Latest News - 15th September 2025
Hollymead Results, Head Greenkeeper's Update, Only Fools, Couples Cup
Hollymead Cup Results
The Hollymead Cup Final took place yesterday, congratulations to Andy Cooke for winning the final event with a nett 67 on countback from Ryan Maskell. Sam Grover came third with a nett 68. The full results are attached with today's latest news email.
Sam Grover's third place in the final event was enough to see him secure the Hollymead Cup Trophy for 2025, congratulations to Sam! Patrick Colvin finished second, with Andy Cooke in third. The final standings in the Hollymead Cup are attached with today's latest news email.
Stableford Results
We ran a Stableford competition yesterday for all those that didn't qualify for the Hollymead Final. 52 men played in the Stableford. Congratulations to Alan Simmonds for winning the event with 37 points. Dean Gilchrist and Chris Spedding came second and third respectively on countback. The full results are attached.
Head Greenkeeper's Update
Ahead of maintenance week next week, Rob has the following update for members:
Dear Members,
As you know, next week is course maintenance week, so I wanted to give you a quick update on the planned work and the reasons behind it.
The course will be closed on Monday 22nd, which allows us to complete a large amount of the maintenance in one day. This means the greens will be back in play for you much sooner. After a dry spring and summer, many areas of the course —particularly the non-irrigated ones — have struggled and need attention to help them recover to their best condition.
For the greens, we will be carrying out a deep verticut to remove thatch, followed by a heavy sand topdressing. We’ll then use ¾” solid tines to a depth of around 8”, followed by 10mm tines to 4”. This process works sand into multiple layers of the soil profile. More sand will be brushed in, and the surfaces rolled before they are reopened for play. We will also dedicate more time this year to the non-irrigated tees and fairways. The tees will be lightly scarified and top-dressed with sand, then solid tined to work the sand deeper. On the fairways, we’ll apply a wetting agent and seaweed mix to encourage recovery.
Hopefully, the recent heavy showers hold off so we can make the most of the week and complete as much as possible, setting the course up for a stronger recovery heading into winter. We kindly ask for your cooperation during this period by giving the team right of way so we can carry out the work as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards
Rob Brown
Head Greenkeeper
Only Fools Dinner Night - 4th October
A reminder that we have the Only Fools and Horses comedy dinner night taking place on Saturday 4th October. The table plan for this event is up on the notice board in the Spike Bar. Please add your names if you would like to attend. Alternatively, you can reply to this email and we can add your names for you.
Couples Cup - This Sunday
A reminder that the Couples Cup is taking place this Sunday. You can enter on Club V1 if you would like to play. Full information is on the poster attached with today's latest news email.
The Hollymead Cup Final took place yesterday, congratulations to Andy Cooke for winning the final event with a nett 67 on countback from Ryan Maskell. Sam Grover came third with a nett 68. The full results are attached with today's latest news email.
Sam Grover's third place in the final event was enough to see him secure the Hollymead Cup Trophy for 2025, congratulations to Sam! Patrick Colvin finished second, with Andy Cooke in third. The final standings in the Hollymead Cup are attached with today's latest news email.
Stableford Results
We ran a Stableford competition yesterday for all those that didn't qualify for the Hollymead Final. 52 men played in the Stableford. Congratulations to Alan Simmonds for winning the event with 37 points. Dean Gilchrist and Chris Spedding came second and third respectively on countback. The full results are attached.
Head Greenkeeper's Update
Ahead of maintenance week next week, Rob has the following update for members:
Dear Members,
As you know, next week is course maintenance week, so I wanted to give you a quick update on the planned work and the reasons behind it.
The course will be closed on Monday 22nd, which allows us to complete a large amount of the maintenance in one day. This means the greens will be back in play for you much sooner. After a dry spring and summer, many areas of the course —particularly the non-irrigated ones — have struggled and need attention to help them recover to their best condition.
For the greens, we will be carrying out a deep verticut to remove thatch, followed by a heavy sand topdressing. We’ll then use ¾” solid tines to a depth of around 8”, followed by 10mm tines to 4”. This process works sand into multiple layers of the soil profile. More sand will be brushed in, and the surfaces rolled before they are reopened for play. We will also dedicate more time this year to the non-irrigated tees and fairways. The tees will be lightly scarified and top-dressed with sand, then solid tined to work the sand deeper. On the fairways, we’ll apply a wetting agent and seaweed mix to encourage recovery.
Hopefully, the recent heavy showers hold off so we can make the most of the week and complete as much as possible, setting the course up for a stronger recovery heading into winter. We kindly ask for your cooperation during this period by giving the team right of way so we can carry out the work as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards
Rob Brown
Head Greenkeeper
Only Fools Dinner Night - 4th October
A reminder that we have the Only Fools and Horses comedy dinner night taking place on Saturday 4th October. The table plan for this event is up on the notice board in the Spike Bar. Please add your names if you would like to attend. Alternatively, you can reply to this email and we can add your names for you.
Couples Cup - This Sunday
A reminder that the Couples Cup is taking place this Sunday. You can enter on Club V1 if you would like to play. Full information is on the poster attached with today's latest news email.