Chair’s Message
This week has seen some fantastic golf results with the highlights being Jinni Featherstone-Witty and David Moss scoring a phenomenal 51 points in the Bank Holiday Mixed Foursomes and Kathleen Bacon achieving a hole in one on the 13th – her first hole in one – in the Tuesday Stableford. A few of us joined her for a celebratory glass of champagne in the Members Bar. I also understand that a fellow Director missed a hole in one by a whisper on the 14th in the same competition!
The course was in a great condition for all the golf competitions this week and Head Greenkeeper David Howe and his team must be complimented. Members are looking forward to welcoming the return of the Legends Tour Professionals on Monday 5th September in the Roehampton Club Pro Am post the pandemic. Former Ryder Cup stars Phillip Price, David Gilford and Steve Richardson are playing, and Members are welcome to come and watch how they tackle our super smooth greens with a shotgun start at 10am. The full list of Legend Tour Pros and teams can be seen here.
Development Projects Update
There has been no Board meeting in August but here is an update on various on-going projects:
◊ Thank you for your patience while we progress the various drainage projects on the golf course; make repairs to the water harvesting tank and ensure the attenuation tanks under the tennis courts 15-18 are working as intended all before the winter rains.
◊ We are pleased to report that Airhall 2 is back on schedule for an early November finish.
◊ We are progressing the installation of more solar panels on the Clubhouse, Health Club and other buildings and expect the pay back of these to be in the order of 4 years.
◊ We are working up a scheme to harvest rainwater from all Club roofs.
◊ The galvanised steel high safety nets on the 11th and 12th holes have been installed as per the planning conditions. The new tripods are very visible on the 12th but will weather in time and we will paint green if necessary, plus Peter Bradburn will look at planting options to shield the tripods. The additional safety nets on the 10th hole will be painted green pre installation in October.
NB Any golfer hitting a ball into Priory Lane must report it to the Sports Shop please.
◊ Regarding health and safety, we are in conversation with Ibstock Place School about the new climbing wall next to our 14th tee. The school has apologised for not consulting us prior to installation. Our netting contractor is now involved as we help them to work out a safe operational plan to suit both parties.
◊ The conversion of the archive area to a laundry area under the Bar Terrace and the various Health Club projects are proceeding according to schedule. The Terrace will be in use for 4th and 5th September but back out of use for completion between 6th to 8th September.
Sports and Section Committees
This month sees the election of new Committee members to the various Sports and Section Committees. This is a good opportunity for Members to have a say in the direction, conduct and management of a specific Sport or Section for the benefit of all Members.
The Committees have six elected members and appoint their own Chair. Nominations are open during the first two weeks of September and if the number of candidates standing exceeds the number of places then elections will take place during the second two weeks of September. Please click here for more details.
As the Health Club is a key part of the Club’s portfolio with over 70% of the Membership using it on a regular basis, the Board has decided to introduce more member involvement in the direction, conduct and management of this Section and with effect from October, an elected Committee will replace the current Forum.
The Board wishes to thank all the past and current Members of the Forum for all their hard work and contributions.
Art Group classes return in September
The vibrant Art Group swings into life again in September with 90 Members signed up already for the autumn term of art classes. If you would like to get back into painting and drawing, then there are places in the Beginners and Improvers classes. Click here to find out more.
The next art lecture is at the Club on the 20th September on ‘art and seduction’ and artists will be putting finishing brush strokes to their entries for the main exhibition in November.
New Autumn Social Scene
Enjoy the rest of the summer and sign up for the exciting new autumn Social Scene programme. Click here for a preview.
Best wishes,