d like to remind members that the renovation area is now an active work site. For everyone’s safety, please avoid the construction zone and follow any signage or directions in place. We appreciate your cooperation and can’t wait to unveil the finished result in the coming months.

Wet Weather & Course Conditions

As we issue this newsletter, the Nelson Bay area is being battered by another East Coast Low Storm. We have received 92mm in the past 24 hours and 155mm over the past 4 days, bringing YTD totals up to 1125mm, which is higher than this time last year. Up until this last storm, the golf course was in relatively good condition, with the exception of a few soft and wet areas.

New Promotions

We have been working with Bluewater Grill on some exciting new offers for members over winter. Thanks to all of our Members who have supported these nights so far.

Red Shield Appeal

Nelson Bay Golf Club is proud to partner with the Salvation Army Port Stephens to support the annual Red Shield Appeal.

Every 17 seconds, the Salvation Army in Australia helps someone in need. This help is made possible through the generosity of people in our community.

As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, countless Aussies, many for the first time, are going to the Salvation Army for support.

If you would like to support the Red Shield Appeal, Donation Buckets are located at the Bar and Pro shop, and you can also donate online here

The Great Golf Giveaway!

Our newest member promotion - The Great Golf Giveaway- started on Monday, 19th May and will be drawn on Friday, 4th July.

Members who spend $10 at the bar, $20 at BWG, $20 on raffle tickets, or $50 on merchandise in the Pro Shop will receive an entry ticket for a chance to win.

Over $3000 in prizes are up for grabs, including MGIZipX1 valued at $1299, Callaway Driver valued at $1100, Scotty Cameron Putter valued at $820, Clicgear Buggy valued at $450, Ogio Bag valued at $420, $200 Golf Shop Voucher + a Golf Lesson with Duard or Warren.

The winners will be drawn on Friday, July 4th, and they must be present at the Club at the time of the draw

David Lulham

General Manager.

Golf Course Update

Stump Grinding, Tree Pruning and Dead Tree Removal

Two weeks ago, our staff removed approximately 65 stumps from the golf course. This was a big job, and whilst we have some woodchip remains in these areas, we are very happy with the outcomes.

Towards the end of winter, we will again hire the stump grinder and remove the remaining stumps. Our arborists were also recently engaged for 3 days, where they pruned 2 x large gums on the 27th hole. These trees had dropped several limbs recently. Our arborists removed several large limbs and left the trunk as a habitat area. Pruning was also carried out on the 22nd hole, and removal of a dead tree on the 24th hole was completed. In the coming weeks, our staff will also use a cherry picker to continue pruning limbs around key playing areas.

8th Waste Area

We were fortunate to engage a ‘tub grinder’ to mulch the waste area alongside the 8th hole. On this occasion, there was a significant amount of green waste. This mulch will be used in our gardens around the course.

Match Committee Update

Mixed Foursome Champions

Congratulations, Barbara Frost & David Warder, on their victory as Mixed Foursome Champions 2025.

Mens Foursome Champions

Congratulations to John Clarke and Craig Mackenzie, who scored 118 over the 27th holes, beating Will and Zach Semmens. Our net winners were Sam Cockburn and Shane Maher, who scored 105.5, narrowly beating Michael Trigas and Dave Owens, who scored 106.

Nelson Bay Cup

Our Nelson Bay Cup was won by Steven Slappendel from Horizons GC, shooting a 2-under-par 70.

Thanks to Blue Water Grill for proudly sponsoring this event.

Nelson Bay Junior Classic- This event has been rescheduled to 15 June, and entries have been carried over to this date. A special mention to John Mudie and Nelson Bay Building for generously sponsoring this event.

June Monthly Medal – Scheduled for Saturday 31st May (due to long weekend in June).

Water Wonderland Tournament - 7th & 8th June. This event, proudly sponsored by Ryan Palmer and the Nelson Palms Resort, is played over Saturday and Sunday of the June long weekend. It attracts players from all over NSW and is open to members.

Short Course Stableford Competition - Wednesday, June 18th. Both courses in the Wednesday competition will be played from the Red Tee markers.

July Monthly Medal & Scratch Match Play – Saturday 5th July. The Scratch Match Play will see the top 8 in each grade qualify.

Jack Evans Memorial - 12th & 13th July. On Saturday, July 12th, the competition will be an Individual Par (Jack’s favourite competition format), and Sunday, July 13th, it will be a 4-ball Stableford with an 11:30a.m. shotgun start.

Level 1 Rules Accreditation

Members wishing to complete their Level 1 Rules of Golf Accreditation can do so online, working at their own pace. Visit the Rules Academy website

Members wishing to continue pursuing this can then proceed to complete their Level 2 Accreditation, which requires an 80% pass mark from Level 1 Accreditation and attending a 2-day course. For further enquiries regarding this please contact Duard golf@nelsonbaygolf.com.au

Ladies President

I think someone should let the weather gods know we've had quite enough rain, thank you very much. Lately, it’s been a mix of watching golf from indoors or playing while dodging tropical-strength downpours. The course is holding up well, though there are soggy patches, especially on the 9th/27th, but that is a $100,000 drainage fix we’re not quite ready to tackle.

We’re wrapping up the first half of the year’s major events, most recently the Ovarian Cancer Charity Day on 8 May. Huge thanks to the committee—Karen Flatt, Chris Wright, and Jenny Frost—for an outstanding effort. The Pinehurst Ambrose (look it up!) was great fun, and $4,153 was raised. The organisation was superb. A special shout-out to Chris Wright’s rendering of the Ovaries, which contributed to the enjoyment of the day.

Despite the wet weather, we’ve had a proliferation of holes-in-one, all of them on the 14th. First was Julie Newsham, followed by Rita Fitzgerald and Marie Garvey in the Ovarian Cancer Charity event. Emu Residential generously sponsored holes-in-one for both the men and the women on the 14th, but they probably hadn’t expected quite this number in such a short space of time!

The Bay Buddies is a wonderfully successful program that introduces new female golfers to competitions. It started 3 years ago with Ann Turner. 70% of participants since then have converted to club membership, and the club has been recognised as a finalist in the ClubsNSW Clubs and Community Awards in the Fostering Grassroots Sport category for 2025. It is tremendous recognition for the hard work that Ann and her mentors have contributed on Wednesdays and

Saturdays that coincide with school terms. If you can help out, either regularly or on an occasional basis, with this mentoring process in this immensely satisfying endeavour, please contact Ann via afhturner2317@gmail.com or 0409 556 949.

Nicky Bethwaite President

NBGC Ladies Committee

VWGA Delegate

The NSW VWGA-sponsored 2-day Tournament held on Thursday, 1 and Friday, 2 May 2025, was a resounding success despite the terrible weather leading up to the event as well as on the first day. The Meet and Greet on Wednesday, 30 April, was well-attended, and the organising committee had their 'fingers crossed' hoping for a change in the weather forecast. Nevertheless, the conversation flowed, and the ladies enjoyed some cheese platters (from BWG) with their drinks. We were pleased that Joan Frost was able to attend, and I gave her the microphone despite a few groans around the room!

Greg Stynes informed us that carts would not be allowed the next day, so we appealed to members to loan out their electric buggies. This allowed half the field (71 players) to venture out and face the challenges of visibility, wet grips, and ball control.

The events were switched around so the main event (4bbb) was held on the Friday, with the individual stableford held on the first day. The dinner was truly fabulous, and Elaine Holden (Everglades GC) provided great music and entertainment. A beautiful meal was enjoyed, and then the presentation of the stableford event followed. The team from Emu Residential (one of our sponsors), Daniel, Myles & Fynn Brunt, attended and joined the ladies on the dance floor!

On Friday, carts were permitted, and 135 ladies played on a course that was obviously still soggy but playable. The presentation for the 4bbb event followed, with Yvonne Hall-Watson and Rhonda Furini from Oatlands GC being the WINNERS of the DIAMOND JUBILEE TROPHY for COUNTRY TOURNAMENT with 47 points. Virginia Hewitt (VWGA President) presented this award. Emu Residential also gave these girls a special prize.

A group of wonderful volunteers went out as spotters on both days, with some bunker rakers on Friday. The many volunteers' contributions are always so appreciated and contribute to the smooth running of an event like this one. Thanks also to the staff in the club and the Bluewater Grill, as well as the pro shop and course superintendent.

I especially thank the organising committee for their wonderful support and contribution to the running of this event over many months. Anything is possible if you choose the right people!

Pam Townsend

NBGC Vets

As we are all aware, things have been very wet, and on a number of days, we have had depleted numbers or even a cancellation! For many of the vets, these rounds of golf provide the only exercise for the week, and the impact of not playing is really unfortunate. Nevertheless, quite a few have managed to get out, even if it has meant a "drenching" on occasions!

It is with a heavy heart that we are saying goodbye to our current captain, Brian Single. He and his wife, Sue, are moving to Port Macquarie, and although he has not been captain for long, Brian has achieved a great deal in his time in this position and has introduced a number of really positive changes. He will be sorely missed, and a big thanks from the "vets" for all you have done. You still have family in Nelson Bay, and I know you will continue to play occasionally with us, so it is not a complete goodbye!!

Darren Fraser will be taking over as captain. Darren is a relatively new member to the "vets", and a big welcome from us all, and we all look forward to your "leadership" as we move forward.

We have a big event coming up next Monday with our Mixed Ambrose event. We hope to have a field of well over a hundred for the 9-hole event. A big thank you to Brian for his organisation and to all the ladies who have helped organise and will be playing in this event. Let's have fun!!!!

Finally, a big thank you from the vets to the Pro Shop and the golf club management for all they do to support us on a routine basis and also with the bigger events such as our Mixed Ambrose.

Martyn Jeggo

President NBGC Vets.

Members Newsletter

President Pete's Paragraph

Farewell & Thank You Gary

General Manager's Update

Ladies President

VWGA Delegate