From the Women’s Captain & President

Published on 9th April 2020 in Uncategorized

We do hope all is well with you and your families.  Mandy is very busy with serious Golf Club business,  (and song-writing,  to be revealed at a later date) consequently,  I am writing to you.

Let’s talk about golf first.  I have heard on the grapevine that some people are desperately missing this sport we enjoy so much.  All of us have been heard to say philosophically  “how lucky we are to be here” as our ball disappears into the Coffin or the Fairy Dell,  or our tee shot sails straight towards the pin but does a sharp right hand turn into a bunker as it hits the turf, just before the green on the 12th or 14th.

Well, in retrospect,  we were “lucky to be there”.  Our time will come again and just think how much we will really appreciate it. 

Some things will have changed.  A whole generation of magpies will have missed learning how to beg.  The new willy wagtails will have grown up unaware of the bounty produced by buggy wheels. 

Some things will still be the same.  The echidnas will be waddling from one copse of bushes to the other across the 14th.  Next time you are looking for a ball in those bushes you may notice the little paths they have worn.  Next time, as you round the corner from the 17th green to the 18th tee, look to your right – you will almost certainly hear a tinkle and see the fairy wrens darting in and out of the bushes.    

By the time we are playing again, it will be cooler and damper.  The course will be heavier and perhaps more difficult for some.  We, on the Golf sub-committee have been preparing for this winter.  You will find beautiful new, shiny, gold tee plates.  As mentioned briefly before,  you will have the opportunity to choose which tee you would like to play off on any normal competition day –  red or gold.  The monthly medal will still be played off the white tees.  The gold course is an interesting challenge,  it is shorter,  however it requires serious thought as to club choice and course craft.   Your handicap will be adjusted down a little,  which is a psychological challenge, at least.     I will provide more detail as we get closer to launch time.

As we all know, the Easter competition will not happen this year,  the 2nd round of the Silver Spoon will be played later than planned,  the Linda McKee is on hold,  to be completed as soon as practical.  Other April dates e.g. Mixed Foursomes Higgins Bowl will probably not happen on 18 April but decisions will be made by the Golf Sub-Committee on deferments, changes to the calendar.

You have probably finished the spring cleaning by now or, if not, would like some distractions: 

THE GARDEN

Things to do in April, courtesy of Ann McFarling.

Feed – using compost (purchased or home-made), daphne, camellias (sesanquois are already flowering),  rhododendrons & magnolias (probably not so coastal).

Using an all-purpose fertilizer,  carnations, geraniums, hibiscus, Japanese windflowers and orchids.  The latter, a monthly job if you want beautiful flowers. 

Cuttings  –  carnations, geraniums and plumbago.

PLANT YOUR SPRING BULBS

Plant winter and spring seedlings  e.g. primula, foxgloves, pansies….

Help needed  –  for those with native gardens,  can you supply us with information about things to do at this time of year?  Please send to my email (below) and within the next week if possible?

THE KITCHEN

As passionfruit are bountiful at this time,  a simple recipe for Passionfruit Curd –   for toast, tarts, icecream, yoghurt, cakes, or just by the spoonful.

Ingredients: 125g chilled butter chopped,  155g (3/4 cup) castor sugar, 180 ml (3/4 cup) fresh passionfruit pulp, 4 egg yolks.

Method: Combine the butter, sugar, passionfruit and egg yolks in a medium saucepan over a low heat.  Cook, stirring, for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture thickens.  Transfer to a sterilized jar/s and chill for at least 1 hour.

Note:  Supposedly 15 fresh passionfruit, however this depends on how much pulp you can harvest.  The addition of lime juice seems to work if not quite enough pulp.

KNITTING

In preparation for winter golf and walks – a warm woollen beanie.  This is a tried and true pattern:  CLICK HERE for the instructions.

TRAVEL

This is a dodgy segment……..considering our present situation.  Some of you may feel you will never want to travel again,  or be able to travel again.  I have chosen a Newsletter from a source, trusted over many years.  This is not a Newsletter selling you anything,  I have included it for you to enjoy reading and imagining.  CLICK HERE to have a look.

A RIDDLE 

A RIDDLE  –  last edition’s answer – a piano.

This week – “Tall I am young,  short I am old,  while with life I glow,  wind is my foe.  What am I?” 

Of interest,  as a result of the last Women’s News,  2 responses came from male members…….what a nice surprise.

Mandy and I are thinking of you all a lot,  looking forward very much to seeing you all again.  We would welcome any stories you think other members would enjoy.  Any photos of you, your pets, your garden, wildlife…..love to see them.  If you know of fellow members who are not managing all that well and you think  a friendly call would help,  please let me know.

Our best wishes for a happy, if somewhat different Easter,   there are more communications to come from the Club in the next few days,  keep an eye on your emails and the website. 

Sue  Wilson (Women’s Captain) 

Email:    suewilson@thecollection.com.au
Tel:  5989 0407.

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