Hello fellow members, 

With daylight saving now upon us and the warmer weather starting to arrive, it is a wonderful time of year to be a member of The National. Longer days mean more opportunities to get out on the course, enjoy a game with friends and family, and make the most of the outstanding facilities we have across Cape Schanck and Long Island. 

There is plenty happening around the Club at the moment, with Long Island continuing to open up, some exciting events on the horizon and a number of initiatives aimed at improving the experience for all members. 

I wanted to share a few updates and reminders as we head into what I hope will be a terrific summer of golf. 

The Share Issue Vote 

The vote on the share issue has commenced.  All of the information you should need has already been put out.  This is an important matter and I urge all shareholding members to vote. 

On top of the increases to fees we have seen in recent years, I personally know many members who will have to surrender their membership in the event of a sustained levy coming in, and couples who would be doubly impacted.  I feel strongly for that group, and that’s why I encourage you to vote YES, and to get others to do the same.  Do your bit to support and retain the social fabric of this amazing Club. 

Long Island – November and Beyond 

It has been terrific to see Long Island continue to develop, and November represents another positive step towards a return to more normal playing arrangements. 

One of the highlights will be the inaugural Long Island Trifecta, which will see members play all three routings across three days. It is an exciting addition to our annual golfing calendar, and I’m certainly looking forward to competing over the weekend. 

From November, Long Island will open seven days a week. Monday mornings will become the designated changeover period for our Course Management team, allowing them to complete essential maintenance and prepare the course for the following week’s routing. This is no small task, involving changes to signage, tee markers, pin flags and other course arrangements. As a result, the first tee time on Mondays will be 10.00 am moving forward. 

Guest access will continue under the existing 24 Hour Rule from Sunday to Friday, while Saturdays will remain strictly members only.  

Long Island – November Playing Arrangements  

As we move towards December, we are also working on a more substantial reopening roadmap for Long Island. This will outline how we intend to progressively ease restrictions, increase playing opportunities and introduce more regular access arrangements over the next six to twelve months. 

I look forward to sharing this indicative roadmap with members towards the end of November. There is plenty to be excited about, but we also need to make sure each step is carefully considered, balancing member demand with the ongoing care and development of the course. 

Expanding Our Reciprocal and Affiliate Network 

One of the great benefits of being a member of The National is the opportunity to enjoy golf at some outstanding clubs around the world. I am particularly pleased with the progress we have made in expanding these opportunities for members. 

Since July 2025, we have established 17 new interstate and international reciprocal and affiliate relationships, bringing our network to 38 clubs. On top of this, we have secured two new Preferred Access Partnerships with Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers, two of New Zealand’s finest golfing destinations. You can read more about the benefits of this partnership on our website.   

Our latest affiliate additions include Avondale Golf Club in Sydney, Royal Wellington in New Zealand, The Pulpit Club in Canada and five clubs across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including Emirates Golf Club and Yas Links. 

These relationships are an important part of what makes membership at The National so valuable. They give us opportunities to experience some terrific courses when travelling, and I encourage members to make the most of them. 

We will continue to seek out quality clubs that share our values and offer genuine benefits to our members. 

24 Hour Rule – Reminder 

A reminder that the Club’s 24 Hour Rule, introduced in July, remains in place across all four courses at Cape Schanck and Long Island. 

Under this arrangement, any tee times that remain unreserved become available for members and their guests from 9.00 am the day prior, with the exception of Saturdays and member-only events. 

This gives members greater flexibility to make use of available tee times, while still protecting the normal booking access and priority periods across the Club. 

I do want to reinforce that this arrangement must be used in the spirit intended. Members must not use blockers or other members’ names to reserve places on member-only courses with the intention of adding guests once the 24-hour window opens. 

Golf Operations will continue to monitor booking activity, and members found misusing the system, including through blockers or late withdrawals to facilitate guest access, may face consequences under the Club’s booking and disciplinary processes. 

Golf Buggy Use and Course Care 

A reminder to members using golf buggies that driving across greens or on the bentgrass surrounds is not permitted at Long Island. Buggies are also not permitted on the greens or their surrounds at Gunnamatta. 

These restrictions are important in protecting the playing surfaces and maintaining the course conditions we all enjoy. 

On Moonah and The Old Course, whilst buggies can be wheeled across them, I encourage members to use the designated paths wherever possible to help minimise wear and protect the turf. 

We are fortunate to play on some outstanding courses, and I ask all members to do their part in looking after them. 

Taiheiyo Invitational Japan 

The National were recently among a prestigious list of fifteen clubs worldwide invited to participate in the inaugural Taiheiyo Invitational in Japan. For this event a team was selected by myself comprising past club leaders, current volunteers and Leigh Yanner our Chief Superintendent.  

The Taiheiyo Invitational was held over two days at the Annan Course in the Kuruizawa area about 3 hours northwest of Tokyo. The event included daily winners and an overall team based on average stableford points over the two days. The National team performed creditably and ended in the middle of the pack with the overall winners being the home club Taiheyo.  

Other clubs who attended the event included Centurion Club London UK, Hoiana Shores Danang Vietnam, Amata Springs Golf Club Bangkok Thailand as well as Commonwealth as the only other Australian Club.  

As a new enthusiast about golf in Japan, it is my intention to support future (organised) club-based trips to Japan to visit our amazing Reciprocal the Taiheiyo Golf Club (20 courses), regarding which further information will soon go out to assess interest. 

Finally, to everyone competing in the upcoming Club Championships, I wish you the very best of luck. These events are a highlight of our golfing calendar, and I look forward to seeing some great golf and plenty of healthy competition over the coming weeks. 

As always, please stop me for a chat if you see me around the Club. I always enjoy hearing from fellow members, whether it’s a suggestion, some feedback or simply a conversation over a beer. 

We have a special Club, and with summer approaching, I hope you all find plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy everything The National has to offer. 

Regards, 

Andrew Tunks – Captain