Redbourn Member Newsletter - February

GM UPDATE -

ROBIN CHENG

Access to Changing Rooms & Toilets

Both men’s and ladies’ changing rooms and toilets now have access from the outside of the clubhouse, rather than having to walk through the professional shop.

The outside pin pads are currently set to turn on at 8am and turn off at 4pm. You will still be able to exit from the changing rooms that way at any time as they are still fire exits.

Dear Redbourn member,

Welcome to the February/March 2023 edition of our members newsletter.

On a personal note, you may see a little less of me in March, as my wife and I are expecting our third child! I will still be answering emails, although slightly less often than normal - but I am sure that the Redbourn team will be able to help you with any questions or queries you may have.

AGM – Monday 13th February

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On Monday 13th February from 19:00, Redbourn will be hosting its annual member’s AGM.

These times will change throughout the year dependent on weather and daylight, and we will keep members updated.

Codes for these will be changed regularly and will be available in the professional shop.

The evening will include committee business, a summary of 2022, a look ahead to Redbourn in 2023, along with the hand over from our current Captains, Matt Perry & Shirley Deudon to incumbent captains Ian Rice and Sheryl Tye.

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Member questions have already been submitted and will also be answered that evening.

I’m looking forward to seeing the attendees ahead of what promises to be a great start to 2023.

CLUB NEWS

Customer Feedback & January Winner

Thank you to all those who have given us feedback in January. There is always work to be done, but I am happy that for the most part that everyone recognises that we are trying to improve club standards. As I am writing this, we haven’t yet completed the month but please see the below summary:

Positive Feedback

• The Friars section

• Very friendly and helpful staff

• Overall standards of the club

• Course conditions

• Good value

• Course and club improvements

Constructive Feedback

• Toilets & changing rooms need an upgrade

• Tee time availability & booking system reform

• Use of mats to protect the tee boxes

• Prices of non-alcoholic drinks

To address what we are doing with some of the issues raised:

The toilets and changing room refurbishments have been signed off - I will keep you all updated on progress.

Recently I sent out a members communication stating I had opened up some more morning tee times at weekends, as well as limiting guest bookings online between November and February, to reduce the pressure on members times.

We have rested some main tee boxes and are using other mown areas, however this year we don’t have the facilities to use mats properly as they need to be set on a stable base, rather than just placed on the ground. They are also more susceptible to frosts in the colder months and therefore risks increase.

We will now be offering a free tea or filter coffee with all breakfasts ordered at the club. This is a members only offer and is valid seven days a week before 12pm.

I will contact the winner of January’s three free guest passes shortly

Course Maintenance

It’s been a good start to 2023 with regards to the golf course maintenance at Redbourn golf club. So far, we have been regularly hand cutting the greens at the height of 5mm to help keep them smooth, but also keep them healthy.

We have spiked the greens at a depth of 4 inches which helps aeration and drainage, especially with all the wet weather we have had. We will also be aerating the tees and approaches.

In recent weeks we have top dressed the wet areas out on the main and short courses.

In February, our plan is to carry on pruning the trees throughout the main course. We have started from the 6th hole and got round to the 9th, and the aim is to finish all 18 holes before the spring.

This will help keep the trees healthy and maintained, but also help speed up the pace of play.

Bunkers

Plans are in place to start bunker renovations soon, once we have nailed down some suitable dates with contractors.

We will be using a concrete capillary drainage system, which has gone into many top end clubs around the world.

The new drainage and lining will allow for improved drainage and the prevention of surface stones in the bunkers.

If anyone is interested in reading more, please click here: Golf course water and moisture control • Capillary Bunkers

River Ver - Paul Geary

Dear golfers,

I’m pleased to report that the Ver is now flowing freely with strong current along the entire stretch of the course, except for its highest point at the rear of the 9th green.

This is a result of the heavy rain over the last couple of months and a resulting rise, for the 2nd consecutive month, in the water table - which now hovers just below 128 meters above sea level.

All channel deepening and silt removal has now been completed, and you can now enjoy crystal clear waters and gravel bottoms to enhance your golfing experience!

The next stage will now be routine maintenance of the river itself, removing debris and managing fool’s watercress. This plant will be vital in providing cover for fish and invertebrates of all kinds, including the mighty sticklebacks and minnows who will entice kingfishers back to the river.

Please continue to avoid attempting to cross the river and use the bridges. Banks are easily destroyed by footfall and will eventually cause the river to widen onto our grassy areas.

Many thanks, Paul

2023 Club Launches

GOLF UPDATE

‘Guinea Pig’ Fittings

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody that has taken part in our custom fit ‘guinea pig’ sessions. James and Ollie have been able to carry out a high number of custom fit sessions. Your feedback has helped them gain extensive and invaluable experience. Both Ollie and James will be happy to continue these sessions throughout February so just let me know if you would like to get booked in!

February is an exciting time within the golf industry with many of the leading golf companies launching their latest clubs prior to the start of the golf season.

PING, TaylorMade, Cobra and Titleist have all updated their products and we have an extensive range of the latest demo and fitting equipment on hand to try and test!

Ex-Demo Club Sale

This time of year also leaves us with an opportunity to sell off the 2022 club fitting equipment at highly discount prices, we are also able to offer a free fitting service with these clubs to ensure that you select the very best clubs available that suit your build and swing. Please get in touch if you would like to get a custom fitting booked in.

TikTok - New Launch

For the social media addicts out there, you will be delighted to know that we have launched a TikTok account so make sure you check us out!

New Brand Alert!

We are delighted to tell you that this year we will be stocking J.Lindeberg’s spring/summer clothing range. It looks incredible, and I look forward to offering you a member’s-only opening offer as soon as it arrives. Watch this space!

STEVE HUNTER - DIRECTOR OF GOLF

CLUB CAPTAIN’S FAREWELL

MATT PERRY

My time as Captain is almost at an end, so I wanted to say thank you to all of those who have supported me throughout the year.

Thank you to all of you who played in our men’s inter-club matches this year. We had some good rounds, and it was great to play against players from clubs in the surrounding area.

A special note goes to those of you who took part for the first time. Everyone always has a great time at these events and if you haven’t tried these before, please look out for the sign-up sheets on the Captain’s notice board in 2023.

Unfortunately, my drive in was postponed at the start of the year, due to bad weather (even worse than the conditions at the moment). Hopefully, we will get a dry spell so Ian can have his drive in on Sunday 19th of February!

We did, however, have much better weather for my Captain’s Day, and many other events throughout the year. The Eric Russell Team Trophy was a great success again.

The AGM is scheduled for the 13th February and this is the point where Ian will become Men’s Captain. I wish him all the best and I am sure he will do a great job this year. Please support him as much as you can in the year ahead.

My final note is to thank all the staff at Redbourn for helping me throughout the year, your help and advice was invaluable.

Thank you again, and all the best for the year ahead.

Matt Perry Club Captain

LADY CAPTAIN’S FAREWELL SHIRLEY DEUDON

Welcome to my final Lady Captain update. I am honoured to have held the office of Lady Captain for 2022 and I hope you have enjoyed socialising and playing golf as much as I have.

We can be very proud of Redbourn Golf Club and all we have achieved. The management have certainly demonstrated their commitment to making improvements to the course in the interest of our members.

Lady Captain’s News

I look forward to the many planned golfing events coming this year and I encourage you all to participate in as many of these as possible. Your participation in these events, both golfing and social, is what makes our club successful.

At our AGM on 13th February I will handover to Sheryl Tye, your new Lady Captain. I would like to wish Sheryl a fun and successful year. I would also like to wish Ian Rice, the new Men’s Captain a successful year too!

Thank you for all your friendship and fun this year, it has been very much appreciated and a truly wonderful experience.

On Wednesday 14th December we held our Ladies Section Christmas celebration. Unfortunately the course was closed so we

were unable to include a 9 hole team golf competition. Nevertheless, we had a lovely social gathering while enjoying our Christmas Lunch.

The charity fundraising activities went ahead, which included a Christmas bazaar, raffle, auction and the mystery, much-needed golfing gadget was revealed.

Thank you Paula Craddock for your ingenuity in designing a trolley mud removing tool! The sale of these very useful tools at £2 each raised over £70!

A big thank you to all the ladies who helped organise the day. From running the bazaar to selling raffle tickets, your contribution is really appreciated. An absolutely massive thank you to everyone who supported the event and helped raise £1800 for our charity.

Presentation Day - Wednesday 8th February

The best way to end my captaincy is to present you all with your trophies and recognise your achievements throughout the year, for which a Presentation Day will be held on Wednesday 8th February.

A two-course lunch will follow a 9-hole fun golf competition before we make the presentations. I am looking forward to seeing as many ladies there as possible.