Chief Executive’s Message – 8th August 2024
Congratulations to our Inter County Pearson Trophy Winners
I think I need to begin by passing on our huge congratulations to our women golfers for winning the Pearson Inter-County Trophy final held at Hindhead Golf Club on 18th July. A total of 23 Members made up the squad, captained by Therese Swanson and Emma Angood, coached by Pros Ricky Pharo and Oscar Isaac and assisted by fellow Members as caddies. Roehampton Club won the Surrey Pearson Trophy earlier this year and then took on the respective club champions from Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent. I remember the last time we achieved this feat in 2011 at Wrotham Heath in Kent. It takes a lot of commitment and dedication from the squad to keep winning home and away through the winter season and the team should be very proud of their achievement. The impressive trophy can be seen in the Club’s downstairs trophy cabinet. Click here for the full report
Tennis Courts Refurbishment
As the court bookings are quiet this time of year we have scheduled in the refurbishment of Smash Courts 4-6 from 7th August for two weeks. These courts were installed in 2012 and are due for complete refurbishment after eight years but were delayed due to the pandemic and other priorities such as courts 15-18 and 7-10. The ceramic smash court surface will be renewed.
Our team players have indicated that the acrylic surface on courts 7-10 is too soft and has an erratic bounce. We have asked the contractor to return this week to trial a new hardened acrylic surface on Court 10 to see if that removes the uneven bounces. If that is successful we will look to re-coat courts 7-9 as well this month to be ready for September.
Health Club Admissions and Safety
It is important that the Health Club accurately monitors all entrants to ensure we don’t exceed capacity limits in the swimming pools and the gym. In the holidays with the current good weather this is vital. This is why each Member is asked to show their membership card or quote their membership number for staff to log who has entered and if they are eligible. We have had recent incidents where Members are trying to admit guests without paying for them or logging them in. Our CCTV cameras will record such poor behaviour and the offenders will be subject to the Club’s disciplinary procedures. So please don’t try to circumvent Reception or the Club rules as you will be recorded on camera doing so. Please be patient when entering the Health Club and show your card on each entry.
Under 8’s Swim Policy
One of the most important safety rules regarding the pools relates to children aged under 8. Click here to read the policy
It is very important that an adult enters the water to supervise young children aged under 8 and that children eligible to wear a blue band do so to show Lifeguards they are competent. We must do everything possible to avoid any accidents in our pools. Thank you for your co-operation in this important safety matter.
Golf Greens Drainage
The Golf Committee last night offered its thanks to Peter Bradburn and his team for successfully completing the Shelton System 25 drainage method of four of our greens – 3rd, 6th,14th and 15th. The turf has been re-laid over the new drains and is now growing back in ready for September play with lots of top dressing being applied throughout August. We are aiming to open the four greens again on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September. However, Peter may have to close them again for a final top dressing for a few days the following week depending on how they react to the weekend’s usage. Our thanks to Members for their patience playing on the temporary greens for the duration of these works. We will hopefully see the benefit during the wet winter months.
Capital Projects Update
Wandsworth Council has given us a date of 9th September for a decision on our Indoor Golf Centre (IGC) Planning submission. We are finalising our second submission on this project – a safety net alongside the 1st tee to prevent tee shots landing on to the IGC and short game practice area. That will be submitted by the end of August to be considered in parallel with the first application.
We also hope to submit next week our planning application for the extension to the Bar Terrace overlooking the gardens. If approved we hope to start the works in November.
The final designs for the Members’ Bar and Function rooms have been considered by House Committee and these are being compiled to be shown at the Open Member Forum on 10th September starting at 6.30pm through to 8pm. Please note the date and time in your diary.
As mentioned at the AGM a working group has been set up to discuss where best to place a Padel and Pickleball Hub following the feedback from Wandsworth Council on our suggested scheme for Courts 25-28. Representatives from different section committees have been invited to join the group. Click here to read the minutes from their first meeting
We are now exploring different options around the Club, if possible, to locate new Padel and Pickleball courts before we finalise a plan to consult with Members.
Junior activities
To ensure you can find activities for your Juniors to do in September please look out for:
Fun 4 Kids
Sundays 1st, 15th and 29th September
Bring your friends and join us for these free sessions with a mixture of cricket, football, hockey and more team games on the Lime Tree Lawn.
5-7 years 11.30am to 12pm | 8-11 years 12pm to 12.30pm
Monkey Music Workshop
Saturday 21st September 10am to 10.40am in the Garden Room
Come along for a very special 40 minute Monkey Music workshop for children aged 1-4 years with catchy music, wonderful sensory resources, percussion instruments, dancing and bubbles, and special friends Monkey and Mo.
Book now at Health Club Reception or give the team a call on 020 8480 4225. For more information please contact Ana Leal, Family Activities Manager at ana.leal@roehamptonclub.co.uk
Social Scene
Future Forward: Media and Entertainment with Mollie King and Annabel Croft
Thursday 26th September at 7pm
There are a few spaces left for our Future Forward event with Mollie King and Annabel Croft. It is the first in a new series of events aimed at younger Members to offer networking opportunities and advice to those already working on their set career path, or sharing information and experience for those just starting to consider future career options. Join Mollie and Annabel as they share their experiences and answer questions on how to succeed in the media and entertainment industry.
An evening with Handelsbanken Chief Economist James Sproule
Thursday 12th September 7.30pm
James Sproule has been the Chief Economist with Handelsbanken since 2020 after roles as Senior Business Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office and Chief Economist and Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors. He is an Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy and will talk about the current state of the UK economy, the forecasts after the 2024 UK and US elections and future impact of technology on financial markets. Not to be missed.
Members £10 | Guests £15
Make a night of it and book a table to enjoy dinnder in the Bistro afterwards.
Book now at Reception, give the team a call on 020 8480 4200 or log in and book online via the Members’ website at www.roehamptonclub.co.uk
Club Café Bistro
Bistro evenings will be back from Thursday 5th September where Executive Chef Lloyd and his team will be serving a delicious Lebanese menu every Thursday and Friday evening in the Club Café for a month.
Click here for the menu (subject to change)
Book at Reception or give the team a call on 020 8480 4200
Best wishes,
Marc
marc.newey@roehamptonclub.co.uk