RAMSDALE MEMBER NEWS - APRIL/MAY

April / May 2024

AN UPDATE FROM...

Theresa Plimmer General Manager

Hi All!

Welcome to the April edition of your members newsletter.

Inside you will find details on renewals, course information and upcoming events. Thankfully we have had some strong winds and warmer ground temperatures, so the course is getting back on track!

GCAE - Ramsdale Park GC

Colin Mayes, our CEO, and I attended the GCAE Conference in Malaga in February. I delivered a 45-minute presentation on ‘Customer Service, Empathy and Growing NPS Score’ within the golf industry.

The conference is a major event for golf industry members of all levels and is a oncea-year opportunity to get up to speed with the latest trends and developments in the European and global golf scene.

The Golf Course Association of Europe is a trade association for golf course owners and operators across Europe.

The nerves were at defcon four, seconds before I had to get on stage and deliver my presentation. Although I had sweaty palms and had forgotten how to breathe – once on the stage I chilled out! I actually found it really easy when talking about a club I absolutely love and a subject I am passionate about.

Theresa COURSE REPORT

Johnny Evans Course Manager

Hi all, I first want to thank the members for their encouragement and extremely positive feedback for the greenkeeping team. This winter, we have been hit with the highest amount of rainfall on record. With underground springs opening, old clay drains that have backed up, and the ground too soft to get the machinery on – it’s been challenging!

It’s not all doom and gloom!

With the weather on the turn - the course is getting back on track. The team and I are planning extra maintenance work to get the greens back to the levels we enjoyed last summer.

Theresa and I have now decided on a spot near the first tee and placed an order for two practice nets. These will help you warm up before play, helping to reduce injuries and aid your performance out on the course (see picture top of the next page).

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Plans for April / May

• Drainage surrounding the 5th and 6th greens has been agreed and the contractors will be in over the next few weeks. Not only will this solve the problem we have now with the spring - it will also make the boggy areas of those holes a thing of the past!

• We are hoping to squeeze in areas around the 9th too.

• Great news! - We should be back on the 6th green by April 26th.

• Deep verti-drain on all greens again to relieve compaction accumulated over the winter.

• Micro hollow core/scarify on all greens to remove organic matter and incorporate sand.

• Overseed and top-dress greens.

• Trim bunker banks and replenish sand.

• Prepare ground for practice net.

Thanks,

Johnny

Members Range – Where we give something back

Our most recent range night was the best one yet! 82 members enjoyed either curry or chilli, free balls for three hours and fun competitions. The prize pot this month was £500 and that was split between the winners.

Our range nights are FREE, and they help our members meet other players, have fun, and get the most out of the club. I really enjoyed it and thank you to everyone who came.

RENEWAL DETAILS

It’s that time of year again! Your current membership will expire at the end of May.

Please renew your membership for 2024/25 by the 24th of May 2024. This will us plenty of time to process everyone and make sure we have a smooth transition.

Our seven-day category is still full, and we are not taking on any new seven-day memberships.

This will open up on the 27th of May and people on the waiting list will get any spaces that open up from non-renewals. You may lose your place if you don’t renew in time.

Lump sum and scheme payers:

Due by the 24th of May - this is ONLY if you have paid your membership fees in one go. Your emails are being prepped and will be sent out ASAP.

Once they have been sent - simply open your app and make your payment. The amount shown will have your fee plus your annual union fee.

It is so easy to sort on your app. Once you have received the email, open your app. It should look like the picture below.

If you would like to pay at the club - you still can.

Note: If your app doesn’t look like this - talk to Theresa or Tom as you may not be set up correctly.

Direct debit payers / monthly payments

This will be the same as last year - if you pay monthly, you do not need to do anything at all as your subscription will auto-renew unless you tell us otherwise.

Your payment in June will include your union fee - therefore it will be slightly higher than your normal monthly fee.

It will then drop back down to the new monthly price from July. Prices are listed below:

See below for new membership prices.

5 day scheme - £250 plus union fee

7 day Scheme - £350 plus union fee

Note: Only existing scheme members can renew on the scheme membership.

The Ladies…

We have welcomed Doreen as this year’s Ladies Captain! I am certain that with her easy-going nature, penchant for golf holidays abroad, and can-do attitude, that the ladies will thrive under her captaincy.

Welcome Doreen!

Great News for Our Par 3 course…

I have gone ahead and instructed England Golf to measure the Par 3 course. It is a cracking (and challenging) full 18-hole course and it needs the recognition it deserves.

This will be completed in the next few weeks.

Spending on the course…. our new Grillo 1309 Stage 5!

This week we took delivery of a beast of a machine (see top right)! It collects leaves, so that we are not just pushing them to the side, trims greens and makes the greenkeeping team’s life so much easier!

Employee of the Quarter!

Meet Adie. When Adie started with us, he was very shy, working in the shiny new kitchen straight from school as a Kitchen Porter.

He didn’t speak much at first, but that didn’t last long!

Back-of-house team members often get overlooked when it comes to recognition. They are not seen by members and often are just left to crack on. But Adie deserved this – he works hard and is one of the funniest people I have met, with a very dry and wicked sense of humour.

Well done Adie for all your hard work!

In other kitchen news…

Stevie, our newest Trainee Chef, has had a lesson in fish handling skills by Joe, our second in command.

Joe really makes a lot of time for the junior team and helps them learn new skills in the kitchen. The specials were stunning that day with beautifully fresh fish!

Member of the Month!

This year’s Member of the Month is Reece Jackson!

At last year’s charity auction, Reece and his golfing buddies contributed a massive amount to our auction.

The boys did good. Reece bought the charity car park space for a hefty sum of money that went to Maggies and Emmanuel House.

This year, he’s at it again - running the London marathon for St Ormond Street Hospital. On a clean diet for 100+ days whilst training. You’re our hero this month Reece!

There is still time to contribute to his fundraiserplease click here if you would like to donate: https://2024tclondonmatathon.enthuse.com/pf/ reece-jackson

The Covers Brothers – Friday 17th May

Join us for a night of fabulous songs from your favourite artists while tucking into a two-course meal! Enjoy an arrival drink, canapés, and two sets from this talented duo.

It is a bit different to our normal tribute nights – these guys will have you singing out loud to classic hits covering all genres and decades. At a very special member price (as its new!) of £25.00 each!

Book with Tom.

Father’s Day Trackman Breakfast

Treat your Dad to a Full English breakfast then enjoy a 55-minute session on our state-of-the-art Trackman Range! Includes a gift for dad worth £25.00.

£18.00per person /£9.00 per child

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Father’s Day Carvery

Treat Dad to a delicious three-course meal and then hit the crazy golf course for some fun with all the family! Includes a gift for Dad worth £160.00.

£27.50 per adult, £13.50 per child, U’3s free, Family ticket £76.00.

Shop Savings for Members!

On the right side of the page our Ramsdale staff are modelling the new range of stock in the shop, where we have a team of pros waiting to help!

It’s worth checking with the team as we do price matches for our members – so shop instore first!