Dear Member,
Continued Sports Success for our first teams
Following the success of our Tennis Teams the Squash, Golf, Croquet and Padel Tennis Teams have all excelled themselves in recent weeks both home and abroad. Our Croquet and Squash Teams are European Club Champions and our Men’s Golf Team are Surrey Scratch Team champions for the first time while the Padel Team swept the board at the iPadel Summer Finals recently.
These achievements are achieved with a lot of hard work by the players themselves on the day but also by their support teams of squad players, supporters, coaches and staff who motivate the Members to play to their best whatever their age or ability.
Congratulations to all – pictures here: Squash, Croquet, Golf, Padel and read more about it here: Squash, Croquet, Golf, Padel
Congratulations to the Golf Captains
Congratulations to Jo Thesiger and Bob Mitchell for their successful drive offs last weekend officially taking over the reins of captaincy of their respective golf sections from Claire Martin and Justin Thesiger. Claire and Justin were rightly thanked by all for a very successful year.
Peter Bradburn
It is sad to report that Peter Bradburn left the Club last month after 11 years of service. Peter succeeded John Lockyer which was no easy task and kept the high presentation standards on the golf course for subsequent years adding his own creative ideas of dry gardens and features in between holes to give the course a more attractive look. He also noticeably improved the presentation of the Club’s gardens, and we will be striving to continue those high standards. The Golf Course Team will continue to be headed up by David Howe and the Tennis, Croquet and Gardens Teams by Chris Hughes.
Works Update
Indoor Golf Centre (IGC) – the revised design package for a one-tier Indoor Golf Centre with 10 bays is out to tender with three contractors. The tenders will be returned at the end of October, and a full report will be submitted to the Board and Golf Committee. If approved to proceed the Golf Committee will then send out a consultation paper to all adult Members for their views on the new proposal for an IGC, Short Game practice area (SGPA) and putting green. The Golf Committee and the Board will consider the feedback and make a final decision on whether to proceed. The planning permission we have says that, if we do go ahead, works must start by 2027.
Water pipes on the golf course
We have identified that our mains water pipe has a leak that is located under the water irrigation tank which is located between the 1st tee and the practice ground. Therefore, we need to repair it as soon as possible. We will look to undertake the work in the next few weeks and shorten the 1st hole a to a par 3 while the works are undertaken. The work may take up to two weeks to complete so apologies for any disruption, but our Golf Ops Team will work hard to minimise any inconvenience.
Safety Fencing on the Golf Course
We have signed a lease with Ibstock Place School to be able to install a safety fence on their land by the 14th hole, at our cost, to minimise the risk of stray golf balls being hit onto their property. So as not to disrupt the school the work needs to be undertaken over two weeks in a holiday period, so next Easter has been chosen. Again, we will manage the playing of golf around the works with the shortening of the par 3 for a period.
Unfortunately, stray golf balls are leaking out of our property onto Priory Lane, so we have applied for planning permission to erect a fence along the 12th hole perimeter to minimise the risk. Wandsworth Council is considering this currently.
◊ IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERY GOLFER WHO SUSPECTS THEY HAVE HIT A BALL OUTSIDE OUR PROPERTY ANYWHERE ON THE GOLF COURSE MUST REPORT IT TO THE SPORTS SHOP IMMEDIATELY OR, IF CLOSED, TO THE SECURITY TEAM IN THE GATEHOUSE. ◊
Airhalls One and Two
The inflation units for both Airhalls needed to be replaced and we await the delivery of the new units at the end of October. Airhall Two can still be erected next week, weather permitting, but Airhall One can only be installed when the new inflation unit arrives. Again, we thank Members for their patience, and will proceed with both installations as quickly as we can.
Tennis Committee Elections 2025
Andrew Wakely and Howard Spence have retired from the Tennis Committee having completed their terms. Big thanks to both for their service especially Andrew (Spike) for chairing the Committee for a number of years overseeing the improvement of all the tennis surfaces, introduction of Airhall Two and many national and county team successes by all age groups.
There are two vacancies and three nominations for the Tennis Committee, so an election is needed.
Candidate biographies and voting papers are available from Reception. Biographies and voting papers may also be downloaded here:
Click here for the Tennis Committee candidate biographies and voting papers
Votes should be cast in the ballot box provided. Postal votes should be addressed to the Chief Executive to be cast in the ballot box on receipt. Voting closes on Monday 27th October at 8pm.
Results will be announced on Monday 3rd November at the Tennis Annual Meeting.
Fireworks Spectacular and autumn Social Scene events
