A letter from the Captain - June 2020

Hi again all,

Who could have thought when I contacted all of you at the beginning of February where we would be now? Our biggest problems then were getting the rain to stop so we could get onto the course and we also had the strong winds which blew down the dividing fence between the range and the 18th fairway. Those problems seem minor now in comparison to what we have witnessed since the beginning of March.

My Captain’s year started with a fantastic turnout on the first tee early February and I thank you all once again for the enthusiastic send off. My calendar was full and my first Captain’s event was scheduled the first week after I was to return from a well earned golfing break in Turkey, along with 11 other members. Not only was the Turkey trip cancelled 5 days before travelling but my old fashioned wallplanner was decimated with every Captains event, invitations, competitions, meals, meetings, the whole lot cancelled. I used half a bottle of Tipex.

The virus has caused much suffering, stress and anxiety and my condolences and thoughts go out to the members and their families directly affected over the past months. I am sure we all know of someone who has been affected medically, not to mention financially, with many members furloughed, laid off or made unemployed because of what has happened. Although the virus had its detrimental impact there have been some small positives. The country has pulled together to fight it off and we have all realised how important the interaction with friends and family, especially on the golf course, and those drinks with pals in the club were. The course itself has had a period to recover from that severe weather I mentioned and now looks the best I have ever seen it, which given the greenkeeper staffing levels, is amazing. In saying that, we still have much to look forward to with the new tees being constructed and other improvements we were discussing in committee via Zoom the other evening. I don’t want to reveal too much but you can expect a trophy competition MOST weeks for the rest of the season so your game better be up to scratch, (no pun intended).

A personal note now and a mention for Darren Wilkinson. I was taking a lone walk across the course some weeks ago and was surprised to see Darren hand trimming the shrubs down the left side of hole 6. From what I gather, he had spent hours trimming those shrubs and others across the course. If you have driven off down the left into those shrubs since we resumed play, you probably have Darren to thank for you finding your ball. If you see him in the club once it reopens, buy him a drink.

Matt Daley and his new assistant Luke are back teaching again and it looks like the extension to the golf studio will go ahead shortly. I know from speaking to them that they hope to commence group lessons soon and I know their appointment books are filling quickly. I have also heard great feedback and seen it first hand from friends of mine who have had club fittings recently, that their games have improved exponentially since buying properly fitted clubs from Matt and Luke. Its been costing me a fortune each time I play a round with them lol.

Finally a few reminders to benefit all of us. I know once golf resumed, we all ‘binge booked’ tee times on BRS the club booking app. Hands up, I was one of them. However some members didn’t bother to turn up or cancel their bookings which meant members and guests missed out on playing. I know from speaking to Alan that this is still an issue. So please, if you book then change your mind or the weather looks bad and numbers change, please amend your booking or call the club and they will amend it for you.

Secondly, now the course is in great condition let’s keep it like that. It’s a really refreshing change not to have to repair several pitch marks every time you arrive at the green. Everyone should have a pitch mark repairer in their pocket. It’s as important a piece of golfing equipment as the clubs themselves. Although bunker raking is not applicable at present, please remember to give it your best attention when they are back to normal.

Thirdly, and finally, make sure you maintain the social distancing rules as set out very clearly by the club. We don’t want a second wave as I am hoping to be on the first flight to Portugal as soon as restrictions are lifted.

Hope to see you on the course or in the clubhouse as soon as it reopens. Say safe and I look forward to speaking to you again in the Autumn.

Kind regards,

David A. Smith. Burstwick Club Captain.