MEMBERS NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2025
2023 was our wettest year on record, but 2024 wasn’t far behind as our second wettest on record. We have also seen a wet start to 2025, with 100mm of rainfall throughout the month of January, compared to the 66mm of rain in January 2024. With two years of above average rainfall, the ground is very much sitting at or close to its maximum water table level. This is why we now often see the greens puddling quicker and taking longer to drain, also resulting in longer periods of course closure.
AN UPDATE FROM... SARAH BLUNDEN
General Manager
I don’t know about you, but this winter seems to have lasted a lifetime. The brighter evenings and sunnier days still seem to be a long way off. We are all very much looking forward to that first warm and sunny day, where it feels like the new golfing season is back with us. I can’t wait to see those fairways striped up, the greens freshly cut and a patio full of members again.
However, we are very lucky to have our own weather station located on-site, which allows us to very accurately record the weather that we’ve seen. Not only does this allow us to look back on daily, weekly and monthly weather patterns across the years, but it also offers a forecasting tool for the coming week, which Barry and his greenkeeping team can use to plan their schedule. The weather station allows us to look in detail at items such as evapotranspiration and barometric pressure, both of which are used to help us control how we manage our golf course. This includes vital greens maintenance such as how much water to put on the greens, when to spray and when the greens will need dewing. We believe that statistics are extremely important in longterm course maintenance, which is why we use every bit of information at our disposal to manage issues such as saturated greens and work towards the ever-improving standard of our courses.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS
For the last decade we have been an industry leader in sustainable golf and climate action. Back in 2012, Hoebridge, along with the nine other BGL sites, became the world’s first multi-site operator to achieve the international sustainability award; GEO Certified. GEO certification recognises golf businesses that demonstrate a commitment to providing more and more value to people and nature at the courses they manage.
Items such as our weather station play a key part in how we sustainably manage our golf courses. As we move forward into 2025, our commitment to sustainability remains as strong as ever with the introduction of a new electric greens roller and electric bunker bike. Alongside this, we will also be replacing our irrigation system control panel, which, whilst also giving peace of mind that this important piece of kit is as up to date as it can be, will also ensure that we are watering our course in the most efficient way possible.
CANCELLATION OF TEE TIMES
Although we are starting to see the mornings and evenings becoming lighter, and with this the additional tee times it allows, tee time availability is still at a premium - especially at the weekends. I would like to take this opportunity to issue a reminder about cancelling any unused tee times to enable both members and visitors alike to have access to the golf course if you no longer need it.
Cancelling or modifying a tee time is very straightforward and can be completed in the following ways:
• Through the booking history section of the Elite Live App (24 hours + in advance)
• By contacting the Pro Shop (01483) 722611 (6am-9pm)
• By emailing the pro shop proshop@ hoebridgegc.co.uk at any time
As soon as a tee time is cancelled, the booking availability will show immediately on the Elite Live app, thereby allowing other members to book.
We monitor missed tee times daily. Should a member have booked a tee time, but then hasn’t turned up to use it, we will, in the first instance, call and issue a reminder email on how to cancel. However, if after three reminders we are still finding that a member is booking but not attending tee times, then they risk having their booking rights suspended. We want to ensure that as many of you as possible can get out to play at the times that you’d like. Cancelling tee times when you’re unable to use them is a key aspect in freeing as many tee times as
possible for other members to use. Thank you very much to those of you who do cancel your tee times in advance, it is very much appreciated.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AND EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER:
We couldn’t do what we do without having a brilliant team of people working with us at Hoebridge. Each quarter and at the end of the year, we vote for a team member who has stood out in providing excellent service, supporting across departments and ensuring their role is completed to a very high standard.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2024 DANI MILLWARD
Dani is our Front of House Manager. She has shown fantastic performance and development across the whole year. She has a positive impact both back of house and front of house and creates a positive mentality within the team, whilst ensuring that standards are maintained. She has a fantastic can-do positive attitude which filters out across the rest of the Hoebridge team.
EMPLOYEE OF LAST QUARTER 2024 FRANCES BAKER
Frances is our Sales Administrator who systematically ensures that all our functions, golf days and members events run smoothly. She is always busy beavering away ensuring that our members and guests get the most out of their days with us.
In the last quarter she was instrumental in ensuring Christmas parties were organised, that meal choices were gathered and that the table plans were correct. She has a fantastic rapport with all our members and guests and is an important pin in the sales team’s cog.
BGL AWARDS NIGHT 2024
On 6th February, we had the honour of attending the annual BGL Awards Night. This evening is a chance for all the BGL sites to get together and celebrate each other’s success. This year, we were delighted to see the Hoebridge teams’ hard work being recognised with us taking home three trophies.
• Health and Safety Standards
• Financial Control Standards
• HR Standards
All three of these trophies indicate the excellent processes that have been put in place that help to ensure we’re able to successfully offer you all the best service possible.
I am so proud of the entire team at Hoebridge and I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication across 2024.
GOLF MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Our main membership renewal period is just around the corner, with many of your golf memberships due before 1st April 2025. For those of you renewing in this main renewal period, you will be sent your renewal information via email before the end of February.
For those who pay annually, the renewal process is very straightforward and you can renew via the Elite Live App.
Please make sure you contact me or one of the team should you have any questions or wish to discuss other membership options (including upgrading to our Lifestyle Membership which makes the most of Hoebridge by giving access to both golf and the gym).
Finally, I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our Golf AGM on Tuesday 18th February, where I will be joined by Barry (Course Manager) to give a summary on 2024 and to update you on 2025.
Thank you!
Sarah
AN UPDATE FROM...
HAYLEY
Sales Manager
Hi everyone!
We are delighted to confirm that we have planned our 2025 events, which are displayed across the club in various locations.
UPCOMING EVENTS…
Whether you are looking to test your trivia at our curry & quiz nights, enjoy the magic of theatre, or treat your mother, we have it all covered for you!
Curry & Quiz Nights: 6th February, 6th March, 8th May and 5th June
Test your trivia and general knowledge by getting a team together and entering our quiz night.
A Night at the Musicals: 22nd March
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the world of musicals, this tribute promises to enchant and entertain in equal measure.
Mother’s Day: 30th March
Dive into a scrumptious two-course roast dinner that will tantalise your taste buds. Remember… as a member of Hoebridge, you are entitled to discounts across all our events, please check with our sales team for availability.
Hayley and the Sales Team
COURSE MANAGER REPORT
BARRY GARDNER Course Manager
When I was a young lad, way back in the 80’s, the predictions for the year 2025 were along the lines of us travelling around on hover boards or in flying cars, space travel would be as commonplace as flying abroad, and robots would be taking over the world. Well, with all the current modern-day technology, we are still not experiencing such things, but we are seeing a big change, even in such humble things as grass cutting machinery.
For a while now, there have been robot mowers and ball collectors for driving ranges, unfortunately, the reliability is not always there, especially as they come under fire from numerous golf balls and don’t seem to like cold, wet, muddy conditions.
Autonomous greens and fairway mowers have been developed, and I have even seen an autonomous bunker raking machine!
irrigation control panel and pumps to more energy-efficient models.
What does this mean to you as a member?
The main difference you will notice is the noise or lack of it, but you can also know that you are playing golf and are a member at a golf centre that is serious about our mission to be a sustainable business.
All this modern technology is great, but it doesn’t beat the ‘boots on the ground effect’, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hard-working greenkeepers, gardener, range assistants, and Adventure Golf assistant, without them working out in all weathers and just getting the job done, then we would be a lot worse off!
These modern winters are tough, as we are striving to get winter projects complete whilst still having to mow grass and carry out work that we never had to do in winters gone by. Nevertheless the team have installed some new tee steps on the 8th and the 9th. the ones on the 9th tees are not necessarily designed to be used for all but were installed after numerous comments regarding members who have to use a buggy to get around the site, and due to the steepness of the slope would have park at the front of the tee and have to walk back and forth when the markers are on the back half of the tee.
This year, thanks to our continual investment, we are continuing our mission to upgrade our maintenance fleet with electric equipment. We will be taking delivery of an electric green’s roller and an electric bunker bike, as well as replacing our CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Whilst on the subject of steps and slopes, we are looking at options for the right-hand
bank on the 13th. This is not an easy fix due to the steepness of the bank and whether the bank would need stabilising if we were to do any work there. We also need to consider the steepness of the steps or slope that will be created, as well as the wear that would be created at the top and bottom of any new steps/path. We are continually monitoring this area and will encourage golfers to head towards the back right section, using post and rope to guide towards a dryer exit.
The bunkers that Callum Mckie has skilfully constructed on the 6th and 16th look amazing. We have had a company called Profusion in to install the rubber crumb base/liner and our team are applying the finishing touches with turf. We should have them back fully in play by the start of April. The aim is more of the same next winter, with the 2nd and 12th holes being next on the list. We are also purchasing a small 360 digger to allow us to get into the worst fairway bunkers and install new drainage so we can improve them going forwards as well.
Let us hope for some early spring warmth so we can get some much-needed recovery following another wet winter.
Barry and the greens team
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Hi Everyone,
This month I wanted to share with you a recipe that you can not only enjoy eating here at Hoebridge but can also give a try yourselves at home.
Our Homemade Apple and Cinnamon Strudel will be available to buy as one of our specials across all of February.
Here’s how it’s done:
Apple & Cinamon Strudel (serves 5)
Ingredients:
• 1kg Bramley apples
• 200g caster sugar
• 150g sultanas
• 15g cinnamon powder
• 2 tbsp vanilla essence
• 30ml water
• Puff pastry block
• One egg (for egg wash)
Method:
1. Peel apples, cut into quarters, cut out core, and dice into cm pieces
2. Make a syrup using water, sugar and vanilla essence
3. Add apples, sultanas and cinnamon
4. Stir in gently on a low heat, continue to cook until apples are cooked
5. When cooked, cool mix down in fridge
6. Roll out a puff pastry square 16cm wide,18cm long
7. Add 180g of the apple mix onto the pastry square, slightly off centre
8. Fold the pastry over and press all the air out, then trim off edges and press with a fork to seal in the mix
9. Score the top gently with a knife (criss-cross pattern) not going through the pastry
10. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar
11. Bake in oven at 180 degrees for 15mins on some greaseproof paper
Be careful, the inside will be very hot!
See you all soon!
Gavin - Head Chef
GOLF OPERATIONS
UPDATE
IAN HAYWARD
Head Professional
Hi Everybody,
Every day is like Christmas in the pro shop currently with new products arriving from our suppliers daily!
Our new spring/summer clothing and footwear ranges from leading manufacturers such as Under Armour (new for 2025), Ping, Puma, J Lindeberg, Nike, Footjoy, Oscar Jacobson and Stuburt have now started to arrive in store! Now could be the perfect time to freshen up your wardrobe as we look forward to lighter evenings, better weather and hopefully lots more golf!
In addition to the apparel, the latest hardware ranges from Cobra (DS Adapt), Ping (G440), Titleist (GT) and Taylormade (Qi35) have now arrived in store and are available for purchase and/or for custom fitting through our extensive range of fitting options.
NEW FROM COBRA
Introducing the new DS-ADAPT family. The DS-ADAPT range is packed full of technology, including the FutureFit33, which offers 33 unique lofts and lie settings tailored to your
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ball flight on your drivers and fairways. They are designed to provide distance, stability and playability all in one package.
NEW FROM TITLEIST
Introducing the all new GT1 from Titleist. The GT1 offers the biggest technological leap ever in the Titleist drivers and fairways. An ultra-lightweight construction lays the foundation for the deepest centre of gravity in the lineup, which delivers effortless speed, high launching and added forgiveness.
CUSTOM FIT DEMO DAYS
For those specifically interested in the latest offerings from Cobra and Titleist, we have the following demo days booked for
February:
• Cobra Demo Day: Thursday 13th
February - 11am – 3pm
• Titleist Demo Day: Thursday 27th February - 10am – 3pm
Using the cutting-edge Trackman
technology used by the world’s top golfers, the fitting experts will fit your clubs to enhance your performance, improve your consistency and most importantly lower your scores.
This is a fantastic opportunity to have a brand specific fitting from the manufacturer. Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment!
Bookings can be made by either calling the pro shop on 01483 722611 or by emailing proshop@hoebridgegc.co.uk at any time.
If these dates do not work, please remember that every day is a fitting day at Hoebridge and we offer this service completely free of charge to all of our members!
CUSTOM FITTING – THE BENEFITS
To understand the benefits of having your golf clubs custom fitted, please see the article below from our custom fit technician Jonny White.
It’s a new year, which luckily means for everyone reading this newsletter, new product has launched from all our leading manufacturers. I hope this isn’t the case and I’m repeating myself when saying this, but I hope you all know about our custom fitting facility by now.
Several years ago, Sports and Leisure Research Group undertook a study to identify the importance of custom fitting and how many people were having a custom fitting or
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purchasing clubs off the rack…
Their first findings were that 90% of golfers were playing with golf clubs that do not fit them properly. Now, this could be static measurements such as lie angle and length of this club, it also includes head type, shaft, grip, etc. Already, an alarming percentage! Nine out of ten people aren’t even getting fit for equipment.
Following this, 92% of the golfers who were custom fitted using a launch monitor realised immediate benefits with their new equipment. With eight out of the golfers hitting the ball more accurately and more consistently. 22% of people who were fitted reduced their scores by two strokes, while 56% saw a reduction in their scores of five strokes or more per round.
To reiterate the importance of custom fitting with us, you are all more likely to see these kinds of improvements in your scores, confidence, sometimes injury prevention, with a comprehensive and custom fitting service, which we provide here at Hoebridge. We have a huge selection of clubheads and shafts from Ping, TaylorMade, Titleist, Cobra and Yonex.
If you’re still unsure, please feel free to ask us any questions or come down and have a fitting, it’s FREE for members.
Hope to see you all soon.
Jonny White - Head Custom Fit Technician
H&F UPDATE
RYAN STONEHOUSE H&F Manager
Hello Members,
In this newsletter, I would like to introduce you to our newest Personal Trainer – Lee Pratt.
Lee joined the team at the start of January and has enjoyed getting to know you all, as well as getting settled into our weekly class timetable.
A WORD FROM LEE PRATT
With a lifelong commitment to fitness and a background in bodybuilding, I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge and expertise with you.
Since the age of 15, I have spent countless hours in the gym, sometimes training twice CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
a day, at least seven times a week. This dedication to training has become a fundamental part of my lifestyle, and now I am eager to guide you on your fitness journey.
I have competed in several bodybuilding competitions, proudly placing 6th in the IFBB South African Junior National Championships. Now, I am following my dream and passion of being a personal trainer, and I am excited to support you in reaching your fitness goals.
Whether you are looking to improve your overall fitness and lifestyle, lose weight, enhance your physical appearance, or increase your strength and endurance, I am here to help. Let’s work together to create a personalised training plan that meets your unique needs and goals. With my experience and dedication, I am confident we can achieve great results.
Join me on this journey to a healthier, stronger, and happier you. Together, we can make your fitness dreams a reality.
PERSONAL TRAINING OFFER
Here at Gym at Hoebridge we pride ourselves on having some of the best personal trainers in Surrey. If you’re looking to lose weight, improve your shape, train for an event or generally improve your health and wellbeing, we have a trainer to suit you.
Each trainer has a different approach to living a healthier lifestyle be sure to check out their individual profiles to see which trainer suits you best.
Thank you for reading the latest Members News.
Please feel free to contact us on 01483 722611
HOEBRIDGE GOLF CENTRE