Golf Course
Peter Bradburn and his team are actively looking to reduce the number of temporary greens needed to protect the main greens. At times over the last two months there was a layer of ice formed under the surface as well as above it. Allowing play in those conditions would have resulted in considerable damage to the greens which Peter has avoided. He reported to the February Golf Committee meeting that he will work on increased aeration this year to improve drainage, improve the temporary green surfaces for next winter introducing double hole cups as well. Click here to read Peter’s Grass Clippings blog. We are working hard on maintaining our reputation on having the best-presented greens in the local area.
Indoor Golf Centre (IGC)
The Golf Practice Group is progressing well on finalising a design for the IGC and Short Game Practice area so we can consult with Wandsworth Planning in a pre-application meeting. This design has yet to be fully costed and approved by the Board before we can progress but we hope to achieve this by the end of March. Please click here to read the Golf Committee Chair’s update report.
Tennis Airhalls
Members have commented how welcome the two Airhalls have been during the cold snap in addition to the Indoor Tennis Centre Courts. We still have issues with the air handling unit for Airhall 2 billowing out smoke on occasion which is being fixed under warranty. Both Airhalls will be deflated early April with courts 7-10 needing a fortnight of works to bring the courts area fully up to scratch for summer use. These are one off works following the installation last autumn. As the 1st and 2nd team National League matches will be played on these courts, spectator seating will be in place for Member viewing. In July courts 15-18 will be resurfaced with synthetic clay ( smash) as part of the Club’s continual tennis surface improvement cycle as approved by the Tennis Committee.
Club Café Refurbishment
Works are progressing on schedule so that we can hopefully open the Club Café to Members on Monday 13th March. Executive Chef Lloyd Walker is putting the finishing touches to the new brasserie menus so that the Club Café evening service will be available from Friday 16th March. Members are thanked for their patience while we currently use the Roehampton Room for the café as it does become very busy during the weekends.
Solar Panels installation
The scaffolding that can be seen around the Club is to enable the new solar panels to be installed before the sunny weather is expected. Panels have been installed on the Grounds Building, Health Club with the Studio, Squash courts and Clubhouse to follow. We hope to receive the final approval from the local Grid by the end of February and then the electricity generated by these panels will reduce our electricity bill considerably and pay back the cost of the panels within four years.
Junior Gym hours extended
We are pleased to extend the hours for Juniors to use the Gym. Juniors aged 11-16 may now use the gym on Friday evenings until 9pm and at weekends from 10am – 8pm. Junior gym hours are 10am – 6pm Monday to Thursday, 10am – 9pm Fridays and 10am – 8pm at weekends. Juniors must complete the safety induction programme before being able to use the machines and weights. Gym staff have full details or click here.
Roehampton Community Support
Roehampton Club and Roehampton University have been active members of the Roehampton Partnership for 12 years as major local employers. We want to give back support and expertise to the local Roehampton community where we can to help improve the Roehampton experience. We have helped fund the refurbishment of the Alton Activity Centre, support the Roehampton Community Box Scheme during Covid and since, support local community groups and Estate Art initiatives around sports pitches while co-sponsoring the Roehampton Festival. We will continue to keep close links with Roehampton Ward Councillors, Council officers and local organisations to assist where we can knowing we are actively contributing to help local schoolchildren through the Rackets Cubed charity and to improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
Please click here to see the latest community initiative for Roehampton residents that may interest Members.
Best wishes,
Marc
marc.newey@roehamptonclub.co.uk
