Monthly Newsletter | December 2019
Welcome to our final newsletter of the 2019 season. Please read on for an update on the golf course, events and latest news from Portsmouth Golf Club. May we take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their valued custom and wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Christmas & New Year opening times
| Golf Shop | Bar | Restaurant | |
| Christmas Eve | 7.30 – 3 | 9 – 3 | 9 – 2 |
| Christmas Day | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Boxing Day | 7.30 – 2 | 9 – 2 | Closed |
| New Years Eve | 7.30 – 3 | 9 – 3 | 9 – 2 |
| New Years Day | 7.30 – 2 | 9 – 2 | Closed |
| All other days | 7.30 – 4 | 9 – 3 | 9 – 2 |
Lucky Dip……
Throughout December we have a Lucky Dip for all 12 and 1 month members on our Golf Reception counter. Every time you play have a go and receive a small gift from us as a thank you.
Greenkeeper’s update
Greens
The greens have held up very well as we see temperatures drop significantly. All greens have received a spray application to stop any unwanted disease such as fusarium forming which is very prominent at this time of year. As the rate of grass growth slows we continue to cut on a less frequent basis ensuring the greens remain healthy and avoid any unnecessary stress. We will shortly be applying granular fertilizer to greens and tees. This granular will encourage recovery and growth throughout the winter and assist with resistance to unwanted disease.
Tees
The teeing areas remain a huge focus for us over the coming months. All tee areas are now playing from mats which has given us the opportunity to fertilize, heavily dress and seed areas in need. In just two weeks it’s noticeable that the tees have benefited from the rest and are showing positive signs of recovery already. This will be an ongoing process making sure that the areas are in peak condition for next spring. The winter mats will be brushed on a daily basis and jet washed periodically.
Fairways / Rough
As with the greens the rate of grass growth slows significantly as temperatures start to drop. With this in mind we will continue to cut and define fairways on a less frequent basis. This time of year we heighten the blades slightly for a longer cut to help preserve fairways and assist with a better lie.
Projects
On our last report we stated that we would start work on putting a new mat into play on holes 5 and 11. These are both now complete and ready for use. After a slight delay we have now received a ride on leaf collector to clear all the fallen leaves on the golf course. Work is nearly complete on this with the last few areas being attended to over the next few days.
We have also removed some root heaved trees beside the 10th tee and lowered others to help airflow to the teeing area as well as the 16th green.
We hope you all have a great Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Kind regards
Matt and ‘The Team’
Events
Our events this time of year are dominated by Christmas parties and lunches. It’s a busy time of year for us as we host numerous local community groups as well as larger companies for their festive get together. This year has been very busy for us in the Bar & Restaurant and it looks like 2020 will be no different. Don’t forget if you have an occasion to celebrate in 2020 we are offering 50% off room hire for 2020 bookings if placed before January 31st. For more information on this offer please visit our webpage HERE or email us at portsmouthgolf@glendalegolf.co.uk.
Club update
Trophy presentation night – Over fifty trophies were presented to the winners followed by a supper and disco. Thanks to all the members and friends that attended, it made for a fun evening with bags of banter. Congratulations to all the winners, to those that never made the ‘silverware’ we need a bit more effort from you next year!
World Handicapping System & Slope: Latest news on the new system is that it will be introduced in November 2020. Much of the delay is due to world-wide approval to a uniformed system and getting around all the Golf Clubs to complete the course ratings. Also, the software to operate it all is a very complicated and companies such as Handicap Master, that we use to operate our handicaps and competitions etc must apply for a license from England Golf. It all takes time.
Meanwhile, it’s essential that all golfers make sure they have enough cards place, as it will be your average from your lowest eight rounds. Don’t forget, Supplementary cards will count.
Please note on that subject and it’s important; As from the 1st January, all members wishing to return a score card (Supplementary Card) must register through the PSI before play for the card to count.
The other aspect is, we will need your date of birth, email me yours to ensure we have it as many Smith’s for example will be identified nationally by their D.O.B.
New members – We’ve just topped over 40 new members joining us this year, a great result, let’s hope that continues next year. More the merrier.
Finally, now is the time to practice, change clubs or your swing and be ready for next season.
Peter Badger – Club Secretary
We look forward to seeing on the fairways soon.
The Portsmouth team