Ramsdale Park Newsletter - September 2023

AN UPDATE FROM...

Theresa Plimmer General Manager

Can you believe it’s September already?

I feel this year has simply flown by in a whirlwind of rain and rubbish weather!

I am busy preparing the budgets for next year ready to present in a couple of weeks. I have been walking the course with Johnny to decide what needs doing and a five year plan. Some of you have been emailing ideas – don’t stop! We would love to know what everyone thinks!

Big Project – The kitchen…has not changed in 32 years and is in need of an upgrade. This is likely to happen in January/February so there will be some disruptions to food service. I will keep you updated. In the meantime, if anyone can lend me a burger van to cover, you will be my favourite member!

Important Message

The vast majority of the members are absolutely fantastic. However, I have had some concerning reports lately of completely inappropriate conversations regarding members of my team. I cannot stress enough that I have a zero-tolerance policy. I will not allow any of the team to feel uncomfortable whilst serving in the bar. The comments made regarding a female member of staff were simply not acceptable and made her feel very uncomfortable. If you feel like you cannot act appropriately around my team –you will not be allowed around them.

Marshalling – THE

ON THE COURSE!

FORCE

Paul Brian and Gary have been out and about in force for the last couple of months. The Lee Course has been the target and they have been trawling the course looking for cheeky walk-ons. It has worked brilliantly and not only has it had REAL SUCCESS deterring this – it has also sped up play. We will soon be getting a starter’s hut for the par 3 course too!

Plans are to increase the CCTV in the car park so that the pro shop will be able to see that and the 1st & 10th tees. Thanks to the boys in blue!

Johnny Evans And His Team Of Merry Men

Then we did an aggressive Verti-cut, which again removes organic matter, collects the cores and creates lines for the seed. Then we applied 10g/m2 of Brown top bent seed and brushed it into the holes and lines. And finally, a good top dress to aid germination and smooth the surfaces.

We did nine holes each day on both courses and the results have been excellent with lots of new seeds germinating.

We’ve had lots of good feedback on the courses over the last few weeks, and most of the year to be honest, the bunkers are holding up well with the wet weather and the rough growth has slowed a little. Although as I write this, we’re having another steady flush of growth after the rain while the temperatures are still mild as we head into early autumn.

A quick course update and plans for the coming weeks.

After quite a warm and dry June, July and August were very wet, to the point where buggies were slipping and making a mess in the usual areas on the back nine. Although this isn’t ideal during the playing season, it did allow us to keep good grass coverage everywhere and the extra cutting left some good definition over both courses.

It also allowed us to do some seeding in places where we lost grass last year. We also had good weather for our annual renovation work in early August. Thank you for your patience during the two weeks when we had nine holes shut at a time to complete the work quicker and more safely.

The work we did involved Verti-draining with 12mm wide tines to a depth of around 250mm, this allows air exchange, encourages root growth, aids drainage, and relieves compaction. Straight after that, we did a mini hollow core, which removes organic matter and creates tiny holes for the seed.

We will be doing some more seeding work over the next month or so and some turfing to reinstate some worn areas.

Our plans for the autumn are mostly turfing, repair work and the usual aeration work to prepare the courses for winter. We will be doing some more greens work in late October to firm the greens up for winter, this will mostly be aeration and dressing.

Winter plans include more path work, rebuilding a couple of bunkers, some more driving range work and woodland management.

Johnny Evans

Head Pro Update

Will Davies Head Professional

As we come to the end of the golfing season it’s been great to see so many members out enjoying the course and enjoying their golf. Lets hope for some more good weather before the winter sets in.

Looking back on the last few months a golfing highlight here at Ramsdale would have to be the club championship second day. It was great to see so many members supporting the last group around the 18th with congratulations going to both Gross Champion James Abbott and Nett Champion Jonathan Clark. Some excellent scores on what proved to be two of the most challenging days of the season.

New Product: We have a number of new releases that have come at the end of August - you can see these below and please feel free to get in touch to book your fitting at the earliest opportunity, whether it be something new or current models.

The latest Titleist T Series Irons launch on Friday 25th August. Get fit for yours now by

contacting the pro shop.

Head Pro Update

Will Davies Head Professional

As we come to the end of the golfing season it’s been great to see so many members out enjoying the course and enjoying their golf. Lets hope for some more good weather before the winter sets in.

Looking back on the last few months a golfing highlight here at Ramsdale would have to be the club championship second day. It was great to see so many members supporting the last group around the 18th with congratulations going to both Gross Champion James Abbott and Nett Champion Jonathan Clark. Some excellent scores on what proved to be two of the most challenging days of the season.

New Product: We have a number of new releases that have come at the end of August - you can see these below and please feel free to get in touch to book your fitting at the earliest opportunity, whether it be something new or current models.

The latest Titleist T Series Irons launch on Friday 25th August. Get fit for yours now by contacting the pro shop.

Academy News

Know anyone that’s interested in learning golf? Learn Golf in a Day is a great way to get started. Next dates: Saturday 16th SeptemberSaturday 14th October

£79.99

Per person

Includes:

• Coffee/tea and a bacon or sausage cob on arrival

• 45 minute putting lesson

• 1hr 15 minute driving range session

• 1hr short game session

• 15 minute review

Continued on the next page

Also included is a 30 minute one-to-one top up session to be used at an additional time (this can be used as a top up learning session or for an introduction to the golf course). Maximum group size is six people. Contact the pro shop to book in.

Sustainability

Burhill are working hard on our sustainability plans and we are striving to help save the planet!

We need to work cleaner and smarter. So far we are looking at all suppliers to ensure we are using local companies where possible and looking into our own Suppliers Sustainability actions.

Firstly, we are ensuring that we recycle as best as we can. This is tricky with course waste. I am hoping to encourage everyone to use the course bins just for glass, plastic and cardboard – and a food waste bin somewhere between the 2nd and 18th greens. All kitchen food waste is being sent off separately also. The kitchen upgrade will hopefully see us using less gas with induction appliances and old boilers etc are being assessed to ensure they are efficient to the environment. Please help us by using the right bins for the right waste!

The Team

We were very sad to say farewell to Spencer last month. Having completed his university degree and gaining the official title of MensaSpencer has moved on to pursue his dream of Management Accountancy.

We have, however, taken on Matt who (it turns out) lots of you know from the Springwater! When he applied for the role of Golf Events Executive I had a lot of members finding me to give him a reference! So here he is – hard at it!

In Memory Of May Cox Brown And Graham Taylor

It feels like I am writing a piece like this every month at the moment. Sad to report the passing of May Cox Brown and Graham Taylor recently. Both had been members since 2011. I didn’t get the chance to meet Graham, but everyone knew May!

Our thoughts are with both families and the flag is at half-mast.

Ramsdale Made It To The Base Camp Of Everest!

Our Club Captain (Sachin Kanaiya) has completed his climb up Mount Everest this week and placed the Ramsdale flag at the base camp! Sach is an amazing Captain, a wonderful advocate for charity, not so great golfer and I’m delighted to now call him a friend. Sach was one of the first people to offer to sleep out in the cold with me in January and regularly donates his time to charitable causes. This week he is part of the 1% of the population who have got to base camp raising funds and awareness for Emmanuel House in Nottingham who support the cities homeless.

Well done Sach and sorry for the golf comment!

Theresa

NPS

Our NPS score is still flying high mainly down to the course condition, driving range and staff. Thank you!

You can score the club from 0-10, and our aim is to make every members experience

a glittering 10! Please remember to pop a comment in the provided section. I generally get my ideas to improve areas from those - so comment away!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Joel Coombes is the UK’s number one Elton John tribute act and we have managed to secure him for a night at Ramsdale Park!

Friday 27th October will include canapés and a drink on arrival, a mouth watering two course meal, and two 45 minute sets from the act for only £27.50 for members, and £35.00 for nonmembers. Please book with Tom or Matt to secure you tickets.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday Carveries Are Back On The Map! - Booking Strongly Advised

UPCOMING EVENTS

Summer Is On Its Way Out – Christmas Is On Its Way In!

I know I know please don’t shout – but it will be here before you know it! Don’t forget that as members you get a guaranteed 10% off all bookings. Just let us know when you book in.