Welcome to the December club newsletter. To make you all aware, in 2023 these newsletters will be published every other month, starting in February. I will of course send more regular updates in a slightly different format.
Robin Cheng General Manager
Having chatted to a few members about the direction of the club, it occurred that our Vision hasn’t been laid out. Despite continuing to make changes and improvements, our end goal hasn’t yet been communicated. So, here goes:
I would like to make Redbourn a club that its members can be proud of. A place where you bring guests to show off what you are a part of. I want it to be a place where all staff members take pride in and enjoy working at. A place where visiting golfers want to play due to its standing in the area.
I’d like to think that this is a vision shared by all, and rest assured that everything we are trying to achieve here will lead us to that overall goal. All changes/improvements made have been led by feedback from members, and I will continue to listen to ideas and advice.
Thank you again to the members who provided feedback in our November survey. It is, as always, very valuable to hear what you are thinking.
The main feedback points in November were of friendly professional staff, but also of slow play, and the difficulty of getting tee times.
We’re now in the period of the year where daylight is scarce. The course is playing long, and the leaves continue to cause havoc. These are all factors that contribute to slower play. However, our marshals will continue to get out onto the course and speed up play wherever possible. Please adopt Ready Golf wherever you can.
I recently sent a communication explaining that we are experiencing some issues with our system. Our IT team are continuing to look for a solution.
With limited times available in the winter, and groups not able to get consecutive tee times, I understand your frustrations. While we will stay with a two-week booking window for all in fairness, if we can help out by contacting certain groups to arrange the tee sheet better after booking, then we will gladly do so.
Well done to Glen Barker who has won this month’s prize. You have three complimentary guest passes available to use whenever you wish, just get in touch with me to organise.
GM Updated continued on the next page...
Please ensure that if you need to cancel a tee time, you do so with as much notice as possible. This can be done through the app. This gives other members the opportunity to book that time or move their booking if needed.
Another point to clarify is buggy usage in the winter months. Essentially, we run on a three-tier system. See below:
General use buggies – General use buggies will be allowed when ground conditions are dry, safe, and won’t impact on the condition of the course.
Medical buggies only – Despite wet conditions, if it is safe enough to do so, we will offer buggies to those that require one for medical reasons.
All buggies off – If the course is deemed unsafe for buggies, or people may get stuck, then none will be allowed on the course.
I understand the confusion in that we are trying to promote people using carry bags in the winter to protect the course, while also having buggies out. Through this winter, it’s more than likely that buggies will only be used for medical reasons. Please feel free to reach out at the club if you have any questions.
I’d like to clarify that when there is fog, safety will always take priority and that if a member of staff deems it unsafe to play, then play will be suspended. Since fog is unpredictable and the length of delays is unknown, we will manage the tee sheet as well as possible and potentially look at offering 9-holes to allow at least some form of golf to those who waited. Course status will be updated on the website.
Course / Upcoming Projects / River verIn November, all greens and some of the wetter approaches received an Air2G2 treatment, which penetrates compressed air into the rootzone. This treatment helps to alleviate bacteria and fungus in the rootzone while increasing root depth, enhancing temperature tolerance and assisting drainage. Throughout December the greens have been subject to solid tining which will also help with drainage and root development.
The greens will be cut when weather conditions allow and are rolled regularly to help with smoothness and speed. Our new sorrel rollers which roll and shallow spike the greens help to get air into the surface, reducing the organic matter and firming up the greens.
Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year, Redbourn
The river de-silting is almost finished with the final visible stretch between the 8th and 7th
bridge. Work on the 9th pond is now also complete with banks contoured and water collecting in both the pond and drainage channel.
Happy to report the temporary crossing next to the 8th tee has now been removed. Would all golfers kindly use the main bridge to access the tee and avoid crossing any dry riverbeds.
Very high rainfall in November has increased the chances of full flow by March. Leaf and debris removal from the riverbed, especially the spring area, will continue through December.
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If you’re looking to buy a golf-related gift for the golfer or golfers in your life this Christmas, Redbourn Golf Club has got all the bases covered this festive season.
To help you save time and money, we have selected a range of classic golfing gifts that will be welcomed by golfers, whatever their skill level.
Steve Hunter Director of GolfCobra All Weather Glove £8.99
Footjoy Pro Dry socks £7.99
PING waterproof jacket £99.99
Bushnell Phantom GPS £99.99
OJ Bobble Hat £19.99
Footjoy Rain Gloves Pair £19.99
Cube three-wheel trolley £159.99 or Bushnell Elite Watch £179.99
7-inch Pencil stand bag £49.99 PING Bobble Hat £24.99
Galvin Green Arlie Jacket £229.99 or Bushnell V5 Laser £299.99
I would like to thank everybody that has booked in for one of our ‘Guiney Pig’ custom fit sessions. Ollie and James are gaining valuable experience and are growing in confidence with every custom fit they carry out. With your help and feedback, they are both developing into accomplished fitters, especially under the watchful eye of our Head Custom Fitter, Charlie Turner. If you would be interested in a training custom fit session, I’d be delighted to book it in for you.
RBL Poppy Challenge raises / O’Connor Trophy
£717
Our RBL Poppy Challenge was a huge success, with 43 golfers raising £717 for the Royal British Legion. Gold Medal winner, with 37 stableford points was Jeremy Tatham Pat Lynch, with 36 points finished second, beating Toni Poltorak on countback. Dave Jacques won Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 11th hole, making a birdie.
Chris Halls won the O’Connor Trophy with a stableford score of 31 points. Given the format of this fun competition with two clubs and a putter, there was some decent scoring!
Graham Walker was runner up with 30 points, just pipping Hugh Crawford on countback. Eddie Fung won the Hidden Holes Competition with a score of 8 points overall on the 7th, 11th and 15th.
With temperatures dropping, daylight waning, and Christmas trees up, winter is properly upon us. Christmas is just around the corner, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
If you are getting out on the course over the festive period, please remember you are encouraged to carry your clubs if possible, as this will help to protect the course during these colder months.
Deudon Ladies CaptainMary Bromfield
Turkey Trot Round 2
Jane Clapham and Di Ritson-Hall
Remembrance
Pendleton Cup Shirley Deudon
Turkey Trot Round 3 Paula Craddock
Turkey Trot Round 4 Dee Tolman
The Pearson season continues and on Thursday 24th November, the team played at home against The Hertfordshire. Once again, the team won the match and currently sit top of the group, winning 3/3 so far. Fantastic play from all!
Thank you to all those who participated in our recent survey, which was sent to those who play on a regular basis. We had 32 responses this time. We’ll digest the results and use this information to help us make the best possible decisions moving forward.
The draw took place on December 1st, and the winners were:
1st Prize - £40 – JOHN BARBER
2nd Prize - £30 – KARL WINGFIELD
3rd Prize - £20 – CHRIS DYBLE
On behalf of the Redbourn Ladies Section Committee, we would like to thank you for your fantastic support during 2022, and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
