From this weekend (29th/30th October 2022) we are bringing the Winter Blue course into play. This means we will be fully off of our normal tees and either onto winter mats or the forward blue tee positions.
This year we experienced the longest, driest summer for many years and this combined with increased footfall led to heavy wear & tear on our tees, so this is now the time to rest the tees and get them into shape for next season.
The Winter Blue course has been officially measured and a new slope rating assigned by England Golf, this enables us to play ‘qualifiers’ throughout the winter (providing the course is not shortened by 100 Yards or more). As always, the green’s staff will endeavour to keep the main greens in play unless weather conditions dictate otherwise.
As the blue course is to be used for ‘qualifiers’, we can no longer permit teeing up on the 7th, 9th & 10th fairways, players do of course have the year-round option of the 6-inch move or ‘casual water’ relief if the ground is wet.
Last year we ran a successful trial with the ‘drop zone’ on the 6th hole. At present we do not need to reintroduce it, but it will be brought back into play (with some amendments) if conditions deteriorate and the ground becomes saturated.
I hope everyone enjoys their winter golf this year and takes advantage of being able to submit their cards over this period, something we have never been able to do before.
Paul WIlliams – Chairman of Greens