Interview with our Chair of Planning and Development: David Fox

This month I took time to get to know David Fox who took over this year as Chair of Planning and Development. I was keen to know exactly what his committee get up to and what future plans he has.

Editor: Many of us would like to find out more about our new Chair of Planning and Development. Do you have a planning background?

David: No is the clearest answer. I’ve spent long spells in business development but you’d quickly fall on your face without some planning knowledge and experience, and I have a committee and broader support within the club as and when it’s needed.

Editor: Planning and Development (P &D) sounds like a broad remit. What exactly are you planning and developing? David: The main responsibilities within P&D fall into 4 general areas:

1. Maintaining the correct levels of Membership across the club by ensuring our subscriptions and playing experience are aligned with our course and clubhouse, Great Golf, Great Value;
2. Maximise adequate and timely advertising (Marketing Communications) to ensure the outside world (local) continues to be aware of AGC and consider the club as a place they want to play and join. That may include Social Media, Alresfordgolf.co.uk  and traditional activity with local papers;
3. Ensure AGC is aligned to the broader golf associations (Alliances), County PGA, England Golf, R&A, in terms of policies and procedures, playing initiatives. Areas like governance, sustainability; and finally
4. Futures, which is a catch all for initiatives that keep the club moving forwards. Naturally, some of this is very straight forward others is a case of sorting priorities and quick wins. Some neglected and hence slow moving.

Editor: So David what are the main areas of ‘great value’ that you aim to get for our members and what subscription cost should they expect?

David: We are continually reviewing how we stack up in subscription costs and I believe today, we continue to be very competitive when compared to similar rated ‘members’ golf courses in Hampshire. We think we offer a ‘Great golf course, kept to a high standard by our excellent green staff. Added to that we have a welcoming clubhouse and social program the envy of our peers. Yes, we will always invest in the course but that should come without a huge increase in membership fees (which would put our full membership targets at risk). It’s a balance, but we think we have positioned our club about right. Obviously costs increase and subscriptions are never likely to stand still.

Editor: why do we need ‘Marketing Communications’ if we are now a full club?

David: If you look at membership and advertising, a lot of our conversations at ManCom reflect the fact the club is full. We have over six hundred 7 and 5 day members. We have close to 200 Intermediates, Student and Junior members. With other categories we are in an incredibily healthy position, so, advertising – What’s the message? Where do we place it? What’s the best format? It’s something we have parked for a few months while other areas take greater focus.

Editor: What are your major projects you are working on now?

David: Two key areas we had two to push forward in 2024 were both key programs that stemmed from England Golf. The need for us to develop and adopt our own policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. That is now complete and will need be ratified at our AGM. While it formalises the clubs position I think our membership and culture will take it in its stride. Although we have no plans to introduce gender neutral tees, this discussion is now being had too. Women in Golf is another program (Charter) that we needed to align with, taking positive steps to increase the number of women, girls and families playing golf at Alresford. We are in a very good position with over 22% of the membership being women (versus the national average of 18%) but we need to be doing more to encourage play and membership. At a junior level we have over a 100 members but a lower level of girls than we would like, this is even reflected in the ratio Perins send us for their program.

Additionally, we are working on a review of the course furniture – This includes tee markers, ball washers, broken tee bins, signage etc. It’s a while since we invested, and this could be a good way to smarten up our course. We are also looking at the IT solutions and systems in the office that support both members and various committees. Capacity, security, constantly needs to keep up to date especially alongside website, social media, booking processes demands etc.

Editor: Someone recently raised Phase 2 of the clubhouse renovations. Where are we with that?

David: I’m pretty sure when that was asked the first time the stance taken by the club was to first focus on paying for Phase 1. While well under control that is not something that is happening overnight. Probably we will be in a place to consider Phase 2 by 2026 assuming our financial situation remains strong with a full membership and managed costs.

Editor: all clubs are working on a water strategy. Are we? When will we get an island green on 18 or 10?

David: It’s an interesting topic and Yes we are working it right now – but a very long way from rushing out with picks and shovels. The key golfing bodies in the UK need to demonstrate they are taking the risks associated with climate change seriously, and so do the clubs. Once you understand they are saying what needs to be said, peel back the vested interests, you have to take a close look at your own club, current practises in place, the necessary short and long term actions, alongside partners like the Environment Agency and Southern Water. It will be a slow process and a very considered one. Naturally, our greens team already have a great grip on what is watered, when and why. We work in a very intelligent manner and as you might expect it costs money to maintain our playing surfaces and it is spent extremely wisely. Over time that won’t be enough. Reduced supply, general restrictions will become more common and all golf clubs are being encouraged to build their own resilience plans. I expect we will be ready to announce our water strategy by early 2025 but, depending on what we plan, it could take some time to implement. No need to buy a water ball retriever quite yet!

Editor: there have been MANCOM discussions/decisions in the past about getting the par up to 70 by lengthening the 12^th. Is that planned and when?

David: In 8 months this subject has not come up once. It does ebb and flow as a topic of conversation. Is it a problem that needs fixing? I’m not sure it is for now. I imagine it will be Greens and CapCom who may still think there is life in the idea, but that is not clear to me.

Editor: Every new chair brings a new perspective and aspiration. What is yours?

David:  I don’t have any particular ambition but I think in these roles impatience is a positive, so I’m not always good at letting things lie….. Let’s make progress, make good decisions. If it’s broken – fix it. It’s very easy to make do and mend but only for small, shorter term stuff.

Editor: finally I wonder if you have considered replacing the terrace sun shade with a waterproof cover. It certainly would make the outdoor space more useable and free up indoor limited capacity on busy days?

Dave: Well, it is as you say, a Sun Shade. I haven’t heard too many people regretting it’s performance when it rains, but we could chose to revisit under the Phase 2 banner.

Editor: Thanks David and I wish you well for the future…

Quickfire

Favourite movie: No country for old men or possibly The Grand Budapest Hotel….but then a bit dated. Oppenheimer

Favourite food: Tapas

Favourite holiday destination: Algarve, Portugal, Sydney,  Australia

Favourite hobby outside golf/family: Any game with a ball. Still play league Table Tennis and represent Hampshire Over 60’s

A great way to start this month with Gales Hockley– (over 50’s, team of 9 singles match play with combined handicaps below 82) Alresford team beating Hartley Wintney 6-3 in a fantastic match played at Weybrook Park (neutral venue for semi-final) and will now move on to the final at Hockley on the 14^th September. Well done to Trevor Pearce (Captain), Rob Gwilliam, Dave Seager, Dave Fox, Neil Flowers, Ian Sheath, Andy Nash, James White and Richard Prescott. (photo below)

Other captain events this month have been a great day out with our friends over the water at Shanklin and Sandown and then moving on Spitfire Trophy at Stoneham. Unfortunately, our golf did not match the event but both enjoyable events.

The Centenary Cup played at Army originally started in1983 between Army and Hayling but has expanded over the years to include clubs with their centenary in the 20^th Century. This consists of 10 teams now with 8 players in a team 4 below 12 Handicap Index and 4 above. It’s a unique event with he following- “whilst playing ability should not be disregarded participants should be selected from past/present committee members, past and present Captains and other members of good standing with emphasis on service to the club and maintain traditional standards and etiquette of golf.

We came 3^rd 2 points behind the eventual winners Army.

Richard Lane, Mark Tiplady, Derek Myers, Steve Johnson, Gary Mugford, Grant Thorne, Dave Seager and Simon Wills.

The Junior Championship was fiercely contested in late August. Congratulations to Jacob Howells who won with a gross 78 and 85 and not to be outdone, younger brother Toby won the Junior Challenge Cup with a best nett score of 66.

Congratulations to Oscar O’Herlihy who has won the Scottish Super Seniors Masters Competition shooting a gross 78, 75 and level par 71 at Glasgow Gailes Links in Scotland. Also a big well done to Graham Marshallsay who won the Net Club Championships at Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.

Captains Day Sunday 15^th September

This year will be a Shotgun start 8.30 and 1.30 open to all club members. Will include Individual Stableford, (divisions- up to 9.9 then 10-19.9 and 20 and above), team competition and nearest the Pin.

There is no entry fee for the Day, but players are invited to donate for Cardiac Rehab either by Cash or Card at the Welcome Desk on the day or if unable to attend in the office before. Halfway refreshments will be available on the patio after playing either the 9th or 18th holes. Tee sheet is up on only add names if you know they are availed to play please.

Tee times– With holiday season upon us can you please make sure you are actually available to play. We have had a few cases recently where people are abroad and been booked in. This is not fair when especially Wednesdays and Saturday’s tee times are at a premium. We don’t want to put in draconian measure like some clubs but its one we are watching please play your part.Finally, good luck to Kindred Cup team playing on 1^st September at Lee On The Solent in finals day.

Richard Lane

Club Captain

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The mornings are already having an autumnal feel about them, I am starting to write this on Bank Holiday Saturday because its raining again! Some Captains have a dry year this year has had a definite damp feel about it!!!

The month started very well with a great home win for Annodata against Sandford Springs which took us into the last 32, but sadly lost to Ferndown away, the match was a draw and our final player lost on the 20^th hole, it was so late the Ferndown greenstaff had already moved the tee and pin positions! A huge thank you to Sally Reid and her team for another tremendous effort.

Our team of Karen Fox, Sarah Staines Jo Youngs and Jane Andrews played in the Hayling Centenary, unfortunately they saw Hayling at its worst, driving wind and rain.  Gill Freemantle and Nikki White represented Alresford in the Hull Shield at Hartley Wintney, once again the weather spoilt the day for everyone.

We had Liz Hastings and Sue Poulter representing Alresford in the Hampshire Centenary Foursomes at Hockley a very creditable 10^th.

We had Gill Freemantle and Nikki White playing at Haywards Heath in the regional finals of the Coronation Foursomes came in with a very respectful 6^th with 88 teams playing.

Alresford Scratch Trophy under the Captaincy of Lynne Cowser had another good win against North Hants at home and just lost to Stoneham 7/8 such a close match and all to play for next week.

Well done to everyone who played in the Senior Ladies Championship, the first day saw some great scores and handicaps being cut Helen Marchant 65, Maggie Jones 66, Jacqui Sanger 66 and Sarah Worthington 66, second day’s scoring not quite so good due to the weather, but overall a very successful championship :-  Winner Helen Marchant 138, 2^nd Jill Wilson 143, 1^st Day winner Maggie Jones and 2^nd day winner Sarah Scott and Gross winner Sue Poulter.

We have had success in mixed competitions during August Alicia Hardy won Mrs Stratton Bates nett 64 and Shafeda Mohammed and Lisa Wu winning Courage and Barclay Trophy nett 58

Board competitions Charity Bowl winner Lisa Wu 43 points and Munro Spencer winner Caroline Warne.

On Sunday 22^nd September, the Alresford Cup takes place at Alresford which is a Junior Girls Trophy competed for by girls from Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire.  This is an inspirational day for us all and we need your help in the form of shepherdesses to escort the groups around the course on the day. There is a sheet on the noticeboard to sign up for this extremely rewarding task so please do consider giving your time to do this.

A few dates to bring to your attention :- The Autumn Meeting on Tuesday 1^st October the sign up sheet will up soon and the annual Vets v Ladies on Tuesday 8^th October, it is the turn of the Vets to organise this year.

Last but not least congratulations to Gill Freemantle on becoming our incoming Ladies Vice Captain, together with Polly Church as Captain, the ladies section will be in very good hands.

Below  is the team going over to the Isle of Wight for the Shanklin and Sandow friendly match. Just as well it did not sink with the current Lady Captain, vice Captain and vice captain in waiting on board!!

Hoping  for an Indian summer to finish the season

Sandra Hooker

In my July report I celebrated that Summer has at long last arrived. Well here we are at the end of August and are now playing early morning golf with dew on the grass, and an occasional mist hanging over the course. Has autumn has arrived already?

The last three weeks of August have been a very busy one in the Vet’s golfing year. We played six Summer Friendly matches and in the last week of August we played two matches on consecutive days followed on the third day by our tournament of the year The Vet’s Invitation.

AUGUST SUMMER FRIENDLY MATCH RESULTS.

Thurs. 8^th Aug.   Basingstoke            Home Win 5½ -1½

Mon.  12^th Aug. Farnham.                Home  Win 4½ -3½

Thurs 15^th Aug.  Weybrook Park.     Away   Lost 5-1

Mon. 19^th Aug.  Sandford Springs.   Home Win 4-2

Tues. 27^th Aug. Tidworth Garrison   Away  Win 5-1

Wed. 28^th Aug. Blackmoor                Home  Win 5-2

Such was the enthusiasm to play in these matches that I was able to effectively pick two completely different teams to play on the 27^th and 28^th and,  apart from a couple of stalwarts, those who played against Blackmoor were selected from those not playing in the ‘The Invitation’ the next day.

September’s Vets’ calendar of Summer Friendlies is another busy one. The programme is as follows:-

Mon Sept. 2^nd  Away to Lee-on-Solent.

Thurs 5^th Sept Away to Royal Winchester.

Wed. 11^th Sept Home to Hartley Wintney

Thurs. 19^th Sept. Home to Cowdray Park

Tues 24^th Sept. Away to Stoneham

Mon 30^th Sept.  Away to Cowdray Park

We have not yet reached the end of our Summer Friendly season but so far because of the large numbers who have made themselves ‘Available for Selection’, my team selection task has been made very easy task. So thanks to all those who have put their names down.

WEDNESDAY MORNING ROLLUPS.

Throughout July these were really well attended. In August attendance was even higher. With figures in the 20’s we have on occasions only just been able to accommodate everyone in our allotted hour.

THE VETS’ INVITATION.

I have left the best ‘til last! This year was an outstanding success with all but two of the tees occupied for the ‘shotgun’ start which without doubt was heard all over the course and probably half of Hampshire! The weather was perfect, a sunny windless 22 Degs.C, the course was in perfect condition, the halfway house was so good the average attendance time was over 30 minutes, and to finish off the day an excellent carvery lunch. My thanks to all those who made it so; Vets’ Tournament Secretary and organiser Ed Tinley, Scrutineer Wynne Tufnell, Fran, Madge, Monica and Wendy, the  girls who ran the halfway house, Simon Justice and his team, and who or whatever provided the weather.

The seven prizes for Nearest the Pin were won by (2^nd) Chris Coates of Bramshaw GC, (6^th) Chris Vickeryof Avington GC, (10^th) Bob Archer, and (18^th in 2) Peter Dempster of Stoneham. GC Special mention has to be made of Dave Forrest’s guest Mike Burkie of Blackmoor. who walked away with the other three prizes; nearest the pin on the 16^th and nearest the pin in 2 on both the 9^th and the 18^th!

The main prizes of the day went to the two-man teams with the highest combined score.

Third and a prize of £25.00 each went to Chris Graham and guest Keith Madeley (Petersfield GC) with 62pts.

Second and a prize of £50.00 each went to Dia Rowlands and guest Phillip Toft (Worldham) with 63pts.

Winners of the Invitation Trophy and a prize of £100.00 each went to Pete Dowse and guest Mike Gilbert. (South Winchester) with 68pts.

Guests, some of whom had travelled many miles, must have been extremely impressed at what was a great day and a marvellous advertisement for the club.

Ewan

Ewan McGregor

Vets Captain

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A big thank you  to AGC for sponsoring so many events during the year and making it possible for us to take part.

Rosie

Rosie Rooney

Juniors Captain

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Winter Knockout Competitions

Men’s Lombard 4BBB

Mixed Winter Foursomes

Entries for our Winter Knockout competitions 2024/25 will open later this month.  Please keep an eye on the Members Update for further details and where to find the Terms of Competition and Entry Procedures.

Members are asked to consider their own availability for arranging matches before entering, particularly if players are intending to have extended holidays in the new year.  The provisional timetable for the winter competitions are:

Entry Opens:                             6am on Monday 19^th August 2024

Entry Closes:                             10pm on Sunday 29^th September 2024

League Stages Commence:        7^th October 2024

League Stages Conclude:           31^st December 2024

Knockout Stage Commences:     6^th January 2025

The provisional deadline dates for knockout stages is as follows (based on 16 qualifying pairs):

Round 1:           9^th February 2025

Quarter Final:   16^th March 2025

Semi Final:        13^th April 2025

Final:                4^th May 2025

Entry for both the men’s Lombard 4BBB and mixed Winter Foursomes will be via the Club V1 App/HowDidiDo.

Entry for both competitions if open to 7 day members who have competed in 6 qualifying competitions in the preceding 12 months (30th September 2023 to 29th September 2024).

How to enter for Men’s Lombard 4BBB & Mixed Winter Foursomes:

Entry is via “HowDidiDo” or Club V1 Members Hub.

1. From the “menu” select “knockouts” and find either

“Mixed Winter Foursomes 2024-25 (entries only)” OR

“Men’s Lombard 4BBB 2024-25 (entries only)

2. Select “View Info” or down arrow to view details, and select “enter knockout”
3. At the confirmation screen, your name will appear in the box labelled “player 1”, start entering the the surname of your playing partner in “player 2”, and select the correct partner and click “enter”.

If you wish to enter but do not have a playing partners, please email the C&H Committee and we will see if we can help handicaps@alresfordgolf.co.uk

General Play Scores

Members may find it easier to register for a General Play round using the England Golf App, this score can then be attested by your marker via the App.  Remember ….   England Golf imposes penalty scores for any player who registers for a General Play round but a score is not submitted.

Golf Foundation Stableford

The Golf Foundation was founded in 1951 by Jack Burroughs of British Steel Golf Shafts who perceived that the sport of golf was facing potential crisis in falling participation and playing standards.  He and the famous golf correspondent Henry Longhurst believed a solution was to become active in the schools.  At around the same time, three-time Open Champion Henry Cotton was holding meetings with Raymond Oppenheimer and Cyril Gray to try to find solutions to the very same problems.

With Burroughs’ support Cotton undertook a lecture and demonstration at two schools. The feedback convinced them they were on the right track and thus was born the core activity of the Golf Foundation, which was to make possible golf instruction in schools via a process of fundraising and subsidy. By August 1953, 108 schools had registered for Golf Foundation instruction, representing around 3,500 young people becoming actively involved in the sport of golf.

The Golf Foundation may have evolved into the progressive organisation it is today, ‘helping young people to enjoy the playing and personal benefits of golf’, but it has never departed from its original ideal of growing participation levels, with strong relationships with schools being a key starting point.

Along the way, many people have made important contributions, not least thousands of volunteers from golf clubs, schools and the community. Leading golfers of today, including Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Danny Willett, can all recall Golf Foundation help in their own coaching.

On Friday 6^th and Saturday 7^th September it is AGC’s turn to help the foundation by our Charity Stableford competition, all the proceeds of which will be donated to the Golf Foundation Charity.

Order of Merit Update

There were a total of 36 player that signed up for the 2024 Order of Merit, at the time of writing the 5 players with the highest total number of points looks like this:

Will Packenham-Walsh 148

Ben Unsworth 101

James Banks 97

Paul Kettley 89

Gavin Jones 86

It is important to remember however, that we will take 2 best scores from the Nett competitions, 3 best scores from the single day medal competitions, 2 best two-day competition scores and Club Championship score from each player – so we will not know who has made it to finals day until the last competition, The Centenary Cup, is complete.

There are still 6 competitions to compete in, so it is all to play for at this stage.

Many thanks

Gill Freemantle

Chair Competitions & Handicap Committee, Handicap Secretary

handicaps@alresfordgolf.co.uk

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