AN UPDATE FROM...
Stuart Perry General Manager
Dear Members,
As we approach Christmas, I would like to provide an update on what’s been happening as the year comes to an end. I would also like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here’s to successful golfing 2025!
As we continue through the winter months, I’m pleased to say the summer was kind to us after a horrendous winter and spring last year. Every golf course in the area struggled to cope with the rainfall levels. In total, we lost nearly 40 days in 2024 to weather-related issues, followed by a much cooler summer than what we have come to expect in recent years.
However, membership numbers have climbed back up to just over 800, and member rounds continue to be +90% off all tee times used. We appreciate everyone renewing their membership and supporting the club in 2024 with the cost of living increases we have seen over the past 12 months and post-COVID. With the added success of the range, I am currently working on the budget and capital plans for 2025, which will include further investment back into the business.
Prostate Cancer Screening Event
Our prostate screening day on the 10th of november was a huge success, and a total of 225 men were tested. Out of those, 10 came back red, so hopefully we have been able to help those individuals early enough to have further tests/successful treatment as required. We will look to host another event in early 2025. To book your place on any of the local testing events please go to the following website www.mypsatests.org.uk
Tee Time Availability
The trial this summer to operate the tee sheet to offer 18 holes on two starting positions from 9.20 has been a huge success. We will continue this to maximise tee times for members during the winter when limited daylight plays a significant part.
We are increasing the amount of course marshalling in 2025, and we have invested in long-range radios. Should there be an issue with the pace of play, please contact the golf shop who will then send a course marshall to review the situation. This will of course be more difficult in the winter with weather conditions for the ranger buggy. Please bear with us, it is a large site to marshall and remember the pace of play should be dictated by you. The golden rule is “Keep up with the group in front, not just in front of the group behind”. Four hours is still the target for 18 holes, regardless of the day of the week.
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Clubhouse Update
Hopefully, you will have noticed our new clubhouse menu. In consultation with BGL, we have developed a much more competitively priced menu by reviewing our previous bestsellers and carrying out a thorough competitor analysis. Most of the items are under £10, so please support when you can.
Kate provided a very good update this week on the Facebook page regarding the issues from our drink suppliers. This month, there has been a notification of the national shortage of Guinness. Should we run out of your favourite beverage it certainly won’t be for lack of trying to source it.
The men’s bar toilet refurbishment took place back in August. We are pleased with the results and the plan for early 2025 subject to board approval is to carry out refurbishments of the disabled bar toilets, ladies’ bar and ladies’ changing room toilets. We carried out the men’s first due to the level of wear and tear.
Driving Range Update
In the first 12 months, there were over five million golf balls hit, and the range continues to go from strength to strength. We are just putting the finishing touches to the installation of a kitchen area to enhance the food offerings at the range, launching in January 2025.
Trackman has updated its software so we can run more competition events. Hayden is busy planning these to start in early 2025. Please keep a look out
on the noticeboard at the range for dates as they become available.
Again, this year we are extending the benefit to members to use the range free of charge should the courses be fully closed.
Staff update
We welcome to the team Ricky Faherty who has joined us as Chef De Partie, Lauren Evans our new Sales Manager and Dave Hall as our new Maintenance Manager. Exciting times are ahead and we look forward to working with you.
For those leaving us, we wish them all the very best; Steph Eiken (Sales Manager), and Richard Baguley (Maintenance Manager), who has decided to retire after 25 years of service. Thank you both for all your efforts, it’s been a pleasure working with you.
Shop & Lessons Update
The Christmas raffle is in full flow, and we have a few numbers remaining. Congrats to Andy Quinn, who won the summer raffle receiving a new full bag of TaylorMade golf clubs.
Titleist demo days have been popular this year, and we will continue with these into 2025. Thank you to the members for supporting us. Don’t forget we price match with online prices!
In support of the demo days and to enhance the teaching experience we will be making some slight
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alterations to the range. We are combining four bays into two to create more private teaching/ custom fit rooms. Again, this is planned to take place in the first quarter of 2025.
Course Update – Ivan Beetlestone
The bunker removal project for 2024 has now come to an end. These bunkers were earmarked before the course rating took place. We have turfed some areas to speed up recovery. We are aware of the ongoing issues with bunkers overall, and we are formulating a plan to improve them in the future.
Unfortunately, we have lost a few trees with the recent storms. We are working our way around the courses attending to these currently.
Mild weather has increased the cutting regimes on the course even at this time of year adding to the time pressure on the staff. Usually, this time of year we get a chance to prioritise the smaller jobs. This mild weather through the summer and now into the autumn/winter has also caused us some issues with disease on some of the greens, and we have since treated them.
Throughout the winter, we will close one course to rest it where we can during the week.
Posts and ropes have been placed around high traffic/vulnerable areas. Please adhere to these to preserve and enhance the condition of the course come the spring.
The on-course toilets have been installed, but we are still waiting on the delivery of a couple of parts to finish up this project. We aim to have one fully operational in the week commencing 23rd December.
Ivan
Christmas and New Year
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