Late Mail On The Grange
Illawarra Mercury
Friday December 24, 1999
The Grange is following an example set by politicians, lawn mowing contractors and pizza restaurants.
It is recruiting new members with a letterbox drop.
Described as a third millennium special, the club is offering six months' full membership for $199.
Householders are told there are no gimmicks, there is no additional joining fee and there is no waiting list.
But wait, there's more. It usually costs $311 for the same deal so the leaflets will grab the attention of golfers.
And, if you apply before Christmas Day you will receive two free lessons from club pro Graham Wonson, or a dozen new golf balls.
Club captain Geoff Brown said yesterday the club had 1150 members but only 700 full paying members.
``We just thought we would let people know where we are and that our membership is open," Brown said. ``We haven't set a target but I suppose we will have to put the brakes on if we get too many."
That might be the case because last night's board meeting considered 35 membership applications. All were sent in after the letterbox drop started.
Illawarra clubs are about to take delivery of new rule books.
There are 380 golf clubs in NSW and almost 300,000 books being distributed.
In the Illawarra, IGA vice-president Vin Evans was the man handling the distribution.
He stored the books and did a lightning job distributing them. Evans, aided by John Hitchcock in a three-tonne truck, delivered 150 boxes of rule books - 15,200 of them - to the 24 IGA clubs on Sunday.
One of the new rules operating from January 1 will interest golfers who hate losing a ball.
The rule relates to golfers who use a new ball for the first time from a tee.
If the ball disappears into water, deep woods or any other area where it seems it will not be found there is good news.
The player can hit another ball without any penalty.
With new balls costing a small fortune these days, losing one is sufficient penalty.
If you find this hard to believe, check rule 35 on page 177 when you receive your new book. The IGA will stage a seminar to explain most of the new rules early in the new year.
The Links Open Youth Classic at Wollongong on January 2 has attracted entries from 40 clubs.
Organiser John Murphy said yesterday there would be a capacity field of both male and female golfers aged under 24.
One of the latest entries adds an international flavour.
Luke Beardmore, from Palmerston North in New Zealand, is holidaying in Australia and has taken the opportunity to take part in the Wollongong tournament.
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury
