JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2025
AN UPDATE FROM...
Stephen Norton General Manager
As we approach the AGM this year, I am left reflecting on the efforts of the whole club over the past year. Firstly, my thanks to Mark, Geraldine, and Bob who have captained their sections throughout 2024. The efforts of all the committee members is always appreciated and so I wish thanks to all the wider committee members.
As a club, we have agreed to take on the cost of the Club V1/HowDidIDo system. I have requested that the £3,000 saving for the committee to be used for the benefit of the members who have supported the competitions. I know the committee is discussing this and so I hope you will benefit from this over the coming months.
This winter has been a busy period for the club, some of the highlights are included below:
• We took delivery of our brand-new hybrid fairway mower, an investment of over £85,000.
• We completed the £20,000 renovation of the of the pathway on the 3rd to improve performance and safety.
• We completed tree work to the right of the 1st green to increase airflow and light to improve the condition of this green, especially in the winter.
• We have replaced all nine tee mats on the short course using “Huxley” turf, the leaders in golf tee turf.
• We have installed a new path on the 12th hole to improve the performance and aesthetics of the area.
• We have renovated five bunkers using the blinder on the 5th and 18th holes as well as removing a further three bunkers on those holes. An investment of around £60,000.
• We are completing the solar power project across the clubhouse, an investment of around £200,000 to increase our sustainability and reduce the impact of the volatile energy prices we have seen recently.
• We have renovated the balcony in the Kelvedon Suite using composite decking.
We are now planning for 2025 works and projects, which we will communicate in due course.
Some of the most concerning challenges facing us in 2025 are the increase in National Living Wage, the increase in Employer National Insurance payments and the change in the threshold on National Insurance payments. Hospitality and leisure industries are heavily service-led, and our team wages account for around a third of all our revenue. These increases will have a significant impact if not carefully managed.
For reference, it is worth noting that in the last 10 years alone, the National Living wage has increased from £6.70 per hour to £12.21, an 82% increase. For our younger team members, the rate has increased by 90% in the last 10 years, and will increase by 16% this year alone. For context, in the same 10-year period, a pint of Guinness has only increased by 41%, a pint of coke has increased by 38%, and our 7-day membership has increased by 48%.
We will continue to monitor local pricing to make sure we remain competitive, and we will continue to invest in efficiencies and sustainable alternatives wherever we can to offset some of these rising costs.
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SHORTLISTING FOR ENGLAND GOLF AWARDS
I am thrilled to share the fantastic news that Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club has been shortlisted for the Sustainability Project Award by England Golf.
We have been a GEO-certified club since 2013, and we have consistently worked to reduce our environmental impact while championing innovative solutions that improve nature, resource efficiency, and our community.
Working with the Woodland Trust, we restored 1.2 hectares of woodland within our grounds by planting a diverse mix of native trees. This project
not only enhances the biodiversity of the club, but also provides critical habitats for local wildlife, supporting birds, insects, and small mammals.
By sequestering carbon, these trees actively help Birchwood Park offset its carbon footprint, aligning with the UK’s broader net-zero targets. Over time, this woodland area will mature into a thriving natural asset, enhancing the beauty and ecological value of Birchwood Park’s course for generations to come.
Resource efficiency is integral to our operations, and we have achieved zero waste to landfill, a significant milestone in our waste management strategy. By increasing recycling rates by 35% this year, we have embraced the principles of the circular economy.
Our efforts include working closely with suppliers to improve packaging recyclability and educating staff and members on waste segregation. These actions ensure that materials are reused and recycled wherever possible, reducing our environmental footprint and contributing to a cleaner planet.
Recognising the risks associated with water scarcity and pollution, Birchwood Park has developed an innovative water management system that redirects car park run-off into our irrigation infrastructure. This approach enables the club to irrigate turf using captured rainwater, significantly reducing reliance on abstracted or potable water supplies. Additionally, this system helps prevent pollutants from entering local waterways, protecting the integrity of the surrounding environment.
We hope to leave the dinner on April 2nd with the award, however, we are thrilled just to be recognised alongside some other fantastic projects and efforts.
COURSE UPDATE
Dean Wallace
Course Manager
Hello everyone,
To start this newsletter, I’d like to mention the weather! I know it can be frustrating when course conditions are not as we’d like, but a few little insights as to what has been going on out there, I hope may help. Back in December we were still taking mowers out due to favourable conditions and being able to make the course look and feel like we wanted. Then January hit us with over 121mm of rainfall, which in comparison is 50mm more than we experienced in January 2024. February has been kinder rain fall wise so far, but with the average temperature being at around two degrees and the course sitting so wet through January, it has been a struggle to get our machines and buggies out on the course.
I hope you are all happy with the undertaking of the bunker projects on the 5th and 18th. Using specialist outside contractors, Profusion, to bring the designs that Steve Norton and I started work on in late summer. The workmanship is of a far higher standard than when it has been completed in-house. After the turf has been allowed to settle for around 6 weeks to encourage some root growth, and develop some weather resistance, we will start to put sand into them.
The work will soon begin to tidy the areas left after these works, where they will be clearing the debris, then using a soil and seed mix to bring back the growth. Thank you all for your patience while we wait for the correct time to do this.
We have put up signs advising that any tyre marks on these areas should be treated as GUR. These areas will not be marked by paint due to the expanse of the areas.
I have already started making plans for the next stage of works with Profusion and Steve. We will seek to continue the current rate of bunker work, but we are looking to bring this forward into September/October to help avoid some of the damage to the outer edges of the golf course.
We have also installed a new path on the 12th hole to help with the area, which is a perennial problem with turf loss and worn areas. It is made up of a type one base of 100mm and a Norway grey gravel of 50mm on top, set inside shutter boarding with a turfed finish.
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The path on the 16th has also been given a makeover using the grey pave to improve the aesthetic of the hole and make for a more comfortable ride or walk.
Away from the project works, we have been working hard to keep the course as tidy as possible with regular debris clearing from tees and greens and keeping the bunkers raked as often as the weather has allowed. There have been some bunkers refreshed using new sand on the 2nd, 9th and 11th - a process that will continue through into April.
On the greens, we have used our star tines to help the top layer breathe, remove compaction and help dry out as much as possible, which is followed by rolling. This process also helps with disease suppression. Although scaring from a very difficult October and November is visible with a feed planned in for the back end of February and a renovation planned for the week of 23rd March. We will double verti cut to reduce our thatch level followed by a 12mil hollow tine and sand and seed mix to encourage growth and sward density this will disappear. I’d like to thank you all again for your continued patience with this.
We continue to move holes twice a week to avoid wearing the greens out, and we continue to rearrange post and rope to try to remove worn areas becoming too messy.
Tees are currently sitting very wet, which I understand is frustrating, which is why on holes 6, 7, 8, 12 and 14 the temporary tees are still in play. Any chance we get to take them back to grass tees, we will take.
Fairways and rough have only had two cuts since Christmas again due to a high volume of rain in January.
As mentioned earlier, Bunkers have been raked as regularly as possible, and some have had new sand. We have also been edging to try to keep them as tidy as we can.
On the Orchard Course new tee mats and yardage plates have been installed to create a better experience. With bunkers again being raked as often as possible.
We have also recruited a new first assistant, James who has experience working abroad in Hungary and Spain as well as The Hertfordshire golf course. Additionally, Niall, one of our younger greenkeepers is enrolling on his NVQ level two in greenkeeping to
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improve his knowledge and confidence which will be a fantastic achievement for him.
I hope you all continue to enjoy your golf here at Birchwood Park and spring is just around the corner with warmer days and longer nights!
Thank you for reading, see you out there!
Dean HEAD PRO UPDATE
Stephen Lee Head Pro
New Scorecard
As you may have noticed already, we have a new 18-hole scorecard in operation. Please read the local rules as there have been some amendments. Also on the scorecard is a QR code with our WHS Chart on which you can simply scan to see it.
New Stock Arrivals
Clothing
All the new spring/summer clothing is now on display in the Pro Shop.
New for 2025 is Under Armour! Other brands include J.Lindeberg, PING, Puma, Footjoy, Stuburt, and Nike.
Don’t forget as members you’ll receive 10% OFF all these items.
TaylorMade
The NEW TaylorMade Qi35 Range is now available for free custom fitting
PING
The NEW PING G440 Range is now available for free custom fitting!
NEARLY NEW!
You can now trade in your old golf clubs seven days a week in exchange for pro shop credit! (See page 7)
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TRADE IN
Turn unwanted clubs into Pro-Shop credit
IN 4 EASY STEPS
2
3
BRING IN YOUR OLD CLUBS TO TRADE IN*
4
YOUR CLUBS WILL BE INSPECTED & VALUED
OUR TEAM WILL PROVIDE YOUR VALUATION
ACCEPT & WE’LL CONVERT TO SHOP CREDIT
UPCOMING DEMO DAYS
YONEX DEMO DAY Thursday 20th March 2pm-6pm
TITLEIST DEMO DAY Thursday 10th April 1pm-6pm
I hope to see you soon, Stephen
FOOD & BEVERAGE UPDATE
Happy New Year from the food and beverage team!
We started the year with a bang! The fireworks on New Year’s Eve were fantastic. Everyone enjoyed the night. We are starting as we mean to go on, busy, happy, and great service.
See below details for some of our upcoming events:
• Mother’s Day - 30th March 2025
• Easter Sunday - 20th April 2025
• Father’s Day - 18th June 2025
Please speak with our sales team to find out more!
Our Head Chef and kitchen team will be relaunching the weekly specials menu with some healthy options. Remember to pop up to the bar and restaurant on Sundays for our freshly cooked Sunday roast dinners.
Why not try our healthy smoothies menu, available all day in the main bar?
Reminder to all our members to top up your levy card to receive your 10% off in the bar. See one of our bar team to do this, or why not top up on our app?
From February 17th to March 31st, kids eat free from 3pm onwards, please see the servers at the bar or the poster attached in this newsletter.
We hope to see you soon!
The Food & Beverage Team
Kids Eat Free - February 27th - March 31st (from 3pm)
SUNDAY 30TH MARCH
Enjoy a delightful three-course carvery, complete with a free arrival drink, plus a special gift for Mum on the house!
£39.50 per adult
£19.75 per child under 12 Under 4’s Go Free
SCAN TO BOOK ONLINE
Mothers Day at Birchwood Park
