AN UPDATE FROM...
ROBIN CHENG General Manager
Dear Members,
As we get further into autumn and the course takes on its seasonal character, November offers a moment to pause and take stock. It’s been a busy few months across the club, and we’re pleased to share updates, achievements, and plans as we head into the final stretch of the year.
This edition includes highlights from recent competitions, coaching updates, and a look ahead to our festive activities. We’re also continuing our support for local initiatives, including the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, and preparing for our Christmas Raffle in aid of the Samaritans.
Whether you’re out on the fairways or enjoying the clubhouse, thank you for being part of the Abbey Hill community.
Course Works
This year has seen significant progress in our longterm vision for Abbey Hill Golf Centre, with a series of carefully planned course improvements aimed at enhancing playability, drainage, and overall member experience.
Following a comprehensive site review conducted in July by Leeds Golf Design Ltd, we launched Phase 1 of our masterplan in September. This phase focused on reshaping and renovating bunkers, increasing path locations, and initiating major drainage works - most notably on the 5th hole, which required a temporary closure to allow for safe and effective installation of new drainage systems. These works also come off the back of the 9th green and approach having capillary drainage added to increase playability throughout the wetter months.
Looking ahead, Phase 2 planning is underway and will be reviewed during our October budgeting process. We’ll continue to share updates as we move forward with the next stage of development.
Thank you for your patience and support as we invest in the future of Abbey Hill.
Words from MK Community Foundation
For nearly 40 years, Milton Keynes Community Foundation has been dedicated to supporting the people and places that make Milton Keynes. It connects people who care, with causes that matter, providing funding to grassroots groups, local charities, and cultural organisations that work every day to create a fairer, more vibrant city.
Last year, through the generosity of its donors, the Foundation awarded over £890,000 in grant funding to more than 100 local organisations. But it wants to ensure it can support all 1,500 charities that make MK’s voluntary sector so strong. The Foundation relies on the donations, kindness, and generosity of local people and businesses so it can continue to send funding where it’s needed most.
It is therefore delighted to welcome Abbey Hill Golf Centre as a new business member of MK Community Foundation.
Following conversations with the team, it’s clear that their commitment to the environment and sustainability is at the forefront of their operations. Because of these values, Abbey Hill Golf Centre chose to direct its membership contribution to our Environmental Fund. This generous donation will help reduce emissions, protect local green spaces, and fund environmental projects across Milton Keynes.
In addition to this commitment, the club has set up a tap to donate machine in its restaurant, allowing members and visitors to contribute directly to our Community Fund. Every donation, no matter the size, will go a long way in helping us increase our reach and support.
We’re truly inspired by the commitment Abbey Hill Golf Centre is showing to support its local community, and we look forward to working together to fund fairness across the city.
COURSE UPDATE FROM...
CRAIG WYATT Course Manager
As we move further into autumn, our focus over the coming weeks will be on leaf collection and keeping the main playing surfaces as clear as possible. This is an ongoing task, and although we make every effort to clear the course before play, leaves are currently falling faster than we can collect them. We appreciate your patience during this period.
This season brings many more challenges, including keeping the surfaces clear of diseases. We head into this tricky period in a strong position, and the team will be closely monitoring surface conditions as well as weather forecasts to stay ahead.
In the coming days, we will be applying an insecticide to control leatherjackets, the larvae of the crane fly. These grubs primarily damage the greens by feeding on the roots, with secondary damage caused by birds pecking at the surface in search of the grubs. To be effective, the product must be watered in, either through irrigation or natural rainfall. Therefore, if you see the sprinklers operating, this will be the reason.
The team has already begun preparations for the declining weather, with the red flag and ball system now in place. The position of the ball on the pin indicates the hole location on the green - bottom for front, middle for centre, and top for back.
We will also be placing temporary mats on the par-3 tees and the 1st tee. This will help protect the tees during the winter months when there is little to no recovery. To make the most of any limited growth and warmer temperatures, we’ll be applying a slow-release granular fertiliser to the teeing surfaces to help them through the coming months.
To end on a high note, the recent upgrade works carried out by our contractors are progressing very well, with most nearing completion. The addition of new pathways, bunker redevelopment, drainage improvements, and new teeing areas on the 5th and 14th holes will all enhance the playing experience at Abbey Hill, contributing to our long-term goal of making it a premier golfing venue.
HEAD PRO UPDATE
SIMON QUILLIAM Head Professional
Well, I can hardly believe it’s already been three months since I joined the team here at Abbey Hill Golf Centre... CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
It’s been an exciting learning curve settling into such a lively and welcoming environment, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has made me feel so at home.
It’s been a real pleasure getting to know so many of you in the Pro Shop/ Range and around the clubhouse.
I have enjoyed our ‘’Pathway to Golf’’ initiative, coaching new golfers. Hopefully, we’ll see a few of these beginners becoming full members soon. If you have any friends or family showing an interest, please pass on my details.
The new October ladies group coaching sessions have been well received. We’ve had a good response in the first sessions with learning and laughter, and steady improvement in the opening weeks.
Alex and Matthew are about to embark on their PGA Professional training, a three-year qualification that will see them grow their skills and knowledge in all areas of coaching and golf management. The first stage of their journey involves completing their level one coaching qualification, which means they’ll soon be available to assist with lessons and help you work on your game. This is a great opportunity for our members to benefit from fresh ideas and enthusiastic support as they begin their coaching careers.
As the autumn season settles in, it’s a great time to take stock of your golf, set new goals, and fine-tune your technique, ready for next season. Whether it’s improving your short game or gaining a few extra yards off the tee.
We will have a Christmas raffle with a percentage going to Samaritans Milton Keynes and the balance given out as prize vouchers. The draw will be held on December 23rd. Please purchase your tickets in the Pro Shop.
LADIES SECTION
Abbey Hill Golf Centre Ladies section are always looking to improve their game, and Head Pro, Simon arranged a group lesson for the ladies. This was well attended by the ladies, with the first lesson focusing on short game on the par 3 course. Other planned lessons include full swing, putting and dreaded bunkers. A really relaxed, comfortable way to try and improve the Ladies game.
On behalf of all our lady members, we would like to thank Simon.
If any more ladies would like to join our friendly ladies section or just have a chat about what is available as a club member, then please do contact me lizcampbell498@icloud.com
We would like to celebrate two of our ladies at Abbey Hill Golf Centre. Congratulations to Charlotte Gall and Demi Maxey, who represented us at the UKPCC final. Well done for getting to the final.
Demi Maxey, whom many of you will know from the Pro Shop, had a fantastic round, finishing two over and retaining the title for the second year. Well done Demi, such a great achievement. Congratulations from all the Ladies.
SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE
The exciting announcement of our partnership with MKCF has marked a huge sustainability milestone here at Abbey Hill! We chose to support the environment fund, which focuses on protecting green spaces, reducing emissions, and backing projects that create a more sustainable Milton Keynes.
Joining the fund means our business contributions directly help local environmental initiatives and extend our sustainability efforts beyond the course and into the wider community. To help support our commitment towards a more sustainable community, be sure to use the Tap to Donate Station in the coffee bar; every tap contributes to local projects supported by MKCF.
Alongside this, we’re launching our own composting initiative this month. Our maintenance team, Graham and Mason, are building a compost bin that will allow us to reuse food scraps from the kitchen, coffee grounds from the bar, cardboard, and green waste from the course. Composting helps reduce waste, lower emissions, and return valuable nutrients to the soil - a small but meaningful way to make our operations even greener.
We’re also beginning to work with Sustainable MK; a local charity connected through MKCF. Sustainable MK runs a zero-emissions food redistribution service that collects surplus food from local businesses and delivers it to community groups across the city. We’re looking forward to exploring how we can work together to redistribute surplus food from Abbey Hill and further reduce food waste.
We’re looking forward to building this momentum and seeing the positive impact of these initiatives grow as we move towards the end of the year.
WINTER WHEELS & BUGGY USE – FROM 1ST NOVEMBER
(Weather Dependent)
As we approach the colder months, we’d like to remind members that winter wheels on trolleys is due to come into effect from 1st November. This date is provisional and will be confirmed based on weather and course conditions closer to the time.
The introduction of winter wheels is a key part of our course protection strategy during the wetter season. As always, the use of general buggies will be aligned with the winter wheels policywhen winter wheels are required, general buggy use will typically be suspended to preserve the condition of the course.
We understand that some members rely on buggies for medical reasons. We will do our utmost to keep medical buggies available for as long as conditions allow, but there may come a point where the course becomes unsuitable for any buggy use due to safety and accessibility concerns.
That said, we’re hopeful that the drainage and path improvements that are almost complete will allow us to extend the period during which buggies can be safely used, even through challenging weather. These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to improving the course and member experience.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain the course through the winter months. If you have any questions or require assistance with winter wheels or medical buggy access, please don’t hesitate to contact the Pro Shop.
New Year
SHENLEY BROOK END SIMULATOR
Thank
