IN his first year as Rosewood Golf Club president, Jamie Soppa has enjoyed seeing the number of people enjoying the scenic 18-hole course.
Two major developments for the club have been most pleasing.
The first is Rosewood fielding two teams in this year’s Moreton and District Golf Association (MDGA) pennants competition for the first time in a number of years.
The second welcome sign is club membership growing from 190 last year to 300 recently.
“We get a lot of members from other clubs and I’ve asked the question why,” Soppa said.
“They say the stress level down here is so low. There’s no hassle, there’s no speed [to play a round].”
Soppa said Rosewood had 90-100 players moving through the course on a Saturday compared to the bigger clubs who have up to 300 players jostling for positions.
He praised his committee and clubhouse staff for being “very approachable”.
In pennants, Rosewood representatives recently wrapped up the Division 2 series with 12 wins from their six rounds.
A group of Rosewood players have also been competitive in MDGA Division 1 pennants, which continue until next month.
Rosewood only lost a recent match 5-4 to MDGA pennants newcomers Brookwater.
With rounds against Laidley and Ipswich to go, the Tim Woodford-captained Rosewood combination was looking to finish on a high.
“It’s the first time in a long time that I can remember that we’ve had a first division and a second division [team],” Soppa said, delighted to see the club mixing it with other regional golfers.
“A lot of them were saying it’s no point being in it because you aren’t winning but they [the Rosewood teams] have held their own. They’ve done quite well and they have beaten some teams.
“I think it’s a learning curve for them.
“Next year, the same team will be better.”
Regional golfers are also preparing for the annual Rosewood Open next month after the tradition-rich Sandy Gallop-hosted Coal City Cup later this month.
Soppa said a spike in members highlighted the appeal of the player-friendly course on Karrabin-Rosewood Road.
The club opened with a nine-hole course in 1954 before being expanded to 18 holes in 1991 through a back-nine land lease arrangement with club member Robbie Boughen.
Soppa has described the Rosewood venue as suitable for golfers of all ages.
“People say golf is hard but when you play it a lot and you know where you are going, it’s one of the easier courses and the layout is good,” Soppa said.
“It’s a very walkable course. Here it’s just nice, flat.”
Rosewood A-Grade and club champion Woodford agreed, regularly playing a round with his young children watching him as they sit in the buggy.
