AN UPDATE FROM...

Russell Heady General Manager

Hello all, Welcome to the March/ April newsletter edition.

Our newsletters will now be sent out every two months, to keep you updated on everything going on at Abbey Hill. So, for the remainder of the year, you’ll receive a newsletter in March, May, July, September, and November.

The strange weather continues! At the time of writing, we’ve seen a couple of weeks of dry weather, which has enabled us to get buggies out on to the course – a very rare sight in winter months! It’s been great to see golfers who otherwise cannot play at this time of year for medical reasons getting some rounds in.

By now, you should have received your membership renewal letters. For those that pay for the year upfront, payments are due by the end of March – you can pay using the Elite Live app, by logging in to our website, or by giving the sales office a call. For those who pay monthly by direct debit, there is nothing to do, your payments will continue at the new price from 1st April.

We did our best to keep price increases to a minimum, but with the current high costs of electricity, gas, fuel, sand, fertilisers, machinery, food, drinks, and staff, we have had to pass some of these costs on to members and customers to remain a profitable business. The membership price increases for this season are roughly in line with inflation at around 10%.

Our clubhouse refurbishment is gathering pace, and we moved into our lovely new offices at the back of the clubhouse in mid-February. As you read this newsletter, our new staff room and meeting/ registrars’ room should also be completed. The next phase, due to be complete by early April, is a full refurbishment of the two function rooms, the downstairs Fairway Suite and newly named upstairs room, the Atrium Suite, as well as the entrance foyer. We have also redecorated the Coffee Bar and the male, female, and disabled toilet rooms.

Our latest golf course improvement project should also be finished this month. You’ll see a new tarmac pathway from the bridge to the first tee, fully refurbished greenside bunkers on holes 5 and 7, and a new tee ready for the 8th hole. Already this year, we have removed the trees and bushes around the 6th hole pond which looks a lot better and brings an extra water hazard into play.

As the weather now (hopefully) warms up and we head into the main season, please always keep up a good pace of play. At Abbey Hill, we encourage, ‘Ready Golf’. Examples of ‘Ready Golf’ in action are:

Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters must wait.

Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options. Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play.

Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball. Taking no more than 3 minutes to look for a lost ball. No more than two practice swings.

Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line. Move from the green immediately when your group has finished putting, marking scores upon arrival at the next tee, or if you are first to tee off, making your card after hitting.

Leave buggies, trolleys, and bags to the next tee side of the green before putting

Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker. When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot.

In this newsletter, we have a course update from Ross, a fantastic pro’s tip from John, an update on our fantastic 40% off golf shop sale, info on a new draught cider and premium lager, a meet the team profile, as well as details on our Mother’s Day meal and Adventure Golf offer.

All the best and see you around!

Russell