Sign of the times.... it could be time to walk.

[Oddsocks]

Thats the one scott. I know its a muni but for years its been the best muni around, good layout and off the backs cant be challenging, i can even remember the old days when they have the test green at the side of the 18th past the OBB, this was for testing new procedures, news chemicals etc before they hit the course and it was always in great nick, i suppose ive been back playing full time for 3 years, and in this time ive seen the course plummet to its worse condition ever.

A prime example is a few weeks back, -1 on the first tee at 8.30am and the green staff advised the pro shop " no buggies ", yet management come in, and their exact words were " some people will not play without a buggy, get 4 out ". ok reduced buggies are better than a full fleet, but surely the green staff know what is and isnt good for the course.

Its defo time to start thinking about a move, its a shame as ive joined the committee so go quite involved on the behind the scene stuff, but i dont think its right being charged £24.00 a round even with discount (normal is £27.00) to play in such conditions.

Theres a few nice courses local, mattys palace would be nice but i think that's around £1500 a year and at this moment in time where work isnt good, its a tad out of my league, but im sure park wood, northdowns, cherry lodge etc are all doing some deals at the moment, with no joining fee's. even if i joined one of them at a £1000 a year for one year it has to be better than what im getting at the moment. If i played our course once a week, 50 games at £24.00 is coming up £1200, this doesnt include proshop revenue, bar revenue, range lessons and balls. time to put some pound coins in the tin and make a decision come april.

 

[chrisd]

What about Westerham OS, I'm led to believe that's a pretty good course and only a couple of miles out from Addington


Chris

 

[Oddsocks]

bratty suggested the same...... i suppose its just finding the £1300 in one lump

 

[GOLFBALL_WHACKER_GUY]

What about Selsdon park? I played there last summer and thought it was excellent

 

[chrisd]

bratty suggested the same...... i suppose its just finding the £1300 in one lump

Most clubs operate the Fairway credit scheme where you pay monthly. There is a small % added but is definitely the most popular way at my club.

I'd love to have a game with you and Bratty there!



Chris

 

[Scottjd1]

Bratty is wanted by the club to be Vice Captain so he can pull all sorts of strings for you....

Seriously its worth a thought, nice course and you could go all the way and get Gold membership and you get full playing rights/comps etc at Surrey National and Woldingham too. They chuck in a few nice extras too, lessons voucher, cheaper buggies, free unlimited range tokens (I save probably £10 a week on these) and the short game/bunker practice area at Westerham is second to none (Bratty if you are reading this its just behind the first tee!! :rofl

Also Im sure they will sort something regarding paying the subs, last year I gave them a chunk and then paid the rest over a couple of months (no premium). I have lessons there with the Pro who now for a day job is Asst Manager and I can see what they can do if that helps.

In the meanwhile I assume you have played there and reading Chris's post above maybe a forum mini-meet is the way forward....thoughts?

 

[harvey4banger]

bratty suggested the same...... i suppose its just finding the £1300 in one lump

A rich man like yourself Bazil, 1300 should be no problem

 

[Oddsocks]

A rich man like yourself Bazil, 1300 should be no problem

You obviously didnt see last years accounts

Chris, it may be worth considering, and id defo be up for a game with you bratty and maybe scott too. check my pm

Scott, i do like westerham, but i had friends who were members and they said they always struggled to get in for comps meaning it was near on impossible to get a HC or even maintain it, im not sure why this was, but it kinda put me off a bit.

 

[bozza]

My club which is muni course and is run by the council is going the opposite way!

Over the next year they are improving the drainage around the problem areas, new short game area opening in April, changing the sand in every bunker to match the sand they use on the greens, new trees being planted to toughen up holes and a new electronic thingamajig for entering scores, checking results etc.

A lot of members are leaving the supposedly better and private club across the road due to it going downhill and rumour of it shutting down.

Nice to see a council actually putting money into something worthwhile for a change.

 

[Pants]

Oddsocks

If you are concerned about the conditions at Addington Court, think long and hard about joining Westerham. I've played it quite a few times over the years and have rarely found it in good condition - especially when conditions have been somewhat damp.

The other aspect of course is that being a Noades (Altonwood) course, societies come a close second to Ron's mates (not that he has any genuine ones - just sycophants) in priority on the course(s). Members come last in the pecking order.

I haven't played High Elms recently but that is another option of a good members club within an excellent muni. As some others have said, there are some good deals going at the moment with a couple of members clubs in the area, but the better ones can still demand a joining fee.

From memory though, you have been having these thoughts for quite a while now. Weren't you thinking at one time about country membership at Holtye? Played it a couple of months ago. Super little course with one of the toughest par 3's you will find anywhere (4th) and a really tough par 4 (7th). The other holes arn't particularly easy either

 

[Oddsocks]

Pants, your right, it is something i thought about in the past, but as i got more involved with the club i seemed to get more rooted, i think the biggest factors were it was pay as you go so to speak so no lump to find, and also it was only 3 miles door to door. As it stood i was pretty happy there as i appreciate every course has hard times with conditions etc, but whats done me more is the fact that in a blinded vision to save money their now taking out key bunkers just to save money. Now i can understand if the bunkers they have got rid of are pointless, but if their major factors of the holes, then what is going to be left?

I did consider Holtye with an out of county membership, but then i've also thought about the weekly drive of 28 miles each way for a game of golf, its only about 40mins, but when you fancy a quick game and back home, its still going to put at least an hour on each day with traveling. maybe twice a month wouldn't be so bad, but on a weekly basis i think it might become a bit to much like hard work,

hmmmmm decisions decisions.