I give with one hand......

It has taken me about 5 years to convince you all that the 2 strips cut down the side of each fairway are actually semi-rough and not fairway.

Imagine my horror this week when as part of Matt's new strategy to free up a bit of time for his team to get into the heather, he tells me that these 2 strips are now being cut to fairway height, and will from now on be part of the fairway instead........

I am hoping it won't take 5 years for me to change your minds back to your original thinking! As we head into winter, and preferred lies are in operation, I actually think it is a good thing as it will make a clearer definition between fairway and semi-rough. You've always said the fairways weren't wide enough!

Therefore with immediate effect, the 2 strips should be treated as fairway.

At the same time as this, I have decided to bring in preferred lies. In the last week or two we have brought it in on certain days, taken it off again, brought it back again - it can only lead to confusion! So please be aware preferred lies are now in play for the rest of the Autumn/Winter.

	Winter Mats As we head into winter, we are going to trial what has proved to be popular at a few other clubs - winter fairway mats. They are designed to protect the course, and also to make winter golf more enjoyable and a little easier for you. They will be optional on some days, but will be compulsory on others, and for certain competitions and handicap qualifying rounds. More on that to follow. I have ordered 100 mats that members will be able to take out when they play and then return at the end of their round. We also have reports from other Clubs that some members like to buy their own, as there is a slightly superior product available from a company called Spurk.		If you do decide to buy your own, I suggest getting the short pile grass mat. I have samples you can look at in the office if you want to see for yourself.

			George Wins Again Well done George Goddard! He shot 68 at Bognor Regis on Thursday (2 under par) to get into a play-off for the Riseborough Memorial Trophy. In the play-off, he holed a 15 footer at the first extra hole to beat the experienced Lea Cooper from Tilgate. As reported a few weeks ago, he also won the Sussex Professionals' Championship - meaning George is now halfway to the Career Grand Slam in Sussex! He just has the Spring Meeting and Sussex Open left to go.

	Did you make these biscuits? These biscuits were made for the Captains' Charity Day last week, and there were a few left over...... Some of you will know that Céline and I have a weekly "weigh in" on a Friday where we weigh ourselves, and whoever has lost the most weight (or this week, whoever has put on the least weight!) is the winner. The loser puts a fiver in the pot. I was thrashed this morning, and I am blaming whoever made these biscuits, as I have been eating them with every cup of tea and coffee I have had all week. They are superb. Let me know if it was you - and feel free to share the recipe!

Carpet trim damage

Apologies for the delay in repairing the carpet trim by the bar. It has proven surprisingly difficult to find someone willing to take on a job that, while small, is rather fiddly. Please be assured we have been working to get this resolved, and we are pleased to say that we now have someone booked to carry out the work within the next week or so. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Entrance Hall

The work to sort out the damp issues in the Entrance Hall is taking longer than expected. When the damp proof experts removed the plaster from the walls, they were surprised at the poor condition of the breeze blocks and building underneath, which has meant more remedial work than was originally planned. It should have all been finished by today.

I am optimistic they will finish next week. In the meantime, thanks for your patience, we will keep the area open and usable as much as we can.

Tuesday Boy Charity Day on Tuesday

Nigel Hawes has asked me to remind you that it is Tuesday Boy Charity Day on Tuesday. If you haven't signed up, and would like to play, please now contact Nigel directly. It is £25 per person, and non-member guests are welcome for the same fee. All proceeds to charity.

Heather

Matt gave a presentation to the Board last night with his long term plans to resolve the heather issues. Work has already started, as members who have been out in the last couple of weeks will have seen, and also read about in John Turzynski's recent report.

Manpower for these tasks is freed up as we head out of the main growing season, and we have also invested in extra staff to make a concerted effort to get things under control as quickly as we can.

We will also ask for member volunteers in the future to get involved in supervised working parties in the heather. If you can help when asked, we will provide food and beer! Keep an eye out for our requests, and even if you can only spare a couple of hours, it will be gratefully received.

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Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.

19th September 2025 Newsletter

I give with one hand......

Winter Mats

George Wins Again

Did you make these biscuits?

Carpet trim damage

The Entrance Hall

Tuesday Boy Charity Day on Tuesday

Heather