AN UPDATE FROM...
ROBIN CHENG
General Manager
Dear Members,
As we step into the heart of summer, I’m pleased to share a round-up of what’s been happening at Abbey Hill and what’s coming up this July. It’s been a busy and exciting time across the club, and we’re grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm.
YOUR NEW HEAD PROFESSIONAL
SIMON QUILLIAM
Head Professional
Dear Members,
I’d like to take a moment to personally introduce myself as the new Head PGA Professional here at Abbey Hill Golf Centre. With over 20 years of experience in the golf industry, I’m truly excited to bring my passion and knowledge to this new role.
Before joining Abbey Hill, I was based at Wycombe Heights Golf Centre and previously held the position of Head Professional at Flackwell Heath Golf Club. My journey in golf has also taken me through professional roles at Gerrards Cross Golf Club, John O’Gaunt Golf Club, and Burnham Beeches, each experience shaping the coach and professional I am today.
Beyond the golf course, I enjoy fishing (when time allows!) and most of all, spending quality time with my family and friends.
At Abbey Hill, I look forward to leading the golf team
with a strong focus on exceptional customer service and delivering a top-class custom fitting experience. Coaching has always been a passion of mine, and I’m committed to providing players of all ages and skill levels with highquality, enjoyable instruction.
Please don’t hesitate to pop in and say hello, I’m looking forward to getting to know you all and helping you enjoy your golf even more.
Warm regards ,
Simon
COURSE UPDATE FROM...
CRAIG WYATT Course Manager
Dear Members,
Continuing this year’s theme, the dry weather has persisted, presenting ongoing challenges and limiting turf growth. Rainfall this month has again been below average, with only 25mm recorded so far, compounding an already extremely dry spring. Combined with high evapotranspiration (E.T.) rates, the irrigation system has been working tirelessly to keep the turf hydrated.
Throughout the day, we’ve been measuring moisture levels on the greens to maximise irrigation efficiency and using hoses to target any areas that are struggling.
To help combat the dry conditions, we’ve continued our wetting agent programme across tees, greens, and approaches. We’ve taken a proactive approach by incorporating seaweed and other turf health products to mitigate the secondary stresses caused by the heat.
We had originally planned to apply a herbicide to the fairways and the worst areas of rough early last month, but conditions were not favourable. This application has been rescheduled for June 27th. Tee times will begin slightly later that day
to allow our contractor to get ahead of play. I’m pleased to continue the excellent work previously done by the greens team, ensuring our cultural practices remain a priority. While these practices may occasionally seem inconvenient, they are essential for maintaining the health and conditioning of the greens. Over the past couple of months, the greens have been both Verti-Drained and Verti-Cut twice, followed by a light dressing to improve ball roll on the putting surfaces.
Away from the main playing surfaces, we’ve been busy with routine maintenance, including spraying ditches and path edges with selective herbicides to maintain tidiness. Bunkers have been edged and weeded, ditches strimmed, and the hedges around the car park and course have been tidied up.
The team has also been ensuring our machinery fleet remains in optimal working condition. We continue to sharpen cutting reels through regular backlapping and closely monitor service intervals to keep the equipment performing at its best.
Thank you for taking the time to read our update. As always, we appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work hard to keep the course in great condition.
Best wishes,
Craig
SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT
We’re proud to introduce Katie Lanigan as our new Sustainability Officer. Katie has been part of our F&B team since February 2023 and is now helping us drive forward our environmental goals. She’s currently studying Sustainable Development and Climate Change at the University of Sussex and will be working closely with all departments to track progress and promote greener practices. Her appointment
supports BGL’s wider commitment to reach Net Zero by the end of 2026.
COMMUNITY & PARTNERSHIPS
Shenley Leisure Centre will soon be introducing Shenley Fairways. This exciting new facility will provide further opportunities for the local community to enjoy golf in Milton Keynes. Shenley Leisure Centre has been sharing progress on the project with Abbey Hill and is excited to work alongside such an established organisation. With two indoor golf simulators powered by SkyTrak technology, they will help enhance your game. Whether you use it to fine-tune your swing, play on some of the most popular courses around, have private lessons or social gatherings, Shenley Fairways will be a place to help improve your game.
If you would like to register your interest for further updates, please contact us on 01908 502488 or visit https://shenleyleisure.org.uk/ sports-and-activities/indoor-golf-simulator/ for more information.
EVENTS UPDATE
Free Members BBQ & Adventure Golf Competition – Wednesday 13th August @ 18:00
Join us for two unforgettable party adventures! Dive into a tropical celebration with STiTCH from LiLO & STiTCH, then step into the playful world of BLUEY, where games and laughter bring the party to life. Two beloved characters, two amazing events — hosted in partnership with Corina’s Parties!
WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST • FROM 10.45AM
Meet & Greet with Stitch • Disco & Games
Stitch-Themed Arts & Crafts • Delicious Treats Adventure Golf & Lots of Fun ADULTS
Tea, Coffee & Danish on Arrival • Unlimited Tea & Coffee
1x ADULT & 1x CHILD
£20.00
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN
£15.00PP
ADDITIONAL ADULTS
£5.00PP
WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST • FROM 9.45AM
Meet & Greet with Bluey • Disco & Games
Bluey-Themed Arts & Crafts • Delicious Brunch Adventure Golf & Lots of Fun ADULTS
Tea, Coffee & Danish on Arrival • Unlimited Tea & Coffee
1x ADULT & 1x CHILD
£20.00
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN £15.00PP
ADDITIONAL ADULTS
£5.00PP
F&B UPDATE & OFFER
Now Pouring: Heineken 0.0 at Abbey Hill Golf Centre!
We’re excited to share that Heineken 0.0 is now available at Abbey Hill Golf Centre on draft! Whether you’re the designated driver, cutting back, or just looking for a refreshing alternative,
Heineken 0.0 delivers the same great taste, without the alcohol.
Why choose Heineken 0.0?
• Full-flavoured and refreshing
• Perfect for post-round drinks without the worry
• A great option for a healthier lifestyle
Swing by the bar and enjoy a cold one, guilt-free!
Improve Your Pace Of Play With Ready Golf
At Abbey Hill, we’re committed to making every round enjoyable for all. One of the best ways to keep things moving smoothly is by embracing Ready Golf, a simple, respectful approach that helps reduce waiting time without compromising etiquette.
Here’s how you can play Ready Golf:
• Be prepared: Choose your club and plan your shot while others are playing.
• Play when ready: If you’re ready and it’s safe, go ahead, even if you’re not “away.”
• Limit practice swings: One or two is plenty.
• Putt out when possible: If you’re close to the hole and not in someone’s line, finish up.
• Keep up with the group ahead: Not just ahead of the group behind.
By adopting these habits, we can all enjoy a quicker, more relaxed round. Let’s keep the game flowing and fun for everyone!
Prostate Screening Sunday 18th May
Results
As most of you may know, Abbey Hill hosted a Prostate Screening Day in partnership with the MK Prostate Cancer Support Group. The day was incredibly well supported, with 194 men getting tested. 159 of those got the green light, while 32 were in Amber and 14 were Red. Hopefully, all those within the red category followed up quickly. Some may have been false positives, but some may not have been.
Please all consider the potential implications of not getting tested, and either contact your local GP or find a testing event near you. Abbey Hill will be hosting another event in 2026, but there are other events locally prior to that.
Why PSA testing is so important?
The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a simple blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. It measures the level of PSA in the blood, a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate gland.
Here’s why it matters:
• Early Detection Saves Lives: PSA testing can help detect prostate cancer before symptoms appear. Catching it early often means it can be treated more effectively, potentially reducing the risk of it spreading or becoming life-threatening.
• Monitoring and Reassurance: A normal PSA result can provide peace of mind. If levels
are elevated, it can prompt further investigation, such as a biopsy, to determine the cause.
• Guiding Treatment: For those already diagnosed with prostate cancer, PSA tests are used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and check for recurrence.
• Raising Awareness: Events like this one play a vital role in encouraging men to get tested, especially those who might otherwise delay or avoid it.
Reciprocals
Don’t forget that a fantastic benefit of membership at Abbey Hill is one free round per month at one of the other nine BGL Golf sites around England. The options are:
Aldwickbury Park – Harpenden
Burhill* – Surrey
Birchwood Park – Kent
Hoebridge – Woking, Surrey
Redbourn – Redbourn
Ramsdale – Nottingham/Derby
The Shropshire – Telford
Thornbury - Bristol
Wycombe Heights – High Wycombe
You can book your round a maximum of seven days in advance by speaking to the team in our sales office by calling them on 01908 562566 (option 2).
You can also take non-member guests at members’ guest rates!
Burhill Golf Club in Walton on Thames, Surrey, is where our company is based. It has two outstanding 18-hole courses, The Old Course and The New Course. It has, in recent years, held qualifiers for The Open. *As an Abbey Hill member, you are entitled to one free round at Burhill per year! Speak to the office for restrictions on time.
A MASTERPIECE IN MOTION.
Introducing the stunning BMW iX. This all-electric SUV seamlessly combines sleek design with an exhilarating performance.
As a leader in electric mobility, the new BMW iX boasts an impressive range of 426* miles. It uniquely combines progressive luxury with advanced technology. Inside, you will find a beautifully crafted space with elegant and intuitive details.
To experience the BMW iX for yourself, please contact the Stratstone Milton Keynes BMW Sales team on 01908 303300 to arrange a test drive^.
*BMW iX xDrive60 M Sport: Energy consumption, combined WLTP in miles/kWh: 3.0–3.4; Electric range, WLTP in miles: up to 370–426. All vehicles are tested according to WLTP technical procedures. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare equivalent electric range figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles, vehicle load (and, for battery electric vehicles, the starting charge of the battery). Figures for battery electric vehicles were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. Battery electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. Zero emissions while driving. Figures quoted are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes and range figures may include options not available in the UK.
^Test drive subject to status and availability. Exclusions apply. Applicable to drivers aged 21 to 85 inclusive with a full valid UK or permitted non-UK driving license held for at least 12 months, with no more than 9 penalty points accrued in the last 3 years and no disqualifications in the last 5 years. Proof will be required.
Thank
