Chairman's Blog - July

Comments from the Chair : Chairman's Blog - July

11/7/2012

The Trees at the back of the 8th and 13th Greens

We are reliably informed that these trees could be a big problem in the next few months/years if they are not attended to. They have grown very tall and in high winds could become a risk. This type of tree are known to shed limbs easily. We do not want cars or people injured by these trees shedding.

We therefore have some serious course management/financial decisions to make regarding them. We have had a rough estimate of the cost of "tree surgery" and have been astounded at what it will cost to carry out the work to save them and make them safe. We may indeed need to make the more uncomfortable and unfortunate (but very much cheaper) decision to cut them down completely.

Your views, ideas and more importantly (cost effective) solutions are requested.

Stroke Indices

The Board voted to go with Option 1. The front nine will be even SI's and the back will be odd SI's (Off white tees). We will put the new scoresheet on the notice-board for the members to view in due course. The final decision to purchase the new scorecards will be made at the next meeting. (13th August 2012).

The Ladies section have met and they will report their new SI's after consultation with their membership.

http://www.rytongolfclub.co.uk/proposed-new-stroke-indices-white-teesred-tees1

 

Distance Measuring Devices (DMD's)

Whilst players are already using DMD's at Ryton, we felt it correct/important to create a local rule that officially allows DMD's on the course. We shall therefore do this, but we felt it must be in accordance with the England Golf's Guidance on DMD's. Please read the document carefully to ensure you do not infringe competition rules!

Please click on the link below to see the full paper.

http://www.rytongolfclub.co.uk/distance-measuring-devices1

Walk Off Area from 18th Green

The Walk off Point from the 18th Green has been moved, the aim is to have a compressed air system in place asap. Nigel Bendelow/Michael Moffitt and Mal Robson will be looking into the specific requirements and sourcing of equipment.

In the mean time the walk off from the 18th has now been moved. All golf traffic will now be directed past the office window towards the locker rooms. There have been concerns over the state of the path from the car park to the clubhouse main entrance.

The Don Jepson memorial bench has also been moved to a more favourable position.

6/7/2012

Course flooded prior to the Texas Scramble Open Competition! See photographs of the 8th and 18th Greens. Isn't it always the way when you have the course completely full! As I write this blog the greenstaff are working hard to make the course playable! Incredible staff! Go Team!

Unbelievable weather!

The team were able to open the course for 10.45 so the competition could go ahead. We have amazing staff at Ryton committed and dedicated to our members. We are very lucky! Great effort alround!

4/7/2012

We are happy to report the latest statistics relating to Green Fees and Bar Takings.

You can see the Green Fees figures are excellent. In effect in the last 6 months we have taken 3 times our best figures for any 6 months period in the last 5 years! We have earned over £18,000 (£5700 in June alone) In these difficult financial times and with the wettest June in known memory, these are staggering results. All our hard work is paying dividends! We need to keep up the momentum!

The Bar takings too are up. We are £5700 up on last years figures for the same timescale! Taking the weather into consideration we should be proud of any increase. Could i urge you all to visit the bar before, during or after a round to support the club. Each "sarnie" or "diet coke" means more profit which in turn means financial stability!

"Don't be a car park golfer!"

We are still offering a "half way house" service which we would encourage you to use also! 

2/7/2012

Rain, Rain and more Rain! As you have all witnessed, June has been a tremendously wet month. However, Ryton GC has weathered the storms and continues to surprise many of us as to how marvellously playable it is! Our course has been closed on very few occasions, far fewer than many others, who are having incredible problems. Some clubs will have to do costly and major reconstruction to their courses due to the damage caused by rain water. Much praise should be heaped on Don Smithson and the board for their decision to lay drainage through the 6th, 8th, 9th and 13th fairways which used to be blighted by flooding, causing holes to be unplayable. I can still remember walking from the 5th green down the path alongside the river and 6th fairway (missing it out) to play the 7th! What great foresight that was! Our fantastic course has only blossomed due to the extra "watering". The greens staff must be praised for doing a magnificent job!

The website was populated by over 2600 unique visitors yet again last month which proves that our shop window is still drawing attention. I will endeavour to keep it fresh, up to date and user friendly.

Its great to see that we are still getting lots of visitors to the course despite the fact that the Groupon deals have finished. I know Michael is working extremely hard to increase revenue whilst ensuring that members get their usual tee slots. It is obvious to everyone that unused tee slots are wasted possible revenue and we are attempting to maximise the potential of the course! It is of course a fine art to accommodate and keep everyone happy. We thank you all for your patience and understanding. We are monitoring closely the level of "usage" v "wear and tear" on the course and we are very pleased to say that the course is standing up superbly. It maybe down in no small part to the ongoing "divotting" initiative that we are doing. thanks to all members for their efforts regarding this! 

I must admit i am enjoying the role of Co-opted Chairman at present. I hope this honeymoon period will last for a while. The club has some interesting times ahead but i feel sure that we are moving in a very positive direction and I will continue to give it my best shot!.

I urge you all to read the article on the website relating to Stroke Indices. We are about to purchase new cards soon and we want to make a change to the present incorrect and problematic SI's. We intend to make some decisions at the Board meeting on 9th July! I have posted a "mock up" of a card with the SI's of option 1 inserted!

http://www.rytongolfclub.co.uk/proposed-new-stroke-indices-white-teesred-tees1

The Open competitions are drawing a great deal of attention. We are pleased to see the start sheets full and enjoy welcoming many new guests to Ryton to sample our course. These competitions are very important to the club in so many ways. The Texas scramble on Friday 6th with its large prize purse seems to be almost full. I look forward to seeing the results of that comp! 

Sponsors

Glyde Golf
We would like to thank and welcome our latest sponsor "Glyde Golf". You will no doubt see their logo on the 40,000 cards we are about to purchase for next year!
Please visit them at the links below!
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/Glydegolf
Please follow them and retweet
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glyde-Golf/183744411679177
Check out their latest information on facebook!

 

P & D Scaffolding
We of course continue to thank P & D Scaffolding who has kindly donated funds to help out with the new team shirts.
Why not ring them if you need any scaffolding on - 0191-469 9350

Switch to Desktop ViewSwitch to Mobile View