8 months into our financial year, our Club is continuing to gradually build our cash funds.

This year our social events are being well supported and are well ahead of budget while the few days we did not have competition due to the hot weather policy affected our results.

Those of you who have been in the Bistro will have noticed the Plasma screen above the cabinet housing a computer and showing competition results also the new Honour Boards the club has installed.

A new Pennant season is about to start and we budget about $3,000 each year to support our teams. We wish them every success.

This has been a successful year with a total of 99 different players participating over the season. Most nights have seen around 32-35 players enjoying the course and the camaraderie over a glass of wine [ or beer ] afterwards at the presentations. Many people have also stayed to enjoy a bite to eat together.

Each week, the following prizes have been awarded : 1st, 2nd, 3rd for both men and women --- money N.T.P. men and women --- bottles of wine kindly donated by the Resort Lucky card draw --- Munns product kindly donated by Julie and Ivan Short NAGA [or encouragement award]--- a "helpful" prize kindly given by the Pro Shop.

The weekly winners have to drop a shot for the rest of the Twilight matches to allow everyone to have a chance at the money and the trophy. All scores are recorded and the person with the best aggregate score for 3 rounds on both the back and the front nine wins a trophy and a prize. This is presented at the final Twilight Dinner. At time of print the overall winner has not yet been determined.

We have enjoyed organising the Twilight season and hope that even more players will join us for the next season starting on Nov 5th 2010.

We would also like to introduce some different fun aspects to the evening so if you have any suggestions or are able to support us with prizes or sponsorships please let us know.

Happy golfing --- remember to have fun.

Ladies Captain's Report

Our beautiful weather over the past few months has seen some very good scores achieved and entries in Thursday Ladies' competitions pretty consistently in the high 20's - 30's. Fantastic!(tee times 8-9.30am.booking sheet in Pro-Shop)

The Tuesday 9 hole Social competition run very amiably by Colleen Schumann (tee time = 8.30 - 9.00am) has proven to be extremely popular with a regular following, often 16 - 18 ladies participating and coffee in the Bistro afterwards. This is a great starting point for newcomers to the club (and the game) to get to know some of our members at a more casual level. Warm welcome to any ladies out there who might like to come along.

Two of our lady members did well at the Murray Downs Vets Tour last month - Carole Ebert won the Junior Vets competition on the 2nd day and Belinda Cowmeadow was R/U for the Vets Overall competition. Well done girls.

Good to see our ladies supporting other club's Open/Gala Days. The ladies bulletin board in the Bistro holds many interesting flyers inviting ladies to various events at other clubs as well as our local ones. Well worth a look.

Opening Day went well with 59 entering the 4BBB and Individual Stableford event sponsored by Alexander Jewellers. 10 visiting clubs were represented: Echunga, Willunga, Links Lady Bay, Victor harbor, South Lakes, Riverside, Mt Pleasant, Westward Ho, The Vines and Cobram Barooga. Winners of the 4BBB were Echunga's Pat Umlauf & Janeen Coleman with 51pts and local team of Julie Short & Lee Calaby were R/U with 49pts. Julie, Lee & Pat each won their respective grades in the Individual Stableford event. The Resort meal afterwards was great - choice of Fish, Chicken Tenderloins or Quiche all served with chips & salad. Many rewarding comments came from visitors about the day - especially the many beautiful roses which came from the gardens of Elaine Mitchell, Shirley Burton & Shirley Poynter who was away at the time so we trimmed her bushes and informed her when she arrived back - we do those things here. Many thanks to Jim Smyth & David Lucas for doing the cards for us (even though there were a few huge BOO-BOO's) not too sure what went down on that table eh? All in good fun - thanks guys.

Club Professional Peter Crafter with the aid of Simon Pope ran 3 x 1hr Ladies Clinics on Wednesdays during March. Well received as always with about 15 ladies attending each one. We have the absolute BEST in our professionals here.

On 9th April The first stage of the new handicapping system will commence. Members will see a minor change to their handicap.

April starts the 2010 season off with the Birdie & Gobbler competitions and a new format for our ladies. Thursday Ladies competitions will consist of 3 grades: Div 1 = 0-27, Div 2 = 28-35, Div 3 = 36-45.(grades may be subject to change when new H/C system comes in). Where there are less than 17 entries in the competition there will be only 2 Divisions: Div1 and Divs 2&3 combined. Entry fee will be $5 and Prize money will be Winner: $15 and R/U: $10 for each grade

Saturday Ladies competitions will not change - 1 Division: 0 - 45 and entry fee $5. Monthly Brooches (6) & Medals (12) and Championships will be played from the Gold T's (Championship Course).

When Thursday Monthly Brooch is contested, Div 3 ladies (36-45) may choose to play a separate competition from the Red T's (ineligible for Brooch) provided there is a minimum of 6 entries in that competition. If less than 6 entries there will be no separate competition and all will play from Gold T's. A "Ladies Plate" handicap event for Div 3 ladies only (36-45) will be played from Red T's on 3 Thursdays coinciding with Club Championships. These will be 3 stroke rounds with best nett score the winner. Entry fee $5. At Presentation Evening: winner to receive $50 & a trophy, R/U receives $25. Iris Barker has very kindly donated the Plate and Elaine & John Mitchell are also very kindly financing the prizes.

Bakers Delight will sponsor a Ladies NTP on the 2nd hole each Saturday.

McCracken is the host club for the Janet Humphrey Memorial Foursomes this year on Friday 9th April and we are hoping for a good field to compete here. This event is open to Southern Golf Group clubs only H/C's 0-45. p>

We are again entering 2 Pennant teams in the S.G.G. this year H/C's 0-36. First match is at McCracken on April 12th. Best of luck to all club Pennant players and "let's go get em!" I believe our juniors are again looking VERY formidable.

Good golfing in 2010 and may you break and break and break.

Members are strongly encouraged to support the club sponsors as much as possible. Local businesses would welcome you as there is a trend that they are assisting many clubs but the return support is not as strong as in the past.

Some loyal long standing sponsors have not renewed this year and the club would welcome any confirmed leads. Members please refer to the latest hand book (2010-2011) for list of sponsors and advertisements. Please note that there are a number of new businesses listed.

Should any business wish to utilize the club plasma TV in the Resort Bistro to advertise on please contact the writer who will liaise with Jim Chastain to arrange. We also list Saturday sponsors in the club calendar on the McCracken Golf Club web site (www.mccrackengolf.com)