As we approach the end of the year one of the things that should be highlighted is the fact that by the 12th of December the course had had over 1 meter of rainfall during 2023. This is 10 inches above the 100-year average. Taking this into consideration continuing praise must go to Stuart and his team for maintaining the condition of the course and protecting it as we head into the teeth of the winter months. We as members should continue to carry bags, and given the continuing soft ground, ensure we repair pitch marks, replace divots, and follow course direction to help maintain the condition of the course.

The projects that have been undertaken this year, namely the bunker work on the 3rd and 11th, have been carried out with the minimum of disruption for members and this would be expected to continue with the work that forms part of the five-year plan. 

Finally, for those of you who haven’t made it out on the course over the last week or so the collapse of the large horse chestnut on the 15th highlights the importance of Stuart and the teams continued woodland management work to thin out trees and bushes which are beyond their best and could present a danger to golfers in the future. There is a lot of unseen work in this area but believe us when we say there is always a good reason for removing trees from the course. Replanting to replace trees that have been removed is a key part of managing our woodlands.   

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year and a return to normal levels of rainfall in advance of another great year on the course.  

Garrett Cotter

Green Committee

(Click on the image to view in full screen)

I hope as many people as possible have been able to look at the Design Board in the Main bar which shows the plans for the new terrace and examples of some of the furniture chosen.

As you will see, we think the designers have found a really good balance between increasing the overall seating capacity whilst keeping the terrace in proportion and sympathetic to the building and coping with the expansion limitations set by the drainage system for the putting green. Work is due to commence in mid-Jan and although there will be some disruption, it should only be for two or three weeks (weather allowing).  

With regard the Clubhouse redevelopment, the recommended designs are agreed and we are planning to hold member presentations through the first half of February and will announce the proposed dates in early January.

Richard Cottrell

Chairman of House Committee

Turkey Trot – Saturday 2 December – 9am shotgun start.  There was a full turnout for the Turkey Trot this year with a warming glass of mulled wine served from the 11th.  The proceeds from the raffle (ably supported by our very own Elves, Dan Hucker, Katie and Susan, the Captain’s wife, at the halfway hut and Elaine in the clubhouse) and mulled wine raised £891.00 for the Captains’ charity Carers Bucks.

Children’s Christmas Party – Saturday 9 December – 56 children attended the party and enjoyed Mr Marvel’s Magical Fun Show, face-painting and party food and a visit from Father Christmas who arrived on a golf buggy by special permission! They weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the day with parents and grandparents seen dancing along with the Cha Cha slide, conga and enjoying the TV theme music quiz.

Current events open for entry are:

Bingo night – Friday 2 February 2024 – This will be a fun occasion with crisps and nibbles and the tickets are £15 each for 12 games with prizes for the winners. Tickets are now available to be booked through the diary online.

Future events scheduled for your diary are:

Valentines Themed Dinner Dance – Friday 16 February 2024 – Following the success of this year’s event we will be holding another dinner dance to the tunes of the Barry Owen Band next February.  Full details will follow shortly!

The 2024 Quiz Night – Saturday 9 March 2024 – entry will open in January.

Summer Sizzler – Saturday 13 July 2024 - We’re planning a BBQ/hog roast to follow for all the family to join in the festivities so even if you aren’t planning on playing, please consider joining us afterwards.

The Social Committee

Firstly I would like to wish you all a fabulous Christmas and New year. Looking back it  has been a great year for us in the shop, and I hope you feel the same both on and off the golf course.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support this year, it is very much appreciated!

There are still a few days to grab those last minute gifts for the golfers in your life, and also a few more days to get your entry into the Christmas draw, entry is £5 per square.

We are still running our Christmas voucher promotion for lessons, please contact who you would like lessons with to get them arranged, the studio is a great place to start during the colder months. 

See you soon, Merry Christmas!

Chris, Adam and Tom

Judging from the positive feedback from members and guests…. the team can enjoy a very well-earned rest after serving over 700 Christmas meals this month on top of all the normal catering.  Especially after having to peel over 90 kgs of brussel sprouts!!!

A fabulous effort from everybody involved and I’m sure you will want to join me in thanking the whole Catering and Hospitality team for a tremendous effort…. well done and thank you!

Over the holidays, the kitchen will remain open with a full menu, so we hope to see more members enjoying the food and the facilities.

Looking forward into next year, we are working on some exciting plans to launch a new menu in the Spring so watch this space and we will keep you informed.

Richard Cottrell

Chairman of the House Committee

A question was asked at the AGM regarding the Artisans Club, raising some valid issues for consideration by the Board.  This was reviewed at the November meeting and as a result, Mike Lawson and I met with the secretary and treasurer of The Artisans to discuss this.   

The Board continues to support the Artisans and have agreed the following changes which we believe will address the concerns that were raised:

 1.⁠ ⁠From January 1st, the Sunday winter starting time for The Artisans will move permanently from 11.30am to 12.15pm. This will give members more tee time during the popular morning session and will alleviate some of the Bloomfield and other 1st tee queues on winter Sundays.

 2.⁠ ⁠The Artisans will undertake additional divoting sessions in May and July, meaning they will be divoting monthly from April through to September. These additional sessions during the most popular playing time of the year will see a marked difference in the condition of the fairways as a result.

David Booker

Chairman of the Golf and Competitions Committee

I know I did an article about general winter golf a couple of months ago, but with all the rain we have had over the last month I thought I would remind everyone of when and how you take free relief from temporary water.

Definition of Temporary Water

Temporary water is any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground that can be seen before or after you take a stance.  If the area is merely muddy, or the water can only be seen momentarily when you step onto the ground, this is NOT temporary water.

You may take free relief from temporary water if your ball is in the temporary water, or it affects your stance or the areas of your intended swing.  You do not get free relief from temporary water if your ball is in a penalty area.

How To Take Relief

I would strongly recommend NOT lifting the ball before you work out where you will be dropping – it may be a worse spot so it may be better just to play the ball as it lies.  If you lift the ball and then decide not to take relief, you get a one shot penalty for lifting the ball and have to replace it where it was.

Firstly, find the nearest place of complete relief (NPOCR), not nearer the hole, where your stance and swing is not affected by the temporary water.  Remember that you are not guaranteed a better lie, so this could be behind a tree, or in a muddy area in the rough.  It is a good idea to put a tee peg in to mark the NPOCR.

Drop a ball in a relief area one club length from the NPOCR, no nearer the hole than the NPOCR and such that you will not be standing in the water after the drop.  You do not need to measure, so I would suggest that, unless you are planning to drop at the extremity of the club length or are playing in a prestigious event, you save time by not measuring.  Once the ball has been dropped, if it is doubtful that the ball is still within the one club length, then you should measure.

You are allowed to clean the ball or even use a different ball.  You are also allowed to move any loose impediments (such as leaves, twigs, stones) in the relief area before dropping, but you cannot move anything growing or repair a divot.

Once the ball is dropped and has come to rest in the relief area, it is in play and you cannot redrop if it is in a bad lie.

If the ball rolls out of the relief area, then you redrop, and if it rolls out of the relief area a second time, then you replace the ball where it hit the ground on the second drop.   

Bunkers

If your ball is in a bunker then free relief from temporary water is available but the ball must be dropped in the bunker.  If there is nowhere in the bunker where you can get complete relief, you can use the point where you get maximum relief, so you are allowed to be standing or even playing from the water.

You have another option when there is temporary water in a bunker, which is to take a one shot penalty and drop back on line outside the bunker, keeping the location of the ball in the bunker between you and the hole.

If the bunker is marked as GUR, then you get free relief outside the bunker under the normal procedure for taking relief from GUR.

On the Green

If your ball is on the green, in addition to relief for temporary water affecting your ball, swing or stance, you also get relief for temporary water on your line of play.

On the green you take relief by placing a ball at the nearest point of complete relief, which may not be on the green.  If there is no point of complete relief, you can take relief using the point of maximum relief.

Janet Beal

Click here to see all the Winners for the Trophy Competitions