Welcome to the Cairns Golf Club

The February 1994 meeting discussed green fees for social players with the following fees being implemented:

• Locals 9 holes from $10.00 to $12.00 18 holes $15.00 to $18.00
• Non-Locals 9 holes from $12.00 to $15.00 18 holes $20.00 to $25.00

The Course Superintendent submitted a total greens budget for 1994 of $350,000.00. It comprised an overall budget of $156,000.00, wages of $165-170,00.00 and other costs making a total of $350,000.00. He claimed that in 1993 expenditure had been $260,000.00.

The Green’s Director advised that ‘All Sporters’ had purchased a new course Scarifier at a cost of $3,000.00, and that $700.00 had been spent on the purchase of a second-hand vehicle.

The President raised the question of a Club Logo, advising that the Club had no official logo and uses one designed by the professional.

In the early months of 1994, a joint proposal between the Club and the Cairns Jockey Club was entered into to, in the construction of a three-hole course on vacant land at the Jockey Club. Some preliminary work was performed but the May meeting was told that the project was essentially dead, and no further mention appears.

Another venture to terminate during 1994 was the agreement existing between the Golf Club and a supplier regarding the supply of score cards. Prior to this agreement, the Club arranged the printing and sponsorship of its own scorecards. This agreement, which came into force in the early months of 1994, provided for the supplier to supply all scorecards at no cost to the club. In return the supplier was permitted to print paid advertisements on the cards, receiving all benefits from same. The quality of the cards was inferior to those originally used by the Club and the agreement was terminated at the May 1994 meeting.

The July 1994 meeting approved the removal and reduction of poker machines, from 20 to 12 and their removal to an area outside the office. There was a suggestion that at least one machine should be retained in close proximity to the bar, the suggestion was never followed. The changeover was completed after the City of Cairns Golf Tournament.

The Secretary suggested that the club appoint a permanent bar position to accept the responsibility for its performance, working on the main trading days (Wednesday to Sunday). At the time the bar staff were employed on a part time basis.

The Captain recommended that given the club’s financial position, it should wait for a turnaround in profitability before proceeding with further course works. The meeting agreed that the course program could only be done in stages. Added to this was the fact that proceedings had been held over for two years already, with significant costs increasing as time passed.

The question of the provision of a fence on the old 3rd and 4th fairways was discussed at many meetings over the years. It would circle the 4th green and proceed back to the tree line on the 4th fairway. The fence was installed, however vandals smashed panels in the fence but on each occasion, they were replaced, and the fence strengthened. Several committees have made plans for the fence to be extended to the 3rd tee, but nothing eventuated.

The September meeting received a request for the poker machines to be returned to their original position near the bar, and the poker machines were returned to their original location.

The President, advised of discussions he had with officers of the Mulgrave Shire Council regarding alternate access to the club. The Council suggested that access should be off Kate Street (gravel only), entering the course at the rear of the machinery shed. The suggested road later constructed several years later, but in the interim a dirt road was provided by club staff. The club road follows Q.R.X. boundary fence and joins a bitumen strip outside that depot. The road was on Q.R.X. property, and no objection was lodged by Q.R.X. for the club to provide the road on a short-term basis. In 2002, the Main Roads Department finally constructed an access road running almost parallel with the club construction.

A question on the installation of sewerage to the clubhouse was again raised at the Annual Meeting with the President advising that the proposed connection to Q.R.X. would not eventuate. It had been anticipated that the sewerage link to Q.R.X. would be extended to the clubhouse.

It was queried the proposal for an alternate access road in addition to the Bruce Highway entrance. The President replied that the Main Roads Department had advised that the Bruce Highway access was to be a “left in–left out” arrangement, and discussions were still being held with the Mulgrave Shire Council to provide an alternative road through the adjourning Portsmith industrial area.

Fees for 1995 was discussed by the Annual Meeting with the President, R. Campbell, advising that an additional $3.00 per player had been levied by the F.N.Q.G.A., to cover these costs the Committee had recommended that fees be increased by $5.00 per member for all categories, except the joint husband and wife category which increased by $10.00.

• Nom. Fee Subs. Nom. Fee Subs.
• Members $250.00 $385.00 Associates $125.00 $315.00
• C/Members $ 30.00 $115.00 C/Assocs, $ 30.00 $ 95.00
• Intermediate Members - Intermediate Associates -
• 18 Years $120.00 $205.00 18 Years $ 60.00 $160.00
• 19 Years $150.00 $205.00 19 Years $ 70.00 $160.00
• 20 Years $180.00 $205.00 20 Years $ 80.00 $160.00
• Student Jnr. Members $ 5.00 $ 50.00 Student Jnr. Ass. $ 5.00 $ 50.00
• Working Juniors – Members Working Juniors – Associates -
• Work Junior Age 15 $ 30.00 $ 65.00 Work Junior 15 $ 30.00 $ 65.00
• Work Junior Age 16 $ 60.00 $125.00 Work Junior 16 $ 40.00 $ 85.00
• Work Junior Age 17 $ 90.00 $185.00 Work Junior 17 $ 50.00 $105.00
• Temporary Members $ 60.00 Month Non Playing Members —— $ 5.00
• Joint Husband /Wife $350.00 $660.00

It raised the question of ‘de facto’ relationships and moved. “that the articles of association (item 28) be interpreted to accept defacto relationships as husband and wife.” When put to the vote it was defeated by 25 to 24.

During general business the committee raised social green fees for 1995 to -

• Locals $20.00
• Non Locals $30.00
• Reciprocal $10.00 in the F. N. Q. area.

The Match Committee report advised that a “no show” book had been introduced, for use in the fight against repeated member failure to attend for booked time slots. It advised that all offending members would be sent letters, with second offenders being threatened with suspensions. In his report to the March 1995 meeting, Paterson advised that of the 56 ‘no show’ letters sent out 54 had replied.

At the February 1995 meeting a report on damage being done to the course using motorised carts (both private and for hire). He added that the course was not designed for the use of buggies submitting the following recommendations under a heading of “banning the use of motorised carts.”-

1. The Club issue all members currently using buggies with a 2-year permit to continue to do so. This would include the club professional whose permit would cover the number of hire carts now in use.
2. All permits were issued on the basis that they are not reissued, except on production of a medical certificate, which stated that the cart owner was medically unfit to walk the course.
3. New permits were not to be issued to the professional at the end of the 2-year period.
4. All new permits issued would be on the production of a medical certificate.
5. Issue of permits and control of the carts to be under the control of the Greens Committee.

An addendum to the above titled “continued use of motorised carts.”

1. Ross Watson be asked to add cart paths to the course layout.
2. An immediate freeze on the number of hire and private carts.
3. A fund instigated to provide for cart paths at some time in the future.
4. The user pays principal be applied. i.e. no club funds used for the purpose.
5. A levy be applied each time a cart is hired out and a levy be applied to members carts based on one use per week. The money to be used on cart path construction.
6. Post and chains be used to delineate “no-go areas,” and as a trial measure, broken oil lines be painted 10 metres from greens and greenside bunkers to indicate such areas, Hoops used between bunkers and greens.
7. All hire carts to have signs written in both Japanese and English affixed in a prominent position, outlining the rules for cart use.

The submission was not introduced— it is interesting that in the later months of 1998 when club hire carts were introduced, similar unwritten steps were taken. A $5.00 levy per cart hire was place on hire buggies and a $2.00 once a week levy on privately owned buggies. Signs and hoops were placed in green side locations to prevent buggies driving too close and later blue lines were painted around greens.
Recommendations were made to increases to the following products -

• Soft drinks to rise from $1.00 to $1.15
• Tonic water, tomato juice to rise from .90c to $1.50
• Sports drinks to rise – sports plus $1.50 to $2.00, powerade $1.50 to $2.40, ISO sports $1.30 to $2.60. They recommended that draught beer, packaged beer over the bar and spirit prices should remain unaltered.

A report from the greens meeting stated that during March 517mm of rain had fallen on the course with 648mm being recorded for the month of February.

The Greens sub-committee meeting held in April 1995 was advised that the old 7th green and fairway would be completed in time for the National Bank Classic. It also heard that, for safety and costs reasons, plans to use the lower spillway as an access route between the old 7th green and the 8th tee had been abandoned. Instead, a bridge was erected immediately below the spillway.

The June meeting discussed the replacement of tee signs necessary, due to course redesign and rating and was told that a quote of $9,000.00 for signs had been received. Sales of tee sign advertising at $300.00 per hole by 30th June 1995 and the Match Committee proceed with purchase and installation of signs.

During 1995, most greens were dying and staff could not supply a suitable answer. The state of the greens was such that during one major championship, the worst affected green (9) was covered with sand and the sand painted green. The reasons for the die back were revealed— the greens were accidentally poisoned. Due to the above problems the Club Championships were deferred until the 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th November 1995 and that the Schweppes Classic be brought forward to the 22nd and 23rd July and that the Gordon Eyres Memorial Match Play finalists be decided from this competition.

Competition fees be $5.00 per player, with $2.00 being used for trophies and the remaining $3.00 to go into the general fund.

It was addressed the meeting in support of defacto relationships having the same rights as married couples, and it was moved successfully, “those defacto relationships be allowed the same fee structure as married members.”

The second meeting in December discussed a written report from an agronomist, on the condition of the club’s greens following an inspection held on 18th December 1995. In the report he stated that the old greens No. 1, 2, 9, 10 and 18 showed symptoms of fungus infection with greens No. 3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 being in a worse condition. In his summation he had this to say: problems have been years in the making. To reduce the problems, reduce overcrowding and compaction by coring on a regular basis, raise the pH of the soils to 5.5 or 6; attend to poor drainage; maintain a clear oxygenated water supply; use slow release in organic fertilizers; remove any shade forming trees; keep records; keep ground staff informed; experiment with new strains of grass and when everything is in place use a root growth promoter.

The Executive Meeting in December 1995 received advice from the electricity commission that power lines passing through the course were to be rerouted. Further advice tabled at the June 1996 Meeting stated that instead of an existing easement of 2 hectares, the new line would be constructed in 6 hectares of undeveloped mangroves, to the southern side of the old No. 14 fairway. The construction called for access, via specially built roads, to two areas near the course, where tower bases were to be built. The work commenced in September 1996. The access roads were built on the course and in return Powerlink paid compensation for any inconvenience caused. The roads would later be dismantled by golf club staff.

The committee were asked to approve a major raffle, within the meaning of the legislation, of a golf cart to the value of $7,000.00 to $9,000.00. The motion was carried but the raffle never eventuated. It was also asked that the committee approve provision of a hire pool table for installation in the dining area for a trial period
The subject was raised of the club purchasing/leasing electric golf carts for hire. This matter was fully investigated and would provide considerable income for the club at a minimal outlay. However, a storage/recharging area was required.

It was suggested that to give the course character, all 18 holes should be named. A report was later submitted to the committee containing suggested names but was never followed through.

The manager presented a report on the club’s purchase of motorised buggies at the 1996 July meeting, when he recommended that electric carts should be purchased in lieu of petrol driven machines.

In his final recommendations to the meeting the manager suggested that the following be observed –

1. The formulation of a private cart policy detailing guidelines for approvals.
2. 15 carts be purchased from club car at the price recommended.
3. Golf carts to be hired at $25.00 per round.
4. The carts to be maintained and controlled from the professional’s shop, with the professional being offered 20% of the hire price as payment for the work.
5. Payment of “trail” and “storage” fees.
6. Elimination of any hire carts by outside individuals.
7. The construction of a shed to house the carts.
8. An amount set aside from the hire fees for the future construction of cart paths.
9. All members be advised of the committees’ reasons for the provision of the carts, with the private cart Policy to include a ‘phasing in’ period.

The introduction of the hire carts was set for 1st November 1996, with the removal carts leased by the professional set at the 31st October 1996. Members must seek approval to use their private carts on the Cairns Golf Course and in future, other than initial foundation owners approved, only electric golf carts will be considered for approval after the 1st August 1996.”

The meeting set these guidelines –

1. Private cart owners are prohibited from renting or hiring their carts to members or visitors.
2. Non-members bringing private carts to the club will be required to pay a fee equivalent to the hire of the existing public buggies, or a fee to be set.
3. The club will provide charging facilities for approved private members carts at a fee.
4. The board of directors approves a maximum of 30 private golf carts.
5. Preference to approval of private golf carts is for those with physical disabilities or infirmities.
6. Electric tricycles are to be treated in the same way as privately-owned carts.

The fleet of 16 buggies was enlarged to 20 in 1999 when a further 4 machines were purchased. The construction of the cart shed allowed for extra parking and several private electric carts were granted parking approval at a rent of $100.00 per annum, including electricity to charge the carts.
Over the years effluent water obtained from the nearby sewerage plant, was the centre of many discussions regarding its purity, quality, and effect on grasses growing on greens and course. In 1995 the use of effluent water was terminated as it was thought to be the cause of green damage.

In his report to the September 1996 committee meeting. the captain sought approval to introduce the following match conditions -

1. In lieu of trophies for daily presentations, the club introduce a system of club vouchers, which would be drawn on selected business houses. Purchased trophies would still be used for major events and on selected days. The suggestion was accepted.
2. It was recommended an increase to Saturday competitions fees from $3.00 to $4.00, with the additional $1.00 automatically being used for the ball pool. This would eliminate selling tickets, with all competitors participating. The application was approved.

The matter of motorised golf carts was raised successfully, “that the board of directors approve that an application of a $10.00 fee be charged to all F.N.Q. affiliated golfers who utilise private carts at the Cairns Golf Club.”

• Nom Fee Subs. Fee Nom Fee Subs. Fee
• Members $250.00 $445.00 Associates $125.00 $360.00
• C/Members $ 30.00 $130.00 C/Assocs. $ 30.00 $110.00
• Members Working Junior fees - Associates Working Junior fees-
• Age 15 $ 30.00 $ 80.00 Age 15 $ 30.00 $ 80.00
• Age 16 $ 40.00 100.00 Age 16 $ 40.00 $100.00
• Age 17 $ 50.00 $120.00 Age 17 $ 50.00 $120.00
• Intermediate Members - Intermediate Associates -
• Age 18 $120.00 $235.00 Age 18 $ 60.00 $190.00
• Age 19 $150.00 $235.00 Age 19 $ 70.00 $190.00
• Age 20 $180.00 $235.00 Age 20 $ 80.00 $190.00
• Students $ 5.00 $ 55.00 Students $ 5.00 $ 55.00
• Non Playing Members and Associates ——— $ 5.00
• Temporary Members and Associates ——— $ 65.00 Husband and Wife $350.00 $760.00
• Locker fees (Per Annum) ——— $ 20.00
• Golf cart storage ( Per Annum) ——— $ 75.00