AN UPDATE FROM...

Chris Young General Manager

So, as I write this document, the sleet is coming down outside and we are all hoping for improved weather to set off the growth and golf season. I’m hoping by the time you read this in April, the weather has made a turn for the better! I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Interestingly, February was the driest one we’ve had in England since 1993. The beginning of March remained dry yielding to sleet and snow, which as I’m sure you know isn’t conducive to perfect golf weather!

The one thing we are very grateful and lucky to have is the reservoir. Hopefully this year won’t be such a dry and hot summer but with most water authorities still reporting low stocks of water throughout the country the reservoir may become one of our most important assets.

Some more exciting news is that we have now had the project to extend course irrigation approved. Just to remind you, currently our greenside irrigation heads can only throw water inwards towards the green. This then means that all the bunkers and grass areas around the green receive no water at all. Ultimately, they then burn out as they did last year leaving bare patches around the green that become occupied by weeds and moss in the winter.

The new irrigation will double the number of heads on the green to provide us with full 360 degree coverage. This will then give coverage to all greenside bunkers and turf surrounding the green which is great news in maintaining the playability.

We will also be extending the irrigation to the approaches to the greens. Two heads will be placed roughly 30-40 yards short of the green. This will give good water cover to the approach and improve the looks and playability of the course throughout the summer. We’re coming out of winter in a much better place than last year and I’m really looking forward to seeing the course coming back to life this spring.

The new tees are completed, and we just need a few weeks of warmer weather to get them bedded in properly. Many people have asked but I’m afraid I can’t put an exact date on the grand opening. We want to make sure that the grass has fully taken before any heavy footfall walks on it.

This year over the Easter weekend we are holding our very own Masters competition on the Par 3 course. We have some great prizes plus a BBQ. There will be an American themed BBQ afterwards and we will be opening the bar late so that everyone can watch the golf to the end. Henry goes into more detail in his update but it would be great to see as many people as possible there. Its open to everyone (5-day, 7-day or flexi members) and should be good fun. I may dust off my clubs and have a go!

I am very pleased to announce that this year Wycombe Heights Golf club are proud sponsors of Downley Dynamo’s JFC. The team very kindly presented us with a framed shirt which we will hang with pride in the clubhouse. Its great to be able to support the local youth team and we look forward to seeing how they do in 2023.

As a trial, starting April 1st, we are going to open the range at 7am at the weekend and 8am during the week. On competition days, and to allow members to warm up properly before the game, we are going to offer members a half price deal on 25 balls. Ball tokens will only be available from the Pro Shop and can only be used between 8am10am during the week and 7am-9am at the weekends.

I hope all of you have a great golf season this year, and good luck to all the sections in their inter club competitions. As always, please feel free to give me any feedback or suggestions.

Finally, I just want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have renewed your memberships with us this year and if you renewed on or before April 1st, please collect your guest course vouchers from the office.