Monthly Newsletter July 2022 Edition
Week fixtures. The feedback about our course presentation and off-course hospitality has been very positive and I would like to thank Rob Surgey, Darren Wood, Stuart Barr, and their teams for all their hard work in the lead up to and delivery of all the events held.
A note from Nick... How time flies! Eight weeks into life at Burhill and I still get a sense of awe when I turn off Burwood Road and head down the driveway to the club. It really is a special place and I feel lucky to be here. Thank you for your very warm welcome. I have been extremely pleased to meet so many members at various competitions and events, including The Iveagh Bowl, Grannies and Binkie Biggs Cup, The Coronation Cup, Vets Invitation, Member’s Q&A and Captain’s Charity Day. There’s lots to do, some things to improve and a team to support and develop - who all feel a sense of pride when days go well and a sense of frustration when some moments don’t. It’s about how we learn and improve that is most important. June was certainly a very enjoyable and busy month at Burhill with 16 (home) club matches, 22 competitions, The Open Regional Qualifier and SLGCA County 2
I hope you enjoy reading this latest newsletter – there’s lots of varied content covering all aspects of the club. You’ll notice that we are not “telling members off ” in this issue. So, no moans and groans about broken tees, poor bunker raking, or practicing on the course! We hope that common sense prevails, and that we all exercise the right etiquette to support one another. Onto July. Enjoy the 150th Open. Enjoy our Club Champs. And, most importantly, enjoy your golf at this great club. If I can be of any assistance or you’d like a chat over a coffee, please drop me a line and I’ll happily make some time. Nick Moran, General Manager In this edition: • Quick wins Nick Moran, General Manager • Ongoing projects Nick Moran, General Manager • Golf courses update Rob Surgey, Senior Course Manager • Golf operations update Darren Wood, Head of Golf Operations • Clubhouse update Stuart Barr, Head of Clubhouse Operations
Quick wins There are some competition winner’s prizes stored in the Pro Shop, including some 2020 and 2021 Club Championship crystal. We have emailed all relevant members, so please feel free to pop in soon to collect.
Focus on the basics
There is always progress that can be made, and our team is committed to driving the very highest standards. Some recent projects include: - Consistent communication of Club, Bar, Kitchen, Range and Pro Shop opening hours - 1st tee step development and planting - Presentation of practice nets - Maintenance of the Captain’s Garden - Further Clubhouse cleaning recruitment
Ongoing projects New bag and trolley store
We have made a £350,000 investment into improving the storage facilities. Work began in May, and will be completed by the end of this year, enabling members to store their bags securely. The facility will also house club electric trolleys that will be available to rent on a subscription basis.
Parasols
By early August, new parasols will have been installed on the patio outside the Honours Bar. Supply issues have caused a slight delay with this project, but we are confident that you will be delighted with the end product. The new structures will boast heating and lighting and will provide pleasant shade to enjoy some food or drink.
Clubhouse water supplies
We are planning some improvements to our clubhouse water supply and waste outputs. Our systems are as old as the Clubhouse, so we will be upgrading them to remain fit for purpose.
Lead roof
Progress continues on the roof above The Captain’s Bar, which will be completed by mid-July. Our contractors are doing their best to keep the noise down, with work planned around important diary dates.
Changes to the Old Course 5th & 6th holes
During a members’ Q&A on 24th June, cohosted by our Course Architect, Tim Lobb, we revealed some proposed changes to the 5th and 6th holes on the Old Course. We have shared slides from Tim’s presentation through Intelligent Golf, and some historical drawings are available on the Elmbridge Council website. The purpose of these changes is to reduce road crossing points, enhancing the playing experience. Weather permitting, work will begin after Christmas, with the new green in play late spring/early summer 2023. Additional proposed changes to the 1st and 9th holes will be considered as part of future phases.
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5th hole
Will become a dogleg into the new green – constructed using turf from the current 5th green. Strategic bunkering, mounding and tree planting will run alongside the road.
6th hole
Extended, new back tee will be installed where the current 5th green sits.
In other news… Cost pressures
Across the BGL Group, we are working hard to resist cost increases. Fuel, utilities, greenkeeping materials, and food and beverage prices are on the rise. Likewise, raw meat ingredients are up by as much as 30%. In the future, we may need to pass these increases on but, as ever, we will take a broad view of the hospitality industry and local golf clubs to ensure that we remain competitive while offering value when making these decisions. Net promoter score Member, guest, and visitor feedback is greatly appreciated. We track our Net Promoter Score (NPS), which is a measure of member satisfaction, and a ‘willingness to recommend’. This feedback is shared with the entire team on a weekly basis and provides fuel to our fire. All members receive three or four emails per year, and scores provided fall into three categories: promoters, passives, and detractors. The NPS is calculated by taking the total of promoters from the total of detractors. We do our best to listen to, and act on, constructive feedback while also celebrating successes. It is just as important to tell us when we are doing well, as when we’re not.
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Golf course update
Rob Surgey, Senior Course Manager In late May and early June, we received some much-needed rain which helped with the soil moisture deficit after the dry weather in April and early May. Both courses have picked up nicely after fairway scarification and fertiliser application, with particular improvement on the fairways and aprons. We have continued our fairway wetting agent programme this year, helping to move water into the soil profile after heavy rain, rather than running off into low areas. As you can see, the fairways are looking good as we head into a busy competition and match schedule.
Six new tee mowers
We are due to take delivery of six brandnew tee mowers in the coming weeks. This important £40k investment will further enhance the presentation of our playing surfaces.
Additional reservoir
We have received the draft extraction license from the Environment Agency and engaged a specialist contractor to help with the planning application for our new reservoir. The removal of debris during construction will not pose a problem as the material will be used to form the surround of the reservoir. We will keep you informed on progress.
Bunkers
Recently, we have checked the sand depths in all bunkers on the New Course. Where necessary we have moved sand and added more, before ‘wacker plating’ to firm up the base. We will now go through the same process on the Old Course.
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The bunkers on the 8th, 13th, and 17th on the Old Course are beginning to settle and the sand is gradually firming up due to rainfall. Please refrain from walking up the bunker faces when entering or exiting, as this destabilises the face, making balls plug.
13th pond New Course
We have removed a great deal of water fern from the pond on the 13th hole, making the water much clearer. We have also treated the water to prevent this invasive weed from spreading again.
Before 6
After
Spring Meeting Medal:
Jing Wang Ji with a gross score of 74
Golf operations update
Darren Wood, Head of Golf Operations Competition Results
Spring Meeting Foursomes:
Ann Hynes & Linda Watson with 41 stableford point
Congratulations to the following Members in our recent competitions:
Coronation Cup:
Michael Buckingham, Nett 65+73 = 138
Vets Invitational:
Won by David Roddy (from our neighbours in KT13!)
U.13 and U.14 Surrey County Champs at Dulwich & Sydenham Hill: Aaron Moody with a score of 76
Ladies Senior Club Championship:
Platinum Jubilee Goblets:
Adrian Bowles & Melanie Smith with 47 stableford points
Debbie Richards won with a gross 79
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Knockout Competition bookings
Members can book tee times for knockout matches 14 days in advance. Please contact the Pro Shop to book.
72-hole challenge
Well done to members Shaughan Stephens, Andrew Stephens, Richard Gordon, and guest Jeremy Niland on completing 72 holes in a day in aid of The Felix Project & Mind, on June 17th. The group started round one at 4:30am on the Old Course and finished at 8:30pm on the New Course.
Thursday 7th July TaylorMade Fitting Sunday 10th July Ladies Club Championship
Open Championship sweepstake
Monday 11th July PING Fitting
Twilight Green fee offer
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th Club Championship
Pop into the Pro Shop to draw a player(s) for our Open sweepstake. £15 per entry and great prizes. Bring a guest from 5pm and enjoy our summer twilight offer with a buggy included. - Midweek - £48 (saving £28) - Weekend - £58 (saving £30)
Checking in
We are no longer stopping members or guests in cars as they drive past the Pro Shop on arrival. Marshals will now be spending more time on the courses, and we ask members to check in through the Pro Shop prior to their round.
Extended weekend tee times
Following your feedback, we have extended summer weekend tee times to allow early-birds to start at 7am, allowing more members to get out on the course.
Upcoming club fitting events - TaylorMade – Thursday 7th July (11:00am-3:00pm) - PING – Monday 11th July (10:00am – 2:00pm) 8
Dates for the diary
Tuesday 19th July Lady Captain’s Day Monday 25th July Barker Shield (10-hole Stableford for over 75s) Saturday 30th July New Zealand Shield
Clubhouse update
Stuart Barr, Head of Clubhouse Operations The Platinum Jubilee Goblets were contested on June 2nd, with a fantastic turnout of over 100 golfers and additional members joining in the evening for Pimm’s, BBQ, and live music. Thanks go to all those that attended.
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We are also pleased to announce the return of Monkey 47 and Silent Pool gins to the Honours Bar. Try one with a refreshing Fever Tree Tonic on the terrace this summer.
Team and recruitment
Recruitment continues at Burhill in all aspects of the business. A good working environment is essential, so I’d like to thank our team for making all new members of staff feel so welcome.
I am particularly pleased that Silent Pool (based in the Surrey Hills) returns to our shelves, as we continue to support local suppliers where possible. ‘The Ginger Breadman Bakery’ will also soon begin supplying us with fresh cakes and pastries, that can be enjoyed in the Honours Bar.
Summer BBQs and Sunday Carvery As of July 2nd, we will be introducing a weekly summer Saturday BBQ on the terrace between 12pm and 3pm. Further ahead, our Sunday Carvery will resume in October. 10
Ethan Millham
Go Local
Aga Zygmuntowicz
Furthermore, Aga Zygmuntowicz and Ethan Millham have both been promoted to the position of Supervisor, in recognition of their performance. Congratulations to both.
Regional Open Qualifier
Congratulations to Ben Wedmaier from Australia, who won the Regional Open Qualifier held over the New Course on June 20th with a score of -4. Only one other player managed to break par on a tricky scoring day. We are exceptionally proud to have played host for this five-year cycle, which has now come to a close, meaning the qualifier will now move to another venue.
Feedback on the club and course from Roger Bathurst at the R&A and Jeremy Tomlinson, CEO of England Golf, was extremely complimentary. We are already in contact with England Golf and the R&A regarding Burhill’s support of future events and competitions, and our sincere thanks goes out to all those who have volunteered during the Open Qualifying series. Thank you for reading the latest edition of the Burhill Newsletter Please feel free to contact us 01932 227 345
BURHILL GOLF CLUB Burwood Road Walton on Thames Surrey KT12 4BX 11