Chair’s Message
Dear Member,
What a fantastic result for England’s Women’s football team last Sunday – such commitment, camaraderie and teamwork. Alongside our athletes in Birmingham isn’t it wonderful to see so many gifted young people playing sport to such a high level.
Commiserations to our own Pearson Ladies golf squad who successfully won the Surrey Cup but were narrowly beaten by 4/3 by Kent in the semi-final of the Pearson Trophy on 21st June. Kent went on to win the afternoon’s final against Middlesex. Still, an achievement to be very proud of.
Reporting back on July’s Board meeting, House Committee has now met with our architects ADP to draw up specific proposals to take to the Property Development Committee by mid-September. A new contractor has been appointed to progress the Indoor Golf Centre (IGC) and we are considering joining the IGC with the Sports Shop into one unit. The Board will be reviewing the full list of Masterplan projects at a strategy session which will be held before the September Board meeting
The conversion of the archive area to a laundry area under the Bar Terrace has run into roofing problems and we will need to shut the bar terrace from 19th August to 4th September to remove the decking, replace the existing roof and waterproof it. The Health Club projects are proceeding according to schedule.
We have accepted a quote to extend the cycle shelter by the main entrance to accommodate 22 more bikes encouraging more Member use.
We are waiting on the detailed costs for the refurbishment to the Men’s and Ladies changing rooms and hope to progress this before the year-end.
We are looking to install ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) in the car parks.
As far as levy card statement changes requested at the AGM are concerned, the software company is working on it for us, and we will report back once progress has been made.
Planned works for the 11th and 12th golf holes are going ahead as scheduled this month and work on the 10th hole is scheduled for October. Unfortunately, a Priory Lane resident has informed us that golf balls are escaping from the 12th hole into his garden and we need to take steps to prevent this. We are working with our Course Architect Ken Moodie on options to stop this happening. Any form of additional fence here will require planning permission.
We have met regularly with our drainage consultants Barnard and Co over the past month working on a number of projects to improve the drainage on the site. We have encountered drainage issues on the ITC and under the new Airhall 2 and we are working to rectify these.
With the lovely warm conditions, golf balls are definitely travelling a lot further than is normal. This is great if you hit shots straight down the fairway, but wayward shots also travel much further than expected so please ensure you shout FORE if there is any risk of hitting another golfer whether you can see them or not.
As some of you will have read in the press, Rosslyn Park FC has had enforcement notices served on them by Wandsworth Council with respect to their use of containers and prefabricated buildings for which they did not seek planning permission. We are working with Rosslyn Park and our lawyers to help resolve the matter for them.
Rosslyn Park does have permission to replace the existing double-sided advertising hoarding with one hoarding and to remove the second hoarding near our Thatched Cottage. This should happen in the next month or so.
Some of you will have observed the new climbing wall which Ibstock Place School has built close to our 14th Tee. We were not consulted about this and are talking to the school plus our lawyers and insurers as we are very concerned about the safety and liability risks of this temporary structure even with the school saying protective fencing will be installed.
Our staff are doing a fantastic job in this wonderful weather to provide a safe and welcoming environment for us all at the Club despite a number being absent due to catching Covid.
The outdoor pool is a wonderful asset for the Club, but can I please remind you that:
1. Talking on mobile phones is not allowed poolside.
2. ‘Bagging’ of deck chairs and then leaving the pool area to use other areas of the Club is not allowed.
3. Please clear food rubbish and take towels inside when vacating for the day. The pigeons were lining the back fence attracted by left-over food scraps
4. Would parents changing nappies please ensure this is not done on the poolside but in the baby changing rooms provided.
Enjoy the rest of the summer.