Abbey Hill Member News - January

AN UPDATE

FROM...

Russell Heady General Manager

Happy New Year to you all and I hope you and your families enjoyed a fantastic Christmas. Unfortunately, due to the cold and rain not much golf could be played at the end of 2022, but with some milder days, we’re pleased to be back open again.

We move into a slightly quieter period at the club now after the busy Christmas party season. We will be looking to complete a lot of our project work in the first quarter of 2022. We’ve already started phase one of our clubhouse refurbishment which includes brand new offices, fully refurbished main and upstairs function rooms, and a rejuvenated entrance area. This should all be complete by the end of March! Phase two will start in early 2024 and include new changing rooms, and a renovated coffee bar.

Golf Course Project

The golf course project work is also underway, and I’m proud to say that despite the difficult current economic climate in the UK, we are still investing significantly in the improvement of the golf courses.

You may have seen that the refurbishment and drainage works have begun on the 7th greenside bunkers. We will also shortly start on the 5th greenside bunker. These will feature new capillary concrete drainage technology and be playable year-round. We’ll also be installing a new tarmac path to the 1st tee and a new tee on the 8th hole.

In this newsletter, we have a course update from Ross, winter driving tips from our pro, John and an update on our fantastic 40% off golf shop sale.

Don’t forget, our great value members’ breakfast is now back for only £6 in the coffee bar!

Russell

COURSE UPDATE

Ross Edmonds Course Manager

We’re delighted to be welcoming the New Year, and are hoping for kinder weather conditions in 2023 as we come off the back of a tough 2022.

December’s weather had a sting in the tail, with a spell of snow, frost, rain and inevitable course closures. December also gave us the greatest number of wet days and second highest frost days in the year.

This month we will set to work on the next phase of our bunker improvements. Both greenside bunkers on the 7th hole and left greenside of the 5th hole will be reconstructed, drained, and lined.

As with all construction work, we are in the hands of the weather gods, but the hope is that these bunkers will be in play for Easter. We will inform you through the usual channels if there is ever a need to close a green for safety reasons while work is in progress.

Additional work will start shortly on a new tee on the 8th hole and the path down to the first tee box will be tarmacked. Areas stripped off before Christmas will be re-turfed by midJanuary.

We have also installed new, bigger and better rakes in the bunkers around the course. Please remember to rake the bunkers after you have been in them.

It’s going to be a busy month – hopefully the weather will play ball.

Ross and the greenkeeping team

2023 Golf Travel Planning Blog

Christmas has come and gone, and traditionally it is the time of year when many of us start to think ahead to sunnier days, warmth on our backs and some golfing adventures with friends in the British Isles or further afield.

Check out the ‘2023 Golf Travel Planning Blog’, written by Burhill GC General Manager, Nick Moran, which contains some personal views and tips on travel destinations and how to go about planning if you haven’t arranged a trip of this nature in the past. Follow this link to read the full blog - https://drive.google.com/file/ d/1jvzt2QxPoBWQkCZtC5NB_BcTbp2LehCx/ view?usp=share_link

I hope this provides some 2023/24 golf travel inspiration!

GOLF UPDATE

John Scheu Head PGA Pro

Pro’s Tip of the Month from John Scheu, Head Professional.

Do you look at the golf on TV and envy the height and distance that the pros hit? Well, follow these simple steps to get a little bit of pro driver magic in your game too.

HIT THE DRIVER HIGHER AND LONGER!

1. Tee it high (the equator of the ball lining up with the top edge of your driver)

2. Tilt your spine a small amount away from the target to get about 55% weight on back foot at address

3. Take a smooth and wide backswing 4. Complete your shoulder turn 5. Unwind from the ground up (don’t rush or be jerky, that can lead to coming over the top and pulling, slicing, or skying the ball)

6. Swish the club head through the ball don’t hit at it 7. Keep a balanced finish 8. Enjoy the long walk down the middle of the fairway!

Pro Shop end of season sale now on! Up to 40% off clothing!

Members’ Reciprocal Golf

Don’t forget, a fantastic benefit of membership at Abbey Hill is one free round per month at one of the other nine BGL Golf sites around the country. The options are:

• Aldwickbury Park Golf Club – Harpenden

• Burhill Golf Club – Surrey

• Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club –Kent

• Hoebridge Golf Centre – Woking, Surrey

• Redbourn Golf Club – Redbourn (just 30 minutes down the M1)

• Ramsdale Park Golf Centre – Nottingham

• The Shropshire Golf Centre – Telford

• Thornbury Golf Centre – Bristol

• Wycombe Heights Golf Centre – High Wycombe

You can book your round up to seven days in advance by speaking to our sales office or calling them on 01908 562566 (option 2). You can also take guests at members’ guest rates!