Ramsdale Park - Member News Feb/Mar 2024

February

AN UPDATE FROM...

Theresa Plimmer General Manager

Hi All!

Well, February is about to end, and March is just around the corner.

I am sure you can all agree that despite the extremely wet weather, the course has been holding up well for the most part. Johnny and his team have been working tirelessly to get the course in good condition and making difficult decisions at times to close holes. If we don’t do this, we put the greens at risk for the new season. It’s been demoralising for the greens team to see their lovely greens sopping wet and replaced with temporary greens – it’s unheard of here! When you see Johnny or his team out and about, please give him the thumbs up and a friendly smile!

There is quite a bit to update you on this month so please bear with me!

Ramsdale Brings Home The Crown!

Last week we attended the annual BGL Awards ceremony ceremony where we got to celebrate some of the superstars in the RamFam.

Steve BB and his team won F&B Team of the Year for the second year on the trot. Georgie saw us winning the HR Practices of the whole company.

Once again, we brought home the trophy for the NPS / Member Satisfaction award (five years and counting so those 9’s and 10’s are are greatly appreciated!)

The Aussie delight from the Range – Josh –won Employee of the Year. I warned him to look smart before the day and he thought it would be funny to bleach his head!

Most of you know Josh – but what you may not know is how his compassion, empathy and enthusiasm have touched our customers on the range. Josh bought clubs for a young lad who frequented the range with his social workers, took him golfing and made a massive difference to that person’s life.

He sat in the rain with Nigel for over two hours on the course whilst waiting to help, and he spent his bonus on taking his team out to say thank you.

And so much more. He is an absolute credit to Ramsdale and despite the hair – I quite like having him around! Well done Josh!

On the feedback and NPS front – I wanted to say a massive thank you for your support when filling out the surveys. The weather has put a downer on playability over the last few months and you guys have been nothing short of amazing.

Continued on the next page

New Website Incoming!

Our marketing support team have been working tremendously hard to design, develop and roll out 10 new websites. Ours is coming soon!!! Next month we hope to have the new website ready to go. It will have a new course status section – meaning you can look on the website to see any message regarding the course that day.

Ramsdale Is Going GREEN….

First off – thank you so much for your patience over the last eight weeks! I know that the kitchen running from a tin shed has not been easy and the noise from the work in the kitchen has been painful at times!

But – there is light at the end of the tunnel and all works are now complete. Our kitchen has been the same since 1993. It was well in need of a refurb and unfortunately, that wasn’t cheap. Originally designed for low usage, the demand and pressure have grown significantly. The investment is touching close to £240,000 and has changed the day-to-day running of the kitchen.

We are also ticking the sustainability boxes… by not having gas in the kitchen:

• We are cooking faster with concentrated heat that also reduces energy wastage.

• Electric cookers consume less energy than gas – thus less CO2 emissions.

• It is safer to use.

• Electric Induction ovens do not release pollutants. Even when gas ovens are off – they leak methane, benzene, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

• They do not produce smoke.

And whilst we are talking Eco-Friendly products…

You will now see that we have changed our water over from the nasty plastic bottles to the 100% recyclable Water in a Box.

Water in a Box has been created to encourage people to change their habits when buying packaged spring water and to opt for cardboard instead.

The carbon footprint of our packaging is significantly lower than that of a PET bottle, glass or aluminium can, and the cap is made from a biopolymer derived from sugarcane.

Continued on the next page

Course Rating Minus Par

Some of you may already be aware – but the way the Course Handicap is calculated is changing from April 2024.

Currently:

Handicap Index & Slope Rating are used to calculate Course Handicap

Handicap Index * (Slope Rating/113)

From April 2024:

Handicap Index, Slope Rating & Course Rating minus Par will be used to calculate Course Handicap

Handicap Index * (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating-Par)

What is changing?

• Currently playing to your Course Handicap equals Nett Course Rating

• Playing to your new Course Handicap equals Nett Par

• All Tees are equal in Stableford/Bogey (i.e. 36 Stableford Points / level)

• Medals need an adjustment where PAR is different.

Please don’t worry - I am getting new boards printed for the first tee – and Master scoreboard will work this out for you!

New Captains Incoming!

We say goodbye to Sachin who has been our 2023 Captain and welcome Dene Parsons in!

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Sach this year and his involvement in events has been nothing short of outstanding, even trekking up to basecamp at Everest to top up our charity funds!

I am confident that Dene will do a fantastic job and my wholehearted support is behind him. I also promise to stop parking in your new car parking spot.

Terry and David

We say goodbye and thank you to Terry Crofts for his year as Senior Captain. Terry (the chief Bandido) has had a successful year and hands over his baton to David Hawkins for 2024.

Welcome David!

Course Update

Those who have attended the AGMs will know exactly how much we have had to fight against regarding the weather. The rainfall in 2023 was 1,214mm – this is the highest on record. Over half of this came in SeptemberDecember. In 2022 we only had 659mm for the whole year.

So, it has been a challenge….

The boys have been working extremely hard to ensure the course is at its best despite this. But it hasn’t been easy. Particularly the 5th and 6th green have had some major issues resulting in closures of the holes. The pond has had problems with its overflow, and an underground natural spring appears to have opened and we have been fighting fires with these two holes for the last three months!

We are getting a drainage professional to try and tackle these issues whilst the lads are trying everything they can. Here you can see the new trench they have dug with new drainage taking the water away from the path and tees. While they are at it, they also built beautiful new red paved paths with wooden trims.

This path has also been widened to ensure that two buggies can pass by each other without the need to drive on the grass.

Path work on the 2nd and 3rd has now been completed and looks fantastic! The team have done a cracking job in adverse conditions.

Next on the hitlist will be 8th path which is looking tired, and after feedback, we will be trimming the tree back (or potentially felling). Don’t worry – I will plant a further five trees to replace it, and it will take away the restriction on the 8th tee.

We have had a great year in 2023, and as a result have had some investment into our greenkeeping equipment, including but not limited to:

• New Toro 3550 tee mower –

• New Grillo rotary mower/leaf collector

• New Toro utility vehicle

We Invest In Our People…

I am delighted to report that Connor has passed his apprenticeship and learning modules and is now a fully qualified chef! Connor started with us as a Kitchen Porter and quickly realised he had a passion for cooking. As a result, we offered to put Connor on an apprenticeship so he could qualify. There were some ups and downs, but I am pleased to report he has completed it! Well done Connor!

Paving the way for Stevie – who started off working the bar and excelling at front of house. He decided he wanted a trial in the kitchen to see if that’s where his passion lies. After one month he decided it absolutely was and has now started his journey towards qualifying as a Chef.

Tee Sheet and Booking

Brutal Brian has been logging people who are booking tee times and not turning up for them. Please be respectful. If you are booking weekend tee times, ensure you are using them. I am now monitoring them so if we have consistent offenders, they will be stopped from pre-booking. It may also lead to the loss of the ability to book guests in with you. While we have people desperate to play, we cannot allow the tee times to go to waste. So please make sure you cancel your time if you no longer need it.

Costs...

There’s no hiding from it, costs are continually climbing! The increase in minimum wage alone which is set at another 10% contributes. I will always ensure we are fair value for money and do what I can to keep them down – but there will be increases coming.

Sad News

We had the wake of Tommy Middleton this month and to say the clubhouse was packed would be an understatement! Heartfelt thanks to all the members who came and paid their respects. Tommy’s wife, Maria sent me a message afterwards, thanking all of you. The book we all wrote in was gratefully received, and his memorial bench will be on the course soon. So, thank you!

I have also just received the sad news that Doug Barber has also passed away. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Dates For Your Diary

• 10th March - Mother’s Day - Enjoy a lovely three-course carvery lunch, free Adventure Golf or TrackMan driving range, and a free gift for Mum! Nearly sold out, so please get in touch£27.50 per adult £13.50 per child

• 29th March – Tribute Night Soul and Motown - £27.50 member rate

• 31st March – Easter Sunday Funday! - 3 course carvery lunch, personalised egg hunt on the crazy golf for each child £27.50 oer adult and £13.50 per child or £76 for a family ticket

Any ideas for new event nights that you might like at Ramsdale – let me know!

Book these dates with Tom.

Proshop Update

After another long winter, let’s hope the sun starts to shine soon and we can all get back to golfing in better conditions. I would personally like to start by congratulating Sachin, Terry, and Lynne for a great captain’s year and all they have put in, not just in the shop but the club as a whole - and I would like to wish the incoming Captains a great year ahead. My appreciation doesn’t stop there - to every member who supported us in 2023, I’m truly grateful. We will always do our best to price-match products so please don’t hesitate to come and ask us for advice or help on anything - that’s what we’re here for.

New Product Launches

February sees the new launch of many products in the golf industry. With TaylorMade, PING and Titleist launching woods, irons, and wedges.

We have a fully stocked demo section for you to come along and get fitted, and to find the right product for you!

Book your fitting now: headpro@ramsdaleparkgc.co.uk

Ask us to find out more about the

Book your wedge fitting in today to be ready for the season!

New spring/summer 24 clothing and footwear are now in stock. New additions from Footjoy, J.Lindeberg, Puma, Stuburt and PING.

PING G430 MAX 10K Driver

MAX 10k!!

TaylorMade Qi10 Range.

Sharpen up around the green with the new S159 Wedge from PING...

... or the new Vokey SM10 wedges from Titleist

Coaching News

March MOT - Exclusive for members only

During March we are offering members a one hour swing and equipment assessment. Lessons must be redeemed in March, and anyone who books one will go into a draw to win a dozen PROV1 golf balls.

The cost of the assessment is £50.

Members Only Group Coaching Sessions with Head Professional Will Davies

Open to any member who is looking to improve their game before the start of the season. Three sessions working on short game, iron play and woods. Spaces are limited to four people per session.

The cost is £50 per person.

Dates:

• Monday 4th March 6pm – 7pm

• Monday 18th March 6pm – 7pm

• Monday 25th March 6pm – 7pm

To sign up for an assessment or session, email:

headpro@ramsdaleparkgc.co.uk

Important Changes To The Booking Tee Times

Currently, you can book a normal tee time as a single player, but you do not know who you are booking in with.

I have made some amendments to the system. Now you can see who is booked into each time slot.

It will only show the names of people who have accepted this in permissions – and it will not show your names to visitors (only members).

If when you try to book – it looks like this:

The 08:00 is RED which means it is full. This particular one is only showing three names because the 4th person has ticked ‘private’.

If it looks like this it means the 07.20 slot has space for people you are trying to book (in this case I have selected one person). Kieron Grant has booked himself and two member guests, meaning there is a space for me, even though there are no names to show for his two guests.

For this to work members need to start putting in the names or membership numbers of the members you are playing with.

Also ensure on your account that you tick the box permitting for your name to be shown.

Member of the Month!

Congratulations to Tony Wright! Every year for his birthday Tony organises an invitational for the some of the members. He used this day to bring everyone together and raise some cash for the Captains Charity.

This year he raised a tremendous £250 for Emmanuel House and Base51 - fantastic support from a lovely member. You can see our new Vice Captain, Daryl (blue top), taking the trophy from Tony for this year.