Ramsdale Park - Member News June/July 2023

June - July 2023

AN UPDATE FROM...

Theresa Plimmer General Manager

It’s that time of year where renewals begin to come in thick and fast. Thank you so much to those that renewed before 1st June – it really helped to make sure the process was smooth!

I have been asking for photos – this is to secure your account. These photos mean the pro shop can double check purchases are made by you – and for the bar team to ensure that no one else is using your levy if your card is lost.

Theresa

Slow Play and Extra Marshals

Normally, with the customer surveys that you all get – we have traditionally had positive scores. Recently, the reports of slow play have really damaged your experience on the course.

Lets face it, it’s simply no fun taking five hours to get round the course and I understand your frustrations.

Here is what we have done:

• An extra 30 hours per week of marshalling on the course, meaning Paul, Gary, Brian or Dave are constantly checking and driving round

• New signs on order for the Seely – these will go on a few tees – stating how long it

• Brian stands on the tee every single Saturday and Sunday ensuring groups tee off on time

• Extra training for the marshals to challenge player timings

• No Society golf is allowed to be booked before 11:30 at weekends

Things you can do:

• The rule is three minutes looking for a ball –please do not go over that time

• Keep up with the group in front and forget who is behind you – just concentrate on those in front

• Let people play though – especially if there is a smaller group behind you

• Always take a provisional if there’s a chance your ball is lost

Give Paul Clare a wave when you see him checking for pitch marks and raking bunkers!

Continued on the next page

Pair Up Policy

This can also help slow play. Too often we are seeing tee times booked, and empty slots taken by ‘GUEST BOOKING’. These are not real bookings, and groups are going out as two balls. If you are booking with a member – please get their number and put them in. Any ‘guest’ bookings will be looked at going forwards. I am trying to ensure there are enough tee times for all our members, particularly at the weekend.

We Have Some Sad News To Report

COURSE UPDATE

Bunkers and Semi Rough

With the brutal amount of rain early in the year and the sun taking its sweet time coming out later on, Johnny and his team have had to adapt quickly.

In simple terms - the edges of the bunkers have been battered and are fragile.

We need to keep the heavy machinery off them, and feed them to prevent bald patches. This meant they grew like wildfire!

Had Jonny and his team not done anything the below picture is what we would have ended up with…

Paul Jefferson sadly passed away recently. Many will know Paul, who had a been a member of Ramsdale Park since 1993 without missing a single year, and was Senior Captain in 2012.

His funeral will be held at St Wilfrid’s church in Calverton at 12 noon on Wednesday 28th June. The wake will be held at Ramsdale Park at 1:30pm.

Please pop me an email if you are planning to come and pay your respects so I can help the family with numbers.

The flag will remain at half-mast until 29th June. We will all miss Paul, and our thoughts are with his family.

With the extremes drought and prolonged periods of heavy or constant rain, Johnny must protect all areas of the course for the long-term benefit of the surfaces. This may mean things like cutting heights being raised, areas being left natural and less frequent cutting.

Everything they do is for a reason and with the long-term health of the course in mind.

FREE Members Range Night – Tuesday 6th June

We had another member appreciation night where we laid on free balls and a free delicious curry. We shut the range to visitors, had two fun competitions, and paid out £330 in vouchers. The committee were also there to answer any questions from members. It was a fun night –thanks to all for turning up!

Next one will be another quiz night

Charity Day 15th July

Charity Day is just around the corner. There is an event in the evening, which includes food, and is part of your ticket price so it’s well worth coming back!

Some of the auction lots are brilliant too: ring doorbells, signed sports equipment, and over 30 fourball vouchers including courses such as Woodhall Spa and Hollinwell (among others).

Also up for auction is a guaranteed weekend competition tee time. So you can get your fourball in every single week – you just have to outbid the rest!

There is also the car parking space up for grabs again and well worth a punt, along with a tour of the PING factory.

On that note, if anyone has great items they would like to donate for the raffle or the auction please let us know.

We raised an outstanding amount of money last year and would love to do the same this year.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Charity Day

THIS YEAR WE ARE OFFERING FREE CRAZY GOLF at 5pm, with kids games, upstairs. So you can play, go home, and bring the family back with you.

Get your QUIZ on! Friday 7th July

We will be putting on another Member quiz night with the superb Adam as host. We will have hot food available from the counter at a nominal charge of £5.00. Teams will be up to six people. There will be a few games of sticky 13’s thrown in – so remember your pound coins!

Book your place with Theresa – t.plimmer@ ramsdaleparkgc.co.uk

Sustainability and The Bees!

Yesterday I helped rescue a 25,000 strong swarm off the 3rd Tee. It was super cool. It also marks the start of the bee hives at Ramsdale! This first hive will be called ‘Queen T’ (obviously!)

The bees were taken to Oxton to quarantine for six weeks. I am booked onto a Bee Keeping course that lasts eight weeks. I will then get the daughter from the hive we rescued, get the gear, talk Ian Saunders and Ron Coles (members that are bee keepers) into helping me, and we will have our own Ramsdale Bees!

I will be flogging you all bees wax candles in time for Christmas I reckon…

BGL are absolutely committed to becoming more sustainable, reducing our carbon footprint, improving the eco system and environment. I will be sending you a report of what we have done to reduce emissions, our water preservation, and our seven step plan. I would be really interested in any feedback, thoughts, and ideas you all have too. We only have one planet and as a company we are determined to lessen the impact we have on it.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1st and 2nd July

Club Championships

7th July

Members Quiz night

15th July

Charity Day – Food and presentation at 7pm – free kids golf and games from 5pm

21st July

Abba Tribute (nearly full) £25 for members with food, drink on arrival and live act. Book with Tom via email: t.wilson@ramsdaleparkgc.co.uk

29th July

IAC Cup Board Competition