Newsletter
February 2017
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ONLINE BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS
The Committee has decided to introduce an online booking system from 8
March 2017 to meet our current and future business needs. These include new
and more demanding CASC requirements, generating more income from
visitors and managing our club in a more modern and efficient manner. All of
which help us to keep our operating costs down and limit subscription
increases. Apart from these business benefits it will help many members by
assuring them of a clear starting time thereby avoiding potentially long waits at
the chute.
Whilst this is a different way of doing things it continues to build upon the long
established rules and etiquette of golf. The online booking system will
determine order of play and replace the current chute system.
The system is relatively easy to access using the internet (PC, tablet, mobile
phone etc.) and manage. Any member needing assistance should contact the
office.
Implementation:
Extensive consultation has taken place regarding how an online booking system
should work including:
* Research with other clubs currently using the system
* Several “dedicated sessions” with key groups in the club.
* Individual responses via email and letter and telephone
* 2 evening and 7 lunchtime sessions.
During these session a number of issues have been raised including the
possibility of “block” booking, restricting its use to certain times of the day,
protecting member`s interests from those of visitors, how to prevent abuse of
the system etc. The following set of rules address many of these issues and will
be reviewed on a weekly basis for the foreseeable future.
These “rules” are underpinned by three core principles:
* All Members have equal rights to the course.
* The rules of golf and basic golf etiquette remain unchanged.
* Club competitions will remain unaffected. Pro’s Thursday Stableford will use
the new booking system
ON LINE BOOKING SYSTEM RULES
The system goes live on Wednesday 8 March 2017, booking will be available a week
earlier at 11:00.
A review will take place on 1 May 2017.
If you turn up to play without booking and the tee is free you are welcome to go out,
ideally let the Pro know. However members who have booked take priority.
Rules
All members should book on line to play golf using either the IT system or `phone via
the professional/office. This can be done from 11:00 up to a week ahead.
a) If the Pro’s shop is open please check in (only needs 1 of the group)
b) All players MUST be on the 1st tee ready to start play at their allotted time. IF there
is an unexpected delay they may be able to negotiate a later time with other players
ready to tee off or via the professional booking system otherwise you will have to
re-book a time. There can be no delays to avoid disruption to others.
c) Play is allowed from the 11th tee providing no one is on or approaching the 10 th tee
with no automatic dovetailing rights on the first. People with a booked tee time have
priority.
d) Visiting parties will not be allowed to book a tee time until after 10:00. Visitors
will only be able to book between 10:00 – 4:00.
e) Anyone booking a time MUST use it or Cancel ideally 24 hours in advance to give
other members the chance to play. Please use the system responsibly and have
respect for others.
Although this is a change to historical practices we hope all members will help us make
a smooth transition and in time find the benefits of this system outweigh any
personal issues they may have with it.
The system will be regularly monitored and relevant printouts published at the end of
each month to keep members informed.
CAPTAIN’S COURTESY ROUNDS
Each year a number of clubs in the area send the Captain a voucher for a courtesy 4ball.
Terry would like to offer these on a first come, first served basis to members at a cost of
£40 to go towards his chosen charity. The vouchers will be offered in the newsletters
over the coming months and are valid over the whole year. They are generally for
weekdays only. More to follow when they become available.
Please request and pay at the Office.
Blackwell Grange Consett Crook Dinsdale Spa
George Washington Hobson Keswick
Roseberry Grange + a separate Footgolf voucher
Tyneside x2 Saltburn
THE WEATHER TREE
Have you seen our weather tree - situated on the
Ladies’ Notice Board? Each day a leaf is coloured
to denote the day’s weather – come rain, sun or
snow. As you know, we often have four seasons in
one day. The end result should be very interesting.
Thanks to Lady Captain Marilyn for providing the
tree and David Oughton for his artistic colouring in.
(Editor chokes here!)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY CAPTAINS MIXED FRIENDLY:
Sat 29 April
Sat 10 June
Sat 29 July
Sat 12 August
Sat 2 September
59 CLUB WINNERS
Funds to Ladies Section
7 Jan 38 D Wingate / B Hope
14 Jan 33 M Hedley
21 Jan 51 L Johnson
28 Jan 20 M Pilgrim
4 Feb 22 S Burton
Reciprocal Golf Arrangements - available to members:
Bedale
Saltburn
Teesside
Obtain a passport from the Office, you can play 3 rounds of golf per year at each course
at a cost of £10 per round.
Catterick
Arcot Hall
Easingwold
You can play for £10 per
round.
Free and discounts on bar
sales.
To be confirmed.
Boldon
South Moor
Stocksfield
You can play for £7.50 per round.
These arrangements are generally Monday – Friday.
Please telephone beforehand as a courtesy and to ensure a tee time.
The arrangement is for a 4 ball, any larger group is at the discretion of the home club.
NEW HEAD GREENKEEPER
Following a rigorous selection process we are pleased
to announce that David Jobey has been appointed as
our new head greenkeeper.
David brings with him many years of experience as a
head greenkeeper at Consett Golf Club and prior to that
assistant head greenkeeper at Brancepeth Golf Club.
We expect David to begin work at the club at the end
of March and are pleased to have him join the team as
we look to take the club forward improving the playing
conditions.
I hope you are all looking forward to the start of the golf season and, hopefully, some
good weather. I would like to congratulate all those who have successfully qualified for
the knockout stage of the Winter Leagues and to wish you luck in your upcoming
matches.
If you feel your game is a little rusty due to the winter lay off, please call into the Pro
Shop. We can then discuss your game and see how it can be improved.
PRO TIP
When you are practising this time of year, remember to check is your basic fundamentals.
Aim, Grip, Stance, Ball position, and Posture. It’s amazing how many bad habits you can
pick up over a season, and how you can take Basic Fundamentals for granted.
Special Offers
There are some special offers in the Pro Shop so please call in and grab yourself a
bargain
* Shirts from £17.00
* New Golf Lesson Packages.
* Srixon Golf Ball deals.
* Pro v 1 Balls from £7.50
* Mizuno Cart & Stand bags £99
2017 DIRECT DEBITS
A payment was taken on Monday 13 February from those members who had paid by
direct debit in 2016; payments have been corrected to 11 months instead of 12. The first
payment is usually about £75 but because of the problems we encountered this has not
been taken yet, it will be in either March or April and payments will revert to the 5 th of
the month.
Members starting to pay by direct debit will be set up over 10 months and payments
taken starting 5 March.