September / October 2024
AN UPDATE FROM...
Theresa Plimmer General Manager
Moving into the latter part of the year – 2024 has been one of the most challenging. Each new year brings along different issues and it’s sometimes difficult to navigate.
In September, we made the difficult decision to remove three of our members from Ramsdale Park. I am confident that the decision was for the good of the club, and despite a subsequent downward trend in our customer survey score, I am confident that with full transparency, this will recover imminently.
We suffered from terrible flooding, resulting in hole closures and equipment failures. However, we have steadied the ship and resolved all issues quickly, allowing ourselves more time to continue with ongoing installations like the new practise nets.
I would like to thank you all for your patience. The support the team and I get from our members is fantastic.
With some good fortune, the weather holds out for the last quarter of 2024 and we can finish on a high!
Members Events
Two member events are around the corner, free of charge for all. Please make an effort to participate!
1. Members Range Night: Free balls & free food!
Fancy a chance to win a cash prize and enter some driving range competitions? On the 20th of November, from 6-9:30pm, it’s winner takes all. You’re in good hands with the pro available to help out and hot food provided on the night.
All entry fees at £5 entry per person, are paid back to the winners! Be sure to include the full name of each member in the booking, which can be done here: https://www. ibookedonline.com/ramsdale-park-golfcentre/events-2024/trackman-member-
range-night
2. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year!
On Friday, 22nd November at 7pm, our very own Carole Lilley will be hosting the Big Fat Quiz of the Year! £10 entry per team of up to 6 people, £2 will go to the ladies charity and the rest will be up for grabs for the winners! Book in, here: https://www.ibookedonline. com/ramsdale-park-golf-centre/events-2024/ member-quiz-night
Slow Play
Slow play in golf is a common issue that can be caused by several factors, including not keeping up with the group ahead, using the wrong club, or not raking bunkers. It can be a problem for weekend golfers, but professional golfers are expected to maintain their position on the course rather than complete their rounds in a certain amount of time.
We must speed it up, especially in competitions. No visitors go out before the competitions – it is all members. Keeping up with the group in front is an absolute must. One factor could be the number of new golfers to the game. We thought it might be a good idea to have a Q& A with a couple of the pros. If this would be of interest to anyone, we can certainly make this happen. Please let me know if you would attend.
New CEO For Burhill Group Limited
As some will already know, Colin Mayes, our CEO is stepping down to pursue other ventures.
Colin had a lasting effect on the members and staff at Ramsdale Park, by making a point of visiting every department and taking the time to have conversations with the team.
Simon Thompson
Simon Thompson has joined BGL as our new Chief Executive Officer.
Simon joins BGL from Bourne Leisure Group where he worked for 14 years, with the last eight of those spent as Managing Director of Warner Hotels, the UK-based leisure hotel business.
Speaking on his excitement at joining BGL, Thompson commented:
“I am privileged and excited to be able to join the Burhill Group as CEO at such an exciting
time in its development. I have been really impressed with the Burhill team that I’ve met and the culture of the business.”
I am really excited to show him how far Ramsdale Park has come – and the vision for where we want it to be. I am proud of what we (members and the team) have achieved in the last few years and look forward to showing the warm and friendly atmosphere you guys create in the bar and on the course.
Drainage!
You will have seen a lot of the work that’s happened on the 5th, 6th and 10th. The greenkeepers have been pulling 10-hour days to complete the work alongside the contractors, so a special thanks to them! We have put in for a further £100K for extra drainage works next year.
Please be aware that the area around the greens will be the focus of this work, to limit the rainfall that runs onto them. Oversanding took place to ensure a dip didn’t form over our drains, so there is work to be done yet to tidy this up.
Practice Nets
As mentioned earlier, we are behind schedule but the digging has commenced! Dave ‘The Digger’ Marshall has been at it this week - and we are on!
Chipping area
I know this can be an issue for you guys. I am constantly looking at different ideas to resolve. As you know it’s a problem of space. We have a few options to consider (and any ideas you have would be welcome!). This will not be a quick fix. We need to ensure we get it right and I will keep you updated!
In Memory of Winston Jones
I was devastated to hear the news that Winston Jones had passed away. Our flag is at halfmast as a mark of respect. Many of you will remember Winston. He was quite the character that would play with anyone and always had a story.
Winston joined the club in 1995 and often played with the Seniors, the Par 3 club, and the ladieshe also held a number of records at the club! My thoughts are with Yvonne and all the family at this very sad time.
Members are invited to the funeral on Tuesday 29th October at Gedling Crematorium at 11 am. Winston’s wake will be held here at Ramsdale
COURSE REPORT
Johnny Evans Course Manager
Hi all,
First, I’d like to say thank you for your patience during the recent drainage and greens maintenance work over the last couple of weeks. Obviously, for health and safety reasons and to enable the work to be completed more quickly, hole closures took place. I understand the frustration among members who just want to play golf, but speeding the work up is better in the long-run!
The drainage work was necessary to avoid the problems we had last winter, with water ending up on the 5th and 6th greens and keeping them shut for most of last winter. We have added drainage around the perimeter of these holes so that it will catch any water before it gets to the greens and divert it away. We have added extra drains to the low lying areas to allow for better playing conditions during wet weather. The drain lines will be visible all winter until we seed them next spring, so these will be ground under repair (GUR) for winter. The next drainage work will be on holes 11, 12 and 13 in 2025.
The greens work involved Verti-draining with 20mm wide tines penetrating down 300mm to the gravel layer underneath the root zone, this will allow water to pass through the profile quicker and allow air into the profile. We also hollow cored with 10mm tines penetrating 75mm deep, this removes organic matter that has built up over the season. Both operations allow us to introduce sand into the profile which helps firm up the surfaces before winter kicks in.
These operations take time and the quicker we can complete them, the quicker the greens can recover and be back to their best. Once again, thank you for your patience throughout the hole closures while we carry out these essential tasks.
Looking ahead, next week we will begin preparing the base area for the new practice nets which will be located near the 1st tee. This will allow players to have a quick warm-up before their round. This should be completed before Christmas depending on the availability of the materials.
We also have several other projects planned for this winter including path upgrades, tree pruning, re-turfing some areas, some work to the range perimeter, and of course all our usual aeration to ensure we keep improving the courses.
Johnny
HEAD PRO REPORT
Will Davies Head Professional
With what seems to be a very quick summer already over and the golfing season ending, let’s hope for a dry and quick winter and make sure lots of golf is still played! It was great to see the Junior Club Championships return after seven years, and well done to Jack Stoppard and Club Captain Dene Parsons for their work to get this back up and running. A special mention goes to all that played and congratulations to the winner, Oliver England. I look forward to seeing the future talent come through and compete again for the trophy next year.
Pro Shop News
Congratulations to our very own Ben Richardson for passing his PGA degree and becoming a fully qualified PGA Professional. The degree which runs for three years alongside the University of Birmingham involves all aspects from custom fitting and running a golf business to golf coaching. Be sure to say well done when you next check-in for your round in the pro shop!
Get Ready to Golf this Winter
We have an array of new stock that has hit the shop in recent weeks here are some of the latest products and deals.
Under Armour Drive Waterproof
Jacket = £129.99
Trousers = £99.99
Suit Price = £199.99 (SAVE £40.00) Free Under Armour bobble hat when purchasing the suit.
Footjoy Tour Rival Shoes - £99.99
• Performance synthetic leather upper with enhanced moulded ankle collar padding
• Plush EVA midsole provides supportive cushioning and stability
Continued on the next page
• DuraMax™ Rubber outsole with replaceable Pulsar LP cleats by SoftSpikes®
• Wrap-around mudguard increases control and durability
• Underfoot cushioning from a high-density moulded EVA FitBed®
• 1 Year Waterproof Guarantee
Pavior Pumas Ladies Rugby
We are proud to sponsor Paviors Pumas Ladies Rugby, their first ever ladies team! They are making history by having their first home game on Sunday.
Charity 10K Raises Over 10K
On Sunday I ran 10K with a group of friends raising funds for Nottingham University Hospitals Charity where a dear friend was sadly diagnosed and still fighting the battle.
As a group, we have raised an outstanding amount of money - £10,445 – with Ramsdale Members contributing over £1200 to support the cause.
The BurkittBusters are a group of friends, who are running the Mansfield 10K on Sunday,
September 8th, to raise money to donate to Nottingham City Hospital. The donation will be dedicated to the team of doctors and nurses who have taken care of someone very special to us who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma called Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Burkitt’s Lymphoma is aggressive and develops quickly, but due to the rapid response of the team at City Hospital, our friend is doing amazingly well and blitzing through the cocktail of chemotherapy she has been faced with.
We aim to raise some money to give back to those looking after her and are getting her back on the road to enjoying a more appealing cocktail with us all.
Play and Stay Pricing information - Thornbury GC
Christmas At Ramsdale Park..
From Party Nights to Festive lunches – we have you covered!
5 Top Reasons to Choose Ramsdale this year…
1. Hot, homemade delicious food –whether it’s a party or a festive lunch –our team of chefs have cooked off and tarty the new menu. It’s delish!
2. Top Team - Our F&B have won awards for their friendly customer service and fun attitudes. Be looked after the best
3. Great atmosphere – our festive lunches are lovely and relaxed – our party nights are rocking!
4. Avoid busy towns – we are easy to get to with overnight parking – easy!
5. Members discount – you will get 10% off all booking and 10% off all drinks on the night with your members card!
“We had great fun at the Freddy Tribute Xmas party. Food was delicious and the Freddy was brilliant – danced the night away – and I CAN dance!”
Chris Oakes Dec 2024
SENIORS SECTION
Captain’s Comments
Seniors Putting Final Champion
Congratulations to Richard Hone who battled his way through four rounds of intensive competitive putting to win the magnificent Terry Croft sculptured trophy!
TWO SPECIAL SENIORS CELEBRATED
Garth Hallam - 90
Richard Hone - 70
