Clubhouse Development

You’ve waited long enough!

Many of you will by now have viewed the presentation boards in the clubhouse, or via the website, and share in the excitement of what we are hoping to bring to the club, going forward. Your review, comment, and (hopefully) ultimate support is very much appreciated.

For those still waiting for an opportunity to review the proposed designs, layouts and content, the presentation also provides summary background to the following:

• How we reached this point
• Why the development is so important for the future of the club
• How we propose to pay for it
• How members can engage, and offer their comments and thoughts 

The only final point to reprise is the timetable, in so far that we intend holding open the consultation period as long as possible (close to three weeks), allowing us time to analyse feedback, prepare presentations and take a final go/no go decision at a planned EGM/SGM. Two weeks’ notice of this meeting will be given, normal club rules for proxy voting applying.

Social Media

A sub-group of the PD Committee has been formed to evaluate the scope and opportunity for developing further the club’s social media activities, with the following specific objectives:

• Limit of the club’s intent (platforms and priorities)
• Target audiences (rank order)
• Communication objectives (such as desired / expected shift in AGC brand perceptions, brand awareness, enquiry generation etc)
• How measured
• Who responsible going forward (management, maintenance and control)

Suffice to say we will report further as developments occur.

Nick Duncan

Chair, Planning and Development Committee

The Alresford Scratch Trophy final was an extremely close affair and very exciting for all involved.  Hockley beat Stoneham with the final putt in the final match on the 18^th – for a minute we all thought we would be watching a sudden death match go down the 1^st.  What a great day – enjoyed by everyone involved, showing our wonderful course off to the two visiting teams.  Thanks again to Lynne Cowser and her committee for organising this event.

Sally Willis organised her 18^th Ladies and Assistants Pro Am last Friday – well done Sally who together with her team organised a special day for all those who took part.  The weather (topic of the month) pretty much behaved until everyone was inside eating curry – at which point it looked like someone had got out several fire hoses and was streaming water over the clubhouse – then came the hail, thunder and lightning!

Our last two friendly matches were also sabotaged by the weather however the Worldham Match has been rearranged in November so fingers crossed that we can play on the new date.

On the 1^st of November we welcome new Winter Members to our fold for the coming months – at the time of writing twelve ladies have signed up and we all hope you enjoy joining in with the Alresford Ladies. 

I’m very much looking forward to The Club Dinner on the 2^nd November – Dorset meets Poland for a slap up feast by Chris Pullinger who has been tested by our demands with regards to the menu – all to be accompanied by a jazz band.  Then we have the Coffee Morning on the 5^th November – please come along and support the stalls and do some early Christmas shopping – there are several new stalls this year.

We have Trophy Presentation Evening on the 15^th November so don’t forget to come along and pick up those pieces of silverware you have won this year – and even if you haven’t please support those who have.

So from now on it’s a series of lasts.  Last Ladies Committee, Capcom and Mancom and then the AGM on the 23^rd November at 10am.  Thank you again to everyone who has supported me in whatever way this year and especially my Committee – I am truly grateful – you have made it so easy for me to enjoy my year.  I would also like to congratulate Graham Marshallsay on his year as Club Captain – Graham you have been fantastic to work with and a tremendous support to me.  Well done too to Drew Feilden and James Parry outgoing Vets Captain and Junior Captain respectively.

It finally remains for me to wish Mal Hope Mason good luck. I hope you have as good a year as Ladies Captain as I have – the Ladies Section of Fore Info is now in your hands and before long you will be wearing that blue jacket!

Signing off,

Sue

Scratch Golfer

Is one who can play to a Course Handicap™ of zero on any and all rated golf courses. He (she) can hit tee shots an average of 250 (210) yards and reach a 470 (400)-yard hole in two shots. 

Bogey Golfer

Is one with a Course Handicap of 20 (24). He (she) can hit tee shots an average of 200 (150) yards and can reach a 370 (280)-yard hole in two shots. 

USGA Course Rating™

The USGA® mark that indicates the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers. It is based on yardage and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring difficulty of the scratch golfer. Example: 68.5 (Note – this is equivalent to Standard Scratch)

Slope Rating®

The USGA mark that indicates the measurement of the relative difficulty for the bogey golfer compared to the Course Rating. Slope Rating is computed from the difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating. The lowest Slope Rating is 55 and the highest is 155. Example: 125 

Bogey Rating

The one number every golfer whose handicap is greater than scratch should check before deciding which tees to play. This rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for the bogey golfer. It is based on yardage, effective playing length and other obstacles to the extent that affect the scoring ability of the bogey golfer. To determine this number, other than from looking at the database, the bogey golfer should take the Slope Rating®, divide it by the set factor (5.381 for men, and 4.24 for women) and add that to the Course Rating. The result is a target score for the bogey golfer and is a truer yardstick of the challenge that lies ahead for the particular set of tees. Example: 96.3 – which predicts the bogey golfer’s average of his ten best (out of twenty) scores would be approximately 96.3 from this particular set of tees. 

George Clelland

Question.

A players ball lies under a branch which has broken off from a tree.

The branch is too heavy for the player alone to move.

May the player break off the part of the branch interfering with play?

in this most enjoyable club event, winning 7 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2.

The photo records the trophy presentation between the two captains. The ladies will no doubt be out for revenge next year!

68 Vets and partners sat down to an excellent ‘end of season dinner‘ on 24 October, Chris and Kelly and their team looked after us really well as did the bar staff. Now in its 20^th year, this is still a very popular and much enjoyed occasion.

Finally, as my own year draws to its conclusion, a most sincere thanks to all members of the Vets Section for their help and support this last year and in particular to the Vets committee members who have done so much to ensure the continuing success (and enjoyment!) of Vets golf at Alresford.

I would like to add a ‘very special thank you‘ to Wynne Tufnell, retiring after 5 hugely successful years as our Competitions Secretary, for his dedication and commitment to the Vets Section.

My very best wishes also to Ed Tinley as he takes over as the Vets Captain and my thanks to him for his outstanding contribution this last year; Vets golf could not be in better hands!

Drew Fielden

material used to fill the holes. Greens completed were 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17. NB: only parts of the 12th were done to use the material up.  This work is needed to improve airflow and drainage/water movement issues and improve root growth. 

The other greens are being deep tined and rolled to get some oxygen into the soil profile. Some disease is present, and we are taking a preventative route to try and stop it, another fungicide will be sprayed next week if the damp weather continues.

Greens have been fertilised to strengthen plant and aid in preventing the fusarium. 

Overall the greens are looking a good colour and are now being cut at 5mm.

You will see hand mowers being used on the greens through the winter which will further improve their appearance.  

Tees and Aprons have been fertilised with a 3-month controlled release product and are coping well and looking a good colour.  

Fairways continue to green up after drying out towards the end of the summer. A fairway scarifier/brush has been purchased and will be used to aerate the fairways at some point during the winter. 

Rough is growing well with the sheep doing their bit in the long roughs. The pen has been moved and they can still be found between the 5th and 6th holes. 

Irrigation system has been drained and shut down for the winter.  Worn areas around bunkers and tees have been turfed and fertilised.  Leaves are beginning to drop so the blowers and leaf collectors will soon be out in force. 

We have been aware for some time of the threat of Ash Dieback.  Some of our Ash trees are in decline around the course with many showing poor health and weaknesses. Some have been selected to be removed as they are deemed not safe.  We are planning to introduce new trees to the course.    

Winter project works are due to start week beginning 4th November on the 13th hole.  

Happy golfing! 

Mark Tiplady

Answer.

Yes

See interpretation 15.1a/2

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 Standing Order 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, with 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