The landscaping and engineering work on the 4th is nearing completion.  It has been a long haul and the patience and understanding of all members is much appreciated.

The new irrigation channels under the 4th tee are intended to keep this tee open 365 days of the year.  The new route for buggies and trolleys from the 3rd green to the 4th tee is now in place with a gentle slope from that tee down to the fairway.  Many members were wary of the old steps and the green staff path. A number of complaints have been received over time about the personal risks in these areas; the new pathway will resolve this.  Work will also be carried out to the right of the 3rd green to repair this damaged and rather unsightly piece of ground. The slope from the 4th tee will remain ground under repair until seeding is completed in the spring.

Talking about unsightly areas the work on the 8th between the tee and bank area awaits Council approval.  Once approval is obtained this piece of ground will be raised about a metre with topsoil added to provide a truer surface particularly for those who wish to or may have to lay up! This work will extend around to the 6th tee where the new white teeing area will be joined to the old tee.  The banking around this tee is to be finished with top soil.

The Green committee Bob Hancock, Phil Wright, David Holloway, Bill Gibson, Mike Miles, Sam Maloney and Celia Corby will be primarily focusing on areas of the course that can be improved with little or no cost to members.  We trust you will find the monthly updates on planned course work and the achievements from the previous month informative and beneficial.  In these stringent economic times we have to be conscious of cash flow!  No one person has the complete answer to our objective of continuous course improvement and the committee are also there to receive input from members whose contributions will always receive considered thought and response.

Finally we need to talk about water.  It costs the club some 12K a year to water the course.  Currently we are exploring the option of a bore hole and storage facilities to mitigate our Thames Water costs.  We also have an ageing course watering system and are currently researching how the club can generate the cash to replace our existing installation.  We will keep you updated on our progress.

Meanwhile continue to enjoy your golf and club membership.

Phil Wright & Bob Hancock