Chairman's Update
Wednesday 20th May
GOLF IS BACK! – 7 DAYS IN
Its been fantastic to be able to re-open the links and see so many members back enjoying the game we have all missed so much during the period of lockdown. Our Links Manager Chris Ball and his team have done an exceptional job to have the course ready for play and in such excellent condition; Chris and his team are still operating within the confines of Government approved ‘limited’ maintenance practices, with the overwhelming priority being the health and safety of members and staff, I wish to thank them for the fabulous job they are doing.
It is critical that members always adhere to ‘Social Distancing’ principles and it is pleasing to report that during the 5 days we had starters/marshals this was observed by the vast majority of golfers. I wish to thank Ray Walker and the team of volunteers that he organised so quickly, who helped to get golf back under way in a safe and efficient manner.
One of our key objectives when re-opening for golf was to try and give as many members the opportunity to play, given the restrictions of 2 ball golf at 10-minute tee time intervals. In the first 7 days:
• 1014 ‘player positions’ were available on the tee sheets
• 966 of these were taken (95% utilisation)
• 914 were members and 52 were members’ guests
Thank you to those members who have suggested improvements to current booking arrangements. With immediate effect the following amended rules will apply:
• Tee times will continue to go live, 7 days in advance but at the slightly amended time of 9pm, rather than 7pm. This is to accommodate people still on the course on these light nights.
• Members should only book a maximum of 3 times per week, according to their membership category. This is a slight change to the current restriction of 2 midweek and 1 at the weekend. Please could members who are booking to play at weekends consider those members that are currently still working full time.
• If on the day there are tee slots available, they can be booked, even if you have used your 3 bookings.
• If you wish to bring a guest, once you have secured a tee time please call the office to pay in advance of you playing.
• If you are having problems booking, please contact the office and they can try to accommodate you.
It is hoped in the coming days/weeks we may be able to introduce 3 or 4 ball golf and once this happens adjustments to the tee sheet will be made.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
The Driving Range and Short Game Practice Green will re-open from Monday 25th May and will operate with the following procedure:
• The range and short game area will be open from 9am till 5pm and will need to be pre-booked. All golfers will need to use their own practice balls.
• ½ hour slots can be booked by phoning the office. Up to an hour can be reserved by each member per day (this can be 30 minutes on the range and 30 minutes on the short game). Bookings can be made from tomorrow morning – we are not proposing to impose any further conditions except to again ask members to consider others.
• There will be a limit of 2 players on the range and 2 players on the short game area at any one time.
• It is imperative that the same principles of hygiene safety and social distancing are always maintained.
HALFWAY HOUSE
We have re-opened this facility and are currently operating between 10am and 4pm every day of the week. This has been done with the intention of trying to ‘normalise’ as many things as we possibly can and I would urge members to please try and support this - we are hoping to re-introduce Sausage Rolls by the weekend!! The staff are operating to strict hygiene protocols and members are reminded not to get too close to the serving hatch.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
A reminder that the Pro Shop has a new Website https://hillsidegolf.co.uk/ which is enabled for online ordering or click and collect. We have also re-energised our Social Media output across the following platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, please like, follow and re-tweet where appropriate!
GENERAL
It is tempting to start speculating on when we might have competitive golf again and when we may be able to open up our Clubhouse Facilities, however our approach all through this crisis has been to focus on the safety and wellbeing of our members and staff. We will continue to follow Government regulations and the guidance provided by the various golfing authorities.
We have very carefully managed the Club’s finances through these difficult couple of months and will continue to ensure that our prime asset – the golf course is protected. Thank you to all the members who have generously helped to ensure the Club maintained a positive cash position in the lead up to our financial year end.
Finally, our thoughts are with the members that have had and continue to have difficulties during this unprecedented period. Please continue to enjoy our fantastic links in a safe and responsible manner.
Graham Green – Chairman
Wednesday 20th May 2020
Hillside Pro's Shop
Its been fantastic to be able to re-open the links and see so many members back enjoying the game we have all missed so much during the period of lockdown. Our Links Manager Chris Ball and his team have done an exceptional job to have the course ready for play and in such excellent condition; Chris and his team are still operating within the confines of Government approved ‘limited’ maintenance practices, with the overwhelming priority being the health and safety of members and staff, I wish to thank them for the fabulous job they are doing.
It is critical that members always adhere to ‘Social Distancing’ principles and it is pleasing to report that during the 5 days we had starters/marshals this was observed by the vast majority of golfers. I wish to thank Ray Walker and the team of volunteers that he organised so quickly, who helped to get golf back under way in a safe and efficient manner.
One of our key objectives when re-opening for golf was to try and give as many members the opportunity to play, given the restrictions of 2 ball golf at 10-minute tee time intervals. In the first 7 days:
• 1014 ‘player positions’ were available on the tee sheets
• 966 of these were taken (95% utilisation)
• 914 were members and 52 were members’ guests
Thank you to those members who have suggested improvements to current booking arrangements. With immediate effect the following amended rules will apply:
• Tee times will continue to go live, 7 days in advance but at the slightly amended time of 9pm, rather than 7pm. This is to accommodate people still on the course on these light nights.
• Members should only book a maximum of 3 times per week, according to their membership category. This is a slight change to the current restriction of 2 midweek and 1 at the weekend. Please could members who are booking to play at weekends consider those members that are currently still working full time.
• If on the day there are tee slots available, they can be booked, even if you have used your 3 bookings.
• If you wish to bring a guest, once you have secured a tee time please call the office to pay in advance of you playing.
• If you are having problems booking, please contact the office and they can try to accommodate you.
It is hoped in the coming days/weeks we may be able to introduce 3 or 4 ball golf and once this happens adjustments to the tee sheet will be made.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
The Driving Range and Short Game Practice Green will re-open from Monday 25th May and will operate with the following procedure:
• The range and short game area will be open from 9am till 5pm and will need to be pre-booked. All golfers will need to use their own practice balls.
• ½ hour slots can be booked by phoning the office. Up to an hour can be reserved by each member per day (this can be 30 minutes on the range and 30 minutes on the short game). Bookings can be made from tomorrow morning – we are not proposing to impose any further conditions except to again ask members to consider others.
• There will be a limit of 2 players on the range and 2 players on the short game area at any one time.
• It is imperative that the same principles of hygiene safety and social distancing are always maintained.
HALFWAY HOUSE
We have re-opened this facility and are currently operating between 10am and 4pm every day of the week. This has been done with the intention of trying to ‘normalise’ as many things as we possibly can and I would urge members to please try and support this - we are hoping to re-introduce Sausage Rolls by the weekend!! The staff are operating to strict hygiene protocols and members are reminded not to get too close to the serving hatch.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA
A reminder that the Pro Shop has a new Website https://hillsidegolf.co.uk/ which is enabled for online ordering or click and collect. We have also re-energised our Social Media output across the following platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, please like, follow and re-tweet where appropriate!
GENERAL
It is tempting to start speculating on when we might have competitive golf again and when we may be able to open up our Clubhouse Facilities, however our approach all through this crisis has been to focus on the safety and wellbeing of our members and staff. We will continue to follow Government regulations and the guidance provided by the various golfing authorities.
We have very carefully managed the Club’s finances through these difficult couple of months and will continue to ensure that our prime asset – the golf course is protected. Thank you to all the members who have generously helped to ensure the Club maintained a positive cash position in the lead up to our financial year end.
Finally, our thoughts are with the members that have had and continue to have difficulties during this unprecedented period. Please continue to enjoy our fantastic links in a safe and responsible manner.
Graham Green – Chairman
Wednesday 20th May 2020
Hillside Pro's Shop