Dear Members,
As our summer season is now in full swing and our Club AGM approaches at the end of this month, we wanted to bring you up to date on the various projects undertaken by the board, aimed at improving your membership experience.
Course Projects
When I last wrote to you, we were enduring very wet weather and extensive flooding, which closed the course for many days. Although we were not alone with this problem, which was similarly affecting other clubs in the area, Head Greenkeeper Richard is convinced we can significantly improve our on-course drainage system and reduce potential lost days. Consequently, a programme has been devised to excavate perimeter drainage ditches and replace or repair the extensive valve system that feeds our fairway drains back into the brook. As always, this work will take time and will be expensive but, minimising the number of days we close the course, has to be our main priority. We hope to give you more detailed information of the programme and schedule at, or shortly after, the AGM.
I hope you all agree that the current condition of the golf course and bowling green is excellent and our greens’ staff and volunteers are to be commended on the work that continues to be carried out. The five golf greens that were completely re-drained last September have proven to be a great success, performing well during the recent wet spell and recovering to the extent that the work carried out is almost indiscernible.
Golf members who have been on the course in the last two weeks will have witnessed the completion of the new buggy bridge between the 15th & 8th holes. This really is a vast improvement that solves a very real health and safety issue and will speed up play considerably. Thanks must go to Phil Ackers who raised a considerable amount towards financing this project and, together with Head Greenkeeper Richard, was instrumental in making it happen!
Catering & Bar
As covered in my last communication, catering cover has been a difficult area to solve and we are indebted to our membership for their patience at times when we have had shortcomings in this area, particularly on Sundays. With the help of Andrew Jones, who was co-opted onto the board a few months ago and has extensive catering experience, much work has been going on behind the scenes to create a much more professional approach to this area. Despite the sterling work that Sarah and Jerry provide, they simply cannot meet all the demands that our busy clubhouse generates, so it is great news that we have now found an additional caterer (another Sarah!) who joined our team last week. Our hope and aim is that we will now be able to provide a consistent and acceptable service to all our members throughout the week, especially at weekends.
Behind the scenes, much is being done to bring our catering facilities up to speed. The kitchen has been repainted and repaired, thanks to the efforts of Charlie Mills, and we have had a “deep-clean” carried out by a specialist company with the intention of making this an annual event. Our “prep area” in the building opposite the kitchen is being modernised and has been re-painted, re-tiled, and has further work scheduled, including the installation of new equipment, to create a good working environment and provide much needed extra space for work that would normally take place in our kitchen.
Director Gill Willis, who looks after our bar area has been busy recruiting extra help to meet demands over the busy period we anticipate this summer. You will see new faces behind the bar so please do say hello to them as well as the new Sarah in our kitchen.
Till System & Bar Cards
Following the successful introduction of our new till system and replacement club bar cards, I can advise that a second “smart till” has been installed in our kitchen. These tills greatly assist in efficiently handling transactions and providing Judith with all the accountancy information necessary to run our day to day operation.
After initial teething problems, our new coffee machine is now successfully operating and proving popular. This is of particular benefit to members and visitors on Mondays and other times when the bar and/or kitchen are closed.
In addition to a new ice machine, we will be installing a washing machine so that essential laundry can be carried out “in-house”.
Clubhouse Repairs and Maintenance
I am pleased to report that the repairs necessary to solve our leaking flat rooves have been successfully carried out and this now allows us to turn our attention to the refurbishment programme. Phil Ackers has put plans in place to completely renovate our men’s shower and toilet facilities in the golf locker room. To minimise disruption, this work will take place during the Winter months when there is less clubhouse traffic. Similarly, the redecoration and modernisation of the bar and dining area will also occur once the main bowls and golf season ends. I am pleased to announce that Green King have given us a generous contribution towards this project.
Our tenant has moved out of the flat and office he was renting immediately above the men’s locker room. This has now been re-painted, and modernised, with the installation of a smart new kitchen and bathroom improvements. I can confirm that, as a result of this work, it has now been re-let at a much improved fee.
The adjacent office will now be retained by the club as a meeting room for the various golf and bowls committees, with the additional benefit of day rental potential, providing yet another source of income for the club.
Outside Decking Area
The wooden picnic benches on our outside decking area, have badly deteriorated over the last three years, and we have investigated the possibility of replacing these with superior versions that are maintenance free.(See picture above) I am pleased to report that twelve replacements, manufactured from 100% re-cycled plastic, were delivered in the last few days and will be installed this week. Although expensive, I am very grateful to Red Tile Wind Farm who responded positively to our request for help in financing these, with a 50% grant! Together with some new umbrellas, this should provide both golf and bowls members with an attractive outside seating area. It is our intention to introduce a designated smoking area adjacent to the decking and then make the decking a “no smoking zone” to protect the furniture and floor, creating an acceptable outdoor dining experience.
Car Parking
Car parking continues to be a challenge with concerns over safety when exiting the car park on busy days onto Hollow Lane, where parked cars line the road on the clubhouse side. Exiting from the top entrance (ie from the gravel car park) is particularly hazardous with parked cars obscuring view in each direction. Consequently we intend to make this an “entrance only” access and ask all visitors and members to exit via the main entrance where there is at least clear line of sight to the left. Signage will be put in place and further advice will go out to members when this is in place.
Personnel
We are pleased to advise that Matty Young has been promoted to the role of Assistant Head Greenkeeper. I am sure all our members will join me in congratulating Matty and wish him all the best with his new responsibilities.
Club AGM
Our Club AGM is scheduled for Wednesday July 31st at 8.00pm and I hope that, as many of you as possible, will be able to attend. We hope to circulate the latest set of accounts in advance of this meeting.
As always, thank you for your on-going support and hope that, whether golf, bowls or social members, you manage to take full advantage of our facilities and enjoy your summer at the club.
On behalf of the management team.
Alan Mawhinney
Chairman Ramsey Club Company Ltd.