Clubhouse Development

Three short-listed local Architects have now responded to the detailed brief given them, and have presented their design ideas and proposals as to how they will meet our objectives – within ‘ball-park’ budget guidance.

Apart from their individual creativity, each was judged on how closely they catered for the Club’s key requirements, as voted by so many Members: Discrete dining area for up to 100; better laid out bar, and increased bar seating; additional lounge seating; creation of a ‘spikes’ bar area; room for Sky TV and other social activities; reconfigured patio layout and capacity; covered trolley area. Other considerations were their grasp of the initial concepts, our ability to work together, and above all their understanding of a de-facto budget.

I am delighted to confirm that we have now appointed ‘Lawson Architecture’, an established Practice in Liphook, with experience of golf clubhouse design, whose proposals most effectively met our priorities. These are now the phases of work that we shall be following: 

1. Feasibility and Planning Stage 

2. Building Regulation Phase

3. Construction contract tendering

4. Contract administration

5. Construction management

As you know, continued communication and consultation with Members remains at the core of this initiative, and so I want to give you some guidance as to what you will see, and ultimately approve, over the coming months.

During July our Architect will be refining detailed designs, as well as putting in place all aspects of the planning phase. The Management Committee then expects to be able to give their support to a ‘preferred set of proposals’ for visual presentation to Members in August. This is likely to take the form of physical representation in the clubhouse, as well as in digital format to members online.

Only when this phase of consultation is completed will we be able to finalise design proposals and hence costings, our plan being to share these with Members in September. If all goes to plan the approved design, costing and funding proposals will then be presented to Members at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in October, for final approval and sign-off.

Going further forward, we would then expect to be tendering over the winter months, with construction work commencing in the Spring. Suffice to say every forethought and planning will go into how we can ensure as little disruption as possible for Members during the construction phase.

Exciting times indeed!

Nick Duncan

Chair, Planning and Development Committee

Huge Congratulations go to Di Peisley and Sarah Densham (left in photo) who returned to Gosport and Stokes Bay to defend their title as holders of their Centenary Trophy and won it again! 

Di has now brought the trophy to Alresford three years in a row playing with Mandy Overton the first time. 

I have promised Di and Sarah that they don’t have to go back again if they don’t want to!

I am trying in my Captains Year to play golf with as many ladies in the section as possible – I have managed 57 of you so far – some more than once – if you want to play with me then do get in touch and arrange a game meanwhile I will try and extend the list over the next five months – yes I am over half way through the year already!

The sign-up sheet for my Ladies Captains Day is still on the board – first let me dispel the rumours – no you do not have to play golf in a dress and yes you are allowed a full set of irons in your bag – just not your putter and not a “chipper”, a club that is sold specifically with that name.   I do hope you will all join me for some fun golf and good food afterwards on what I hope will be a very special day.

Meanwhile can I wish everyone taking part in the Club Championships this weekend good luck and best wishes to you all and good golfing!

Sue

Similarly, from 1st January 2020, the criteria for awarding of prize money for Monthly and Mid-week Medals and Stablefords and Over 60’s Medals and Stablefords will also change. Thus, prize money will only be awarded to those players who have submitted scores from at least 6 qualifying competitions in the previous 12 months.

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Men’s & Mixed Invitation Events

The sign-up sheets for these events will be posted in the next week or two. We need you to sign-up now!

The Men’s Invitation is on Sunday 18th August. This has always been a good event which has been greatly enjoyed by members and their guests. We play 12 holes of American Greensomes in the morning before the main event of 18 holes 4BBB in the afternoon. The cost is £68 per pair for coffee and bacon roll on arrival, lunch and 2-course meal in the evening. Guests who have society handicaps or handicaps which don’t have competitive status are welcome and would compete for a separate prize fund.

The Mixed Invitation is on Sunday 8th September so still a few weeks away. The format this year is a round of 4BBB followed by dinner. The cost is £48 per pair to include a 2-course meal in the evening.

I would urge you to support both these events which are a great way to show off our beautiful course and our hospitality to your friends.

Winter League/Knock-outs

In the blazing heat of the summer, the Winter Mixed Foursomes and Lombard Foursomes have come to an end in the past few weeks. The Winter Mixed was won by Simon and Gill Freemantle with Trevor and Sue Pearce as runners-up. The Lombard was won by Rob Gwilliam and Tim O’Connor with Sean Yeates and Ashley Wilmott as runners-up. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated.

George Clelland

Question.

A players ball hits his fellow competitor or opponents golf trolley.

What is the ruling in both stroke play and match play?

Our summer matches continue apace, come rain or shine (rather more of the former of late), with 13 wins and 4 draws from our 22 matches this year to date. Congratulations to Tom McGrath and Bob Sanger who recently beat their Hockley opponents by a ‘dog’s licence’ (7/6) enabling us to halve the match against a strong team. Summer holidays reduce the field of players so more volunteers would be most welcome; a 28 competition handicap or lower is all that is required. The bagman roster could also benefit from new names; it is not an onerous task and still enables you to play in that day’s roll-up. 

The next big event is the Vets invitation on Thursday 8 August; your chance to bring a (senior) golfing friend to Alresford for a stableford competition and an enjoyable lunch to follow. The entry sheet is on the Vets notice board and the closing date is 19 July; please sign up!

Drew Fielden

Simon and the boys have never seen these populations before.  Weather conditions are perfect for their laying cycle with warm and damp conditions.  A pesticide application has been applied to all the areas (2 hectares in total) that were affected last winter but the bugs are appearing in untreated areas as well.  We are only allowed enough product to cover 3 hectares and we plan to fully use this allowance.

Tees, Aprons and Fairways have all been sprayed with iron and nitrogen to help with colour.  Bunkers have all had a make-over with sand being moved around and stone picking being done. Heavy rainfall flooded out some bunkers but that drained away fairly quickly.  Special thanks to Andy Morffew and Ian Jones who have both given up their time to rake bunkers.  This does make a huge difference.  Paths are being tidied, weeded and strimmed.  The car park hedges and other hedges around the course have also had a tidy.

You may have recognised Lee Padwick who joined the team this week to help prepare the course for Club Championships.  Lee is a qualified green keeper and a previous employee of the club between 1993 and 2002.  He has remarked on the changes in that time!  When he left, the trees on the ‘new’ holes (4 to 6 and 14/15) were head high!

We expect work to start on essential repairs to Curleys Barn soon. 

We are frequently asked what this is used for.  Of course, you could check our FAQ’s on the website which reads “The barn adjacent to the 12th green contains two large water tanks and the course irrigation system. The water is pumped from here around the whole course. We utilise both mains water supply and a bore hole supply. The bore hole is located just outside the barn in the direction of the 13th green. The barn is also used as a general storage facility and for the storing of less frequently used maintenance machinery.” but the attached photo’s show it partially cleared in readiness.

Last month I asked that we avoid taking trolleys on the fringe areas and particularly between bunkers and greens.  We are adding a ‘Course etiquette’ section to our FAQ’s and this will be included.

Best wishes for a great month of golf!

Mark Tiplady

Answer.

In stroke play and match play, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.

Exceptions:

• When ball played from putting green, shot must be replayed.
• When ball played from putting green hits another ball at rest on the putting green, 2 shot penalty. Rule 11.1

If you need a playing partner and aren’t sure who is in the 100 Club, then please contact Pat Wallis by email on peterpat51@outlook.com or phone 01420 564417

What is the 100 Club? 

The Alresford Golf Club 100 Share Club was started in 1987 to raise extra funds to support and enhance the club Centenary celebrations which took place in 1990. Almost £5,000 was added to the Centenary Fund – a fantastic contribution.

It proved so popular that members who had joined chose to continue the scheme indefinitely.  The ongoing objective of the 100 Club was then agreed as being “to provide funds for capital expenditure to enhance the Golf Course and/or Club House”.  This is still very much the objective and projects supported by the 100 Club would generally be considered ‘extras’ and not necessarily within the Golf Club budget.

Many items have been purchased over the years with the new rattan patio furniture being the most recent.  In recent years the 100 Club has purchased the drinking fountain on the 4^th/15^th holes, the finger post signage, the Information Board and Clock at the first tee and the automated Defibrillator in the Entrance Hall.

So, can I join the 100 Club?

Yes of course. New members are always welcome and so as a Golf Club member you can actively contribute towards future enhancements to the facilities on the Golf Course or Clubhouse whilst having the opportunity to win a monthly cash prize. Or why not increase your existing shareholding for an even better chance of a prize.  Shares can be purchased for £1 per month paid for by Direct Debit and there is no limit on the number which can be held – most members have between 1 and 5 shares.  Each share is allocated a number which is entered into the monthly draw with a top prize of £100, a second prize of £50 and four other prizes of £32. For more information contact Pat Wallis on 01420 564417 or peterpat51@outlook.com, or call in to the Secretary’s Office.

Pat Wallis