Well last week was a bad one for the course. It has been a while since it has been closed for so long with the course being so wet. I went out for a walk on Saturday morning and it was really bad. Not really any standing water but every step I took water and mud was coming up and it was quite hard to even walk. The only way up the 2nd hill was in the long rough way to the left hand side. We re-opened on Monday but the course is still wet in places so please if you play, take care where you go. Lots of people have played since so it shows how keen you all are to get out and play. Let's hope we have seen the end of all the rain!! 

Don't forget though that the Pro shop is always open and so is the clubhouse even if the course isn't. Please ring the bar though to check on the availability of food. 

Well it's that time of year again when some members will be happy, some confused and some not impressed at all. It's time for the gents handicap review. I already have all the information so don't be rushing to send me letters or bring me cards. I wish I had a £1 for every person that has asked me for shots back recently!! The committee will look at all the information we have and decisions made accordingly. 

Well after a bad year I'm back in the gym and this year I will succeed. I could be mad but due to my heart condition I am not allowed to let my heart rate go too high. With this in mind I have started going to the gym twice a day when time permits and just taking it easy. At the moment it is mainly cardio on the cross trainer, bike, treadmill and rower with only a few light weights. I have set myself a target of trying to lose 2 stone in a year and to get myself much fitter. It is good to see so many Hornsea members using the gym. Maybe in the future it could be a facility that we should look at putting at the club? 

The sheet for the Captains, Pro's Challenge is now up on the board with quite a few available dates all on Sunday mornings. I want to go one better this year and remain unbeaten! If you fancy challenging Craig and myself please put your names on the sheet which is in the gents locker room. A few of the dates are Am Am's so we would be playing together as a team also if you fancy that. Click here to see the Captains challenge sheet. 

  

USE OF TROLLIES 

As mentioned last week, if you can carry please help your course by doing so. Yet again this week I have seen many golfers using a trolley when they are clearly able to carry. It is so wet those using electric trollies must have noticed them spinning. Just think about the damage you are causing. These pictures were taken on Tuesday afternoon on the 1st and 2nd . 

  

Yet again pitch marks are becoming a massive problem. On Wednesday a member came in who had just played 8 holes and had repaired 26 pitch marks all which were close to the holes. Now it was only members playing on Wednesday so we can't blame any visitors. It's your course. Please look after it.

STOLEN FROM THE COURSE 

Last week we had a couple of flags stolen from the far end of the course. On Tuesday Kevin Bond came into the shop and told me he had spotted them whilst walking his dog's. I went and retrieved them. One was stuck in the roundabout at the bottom of Eastgate and the other was on the sea front near the leisure centre. Please if any of you spot anything that looks strange let us know. 


  

Thursday 14th December - Mid Week Stableford 
Course Closed 

Saturday 9th January - Pro's Stableford 
Course Closed

Sunday 10th January - Individual Stableford inc Mark Hurn Qualifier 
Course Closed 

 

Saturday 16th January - Club Stableford
Sunday 17th January - Individual Stableford inc Mark Hurn Qualifier 
Thursday 21st January - Mid Week Stableford 

FANTASY LEAGUE

I mentioned last week about the Fantasy League. They have tweeted this: 

The European Tour Retweeted This van der Schee Good question. 
The #FantasyRaceToDubai game is being improved for 2016 and will start in March. Stay tuned. I shall keep you informed if I hear anything else.

GREENS 

On this my first greens report of 2016, may I wish you all a Happy New Year and every success on the course.

Unfortunately the course remains closed with saturated ground conditions being a problem. The greens however remain firm and dry which is a testament to our working practices. The outfield is wet and difficult to 'navigate' around the course. Ditches have been checked and are running well. Once it does stop raining and with a good wind the course will dry quickly. The current weather conditions have consequently hampered course works. Turfing of new bunkers will commence once it has dried sufficiently to gain access. Tree work around the 7th tee will also be completed with the remaining Leylandii removed. The stumps will be dug out and disposed of in the spring.

Just to touch briefly on the work of the contractors, Fineturf. The speed and efficiency at which they can remove, reshape and create bunkers is fantastic. In and out in 8 days. We were also able to reshape the banking short of the 13th green enabling a better view. We also levelled the ridge on the 13th pathway to improve the view from the tee. All spoil removed was deposited in one of the 'bomb' holes. This reduced wear and tear and time travelling around the course. The area will be over seeded when temperatures increase.

Rainfall 2015 581mm 
October to December 200mm

Gareth Williams, Course Director

CLUBHOUSE FUNCTIONS 

Burns Night Supper for Gents and Ladies - Friday, 22nd January

In celebration of Burns Night our 2016 Captain, Craig is hosting a Burns Night Supper.

Click here for more details. 


PAUL GIBSON - PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL 

Paul is away on his honeymoon with Jane for a couple of weeks touring America so his blog will be missing. I'm sure we all wish him a great trip.