Clubhouse Development

You should by now have received notice of the forthcoming Special General Meeting (SGM), finally to reach a decision to proceed with Phase 1 of the planned programme of Clubhouse Development.

It is hard to believe the length of time that has passed since my last update on the subject, but for reasons we all understand it has not been possible to advance matters any further, until this time.

The background to the project, and the originally surveyed options, are well understood by the membership, but it is perhaps worth reprising on the outcome of the more recent survey, which concluded this last September.

This second survey aimed to measure members’ on-going appetite to continue with the Programme, and to quantify potential participation in a voluntary loan scheme. This survey closed on 30th August 2020 and attracted 352 participants; again, something of a record for such initiatives.

Results, in summary were that:

· 81.9% of members remained in favour of continuing with the Clubhouse Development Project, with 18.1% against

· 135 members would consider making voluntary loans to Club totalling a minimum (theoretical) sum of £935,000

The Management Committee therefore accepted the result of the survey as in favour of continuing with the development programme

The SGM is being held by Zoom on Friday 15th January, with members receiving in advance a significant amount of supporting information, necessary to take the final decision to proceed.

The information pack included the following:

• Background to the project – how and why we have got to where we are now
• Summary perceptions of the existing clubhouse
• Initial survey conclusions (hierarchy or proposed improvements)
• Expected benefits from the development (membership, revenue, savings, the intangible gains)
• 2nd survey findings
• Questions and Answers, covering in detail:
• Cash management
• Profit and loss
• Planning
• Project management
• Security
• Lease
• Timing

The journey to taking a final decision to start this much-needed project has been long and eventful, but at last we have in sight the starter’s gun…..

In concluding, it is perhaps worth reminding ourselves why this project is so important for us.

As with all golf clubs we are an ageing membership, with some perhaps tempted to think ‘what’s in it for me’, or maybe ‘it’s really just about the course. I’m only here for the golf’.

The Clubhouse, and the services it provides, is as much a part of the club as the course itself. The completion of this project will provide a legacy for future generations of members that we – the current membership – can all be proud of.

Postscript

PLEASE NOTE that in order to vote at the meeting on the 15th, or by proxy before that, you will need to have paid your subscription and renewed your club membership.

Nick Duncan
Chair, Planning and Development Committee

Wrong Green

Now that we have temporary greens marked on the course, a reminder about wrong greens. A Wrong Green is any green on the course other than the putting green of the hole being played. This includes all marked temporary greens. You must take free relief if your ball comes to rest on a wrong green or the wrong green physically interferes with your stance – ie you must not stand on the wrong green to play your shot. The relief area is 1 club length from the reference point.

WHS Software Updates

We’ve been assured that there will shortly be an update to competition software, so that when you sign-in for a competition the system will display your Course Handicap and Playing Handicap. This should make filling in your scorecard correctly much easier.

Casual Play Rounds

Casual Play rounds must be pre-registered on the day of play before tee-off and the score entered into the system on completion of the round. The scorecard must be left in the green box; we need the scorecard for audit purposes. If these requirements aren’t met, the score will be ignored.

George Clelland

Question.

A players ball comes to rest near a boundery fence that is leaning onto the course. The player backs into the fence moving the fence which allows the player to play a stroke.

Is the player subject to penalty?

Built by Thomas Tompion, who is recognised as the father of English clockmaking, the clock was commissioned by William lll, circa 1700, to be presented to his cousin, the Duke of Florence, a member of the Medici family. When the King died in 1702 Tompion had still not been paid so he sent an invoice to Queen Anne for the sum of £564.15s. Quite a large amount at the time. Records show he never did get his money. Standing at 28 inches high in an ebony and gilded ormolu case this is a very complicated clock. The movement runs for 8 days and strikes the hours, half hours and quarter hours on 6 bells.

The clock was re discovered in Germany in 1985 and is probably the most important and complicated piece pass through the business of Marsh Clocks in Winchester. I am told it is still in perfect working order with its current owner and its value today would comfortably exceed anything ever seen on the Antiques Roadshow. Gerald is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, a Freeman of the City of London and a member of AGC Vets Section! As we are at the time of subscription renewal I would like to invite any member over 60’s yrs. of age, to join the Vets. Section for 2021. We have a full calendar of inter club matches alongside a number of competitions and social events. Annual membership is just £10 and can be paid via the Club office. If you wish to know more please feel free to contact me for a chat. May I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward, optimistically, to a full year of golf ahead.

Gareth Rees

After the sheep were moved to between the 3rd and 17th the rough was cut to tidy it up.

Shaping the Future

The development projects are coming along nicely with what is done and when being heavily dependent on the ground conditions. The guys were amazing with the speed at which they laid the new grass tee tops with the slopes being done when they are drier and firmer. One of the pictures shows a trench to the side of the new 1st Red Tee, easily taken for granted but this is to connect it into the irrigation system.  

The new base for the practice nets has started and the base for the new log cabin won’t be far away. We have an issue with large delivery lorries being unable to go into the green keepers yard due to lack of concrete. So please bear with us when the log cabin is delivered on a pallet as it will probably have to be offloaded in the car park.

Early frosty mornings will be used to continue taking out the smaller Ash trees that are diseased, probably between 3rd and 7th fairways, with Colin Luff due in February to take on the larger tree work. For planting we have settled on just buying new saplings rather than using a tree spade, mainly because of the economics but also to avoid course damage by the tracks. The new double cherry planted near the practice dome and practice swale was kindly donated by Becky and Tom Scott. The location/concept being approved by the Greens Committee as being part of our strategy for trees in this area.  

Bob Moore
Chair of Greens Committee

Answer.

No

Backing into a branch or a boundary object when that is the only way to take a stance for the selected stroke, even if this moves the branch or boundary object out of the way or causes it to bend or break, is considered as fairly taking a stance.

See Interpretation 8.1b/3

If you would like to be part of the 100 Club and actively contribute towards future enhancements to our facilities, and have the chance of winning a cash prize each month, then why not join us. 

The monthly draw is for six cash prizes: £100, £50 and four at £32. 

Each share cost £1 per month paid for by monthly standing order and there is no limit to the number you can purchase.  Members generally have between 1 and 10 shares with 5 being the most common holding. 

 For further information about the 100 Club and its history please refer to this section in previous editions of FORE Info.  Application forms can be obtained from the Secretary’s office or from me –  Pat Wallis phone 01420 564417 or email peterpat51@outlook.com 

 Pat Wallis