Healthy Greens… Set for Cracking Season!

set fair for a cracking season...

I have just received confirmation from our agronomist that we have made substantial progress on our greens over the last 6 months. The use of the new 'thatch away' equipment and the ongoing chemical treatments have both reduced the iron layer and increased the general health of the grass plant and soil base. To quote, "well done, you are set fair for a cracking season". Please note that the fusarium patches have been fully treated and are under control. He is not worried about these as they will quickly disappear when we accelerate grass growth in the early spring.

For those interested in a little more science regarding fusarium, please click here

We are working hard on course maintenance over the winter period and you can expect to see some nice little surprises...

John
Head Green Keeper

Top Golfers get Class ‘A’ Coaching

This November Bruce took a group of golfers - including some of our lowest handicappers on a coaching trip to Portugal.

In addition to grabbing some much needed sun and relaxation some of the feedback was very enlightening!

Too many golfers in the UK see coaching in the context of 'lessons are for beginners' or 'any coaching now will just ruin what I've already learned'.

Neil Terry, a single figure handicapper now sees coaching in a very different light. Learning to improve your game, whatever standard you currently are, just makes golf more fun!

"...We went out onto the course to demonstrate real life positions I found a personal challenge. I did not even have to hit a ball because after the first few practice swings he knew exactly what the problem was and then focused on correcting. We then proceeded to other holes and approach positions to gain a
different perspective on varying 60-80 yard shots. Since the first session I have received further coaching on my chipping which has made a significant difference to my game as I have now grown confidence in playing these very critical type of shots. I highly recommend spending some time with Bruce for all levels of capability.
Neil Terry,
single figure handicap player

Improving the Bunker Edges…

Proud of Our Ladies!

Massive congratulations to our ladies on their success in 2016!! Outstanding result!!

Princes Risborough Golf Club has an active Ladies Section which meets twice a week, on Monday mornings for a roll-up session and on Wednesday mornings for organized games. We have a reputation for welcoming new members, both those with existing handicaps and those new to the game. Members of our Ladies Committee reach out to new members to help them integrate into our community and very soon the newcomer or novice feels part of the action.
Organized games include Medals and Stablefords played on Wednesdays or Saturdays, and also informal games played purely for enjoyment on our beautiful Chiltern course. We also run annual knock-out competitions for individuals and pairs, join with the Men's Section for mixed competitions and play matches against other clubs including participating in the Chiltern League.

To find out more about our membership deals then please contact Michelle or Nick on 01844 346989 or click here.

We are looking forward to another fantastic year!

Better Course Management…

Maintenance on Lake – Hole 3

Please note that the Lake on 3rd Hole is being partially drained down to enable a thinning of the plant life and a more attractive pond for the spring. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused whilst we are conducting this important maintenance work.

Best Regards

John

Head Greenkeeper

Golf Club Update

Half Year Update

The last six months have been a wonderful opportunity to work with a cracking new management team. The vision for the club remains the same. We will be successful if we focus on:
1) being a happy and productive team delivering great customer service
2) improving the quality of the golf course each and every year
3) building a learning culture at the club which enables members to maximise their enjoyment of golf

Customer Service

I would like to thank Nick, Michelle, Luke, Becky M, Ed, Bridie and Becky L for all their hard work in delivering such a good customer experience. The feedback I have received on their behalf has been wonderfully positive. That said, we are working hard to improve our service levels and have been guided to a number of areas for increased focus:
* Greater consistency of tidiness; specifically patio areas and changing rooms
* An upgrade to the shower rooms
* An enhanced lunchtime menu for all days of the week
* Better communication and website experience

Course Investment

A big thank you to John, Sam, Jake and of course Bob and Simon, who continue to work incredibly hard to deliver such a high quality course. In the next 6 months we will be focusing on completing important programmes:
* Back to basics – increasing general standards around the course such as bin emptying, shoe cleaning area, rusty signage…watch this space!
* Improving Greens and Tees – continued enhancements to consistency and quality using a combination of our new ‘thatch away’ machinery and an enhanced pro active fertilisation and disease control programme.
* Improving bunkers – focusing on sand quality, edges, drainage and bunker playability. We will be enhancing greenside bunkers on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th. The priority is to enhance the playing experience by ensuring that the ball rolls to a challenging but playable position.
* New Short Game Academy Course – we are engaging with an agronomy and a course design specialist to ensure that we have a playable course by May 6th. The course will obviously improve over time but to find out more, click here.
* Planning for the next “Signature, Course Enhancement” – In my first two years, we added a new raised Tee and a lake to hole 3. We are in the planning and consultation stage for the next “signature upgrade” which will be finished and in play within the next 18 months… more to follow.

Learning Culture

A massive thank you to Bruce for his engagement and ideas in bringing this project to life. The new 9 hole Short Game course is being designed to help Bruce coach golfers on ‘the 9 smart shots to a better scorecard’. Each hole represents an opportunity to improve on a particular ‘smart shot’. The insight is simple and proven. The better you play this wonderful game, the more you enjoy it, no matter what your current handicap. The big idea is that once you know how to play each ‘smart shot’ correctly, you can have fun competing with the course and with other golfers, whilst practising the right way to play these all important shots.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Members and particularly the Committee for all of their ongoing support. The quality of both the outgoing and incoming captains and committee members is why this great club is exactly that. We will continue to listen to what matters to you and reflect that in our actions. We consider improving our communication with members to be pivotal to achieving our vision.

Thank you once again to everybody who has made such a commitment to moving the club forward, year after year.

Happy New Year
Gary

Club Captain – Update

CAPTAIN’S NEWSLETTER

To all Members:

I trust that you have all enjoyed a Merry Christmas, hopefully, with family and friends both at home and at PRGC. I know that many have taken the opportunity to work off the extra calories consumed and to enjoy the course in the somewhat unusual but very enjoyable recent weather.

With the days already extending there is surely good reason to begin, if not actually planning, at least contemplating the opportunities of a new year and for us that means golf, competition and time spent with like-minded friends.

You know now that there is a full list of competitions on the notice boards and I am sure that you will appreciate the time taken to make sure that you have all the early information that you need to continue to be involved in the activities of our Club. Certainly the participation in recent weeks in the various activities organised by your committee and the Club’s Management has shown that given sufficient time, and some gentle persuasion, the competitive spirit is alive and well. For all who have taken part may I extend my thanks for your positive response and to those who have been, so far, unable to join us please do look at the opportunities to come and find spaces in your busy calendar to support the enthusiasm and commitment that it takes to schedule and organise such a programme.

Our next major event will be The Distinguishables versus The Incorruptibles, March 18^th between the Captain’s Team and the Management Team and there will be much indecent haste in the attempts to induce you to represent one or other of the teams. It would be indelicate of me at this time to promote the many reasons why you might choose the Captain’s Team and so I will leave it to you to recognise the value and prestige of being associated with such an august body.

Throughout the coming season there will be both home and inter-club competitions that need the dedication and commitment of Members that is necessary if we are to raise the flag of PRGC over the winners’ enclosure. Lists asking you to submit your details will be forthcoming but don’t feel that you have to wait to be included; a simple direct approach to any of your Committee Members is all that it takes to earn my undying gratitude.

I am still in the early stages of my year as your Captain and perhaps there is much for me to learn but with the help of your Committee and the goodwill of all that I have the privilege to play alongside I have already had time to see that, for me, this will be a year of achievement and fun: I hope that it will be the same for each and every Member.

I have no other qualification for my role than a determination to represent you in the best way of which I am capable. Tell me what you need; I may not always be able to provide it but I will always welcome the chance to talk with you.

My sincere thanks and best wishes for a Happy New Year

Brian Fowler

Club Captain: 2016-7

Category Archives: News