Page 2 - 2019_January Bush Telegraph_WEB SITE_Neat

NEW CHEF SET TO JOIN US out. Ray Ripsher has grasped the
continued from page 1 nettle to make social events more Captain’s Report
prominent and he has engaged the
Graham and the greenkeeping support of a number of members
team are learning the intricacies of to drive social through a sub-
the system and there is no doubt committee, which should see Changes - and more to come
that we will see its benefits for social flourish further.
years to come. Our decision to bring the catering required.
We also installed additional in-house was also partly Bringing the catering in house
drainage and made improvements influenced by the member survey presents risks but coupled with
to the pathways and bunkers in responses to improve consistency tremendous potential and genuine
response to feedback from our and value. However it also brings excitement. Naturally, we all thank
recent survey. We have also greater control and a new revenue Alasdair for his work and
started improvements to our stream. I hope that more of our commitment over the last 13 years
practice facilities, also in response members will support this venture or so and wish him all the very
to feedback from the survey. This by bringing family and friends to best in his next venture.
phased project will continue into eat and drink at the club. The bar For a little more change, we can
2019. The course has been in great performed well in 2018 and we are look forward to the bar
condition this year under the also seeing increased member refurbishment, which will include
management of Graham and the spending which is something we new furniture, courtesy of a very
team and this has been widely are keen to grow further, with generous and welcome donation
recognised through comments improved member engagement from two long-standing members
from members and visitors alike. and by being more member of the club. This project has
The in-house project to remove focussed. absorbed a good deal of time in
the silt from the top lake has vastly planning, finally culminating with
improved the visual impact of the Continued Improvement the works scheduled to start on
course and the new fountain sets it 2019 will start with a complete Monday 7th January and
off perfectly. Completing the works refurbishment of the main bar and OR those of you who like completing Friday 25th January.
using our greenkeeping team visuals are available for review in Fpercentages, I am about 25% This period is almost the only
saved huge amounts of money and the clubhouse lobby. The end through my year of captaincy. If foreseeable time when the bar will
the end result is visible for all to see. result will provide a modern, you don’t like percentages, I am have sufficient down-time and we
Participation at Club events has contemporary environment for about one quarter through. shall be closing the bar for the
grown steadily - the introduction members and guests to enjoy food Whichever way I view it, I find it entire period. This will be
of the Friday Happy-Hour has been and drink and this is just the start amazing. The time has really flown disruptive and your patience and
well supported - and generally golf of our vision to upgrade the but it is really too soon for understanding is requested during
and social events have been clubhouse facilities. retrospection. One of the this period please, which I know
successful in 2018. Our prize-giving I would like to take this highlights for me so far was the will be generously forthcoming.
was a great event and the calendar opportunity to wish you a very look on the faces of the children at Stewart will be producing a
ended the year with all Christmas Happy New Year. the club Christmas party. Certainly, schematic which will provide
and New Year celebrations sold STEWART JUDD, GENERAL MANAGER that ranks with one of my best information on the works that are
ever moments at the club. planned and it will be available for
Absolutely splendid! your inspection.
Actually though, thinking about it John Bottoms, Chair of Fabric,
for a second, quite a lot has came to this project late but is
happened since I took the office of keeping himself abreast and
Captain at the end of September. involved, so if you have any
We had seen some pretty heavy questions regarding the works
duty changes over the previous please contact John, Stewart or
couple of years, which makes it all myself and we will try to provide
the more fascinating that there is you with all of the answers.
still plenty more to come. Next year brings more change in
I think that it would be reasonable the form of golfing rule changes.
to suggest that almost none of us The club has sent out some
like change or the prospect of information on this together with
change. This can be a self-defence links within our website which
mechanism, whereby when provides the basic information
change has arrived and become that we will need. In early January,
real, it is often not the huge Robbie “Rules” Martin will host a
impediment that it had appeared seminar style session, assisted by
and very often soon becomes the the evergreen David Dickinson,
norm. which will help to reinforce the
Next year - January in fact - we will basics and also to swim into the
Need a drains expert? welcome Simon Greenfield as our deep unknown of the more
new in-house head chef and we esoteric and wonderful world of
will have said goodbye to Alasdair the full rule changes.
We’re here to help with unblocking toilets,
and also to the bright and I know that Graham Careford and
clearing drain repairs, CCTV drain charming Jenny Benge. Stewart his enthusiastic team, like most of
will find himself stretched more us, are already looking forward to
inspection or drain cleaning and jetting.
than a very stretchy rubber band, next year when they will continue
spearheading the new catering their programme of work and
arrangements and considering the beautification of our course, in
Contact
best way to replace Jenny. This will tandem with our ebullient chair of
Barry Clarke not be an easy task as Jenny will greens, Mark Watts.
07976 795 330 be a tough act to follow but I think it is safe to say, to the total
Stewart, now having been our chagrin of Dave (268) Morris, the
‘new General Manager’ for around future at Bush Hill Park is not
18 months has a good Orange but a fresh, vibrant Green.
understanding of what will be Best wishes. RAY RIPSHER, CLUB CAPTAIN