August 2020

These times are difficult for all of us, but spare a thought for our two fantastic professionals, having lost access to the practice ground, the wettest winter and spring on record and then COVID 19 closing the shop. Do try to support them with lessons and purchases, especially as they will seek to match any price you get elsewhere for equipment. Do visit the new practice area by the car park, which now tightly cut, is a superb facility, along with the new nets and splash bunker.

English Golf Union Insurance Scheme

England Golf are now providing all affiliated members with personal liability insurance as a membership benefit. As golfers, we are all aware of the potential for injury particularly through ball strikes.

For further info please visit England Golf Insurance

Presidents Report – David Coverdale

There are a lot of positives in this newsletter, as we continue to operate in challenging circumstances and try to predict where the next curved ball will come from. It is great to see competitive and social golf taking place, not helped by the weather, but ably supported by the part opening of the clubhouse. The Council team continue to work to move the club forward as much as we can, whilst also keeping us in line with Government direction, budgets and other limitations.

We will be seeking certification for "Safe Golf” which confirms that we operate a safe environment for juniors and adults when involved with the club, and also Council will debate the merits of achieving the prestigious "Golf Mark ", which measures our capability and progress in key areas. Any volunteers to assist with this would be most welcome.

Whilst we appear to be getting back to normal, we must remember that the virus remains a factor, and we must continue to be vigilant, respect others’ views and keep safe. This privilege of playing golf with relative impunity can so easily be withdrawn, so I thank you all for your understanding and support.

Men’s Captains Report – Paul Edmondson

Well almost back to normal, the clubhouse is open and golf and hospitality can again resume in a controlled manner.

Simon Hurd and Sean Ryan won their first round Yorkshire inter-club Foursomes knockout, beating Alwoodley on their course 2&1. As you would expect a tight game until Sean sunk a massive putt to knock the stuffing out of the Alwoodley boys. They now play Ganton at Fulford in the second round. Fingers crossed another good result, but what another great venue.

The Norman Hunter event last Sunday was a splendid affair. The weather was great and Leeds United are back in the premier league and we also had some excellent scores. The legend Paul Reaney came late afternoon and during the prize presentation he regaled us with a number of anecdotes about his start in professional football with his long-time friend our Norman. It was so nice to see members, family and friends enjoying the event and the patio despite the lack of social distancing. All proceeds are going to the Leeds Cares, Leukaemia Trust, and we managed to raise almost £3,000 from the entry, raffle and an auction bid of £1,000.

The practice field has been beset with delays since we started in October last year. It never stopped raining until February and then in March we were subject to lock-down. Many of the donor sites for the landfill material are still not fully open. Therefore, to date we have had approximately a quarter of what is projected, which means we are well behind our schedule. Full tipping is expected to resume in September, this is because the construction industry still has a 2 weeks holiday close down in August. So please bear with us, I know this is frustrating for all as we want our practice facility back. I will continue to keep you informed of progress. We continue to attract new members, male and female which is very encouraging. The club is in good shape and all credit to members of Council.

So play well, enjoy the golf, respect the wishes of all members and stay safe.

Paul Edmondson
Captain 2020

SATURDAY BREAKFAST OFFER

Call up Saturdays for the return of our £5.00 breakfast

SERVED ALL DAY FROM 8.00AM

Competitions

We are now holding a running stableford of YELLOW TEES from wc 3rd August. This will run alongside the white tee competition. Members now have a choice of which tee they would like to play off. All scores are qualifiers and will count towards handicap.

Junior's

Our Junior Championship was held on Tuesday 21st July with Archie Rowntree winning the trophy with 41 points. It was great to see so many juniors around the club. We do have a healthy junior’s section with Andy Jones our Junior organisor. We had Joe Blackburn ,Archie and Danny Jones represent us in the Leeds & District Junior Championship at Low Laithes on Sunday.. Danny won the best net score for handicap 16 & above, Joe won the best net for under 15 years of age and Archie qualified for the knockout stages in the scratch event. Well done to them all!

A new junior notice board is now positioned in the locker room with all the latest news etc from the section.

Greens - Ian Hawkyard

GREENS UPDATE 29/07/20

Greens Update July 2020

After a busy couple of months getting back into the swing of things after lockdown I think we can finally say we are returning to some sort of normality. Below is a brief update on the work we have been carrying out alongside our weekly mowing regimes.

Greens

Topdressing has been taking place every other week along with sarrel rolling and over seeding. Greens have been fed a liquid tonic. Greens are currently being cut at 3.75mm and rolled 2-3 times a week. We plan to scarify the greens in August and overseed and top-dress as part of our back end renovation works. Greens are cut on both Saturday and Sunday for the weekend competitions.

Tees

Regular divoting has been taking place twice a week. Tees have been sprayed with a plant growth regulator to reduce the top growth and help improve the density of the tees. Selective weed killer was applied to tees and tee bankings last week.

Bunkers

The bunkers which we will be renovating in 2021 have been topped up with fresh sand. Regular weeding and raking is taking place. We are currently planning this year’s bunker renovation plan which will be announced soon.

Other work we have been carrying out:

Other work we have been carrying out:

·Spraying round yardage disks

·Sprinkler head replacement

·Fairways extended in places towards tees

·Winter tee preparation

·Over hanging trees on 6^th and 9^thtees cut back

·New practice nets installed and in use

·Topping up shale on paths around the course

·Tree work carried out by Neil Whitaker on 1/2/18 – First phase of work

Ladies Section – Carol Edmondson

The majority of the playing ladies are competing in the weekly comps with wins last week for Sue Cage, Sally Smith, Anita Lewis and Sharon Cawtheray. Congratulations.

The invitation day on July 14th was a great success with fine weather and very welcome hospitality from Katrina and her team. There were 20 teams taking part and the winners were Fiona Hockin and guest and 2nd were Norma Beck and guest.

Group lessons have started on Wednesdays for the higher handicap ladies' thanks to Dean and Simon for organising.

We are continuing to welcome new members and Lady President Christine Walker and myself are hosting a Meet and Greet on Sunday 2nd August to welcome all new lady members and would love to see as many members as possible on the day.

Enjoy Golf and let's hope for a return of summer weather

Carole Edmondson

House – Kevin Hill

It has been great to see the clubhouse re-open and we are back to a "little bit of normality”

We must say a big thank you to the team who have been keeping us fed and watered.

Business Development – Brian Roddick

Our membership numbers continue to increase with revenue fee projects ahead of target. Equally we continue to benefit from a steady increase in visitor numbers and visitor green fee revenue.

England Golf have recently set-up a Covid-19 support fund with circa £2.55m of funding available for all affiliated clubs. The closing date for applications is the end of July. We have currently registered for some funding and will submit our application by the required date. Hopefully by the next newsletter I will be able to inform you of the outcome.

When we receive our full allocation of "tipping money” received from the building of the new practice facilities we will determine our investment priorities - currently based on Council and membership survey these are: bunker redesign work, refurbishment of the ladies locker room and refurbishment of the 19th. The sequence of undertaking these works and by when will be dependent upon the net revenue flow.

Work is on- going to rework our website and to promote our club. With specific focus on including more up to date photographs.