Club news
As the latest national lockdown comes to an end this week, we are delighted to be reopening from Wednesday in line with the government’s strict rulings
The club’s management would like to thank you all for your support over the last few weeks and the team has been working hard to ensure your support is being repaid with further improvement work.
As you will know, Kent has been placed in Tier 3 so the clubhouse will be closed. Please check in downstairs at a newly designed area in the courtyard at the bottom of stairs.
A really, really short survey
Communication is really important to us, which is why we want to ask for your help. We have created a very short survey online to find out about what aspects of the club interest you. Would you please fill it in, it takes about 30 seconds, and will help us deliver timely and relevant information to your phone via text.
Food and drinks news
Although the clubhouse will remain closed in December, we will be offering a takeaway service for golfers from 7.30am-4pm. The grab-and-go menu will include the traditional breakfast fare of tea and coffee and bacon and sausage rolls to fortify you before you tee off. Once you finish your round we hope to tempt you with something more substantial to enjoy with a drink from the bar.
Clubhouse news
The project to greatly improve the front entrance to the clubhouse has begun and a working area for the builders and contractors has been sectioned off with fencing in the car park. Please be careful while driving and park your vehicle considerately.
WHS news
The WHS was launched in November and, with the transfer of 15 million handicaps, there were always going to be a few teething problems. We have a few of these and are in contact with England Golf support, so please bear with us while we work them out and rest assured all will be in order very soon.
England Golf has released a great new app (click here). It’s well worth downloading and will help you stay up to date with your handicap index.
As a reminder, the club’s data privacy policy has been set to require consent from all Members before any data is sent and to send placeholder data for any Members who do not have an email address or who have not provided consent.
Members are able to set their privacy preference but please before doing that, within your Member log-in, go to My Golf and then Preferences and verify your email address and tick all the appropriate boxes that allow you to receive communications.
Only then go to My Golf, My Rounds and click on the WHS Privacy Link.
Course news
From Damon Kirk, Course Manager: With lockdown in effect, work on the course has continued at pace and, despite the poor weather conditions, we have embraced the chance to move around the site, without incurring the wrath of golfers.
We are currently managing two golf course redevelopment projects. The tree reduction and canopy lifting – which was mentioned in last month’s newsletter-and the introduction of a pathway system to alleviate damage from traffic over wet and unstable areas around the course.
The current tree project will have been completed by the re-commencement of play on December 2nd but we have a number of projects with regards to the maintenance of all wooded areas planned for the future. This is an ongoing issue that will benefit the course and players.
Lockdown saw us start a new path project that is intended to improve routes that have suffered from intense volumes of player movements and underlying geographical issues.
Construction is underway from the end of the 5th fairway, circling around the back left hand side of the green and continuing through the existing wooded path past the 6th tees to the beginning of the fairway.
This will relieve the problems facing traffic on the 5th approach, where it is heavily worn and can be troublesome to climb. It will also impact the quality of the ground around the 6th tee and onwards to the fairway.
The next area for redevelopment will be the route from the 7th green through to the 8th tees and down to the 8th green linking up with the 9th tees. This location is in need of an alternative pathway to reduce the possibility of accidents during wet periods.
The redevelopment work will continue after play has resumed on the course and every effort will be made to make sure that any disruption is minimised. Your understanding and consideration during this essential work is very much appreciated.
Covid-19
As ever, please follow the latest government guidelines regarding Coronavirus as they apply to your area. We would appreciate everyone taking personal responsibility for maintaining the correct physical distance while they are at the club. Wear your mask when it is required and wash your hands whenever you can.