President’s Update – January 2024
I hope everyone had a great Christmas period and have started the new year well!
Please find below an update on happenings across the club and at board level.
Property Development Update
For many of you who have played in recent weeks, you’ll notice our course re-development is in full swing. Our new green complex on the sixth hole is rapidly taking shape. With the majority of the shaping completed, we will be progressing to the turf laying in the first week or two of February. It’s expected that the new hole will take approximately two months for the turf to be ready for play. Once the green complex has been completed, the new tee boxes on the sixth and seventh holes will commence, alongside the new chipping green.
Our new driving range has had the first design concepts completed. We are now awaiting engineering design to be completed. The club will be required to gain council approval for this; however, we are progressing well with the overall process.
The financial settlement for the property development is scheduled for later this week, which will bring to a conclusion the significantly lengthy processes, which commenced over three years ago.
The approvals for Metro Homes to commence construction are still ongoing with council, at this stage we have not received a commencement date, which will mean our practice fairway will still stay in play for members.
Course Update
After early predictions of a dry, hot summer, we’ve had quite the opposite.
The club received significant rainfall in the four week period prior to Christmas, which saw in excess of 150 ml of rain fall. We’ve been fortunate to receive follow up rains in recent weeks also.
This has seen our course presented in terrific condition in recent weeks. Brodie and the team have done a fantastic job in balancing the support to the new hole re-development and maintaining our course maintenance in a significantly high growth period – plenty of rain and sun has seen the team very busy keeping up!
There continues to be snake sightings on course, especially around the dams on the back nine, please ensure you remain aware.
Other Board Matters
The club has had a significant membership increase since our new season commenced in September, with over 250 new members joining across many of our categories.
Our financial performance has been in line with budget, which is pleasing in our current economic climate.
The board agreed to continue with the Pro-Am in March, with registrations now open.
The board has officially welcomed two new members since my last communication, being David Bradley and Jason Weeks.
If you see any one of the Board members around the club, please don’t be hesitant in having a chat.
Take Care,
Jamie Dunnicliff
President
Thaxted Park Golf Club