The End of Subsidised Golf

You will all be aware that the furlough scheme and other financial support from Government and Local Authorities is coming to end as the impact from Covid-19 reduces. These support mechanisms have subsidised the Club which has helped to balance-the-books for the financial year ending September 2020. Since the re-opening of the course in May the Club has not been able to entertain golf societies or visitors, other than member’s guests. Members’ subscriptions and joining fees only account for 79% of golfing income at the Club, which was augmented by £140,000 of green fee income for the financial year 2018/19.

As members, I think we have all enjoyed having the course to ourselves, and many of us have been able to play much more golf than ever. However, as the subsidies are removed and we have no support from the furlough scheme we must get back to attracting normal income streams. We will start by inviting small, loyal golf societies to the Club, and to enjoy the bar and catering facilities as permitted by Covid-19 restrictions. 

Prior to Covid-19 the Management Committee had discussed access to the course at busy times for visitors, societies and member’s guests. It is appreciated that the Club has a regular pattern of busier times and the committee had established some ‘closed for members only’ slots for trial. These have not been needed due to circumstances. The committee will be re-confirming some restricted times when it will not be possible for green fee golfers to play.

I hope that you have enjoyed getting back to golf, and having the privilege of ‘Members only golf’, but we now need to balance the books by replacing Covid-19 subsidies with normal income streams. The recent increase in membership goes some way to helping with this equation, so the budget for 2020/21 does take this into account when planning for reduced green fee income over the next financial year.

Head Professional Recruitment

Since concluding the interview process for the new Head Professional, the Club entered into contract negotiations with its preferred candidate, Mark Wood. These negotiations were based on a standard contract provided by the PGA which includes provision of the Pro-Shop, exclusive rights to coaching at the Club, and front-of-house services for golfing activities. Both the Club and Mark Wood are grateful for the support of the PGA in

getting this agreed. Contracts have now been signed and Mark has now resigned his current position, so; we look forward to welcoming him to the Club on the 1^st November 2020. Whilst there is obviously plenty of similarity between Malcolm’s current contract and the new contract offered by the Club; the passage of time has brought much change in contemporary relationships and financial rewards for retained Club Professionals, so the Club was delighted to work from PGA recommendations to bring us up-to-date.

The PGA has also advised that Terry has a statutory right to transfer his employment to the new Head Professional which fits in perfectly with Mark’s plans, so I am pleased to say that you will continue to see Terry at the Club in his current role.

Vice-Captain; Mark Tiplady, together with Sue Masser and David Maskery will oversee the transition from Malcolm’s team to Mark’s team in the coming months, and I look forward to confirming launch arrangements for the new Head Professional in due course.

Les Thorne is busy organising a Club event on 31^st October to celebrate the many contributions by Malcolm & Jane, their family and their professional teams over so many years. More news to come soon, but the 31^st October will be an important day in this year’s golfing calendar at the Club.

Pre-Booked Tee-Times

The Club needed to implement tee-times for all golfers to re-open the course following closure due to Covid-19 restrictions. The default position for the Club is to remove pre-booked tee-times once restrictions subside, as they were only put in place to deal with social distancing and risk of infection, aligned to central guidance.

Tee-times have become a ‘marmite’ subject; some people love them and some people hate them. However, upon implementation of temporary tee-times, reassurance was given that; this would not result in tee-times becoming permanent at the Club.

I am sure that discussions about pre-booked tee-times will continue beyond the Covid-19 period and it may well be that the Club consults further in the future on this subject, but there is no mandate for continuing with general tee-times once restrictions ease.

Robert White

Chairman of the Management Committee

• For the ladies, as well as the Ladies Championship, based on gross score, there are nett competitions for both Silver (Brenda Hedges) and Bronze (Dorothy Coombes) divisions.  Prizes are also awarded for Best Nett in both rounds 1 & 2.

Championships – Strict Condition of Competition

Given the format of the Championships, players who fail to turn up for their 2nd round will cause significant disruption to the running of the competition. Consequently, and based on our experience of other 2-day competitions, we are making it a condition of competition that, unless a player has a valid medical or other significant reason for being unable to play the 2nd round, he/she will be excluded from all competitions, and knock-outs until 1^st October 2020.

Supplementary Scores

The capability of registering to play a round for a Supplementary Score has now been added to the ClubV1 Members App and HowDidiDo under Today’s Golf. Since it is Greens Maintenance week from 3^rd to 7^th August when there will be temporary greens, we will start to accept Supplementary Scores from Monday 10^th August. Using the Members App or HowDidIDo you must sign-in for a Supplementary Score before you start play and then enter your score when you’ve completed your round. Please leave your completed scorecard including the name of your marker in the green box in the entrance hall.

World Handicapping System (WHS)

The switch over to the World Handicapping System is on track for 2^nd November 2020.

On that date your handicap will automatically been converted to the new system. Instead of having an exact handicap you will have a handicap index which is derived from the average of your best 8 scores from the most recent 20 scores. For the change-over if you’ve fewer than 20 scores between the end of October and the beginning of 2018 the system will do the calculation on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you only have submitted 9 or 10 qualifying scores since January 2018, the system will use the average of the best 3. 

When you play, there will be tables available which specify what your handicap will be for the set of tees you are using – depending on the value of your handicap index you may have a different course handicap when playing off the yellows rather than the whites.

You will find links to more information on WHS on the Match & Handicap Committee page in the Member’s Area of the Club Website.

George Clelland & Gill Freemantle

Question.

A player in a stroke play event, hit a tee shot which may be out of bounds.

He teed up another ball and stated he would play a provisional. The player then hit the ball which went clearly out of bounds

The player teed up a third ball and, without stating it was a provisional, played a shot up the fairway. On going forward he found his first ball in bounds.

1. Which ball is in play, and
2. How many shots have been played?

Refecting the above, my congratulations to the following Vets winners during the last month:

• George Skayman (Over 60’s Stableford (Div1) with 37pts)
• Richard Calton (Over 60’s Stableford (Div2) with 42 pts)
• Charlie McLaughlin (Over 60’s Medal (Div1) with Net 69)
• David Marshall (Over 60’s Medal (Div2) with Net 66)
• Gareth Rees (Over 60’s Stableford with 39pts)

Acting as Starter recently, it was apparent that nearly all golfers are now carrying rakes, as a result of which the condition of bunkers has, in my opinion at least, improved over the last month. The size and design of rakes employed is fascinating, ranging from six inch plastic kiddies rakes through to full length garden rakes. Some are real ‘works of art’ whilst others are more akin to ‘instruments of torture’. Thanks to all though for making the necessary effort.

Finally, at the recent and well attended “New Members Roll-Up” organised by Mary Rook, our Club Captain, I met a number of potential new Vets. I would encourage all of them to consider joining the prestigious Vets Section (cost £10 per annum) and avail themselves of the many matches, events and competitions offered by the Vets during the year (well, perhaps not this year!). If you wish, email me, tinleye@sky.com, and I will happily tell you the easiest way to join.

Play well and continue to stay safe.

Ed Tinley

Greens Maintenance starts next week so on Monday Morning the Greens on the 1^st; 2^nd; 7^th and 8^th will be “hit” before moving onto the rest of the course through the week. So yes you might be on temporary greens for a couple of days!

Simon is still not happy with the condition of the course. As mentioned last month, we are battling anthracnose (eats away at the base of the plant) and other bugs.  Rapidly changing levels of temperature and humidity are not helping.

However improvements are being seen so the battle isn’t lost. The picture shows both a chafer bug and a leather jacket when the pin was moved on the 9^th. Subsequently the green was covered overnight with a tarpaulin with a large quantity of leather jackets coming to the surface again.

So you are going to continue seeing everything in Simons available arsenal from plugging; over seeding; tining and fertiliser.

On the 12^th and 13^th for example plugs of silver moss are removed from the centre of the green and put around the edge to then be treated.

As previously mentioned in years gone by contact fungicides would provide a “quick fix” but they are, generally speaking, no longer allowed.

We have also sent soil samples for laboratory analysis, in particular, to establish the levels of nematodes. We have three different types of construction of Greens so a sample was taken from each type.

The picture shows the volume of thatch removed from a Tee during scarification.

The rooks have also been paying a visit on the 1^st fairway hence the blue greenie scarecrows are back; we think they are feeding on red ants.

I must say I’m wondering if “Ben’s Bug Hotel” is already fully booked as we have so much activity on the course!

The chafer bug traps in particular by the 9^th green have been effective. 37 caught so far.

Fortunately I think the vast majority of our members appreciate they are golfers not greenkeepers or course designers.

So, on that note, please continue to enjoy your golf knowing our professional and qualified staff have the best interests of the course at heart.

Bob Moore
Chair of Greens Committee

Answer.

The first ball is in play, having played one shot.

(The third ball was played as stroke & distance to the second (provisional) ball. As this ball did not become the ball in play, The third ball does not count.)

Administrator, Pat Wallis, who deals with the day to day administration and finance.

The share membership has grown from the original 223 shares owned by 70 members to the current 590 shares belonging to 124 members.  The draw is now carried out monthly with 6 prizes – £100, £50 and four at £32.

Over the years many items have been purchased or contributions made towards the cost – notably the shoe and trolley cleaner, the information board and clock on the 1^st tee, the Starters Hut and several sets of patio furniture including the new rattan furniture last year.

There is also an annual Stableford Competition usually held in July or August with a meal in the evening and is a popular event for 100 Club members. 

How do I join?

It is very simple and new members are always welcome so as a Golf Club member you can actively contribute towards future enhancements to our facilities whilst having a chance of winning a cash prize. Each share cost £1 per month paid for by monthly standing order and there is no limit on the number you can purchase.  Members generally have between 1 and 10 shares with 5 being the most common holding.

The list of prizewinners is posted on the Secretary’s noticeboard in the entrance hall and of course in this section every month.  

Application forms can be obtained from the Secretary’s office or from me – details below.

Pat Wallis – 01420 564417 or peterpat51@outlook.com

Pat Wallis