Management Report for the Members AGM 2014
As another golfing season draws to an end, looking back at the year I believe there are many positives we can take out of 2014. The golf course this year has been fantastic (I hope you will agree) and whilst there are always areas to improve upon we are continually moving in the right direction. I am happy with the level of support we get from the STRI agronomists and with the advice and recommendations that we receive I believe the quality of the course will only get better and better in the coming months and years ahead.
From an investment point of view, £20,000 was spent on a new banks mower earlier in the year which has helped the green keepers cut the tee banks and greens surrounds that in the past would have been scalped. The general cause of this was the use of machinery that was not quite correct for the job in hand, so, now with the machinery that Granville has purchased over the last 5 years we do have the right equipment for the right job which has helped to improve the general quality of the course as well as helping to reduce the physical man hours it used to take to complete the required work out on the course. The irrigation system will continue to be invested in over the winter on both the greens and tee boxes as we have done over the last couple of years, which again can only help to enhance the course into future years.
All members who take time to read the notice boards will have seen our latest agronomist summary report in the main corridor which outlined how well the course traffic was managed last winter as we remained open throughout the winter period. The additional play we received from visitors or members of other courses that were either shut or on a limited course added to the wear and tear but our green staff handled it extremely well by guiding the golfer around the course and away from extremely wet areas. Following a winter like we had last year there has been a slight build up of thatch in the greens but the spring and late summer aeration work can only help to reduce this. We currently have 405 members in all categories and the addition of the reciprocal arrangements has added value to being a 5 or 7 day member at this golf club. This added benefit has certainly been well received by you the members and I am hoping the number of courses will continue to increase in the next few years.
Over the coming months and ahead in to 2015 the clubhouse will undergo certain refurbishments starting in the function room which is to be painted and tidied up, we will also be looking to replace the fire doors in the spikes bar and in the conservatory. The changing room toilet facilities are on the management's plans to update in the future however, an understanding of the potential financial outlay will need to be assessed first before I can give any further indication of likely timeframes for this. Wiseville have recently agreed to have BT Sport installed into the clubhouse, the installation of which should take place over the next couple of weeks if not before. I believe the addition of BT Sport will certainly help to improve the atmosphere and membership experience within the clubhouse.
Finally, over the last couple of years we have seen both good and bad staff leave for various reasons. Sadly, after 12 years of service Jan Tingey (as you all will probably know) will be leaving us at the end of September. Jan and her family moved down to Eastbourne last year and after travelling back and forth every day for over a year has found the travelling just too much to do on a daily basis.
The Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank Jan for her contribution and commitment to Bletchingley Golf Club over the past 12 years and we wish her all the very best for the future, and I am sure you will all join the Directors and all the staff at Bletchingley Golf Club in wishing her the same.
Finding her successor will not be easy but at the same time it won't be rushed, we will take our time in appointing someone to fit the role we are looking for as it is an important role to fill.
Borer Anniversary Trophy
Congratulations to Bill Penfold who won the Borer Anniversary trophy at the weekend with a fantastic score of 39 points, in some blustery conditions. The winner of the Ladies competition was Karen Cottle who also had a great score of 38 points.
Cuckfield Pro-Am
I received a lovely message from a lady who is a member of Cuckfield who played with my assistant Michael yesterday in their Club Pro Am. Michael played very well shooting a 3 under par round, which included a six under par back 9 with a lost ball! Mike finished in 3rd place overall. I thought I would share her comments with you.
"We just wanted to congratulate Mike Day on his success yesterday at the Cuckfield ProAm. We were his team and although did not play to our full potential were delighted to have played with him. Bletchingly should be very proud of Mike, he is a wonderful ambassador for the club and his golfing skills should bring him more success in the future. Well done Mike".
We always love to hear your feedback our our service, our course and our staff, so please click here to get in touch if you would like to pass on some feedback.
Ladies Coaching
During the winter Michael is going to be running some Ladies Group Coaching for any Ladies who are interested there will be a sign up sheet on the Main Noticeboard shortly, with further details and dates.
Rory McIlroy wins PGA of America and Vardon awards in US
Rory McIlroy's successful summer has led to him being named PGA of America Player of the Year and the Vardon Trophy winner in the US.
It marked the second time in three years that the Northern Irishman, 25, has picked up two two awards.
McIlroy won consecutive majors as he landed the Open Championship and US PGA title, which came either side of his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational triumph.
The world number one could also land the PGA Tour Player of the Year award.
That honour will be announced on 9 October.
McIlroy posted an adjusted average of 68.82 through 66 complete rounds, edging Sergio Garcia [68.95] - who completed 61 rounds - to win the Vardon Trophy.
Masters winner Bubba Watson was a distant second to McIlroy for the Player of the Year award, with US Open winner Martin Kaymer third, followed by Jimmy Walker.
Pro Golfer wins trip to space for hole-in-one at KLM Open
Nuneaton golfer Andy Sullivan has won a trip to space next year after a hole-in-one during the final round of the KLM Open in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
XCOR Space Expeditions awarded the prize for the first player to ace the par-three 15th during the tournament.
Sullivan, 28, said he was "not the best flyer", but would undertake the 30-minute flight to 100km (330,000 feet).
"I'll have to pluck up some serious courage, but I'd love to do it," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I didn't play great through the round, but then I hit a perfect shot like that. What an experience.
"My caddie just shouted 'we're going to space'."
The former Walker Cup player eventually shot a final round of 67 to finish third behind winner Paul Casey.
Before Sunday, Sullivan's biggest European Tour prize to date was when he collected more than £130,000 for finishing second at this year's Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.