Members views is designed to give the opportunity for members to air their views regarding any aspect of our golf club. Email's are subject to web conditions accessible through the EMail rules link.

Please send your emails to Dilwyn on dpjames@talktalk.net

Turkey Trot Tees Draw Idea.. 20/10/09

Hi,

Firstly I must say the new site is definitely a step in the right direction, and looks good to anyone who is browsing the site.

Now for an idea/moan, take your pick, with the turkey trot fast approaching and another shotgun start looming wouldn’t it be nice for all members to have a free draw of starting tee on arrival, obviously the Captains and Presidents groups could go off 1 and 10.

This could be done by putting the remaining tee numbers in a bag and when the first person from that group pays they pick out the tee. This would give everyone an equal chance of getting a good tee, take away the “always the same people on the good tee” moans and also give a bit of fun and drama to the proceedings.

Regards,

Mark Darroll (Brogie)

Seems good to me. What do others think. It would spice it up a bit

Leaf clearing suggestion 18/10/09

May I suggest that the leaf-clearing machine is used in the mornings before competitions - or any other play for that matter - and not afterwards in the afternoons as has been the case recently.

Also it would be of considerable benefit if loose cuttings around the course were cleared up.
Jeremy Finney 

The leaf-clearing machine that we have does not pick up wet leaves very effectively and that is why it is carried out in the afternoons, when the leaves are dry. Roger Barrington has received a quote for a machine that will collect wet leaves!!!!

Many clubs get around this problem by purely blowing the leaves off the Fairways and into the rough but this causes as many problems as it solves. What we really need is a couple of very hard frosts followed by a hurricane and then at least we can clear them all in one go, as it takes 6 hours to carry out each clearing operation

With regard to the loose cuttings, I was not aware of a problem and therefore I will speak to Roger and report back 

Ian Hamilton

Re: Leaf Collector

I got a price for a new leaf collector which was £25000.00 + VAT. I personally feel we could not commit members money to a machine we only use for approximately one month a year.
To clear the fairways each time would take about six full working days as we only have three green staff. This is impossible to do every week.
This year Cyril Jennings kindly gave up his free time to help us. Next year if there are any members who can drive a tractor and has free time to help out please contact myself or any of the green staff.
Winter is here again and the green staff will keep the course open as much as possible so could members protect the course on wet and frosty days by taking buggys and trolleys up the rough as much as possible.
Roger Barrington.
Please send emails to Dilwyn on dpjames@talktalk.net

Course Diary 19 March 2010

I really miss this as it was often a good pointer as to whether to organise a game for a certain day or not. It must be useful for guests too. I know most of the information on competitions is there somewhere but it was helpfull to avoid competitions held by other sections or large society bookings.

Andy Timmer

This can be accessed via Home > Club Diary and appears to be stuck in Nov 09

Thoughtful ideas on improving the course (05 March 10)

Dilwyn

As promised here are my thoughts:
 
a.  11th hole:  I agree that the gorse just to the left of the green is an unfair element on this hole. A decent pot type bunker would be better.
 
b.  We should stop trolleys and buggies going close to the fringes of some greens.  For example we should make players using the second tee go to the 18th fairway side (ie between the trees and the tee box). The fringe area between the 1 st green and the second tee is being damaged by trolleys and players standing in this area are at risk from approach shots to the 1st green.  This can be done by using ropes to direct players with trolleys as around the 13th green.  Also putting white markings around greens to designate no trolley areas would help protect fringes.  The alternative is a trolley ban in the winter or when the course is wet.
 
c.  The 9th hole has a very unprotected green and the area to the front left side (ie towards 10th fairway) is often wet.  Why not dig out a reasonably large pond/lake between the tree line and the left side of the green. This would be marked as a water hazard even if it dries out in the summer and could be used to help drainage for both the 9th and 10th holes.  This could even be linked to a ditch cut through the trees between the 9th and 10th fairway linking all the way to the ditch  on the right of the 10th green.  The soil removed could be used to create mounds between the 9th and 10th and reduce the need for an out of bounds line in this area.
 
I hope my thoughts are not too radical.  I look forward to hearing the thoughts of other members and the authorities.
 
Ian Robertson

I will ask the relevant committee members for their views. If anyone else has a view please email it in. (Web page organiser)

 

11th Green : Gorse Bush or Bunker (26-11-09)

Hi

Firstly i like the look of the new website. Would it be possible on the 11th to replace the gorse with a bunker ? I am willing to give my services for a day in the spring or summer and i will get another 1 or 2. I think to miss the green by 1 metre on a 220 yard uphill par 3 and lose your ball is too much a punishment,a bunker would be more appropriate.

Thanks

James Morgan

This is an interesting proposal. What do others think?

 

Active Handicaps 13/07/10

   Almost exactly one third of the members of our club do not have an Active Handicap in accordance with the CONGU Unified Handicapping System.
I wonder how many, like me, were or are unaware of the implications.

1. Not having an Active Handicap can restrict a member from winning a competition prize at LGC or other Clubs.
2. The only way to obtain an Active Handicap is, every year, to play and submit cards from at least 3 Qualifying Medal competitions.

In our club, Medal Competitions have traditionally been played only on Sunday. The Committee is running trial Saturday Competitions.
Can I recommend to any members who, like me, play only on Saturdays, that they support the trial.
I am assuming that most of the one third members would prefer to have an Active Handicap.
It is entirely my own fault for not reading Notice Boards and taking time to understand The English Golf Union’s intentions last year.
I suspect I am not alone however!

Rod Garvey

Winter Greens - 8 November 2010

Ah, the time of the year is now upon us when we get to play once a week (if we’re lucky). When we do play we are luckier than most clubs in that we can use our greens nearly 12 months of the year. I therefore feel I’m being a little picky when I bring up the subject of early morning dew on the greens. I for one hate putting on greens that are covered in morning dew, but what’s more of a problem is the green that is partially dew free, - having to judge putting speeds etc, and some days the dew doesn’t clear till the afternoon. It would be great if our green staff could pop in and “Switch” or “Swish” the greens before play, but of course I’m being selfish because they like the majority of members have completed their working week by Friday.

Could I suggest that the club invest in a “switch” pole for every green (a bit like having a rake at every bunker - if cost permits). The first few groups out could quickly clear dew from around the holes to make the greens more consistent (Or not if dew doesn’t bother them). Some of you will no doubt think that it will hold up play, but it would only take a minute or so and certainly no longer than raking a bunker for most holes. Any thoughts on this matter from the Committee or fellow members would be welcome. Then again I could always ask the Pro for a putting lesson!

Nigel Morris