St. Andrew's Corporate supports
Brian Lara Cancer Foundation
Our 12th Annual St. Andrew's Golf Club Corporate Tournament was a great success once again. 82 Teams teed it upon Saturday May 10th in two shotgun starts with Pereira and Company emerging as the overall winners. Special thanks to all our major sponsors: Climate Control, Trinidad Cement Limited, W.I.S.E., Vipond, Hand Arnold, Parts World, Best Auto, Servus, Hadco, Cargo Consolidators and Vemco.
One of the highlights of the tournament was the presentation of
$ 25.000.00 to the brian Lara Cancer Foundation and the prize giving
gala dinner and dance.
left to right: Michael Arneaud, President SAGC, Mark Poon Tip and Derek Winford, Pereira & Co, Marina Collier, Climate Control, Courtney McNish, TCL
Nigel Camacho receives $ 25.000.00 for Brian Lara Cancer Foundation at the Corporate Prize-giving dinner. left to right: Sean Boyce, Corporate Committee Chairman, Nigel Camacho, Brian Lara Cancer Foundation, Michael Arneaud, President St. Andrew's Golf Club
2008 St. Andrew's
Corporate Results
played 10 May 2008
1st Perreira & Company-
Derek Winford & Mark Poon Tip 45 pts
2nd Direct TV Trinidad-
Thomas Pantin & Alan Clayton 44 pts
3rd Beacon Insurance-
Chris Woodhams & Ameen Ho Sing Loy 44 pts
4th Climate Control 3-
Ian Abraham & Anthony Lee Kim 43 pts
5th Capital Signal-
Barry Rostant & Sean Herrera 43pts
6th Pestex Ltd 2-
Troy Alcantara & Christian de Meillac 43 pts
7th Frank Mouttet Ltd 1-
Neil Shepperd & Jonathan Decle 43 pts
8th Aegis Business Solutions-
Barry Eligon & Seamus Clarke 42 pts
9th St Andrew’s Golf Club-
Christian Quesnel & Dennis de Gannes 41 pts
Nearest the pin #11- Neal & Massy Motors –
Jean Boucaud & Stewart Sankar
Nearest the pin #15-
Prestige Business Publications-
Richard Lewis & John Gransaul
Best Dressed: Heinz- Alan Hale & John Hale
THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS
OFFICE HOURS:MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.30am to 6.00pm
- page 2 -
Irrigation works
set to be completed
by June 30
St Andrew's President, Michael Arneaud inspects Irrigation works adjacent to the 11th tee box
There is just one month to go before the irrigation project underway since January will be complete and fully up and running. Everything is in place to complete the final stages of installation by the deadline of June 30.
After months of planning spearheaded by past President Boyer Jaggassar, Richard McNabb, Director of Golf Course Operations, and Michael Ames, who acted as consultant on the project with respect to all the logistics, ground was broken on January 17 when trenching for the main lines began on the front nine. By the end of January all of the main lines and the feeder lines to the tee boxes were installed and clean up operations kept pace with the trenching leaving a neat cut through the ground. Throughout the duration of the project as far as possible the trenches were not kept open for more than a day which ensured that the grass around the trench did not die, and also gave the overall installation a very tidy appearance at all times. The road to the water source and final connection of the six inch line to the tank was also completed in January.
During February the driving range and the back nine tee boxes were completed, as well as the road crossings from 8th hole to 9th hole and from 1st hole to 2nd hole which were done during the BPTT Week of Golf, February 18 to 22nd.
In March the 4th, 6th, and 7th greens were completed, as well as the 2nd fairway. There was also considerable work done on the main line from the back of the 1st green up to the 12th tee box. The nursery was also done while work started on the foundation of the new pump house. At this stage the very important task of locating the underground power lines which run in the vicinity of the back nine road all the way up to the pump house was done with the assistance of TTEC.
During April the main line work continued from the back of the 12th tee box, across the river and all the way to the side of the tank, up the left side of the hole. River crossings were also completed over to the 10th green and the 11th tee box and under the bridge at the downstairs bar connecting to the 10th tee and the driving range. Road crossings from the mainline on the 10th, 11th and 12th holes have also been completed to. connect to the 17th hole, A separate line has been installed to fill the tank from the WASA well on the 12th hole. The mainline installation then continued up the right side of the 16th hole, crossing the quebrada and going up to the 16th tee box. Focus then shifted to the fairways and the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 8th were completed, as well satellites for the front nine which have been installed and connected.
We are now into the last phase of the project during which time all the remaining fairways and greens will be complete, controllers will be wired and the new pump installed and operational. During the last two weeks of June members can therefore expect to see the system being tested on a hole by hole basis. There will then be an official commissioning of the system when all the tests have been satisfactorily completed.
Irrigation is the key to well maintained golf course
OLD vs NEW
• 33 years old and showing all the inevitable signs of age
• Increasing incidence of leaks
• Fully manual and therefore very labour Intensive
• System not pressurized
• Inefficient use of water and manpower
• Inability to turn on specific heads
• Fully automated control via main computer station, handheld controllers and satellite controllers
• System pressurized at all times
• Selective use of heads as required, eg; turn on only one head to Irrigate a dry spot on a green
• Set system to Irrigate at specific times, Intervals and rates
• Fertigation - application of soluble fertilizers
• Location of new heads on greens and tees allows for future works on tee reconstruction and green contouring
Scope of Works
• Condemn all existing irrigation lines and heads
• Replace with new lines and heads, Inclusive of wires to control operation of heads
• Install new pump adjacent to the tank behind the 12th green
• Install computer base station and field satellite stations for Irrigation control
Expertise and manpower required
• Contracted four experienced Irrigation Installation specialists
• Seconded hired two workers with previous golf course experience
Equipment requirements
• Purchased equipment which could be used afterwards In routine golf. course maintenance
Rental specialized equipment
Benefits
• Greatly Improved playing conditions year round
• Manpower savings In terms of cost and time
• Precise control over time and rate of water application results In more conservative use of water.
• Overall beater turf quality throughout the golf course
• Combination of fertilization followed by Irrigation •Grass stays healthy throughout the year
• Gives Superintendent much greater flexibility to maintenance practices
-page 3-
Junior golf is alive and well!
A class caddy Desrond Ambrose lends a helping hand
2008 began with an overwhelming response to our Junior Golf Clinic on Friday afternoons with approximately 30 Junior golfers in attendance ranging in age from 7 years to 10 years old.
Friday afternoon clinics will continue throughout the year coinciding with the school terms. The programme now follows the Junior Golf programme designed and endorsed by the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association and allows junior golfers to progress from Beginners through Intermediate and onto Advanced training. Admittedly, the programme is over subscribed and a policy has been developed by the Junior Committee to allow no more than 7 juniors per coach.
February saw the always anticipated BP Week of Golf opening with the Junior Pro Am. Thirty-four Juniors teamed up with International Professional golfers for the opening day's two ball better ball challenge. Junior golfer Gabriel Lombard, a recent graduate to 18 hole golf and golf professional Mark King of Scotland won the tournament with a score of net 64 to edge out the duo of pro Chris Kelly and Junior Tori Baptiste by one shot.
The afternoon saw a new event, the Big Break Challenge Trini Style, with six teams consisting of T&T's star juniors and six golf professionals. The teams competed in five events including Long Drive, Straight Drive, Over the Wall, Hit the Target and the addition of a new hole. The team sponsored by Scotia Bank of Junior golfer Matthew Marquez and professional Dean Robertson edged out Junior golfer Sirron Melville and professional Marina Marselli to take the inaugural prize.
Strive For Excellence - This has been an initiative of the TTGA. Selected Juniors meet regularly at SAGC and other clubs for training in specific areas such as physical training, sports psychology, short game, course management, rules of golf and course etiquette. The purpose behind this initiative is to prepare our Junior golfers for tournament play.
Toyota World Junior Qualifier -The world junior qualifier was held in Guatemala in April 2008. Trinidad and Tobago was among 4 teams that were selected to play in this regional qualifier. The other teams were Canada, Mexico and Guatemala. The T&T team consisted of Timothy Martin, Talin Rajendranath, Sirron Melville and Jordan Stephens. Unfortunately, the T&T team did not do as well as anticipated and placed 4th overall. The winning team was from the host country Guatemala who has now advanced along with the second place team Mexico to the finals in Japan later this year.
National Team selected to represent T&T here at home The junior trials were held on the 3rd and 4th May 2008 at our club and the scores from these rounds were used along with other criteria to select a team to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Caribbean Junior Championships from July 7-11, 2008 at St. Andrew's Golf Club.
Young guns get ready
f0r CAJGC 2008
Sirron Melville
Matthew Marquez
- page 4 -
Timeless Advice for Beginners
Welcome, friends, to the game of golf. You will not regret that you have chosen to play this great game. It offers more than you can imagine.
Among the rumpled, wind-blasted dunes of Scotland is where the game began. Played first by the kings and queens of yesteryear, golf, as we know it today, has spread to nearly every nation. Yes indeed, there are hackers in China, bogey shooters in Africa, and an army of slicers in South America. The game is global. You have plenty of company.
But why mass appeal? What's so good about pegging up a little white ball and smacking it? Why do so many people subject themselves to the game's interminable challenges? Why, on a personal level, is it right for you?
Well, just as the game is sure to disappoint and, at times, perhaps even humiliate you (over the years, these moments will be well documented!), there will be times when the game will invigorate you. When it will rescue you from a dull, work-filled week. When it will teach you something new about a place, about a friend, about yourself, and you will be better for it.
Golf has a grand relationship with the great outdoors. The elements - the sun's warmth, the wind's rage, the sea's thunder - are often an integral part of a round. And the earth's terrifically varied landscape is often centre stage. Canyons, mountains, deserts, forests, lakes, plains, rivers, oceans; these have a way of intensifying the experience. Between bad shots - and, rest assured, there will be plenty of those - one can always
look around and enjoy nature. For many, this is the game's great attribute.
But just as golf is one of the greatest outdoor games, it's one of greatest social games as well. It's a game that can be played and enjoyed by families, business associates who are closing a deal, and friends who just want to enjoy a pint or two and have a few laughs together. Walking down the fairway - chatting with a friend, a stranger (who won't be for long), a son, a daughter, talking about the things that really matter, joke about things that the game.
And please, for the love of the game, walk as much as you can. Besides the obvious health benefit, walking better facilitates this camaraderie with others. The course and the experience of playing it simply go shooting by too quickly when you ride, it can. But shooting along I buggy cannot compete with the invigorating joy of walking a course and taking in all that a layout has to offer.
Whatever you do, don't get too bottled up in the technicalities of the swing. This can take away from your enjoyment of the game. Enjoy your time with an instructor, practice as much as you can, grow in your knowledge of the swing, but don't get too obsessive with mechanics.
Your mind will thank you for it.
Andrew Renner
USGTF Level IIIMember - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members who have joined since the beginning of 2008. We are also very pleased to have increased our women's membership through our special offer and look forward welcoming more new members during the course of the year.
LIST OF NEW MEMBERS - JANUARY TO MAY 2008
- page 5 -
All of us golfers like to think we know the rules,
but it's good to be reminded of them nonetheless
Golf Course Etiquette
Wait until the group In front is out of range before hitting your shot. If a player plays a ball In a direction where there iIs a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.
Remember not to stand right behind a player at any time or stand on the opposite side of the hole or cast a shadow in the line of a player's putt. Be careful not to stand on another player's line when you are marking your ball or retrieving your ball from the hole. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out. Ensure that your cell phone is off or on silent mode.
Pace of Play Keep up with the group In front at all times Be ready to play when it is your turn. This means that you have put on your glove, checked the distance, chosen your club and are ready to hit theball. When playing on or near the putting green, players should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green. Take time to record the score of the last hole completed at the tee box of the next hole while you are awaiting your turn. If a player believes his ball may be lost or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. Please be reminded that a four ball should take no more than 4 hours and 20 minutes to finish 18 holes.
Care of the Course
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose. Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.
- page 6 -
New staff appointments
Please also note that the office is now open from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays either Maria Nunes or Robert Lara will be happy to answer general inquiries.
We are constantly updating our members email listing and contact info. Please send us an email at golfadmin@tstt.net.tt if you are not currently getting our regular email updates.
Marissa Seijas Club Administrator
Among her responsibilities Is the handling of member service as well as aft routine administrative matters. Marissa will be happy to answer general inquiries related to your membership as well as any other information you may require. She also marages all aspects of the rental of our poolslde for weddings and private functions as well as provide administrative support to the committees responsible for major club events,i.e. the Carnival Fate, the St. Andrew's Corporate, the Old Year's Night Fete etc.
Ma. Seijas has had her own events ooordinating company for the past eight years and also brings the benefit of prior work experience at both Trinidad Country Club and Trinidad and Tobao Yachting Association. She has also been an official of Ventures Hockey Club for a number of years.
Her all round abilities make her well suited to provide administrative support to the General Manager as well as excellent member and guest service.
Robert Lara Golf Operations Coordinator
We have redefined the portfolio held by our previous two Operations Managers as part of a wider exercise of review. As a result the job objectives of this new position of Golf Operations Coordinator are:
• Delivery of excellence in all golf related services for members and guests
• Responsible for all aspects of tournament organization under the direction of the General Manager
• Strong support of Men's Captain, Ladies Captain and Junior Committee Chairman
• Responsible for all golf related records: tee sheets, scorecards, tournament results etc.
• Ensuring excellence in all aspects of starting, handicapping and pace of pla .
Mr Lara has excelled as a starter over the past five years during which time he has readily accepted addtional responsibility. He has been a reliable and dedicated
member of staff and has
applied himself in developing a sound knowledge of golf.
Valentine's Dinner
This special night was alight with tables and chairs set around the pool with romantic music playing.
All guests were greeted with a complimentary glass of wine and ushered to their tables. Everyone was treated with heart shaped chocolates on their tables and there was a delectable 4 Course Meal served by able-bodied waiters. During this magical night, there were many give-away prizes for persons at each table, such as: Häagen-Dazs® Vouchers, Bottles of Wine, etc.
The fantastic D.J. music kept the 60% non-golfing members dancing into the wee hours of 1:00am.
Feedback from a few of the members:
"Great night!"
"When is the next dinner?!"
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OFFICE HOURS:MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.30am to 6.00pm
