Dear Members,

As we move through the winter months, I wanted to share a positive update on the work already completed across the courses, along with a look ahead at what’s still to come around the club. Winter is always a busy and productive period for the team, and this year has been no exception, with a strong focus on improving presentation, playability, and long-term course quality ahead of the spring season.

Terrace Renovation

In early February, work will commence on a planned refresh of the terrace area. This will begin with the removal of the existing landscaped beds, followed by preparatory works to accommodate new parasols ahead of the arrival of updated terrace furniture. The existing hedge surrounding the terrace will also be replaced as part of this programme.

The terrace is a much-loved and important social space within the Club, and these improvements are intended to provide a thoughtful uplift while remaining consistent with the quality, character, and design language of the Clubroom and Marlin Room. We are confident this will enhance both the presentation and enjoyment of the area ahead of the main season.

Project Iconic – Course Enhancements

We’ve made excellent progress so far, with a number of impactful improvements already completed:

Work completed to date

• Gorse removal on Mill 2 behind the fairway bunkers, exposing the standout “rockstar” oak tree and returning the area to grass
• Removal of poor-specimen willow trees behind Mill 2 green to open views and improve aesthetics
• Self-set tree removal and pollarding along the entrance drive and Garden 9 lake bank, creating a much-improved first impression on arrival
• Removal of low-quality silver birch trees at the rear of Church 2 tees
• Reduction of the soil mound behind Garden 1 green to restore clear sightlines from Garden 4 tee
• Clearance of overgrown landscaping behind Church 4 tee, enabling a convenient short-cut path from the 3rd green
• Lake-edge sapling removal across all lakes to improve visibility and definition of the water’s edge
• Removal of a small landscape area on Garden 3 rough carry to enhance aesthetics and improve traffic flow

Work still to come

• Removal of the poor landscape border around Mill 5 tee and return to grass to enhance the area
• Planting of new “rockstar” trees of the future on Church 6
• Removal of the thin gorse line surrounding Church 2 tee
• Expansion of fine turf between the Pro Shop putting green and Church 1 blue tee
• Reduction of the Photinia hedge adjacent to Mill 3 green
• Removal of three willow trees currently blocking the tee shot from Garden 3 blue tee
• Removal of overgrown landscaping along the right side of the range walk, replaced with grass
• Replacement of three island heather landscape beds on Church 3 tee with fine turf

Drainage & Irrigation Improvements

Targeted infrastructure work continues to ensure firmer, higher quality, more consistent playing surfaces:

• Mill 3 approach has received a full replacement of piped drainage to improve firmness
• Church 4 fairway end has been treated with secondary sand slits to address soft ground
• Further sand slit installation across other wet or soft areas on the courses
• Expansion of irrigation coverage is scheduled to begin in February, including:

• • Mill 9 rough beyond the fairway bunkers and green surrounds
  • Walkway between Mill 4 green and 5 tee
  • Church 1 tee area (right side)
  • Rear rough bank on Church 8
  • Installation of subsurface soaker pipe irrigation along Garden 9 lake bank, followed by full returfing

Chipping Green Enhancement

The chipping green on the Garden 1 side will receive a subtle but valuable upgrade. The deep pot bunker will be removed and replaced with fine turf, creating additional chipping space. The deep grass bunkers on this side will also be softened and partially converted to fine turf, increasing versatility and usability.

Church Bunker Sand Exchange & Liner Trial

An important bunker improvement project is planned for February/March. The trial sand used in 2025 will be fully removed from all Church greenside bunkers and replaced with the same high-quality sand used on the Mill and Garden courses, ensuring consistency across the club in time for spring play.

In addition, we’ll be trialling a new carpet-style bunker liner designed to significantly reduce plugged lies on steep bunker faces. This will be installed in the front-right greenside bunker on Mill 5 in February and closely monitored for potential wider use.

Poplar Tree Pollarding

Our tree surgeons will be on site for approximately three weeks to complete the pollarding of poplar trees along the canal side of Mill 3. This work follows recommendations from the club’s Arboricultural consultant and is focused on maintaining safety while promoting the long-term health of the trees.

Thank you, as always, for your patience and support while this essential winter work takes place. Every project is designed with long-term course quality in mind, and we’re excited about the improvements members will see and feel as we head into the new season.

We look forward to welcoming you back to even better playing conditions very soon.

 

Kind regards,

John Lockyer
Director of Greens

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