Shropshire Member News - February

AN UPDATE FROM...

Stuart Perry General Manager

Dear members, As we approach the start of the golf season, I’m pleased to be able to share with you some updates on what has been happening at our club and what we have planned for for the first part of 2023. Its nice to know the shortest day of the year has passed and, following the disappointment of closing for a week in January due to the snow, spring is now not too far away.

TrackMan Driving Range Project – COMING SOON

I’m delighted to announce that the BGL board have agreed to proceed with our driving range refurbishment project in 2023. This includes installing TrackMan ball tracking technology in all bays. We will also be installing a bar facility and new outfield targets, amongst other upgrades. You may have already noticed some of the work has started in widening the outfield to the righthand side.

The main project is planned to start around the beginning of April and as such, the range will be closed whilst these works go ahead - we anticipate it will take 10-12 weeks to complete. The overall investment will be in the region of £400,000, and as there isn’t a facility that can match this in the surrounding area, we are excited to become the premier driving range in Shropshire. Prior to opening to the general public, we will host a members only launch night - details of which will be released as the project develops.

Please note all existing range loyalty cards will become obsolete once completed, so please use all of your existing credits before the end of March.

Further Investment

Along with the above project we are also planning to invest further in the business in 2023. We expect to receive the £65,000 fairway mower, that was ordered last year, in Q2. Following feedback from the ladies’ section we are also going to install a new on-course toilet. The men’s and ladies bar toilets will also be refurbished.

In February, we plan to install a waste-to-water recycling system for course equipment as part of our sustainability pledge. Additionally, we are hoping to improve the shoe cleaning facility and trolley wash area at the same time

COURSE UPDATE

Routine maintenance has continued, and over the winter we have added some extra paths on-course and carried out some essential tree work.

The greens aeration and renovation program has started, and we have utilised the BGL group Air 2 G 2 air injection equipment. We had started work on the Gold course, before being forced to stop due to the snow – this process will hopefully help avoid any undue disruption to the surfaces themselves.

Dyna coring and sand dressing the greens, along with aeration of the tees with vert-drain, followed by overseeding and dressing on those surfaces will hopefully aid recovery from what has been a tough winter so far. As part of our sustainability pledge and to promote natural habitats, additional bird nesting boxes are being installed around the property.

5th Gold Update

We are aiming to have the 5th Gold open fully for the March Monthly Medal weekend. Thank you so much for your patience during this project and during the recovery period. I’ve attached some pictures of the progress of the project. We carried out all the work in-house, saving thousands of very useful pounds in the process.

A big well done to the team and a big thank you to Les Annett for his time and efforts on the project. We are still carrying out some additional drainage work now the ground has started to settle, but we can’t wait to play the hole - it’s really going to be a test for golfers of all abilities!

General Membership Info

We ended 2022 with a record number of members. We currently have 774 members at The Shropshire, which is fantastic to see! Following the enforced covid closures, golf has seen a real boom, and given the number of members we have in 2023 we have been very selective on the numbers of visitors and society golf that we are taking, to ensure members have access to the golf courses during peak times.

For example, we have not budgeted to take any society golf in January or February, given the amount of daylight, and also to protect the golf course. Members continue to have priority on booking online 10 days prior, whilst visitors remain at 7 days.

Opt-in for names on the booking system

We have been receiving many requests for us to turn back on the “show names” option on the tee time booking screen, however, for this to be remotely successful, we do need you all to opt in. Otherwise, the tee time will still remain booked and blank, and this gives the impression tee times have been block booked when this isn’t the case. Please see the below guide on how to action this:

Via online booking website:

• Go to theshropshire.co.uk

• Book a tee tab – select Member from the drop-down

• Log in using your username and password

• Top left there is a box with three lines

• Select View My Profile

• Make sure all x4 boxes have blue ticks on the available opt ins

• Scroll down and select Update. This saves your selections.

Via the ESP app:

• On your homepage select the head and shoulders icon in the middle of the screen

• Make sure all x4 boxes have blue ticks on the available opt ins

• Scroll down and select Update. This saves your selections.

Drone picture courtesy of member - Howell Roberts

April 1st Renewals

We are working behind the scenes to create all your renewal documents, and to have them available and ready online or through the app. This will go live in mid-February and should make the process much simpler for those who pay annually. For those on direct debit there is nothing for you to do. The 1st April direct debit will include your yearly EGU/county fees.

Whilst we fully understand that prices on almost everything are at record highs, we maintained our prices throughout 2022 and have ensured that we will remain competitive given the facilities we offer and what our competitors are charging in 2023.

and where we can direct future investment. This is evidenced by the feedback on tee time availability, show names facility and course toilets.

Employee of the Year

Given the overwhelming feedback received through the members survey, and being nominated by his fellow staff members, it gives me great pleasure to announce David Ashton is our 2022 Employee of the Year! David is a clear favourite with members and colleagues alike, and we would all like to offer him our congratulations.

Casual Food offerings from Head Chef Anthony Mason

In 2023 we are introducing our small plates initiative. We have been listening to your feedback and we feel this will hit the right price point along with the option for you to share with your playing partners.

Members Appreciation Day

Again, as a thank you to all the members for their continued support we have scheduled in the annual member appreciation day for Sunday 21st May. Complimentary food and drink plus prizes for the best scores on the day will be on offer.

Nett Promoter Score –Members Survey Results

We finished the year on +72 and in second place in the BGL group. Thank you to everyone for your continued positive feedback and, more importantly, the comments section. These help us shape the business and concentrate on areas where improvements need to be made

The members special of bacon bap, hash brown and coffee will also continue. 2022 has been extremely difficult in terms of staffing the kitchen and whilst we appreciate we don’t always get it right, it’s been a very difficult area to recruit for and we are looking forward to much more consistent opening times in 2023.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND COMPETITIONS

Upcoming Social Events

Please see below an array of upcoming events taking place at the club, organised by Steph and the sales team. As a member you will be entitled to 10% off your ticket price – snap them up before they are gone!

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Tuesday 14th February

Valentines Dinner, 6PM - 8PM

£45 per person

Saturday 18th February

Murder Mystery, 7PM - 1AM

£39.50 per person

Saturday 11th March

Voice of The Stars, 7PM - 12:30AM

£35 per person

Sunday 19th March

Mother’s Day Lunch, 12PM - 3PM

Adult: £26.95, Under 12’s: £14.95

Saturday 1st April

Mad Hatters Tea Party, 1PM - 4PM

Adult: £24.95, Under 12’s: £15.95

Saturday 1st April

Mad Hatters Tipsy Party, 7PM - 1AM

£39.50 pp

Club Fixtures

We have received the proposed diary of competition dates from the committee for the coming season. We have taken our time to go though and ensure we are fair to all members given the feedback received last year on tee time availability. Club fixture books will be ready in time for the April renewal.

Sunday 9th April

Easter Sunday Lunch,12:30 - 3:30PM

Adult: £26.95, Under 12’s: £14.95

Saturday 13th May

Motown & Soul Night, 7PM - 1AM

£26.95 per person

Friday 16th June

Absolute ABBA Tribute, 7PM - 1AM

£35 per person

Sunday 18th June

Father’s Day FootGolf,12:30- 3:30PM

Adult: £22, Under 12’s: £16.50

Saturday 1st July

Wild Wild West, 1PM - 4PM

Adult: £24.95, Under 12’s: £14.95

Saturday 1st July

Wild Wild Wilder, 7PM - 1AM

£39.50 pp

Changing Room/Toilet Update

Apologies for the delay in getting the hot water and showers working in the changing rooms. Whilst we had instructed a contractor back in August to replace the boost pumps, unfortunately obtaining the parts has been extremely challenging. We then had an issue with the control panel of the boiler, which was a further set back. This has been ordered and we hope that this will be fixed as soon as possible. For hot water/handwashing facilities please use the main bar toilets.

RETAIL Members Pre-Season MOT

We are nearing the end of January, and there is no better time than to come into the golf shop and let us give your golf equipment a preseason MOT. Pop in and let us look through

your bag and we can give you advice as to the condition of your grips – additionally, if we feel you have any gaps in your clubs that may be creating issues on the course, may be able to help!

Ex-demo Product

Final call for our ex-demo product, because these products have been so well-received, we’ve only got a few items left! Get your hands on them before they’re gone…

Ping 3 Crossover 19-degree stiff shaft was £229.99 now only £129.99

TaylorMade Stealth

Driver was £499.99 now only £299.99

TaylorMade

was £279.99 now only £149.99

only £179.99

Plus

Stealth 3 wood 15-degree stiff shaft

TaylorMade Stealth Ti 3 wood 15-degree stiff shaft was £349.99 now