Captain’s Spring Newsletter

April 2016

May I wish all members of the club a warm welcome back to the Spring/Summer fairways and greens of Douglas Park.

I write this in the week following the “official” start weekend of the Summer Season, after the morning and afternoon Shotgun competitions of 16^th April.

The afternoon event was effectively the Captain v. Past Captain’s event, in a Ryder Cup format, and I’m very pleased to have been on the winning side, coming out 6.5 to 4.5 on top.   All matches very tightly contested and my grateful thanks to all participants in both competitions.  An excellent turnout and we hope to expand this event further in 2017.

As we come out of the winter (although we did have a snow flurry on the first tee during Saturday afternoon’s shotgun!) it’s good to see the sun shining at last with some warmth evident, the grass beginning to grow and the daffodils adding a splash of colour to our greens and fairways.

Fingers now crossed for more dry days than wet !

You will have noticed much work has been done around the course, particularly in the areas of the 12^th & 13^th tees and all the pathways have been, and will be, maintained further and to an agreed standard, which will continue throughout the season.  Our bunkers, which were taken out of service during the winter months, have been treated to a new supply of sand, ready for the season ahead.  There has been much appreciation of this, in both the quality and the visual appearance of the material used.  Here’s hoping our investment won’t be washed away in heavy rains!    Please also note the new Air Compressor for shoe & trolley cleaning at the 18^th exit pathway.  Another good investment.

In the clubhouse, we have undertaken considerable renovations to the furniture and hope that members enjoy the contrasting finishes provided.

On Saturday 16^th we also bade farewell to Assistant Professional Jordan Gallagher who has taken up a new position at the Berkshire Club in England and he moves on in his golfing career with our best wishes.

It is also fantastic to note that the winner of the first major golfing title of 2016 was a Briton. Congratulations to Danny Willett of Sheffield.  That should generate some further interest in golf across the UK and we look forward to seeing more people taking up the game, or re-taking up the game.

If you have a wide circle of friends who were perhaps into golf at one time, but let their memberships lapse, then now could be the time to introduce them to Douglas Park. Not only will they receive an introductory discount of 10% but so will you as the introducer.   Better still, introduce 10 such friends to the club and your 10 x 10% discounts effectively will give you FREE membership !

What’s not to like ?

Later in the summer, on 18^th August, we will be hosting the Douglas Park ProAm, sponsored by DM Hall and in aid of On Call Africa.   I would like to ask members to publicise this, predominantly corporate, event and do what they can to encourage their companies, employers or suppliers to consider entering a team.  It is a fantastic day’s entertainment, before, during and after the event and it can only be a great success with publicity and encouragement, and so I do both now by asking you to make an effort to assist us in growing the numbers of playing teams. We have a Douglas Park ProAm page on Facebook, which shows all the details, or email me for more information.

In closing, I’d encourage all playing members to continue to help the initiatives started by the course sub-committee in replacing divots on the par 3 tees (where indicated) and to please repair pitch-marks (yours and others) as they are encountered on any green. Please also join in the initiative to raise funds for the nominated charity box in the lounge, if you should find yourself in the Captain’s Bunker !   It might even help you hit a straight shot at the green.

With that, many thanks for reading and I hope you all have an enjoyable, successful, golfing season ahead.

Best wishes,

Brian Henry Thistle

Club Captain