November - December 2025
A Note From ...
Mark Woods General Manager
Hi all,
I hope you are well. This year has brought one of the hottest and driest summers on record for the UK, including four heatwaves. Combined with a 24% increase in member play on the Main Course (18,903 rounds from January to October) and growth on the Short Course (7,425 rounds), the impact on the course has been substantial. In total, 26,328 member rounds were played in the first 10 months of the year.
Despite prolonged dry conditions and limited rainfall, Dean and the Greenkeeping Team have done an exceptional job maintaining high standards on the greens and tee boxes, supported by extensive hand-watering and careful resource management.
People & Development
• Five internal promotions, including:
• Dean – Course Manager
• Liberty – Range Manager
• Jack – Sales Manager
• Aaron – Driving Range Supervisor
• Laurie Anne – Bar Supervisor.
• Seven apprenticeships are currently in place, supporting long-term staff development.
• Successfully accredited under the Women in Golf Charter, reinforcing our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
2025 Investments
This year we invested in a range of course and facility improvements, including:
• New fairway mower
• Engagement of a course and bunker architect
• Installation of the remaining nine Short Course tee mats
• New Short Course tee signage
• New compressor (temporary unit currently in place)
• Irrigation system upgrades
• Essential infrastructure improvements, such as a new alarm system
2025–2027 Planned Investments
Looking ahead, we are committed to continued improvement across the club and course. Planned investments include:
• Phase 1 of the bunker refurbishment project
• New course utility vehicle
• New course signage
• New decking furniture
• Full decking replacement planned for 2027
• Further irrigation system upgrades
Sustainability & Community Initiatives
• We will be installing solar panels on the clubhouse and on approximately two-thirds of the driving range, significantly reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint.
• As part of our wider electrification project, we will be phasing out remaining gas appliances to move toward a fully electric and more energy-efficient operation.
• We are continuing to improve recycling efforts across the site, ensuring better waste management and reducing environmental impact.
• We will maintain and grow our partnerships with the Wycombe Wanderers Foundation and other local charitable organisations, supporting community engagement and positive social impact.
I would also like to congratulate the women
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and men who competed in, and won, the prestigious Hawtree Trophy. Each team consisted of four pairs, and this year featured three regional divisions, with Wycombe Heights, Richmond Park, and Huntswood progressing through to the knockout stages.
The scoring was remarkably close, with all three teams separated by just two points as the final pairs completed their rounds. Wycombe Heights finished strongest, securing the trophy with a total of 138 points. Richmond Park claimed the runner-up position with 134 points, edging Huntswood into third place on countback. This marks the first time Wycombe Heights has won the Hawtree Trophy, a competition that dates back to 1937.
Thank you, as always, for your support of the club and for attending the recent AGMs. I look forward to keeping you updated on further improvements across the club and course.
The continually improving course conditions, the warm welcome in the clubhouse, shop, and driving range, and the quality of our food and beverage offering would not be possible without the dedication of our entire team. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to each and every one of them.
To help recognise their hard work, please make use of the member survey to highlight staff who deserve praise for their service.
Mark
Course Update
Dean Gregory Course Manager
Hi everyone, With the colder months upon us, we not only face seasonal challenges to on-course playing conditions but also gain the opportunity to progress several winter projects. These include path works, aeration, restoration of GUR areas, and continued woodland management works.
Effective woodland management enhances playability by improving airflow and light, while also supporting biodiversity and creating a more attractive course environment.
Following the bunker architect’s work completed this year, we are pleased to be preparing for Phase One of the bunker refurbishments, scheduled to begin in 2026.
We aim to create bunkers that sit naturally within the landscape, with minimal earth movement and strong integration into the existing terrain.
The four key principles guiding the course refurbishment are:
1. Playability
Enhance hole strategy to promote thoughtful shot-making while avoiding undue penalties for short hitters or higher-handicap players.
2. Consistent Course Presentation
Develop a uniform bunker style that complements the site and topography, contributing to a cohesive and high-quality course aesthetic.
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3. Visibility
Reshape select bunkers to improve visibility, strategic relevance, or natural appearance. Some bunkers - such as on Hole 11 - act as important focal points and will be reinstated where appropriate.
4. Sustainability
Reduce sand areas where they are not necessary for play, helping lower maintenance demands, energy usage, and material costs - for example, on Hole 18.
As we continue our efforts to improve the course, we kindly ask for your support by raking bunkers after use, following traffic management guidance, and playing from the markers rather than the plates. The turf around the plates has become worn and is unlikely to recover without returfing, which requires additional time and cost.
I would like to thank you for your support since I started as Course Manager this year. I look forward to the continued improvements we will deliver together with the team throughout 2026.
Thank you,
Dean
An Update From...
Duncan Purcell Head Professional
I hope you all enjoyed the Ryder Cup as much as I did! I was glued to the tele for the entirety, and the tension was high on Sunday due to a spirited USA comeback to avoid a record loss for the home team. I hope that Captain Luke Donald gets to lead Europe out again in 2027 at Adare Manor, a course very near to my heart, with my father previously being the Managing Director and our family living on site. My money for the next US Captain… Tiger Woods. I think he would be a fantastic Captain, and after the last 2 losses, I think the American team will perhaps take a leaf out of the European playbook and have Captains serve multiple consecutive years.
We have come to that time of the year when light becomes a more valuable commodity, with tee times being reduced. I would always recommend booking your tee times through the online portal to guarantee your round, as walk-in availability becomes less likely. I would also like to remind our members that, despite the change in weather conditions, we have a dress code to adhere to on the Main Course to play. This is available to see on the website, should anyone be unsure.
What’s in the bag – Head Pro edition:
Many of you have enjoyed our previous WITB segments from the Assistants, so here is what I currently game:
Driver: Callaway Paradigm Triple Black Diamond
5 Wood: TaylorMade M5 Titanium Tour
7 Wood: TaylorMade Qi35 Tour
Irons: Callaway MB 4 – PW with Project X 6.5 Rifle Shafts
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 in 50 & 54 degrees. Cleveland RTX 588 in 62 degrees
Putter: Ping Pickem Up Belly at 40”
Having the right equipment is key. Every year, I look to invest in a part of my bag, with 2025 being the addition of TaylorMade wedges and a 7 wood. For 2026, I will look at replacing my lob wedge and my irons, with a potential addition of a 9 wood. One thing I will be adding is an electric trolley. I’m not getting any younger, and with the fantastic range on offer from MotoCaddy, there are plenty of options on offer. Best recommendations from us are the M1, with its sleek design and the ability to fold down smaller, or the ME Remote, the best value remote-controlled trolley that creates a truly hands-free experience. Perfect all year, but even more so coming into winter, so I can keep my hands warm.
Winter rules came into effect as of October 1st. It is also worth noting that England Golf have
changed its stance on winter rules and has reverted to the traditional winter window. Whenever we look to implement changes to course condition rules, we will always discuss this within the Executive Committee and agree when these can change. These will then be communicated out to the membership. equipment!
Best,
Duncan
F&B Update
Leah Pawley F&B Manager
Dear Members,
With the weather changing, why not warm up in the clubhouse before, after or even instead of your round? We have now launched some winter offers to help combat the winter blues:
• New Winter Menus Now Available! We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Clubhouse Winter Menu, which went live on Monday, 6th November!
To celebrate the season, we’re offering some fantastic new deals:
• 2 Courses for £18
• 2 Light Bites for £12
• 3 Light Bites for £17.50
In addition to the clubhouse menu, we’ve also introduced a new Winter Menu for the Driving Range, packed with delicious seasonal options.
Come in, warm up, and enjoy some comforting winter flavours!
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• New on Our Wine List!
Discover our Kamina range – a selection of low-alcohol wines available in Red, White, and Rosé.
Perfect for a lighter option, and just £20 per bottle. (see attached picture).
• Starting 2nd November
Enjoy a 1-course Sunday lunch for two, including a bottle of house wine, for just £45.
Perfect for a relaxed weekend treat – book your table now!
Range Update
Liberty Martins Driving Range Manager
Hello All, With the weather changing, there has never been a better time to fine-tune your swing, utilising state-of-the-art Trackman technology at the driving range. Also, don’t forget our kiosk is open to keep you warm with a selection of hot drinks and food to order to your bay.
Trackman Range is a flexible golf-ball tracking solution with tour-proven technology and the industry’s leading Virtual Golf, Practice, and Entertainment software. The best way to break Trackman range down is by looking at the home screen, where you can see the options for ‘Practice’, ‘Games’, ‘Courses’ and ‘Competitions’.
Practice allows you three options: Range practice, on-course practice, and find your distance! Range practice brings up a virtual reconstruction of the driving range here at Wycombe Heights, and it will allow you to practice freely, giving you accurate and detailed information about each of your shots that you hit. There is also a handy ‘convert’ button, which allows you to turn the restricted flight driving range balls into a premium golf ball that you would ordinarily use on the golf course.
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Leah
On-course practice is very similar to range practice; however, it allows you to practice on some of the best courses across the world. You can select a golf course and a hole of your choice and then put yourself anywhere on that hole! It really allows you to visualise yourself on a golf course, and that can really be helpful when you are trying to practice a specific shot that you have been working on!
The final mode in practice is ‘Find My Distance’. I personally believe this is an excellent innovation, and it has helped me massively improve my golf over the past year.
Find your distance allows you to build your bag virtually and helps you find the distance with each of your clubs. With each club in your bag, you will take
5+ shots, and it will learn your behaviours with each club and give you specific and reliable data that you will be able to transfer to the golf course.
There are some terrific games to play on Trackman range, for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. There are some specific games aimed at the younger golfers, which may be a great way for you to introduce children and beginners into the game of golf. The three main ones are Scrapyard, where you find yourself in a virtual Scrapyard, having to blow up cars to win the game! Another game for the younger audience is On the Edge. This game is great for encouraging accuracy, as well as control, in the game of golf. You must hit straight and well-thought-out shots to save the day! The final game for the younger generation is Magic Pond. Magic Pond is extremely popular, and it allows you to explore the area with your golf shot! In each shot, you will find a magical beast hiding, and when you find each one, you get to add them to your collection!
The other game modes on the Trackman range screens are just as fun and can create a real competitive game if you are playing with a friend or family member!
The game mode Hit it! Encapsulates 9 shots of the golf ball, and you must hit it as far as possible. The longest drive wins!
Capture the Flag and closest to the pin are also great games to play with friends and family!
Capture the Flag starts with each of the driving range targets as neutral, and you must hit your shot close enough to the target to Capture the Flag! Beware, though, as your opponent can always steal your flag back after you have captured it!
Closest to the pin is also a game of accuracy, where the closest shot to the pin wins! The final game is also one of accuracy, and that is the bullseye.
Each pin on the range is turned into a target, and the closer you get to the centre of each target, the more points you get! You get 9 shots each, and the person with the most points at the end wins!
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The next section of the Trackman range is the courses! There are many virtual courses to choose from, all over the world! The courses available on the Trackman screens change each month. Here is our current selection for November:
• Pinehurst No. 2
• Taiheiyo Club Gotemba Course
• Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course
• Black Desert Resort
• DaleBrook Forest
• Le Golf National
• Golf Club Hanau-Wilhelmsbad
• Achimer Golfclub
• Falmouth CC
Liberty
