Golfers Arrive

We have fallen a bit behind in keeping this blog up to date. So lets catch up.

We played another round at the Headlands course in Mooloolaba. We offer 4 unlimited play courses on the Sunshine Coast. They are calendar, Headlands, Mt Coolum and Tewantin. Tewantin is an upgrade course for an additional $100. Tewantin is 3.5 stars and the others are 3 stars. Our budget package includes accommodation in calendar and membership at that course. This year the best conditioned course of the group was Headlands.

We headed south on the 30th and picked up two golfers at the Brisbane Airport. We took them to the condo they had chosen and then we checked into our residence for February on Crumbin Beach.

The following day we drove to the airport once again and picked up 26 golfers. They were tired but excited after an enjoyable two full days in Singapore. Most crammed in as many tours as they could during the two days. Everyone felt that Singapore was and excellent place to stop.

We had one incident at the airport. The golfer had a buck wheat travel pillow and of course never thought of it as food. The custom officer gave them a hard time and also indicated that the golf tees were wood and there fore should not be brought in. They also had wooden shoe trees in their golf shoes and a wooden handle hair brush that caused problems. Finally a supervisor came over and permitted them to enter the country. This is not away to greet and make people feel welcome when they arrive. Next year I will warn the golfers about all wood products.

We finally got everyone on the air conditioned bus and headed to the Gold Coast taking the longer route through Surfers and along the coast.

The cars were waiting for us and the paper work went quickly. However it does take a while to pack the cars with all the clubs and luggage. Most golfers risked the drive and took off following our tip booklet directions. They had no problem arriving in Kingscliff and getting their accommodation. I lead a convoy of 5 cars south for those that preferred to follow me then make their own way there.

We got everyone checked in an settled. Many had not eaten for long time and headed to the restaurants. Next year will have to tell everyone to pick up some food in the Brisbane airport prior to getting on the bus.

The weather was overcast but hot. I think the temperature was around 29. Recommended opening up the condos to cool them off, as most do not have air conditioning, and go shopping.

Queensland is a tropical state an unfortunately they do get some insects that we do not see at home. It is almost impossible to keep them all out of the condos as the doors and windows are always open so you will see a few of them.

A number of people wanted to know about the metal grill works on the screen doors. Is there a high crime rate? Did need need to be careful?

No, the crime rate is very low. The doors are like this because they are left open when people go out. The homes would get too warm if they locked the main doors and closed the windows. So they make the screen doors a little more secure and they lock. This way they can leave the wooden doors open.

We have our golf tournament today. We meet for lunch then 18 holes with power cart and prizes after. The entry fee is $35 per person. We have 32 golfers participating.

We are also running a Down Under Tournament. Everyone that wants to enter turns in their scores for 6 different courses and after all golfers have departed for Canada we will total all the cards and away a prize to the winner. They will receive it some time in April as our last golfers do not leave until the end of March. There is no fee for this as it is away to get the golfers to travel around and see other courses and other parts of the Gold Coast.

Darryl from our car rental company has organized a two for one, 2 hour evening cruise on the 17th of Feb. Everyone has indicated that they will be coming. Of the nice things about this cruise is we can all take our own drinks on board.

Played Club Banora, 3.5 star course yesterday and found it to be in excellent shape. We use this club as our home course. The green fees here are $15 for our golfers.

We are off to the tournament now and will report on it tomorrow.