Community Outreach

Each of our Get Golfing sites (through its Captain’s) is currently selecting a local charity that is being adopted as the Club’s designated charity for the next 3 years. This will replace the tradition of each section having their own charity, working independently and the relationship ending after a year.

We believe that by working together we can achieve more and not only raise funds for the local charity but build them into heart of each club.

We want to become hubs for our local communities to enjoy golf but also visit our amazing facilities and sites for a variety of social and wellbeing activities. Together with the Captain’s we have seen some great charities, who do amazing work within their local community.

We believe that by all sections working together on a common goal it will:

• Create a better community within the club
• Spread the workload
• Create an exciting and varied social calendar open to everyone in our local communities that are well attended and inclusive
• Maximise the awareness and engagement with the selected charity
• Allow them to plan effectively as they will have sustained support over the 3 years
• Allow them free access to our amazing facilities and spaces to expand their projects, capacity and impact on local people
• Bring people together to work collaboratively and build upon the great traditions that our golf clubs have in raising much needed funds for local causes
• Maximise the funds raised for the local charity as to allow expansion of their work and impact in our communities

Both the charity and club will receive support from the Get Golfing Community Outreach team, with dedicated event and fundraising training and the support of the marketing team to promote and maximise a variety of golfing and social activities for everyone to enjoy.

We are looking forward to the January launch of the 8 charities selected by our 8 sites and starting to build lasting relationships that will  make a real difference to the local communities that we serve.

This is just one element of Get Golfing’s Community Hub Program to enhance our golf clubs and share our beautiful sites with everyone. If you would like any further information please contact Faydra Mitchell, Community Outreach Coordinator at [email protected].

From Stu Williams, Community Development Officer: Hi all! I just wanted to give you a flavour of what your community team get up to in a normal week.

On Monday Hampton Court hosted Hampton Wick primary girls for an amazing visit where the girls had their introduction to golf coached by Yvonne and and the HC team.

Also on Monday, Mill Green hosted Music 24 for their Musical café session to help with their dementia music therapy work. They receive the facility for free and create an amazing environment for both sufferers and carers to relax in our beautiful spaces and create fun music.

On Wednesday Creswick primary school brought their year 5 class for a great morning of golf on the range, par 3 and putting green. They are the sites adopted school for 2022 and looking forward to a great partnership. Thanks to site pros Jack and Olly for the great sessions.

Redlibbets recently hosted their 2nd SEN multi sports afternoon that saw 16 children take part in archery/ boccia/table tennis/golf and pong.

Pyrford Lakes hosted their wreath making event in aid of Age concern Woking.

Sherfield Oaks are hosting the Loddon school staff on Monday to plan 2022 and how we can support our nearest special school.

This month Get Golfing’s community team have worked in partnership with Sherfield Oaks on their member led fundraising campaign for the staff injured in a recent accident. It was a great example of how working together we can achieve more and delivered amazing results in a really quick turnaround.

The online auction kick started the fundraising campaign that culminated in a great golf day that saw over 100 members and guests enjoy the Wellington course and a fun evening organised by Club Captain Guy Wright.

Over 16 thousand pounds was raised thanks to the amazing generosity of the members, those who donated items and all who bid either online or on the night.

An amazing achievement that will help those involved to a speedy recovery.

Club News

From Paul Fileman, Golf Manager:

What a fantastic month we have had with unseasonably mild weather which has meant the course has remained in incredible condition thanks to Dom and his team’s hard work. 

We hosted a Halloween themed night golf evening, a truly ghoulish affair bravely attended by over 56 golfers including Gory McIlroy, Kill Mikelson, Bryson DeChambone and Ian Poultergiest who braved not only the chilly night air but horrors from the beyond. Everyone who played had an incredible evening. The winning team was our very own Club Captain’s team, Dave Datson along with Big Doug, Little Doug and Rodney. Don’t worry if you missed out this time as we are sure we will be holding another night golf event early in the new year. 

Well Done to Luke Cursons and Charlie Wiles our current and future Colts Captain’s who cleaned the board this year winning between the pair of them every piece of colt’s silverware, well done guys some incredible golf played throughout the year. If you are a Junior member at Warley Park and you would like to find out how to become more involved in the competitions, then please contact either myself or Michael Cursons at [email protected] 

I would like to thank all our members, visitors, and societies for their support throughout 2021. It has been an incredible year with some major changes out on the course, I know that the work that has been carried out on the front nine will really raise the profile of our course to one of (if not the) best courses here in Essex. 

Finally, from all the staff and myself we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year and I look forward to sharing an exciting 2022 with all of you, on and off the course. 

Clubhouse Refurbishment.

We believe we are close to receiving planning consent for the clubhouse refurbishment. This work has now been priced and due to logistics and costs, it is going to have to be phased. Phase one includes the refurbishment of the function suite, the installation of new restrooms upstairs, and a large elevated terrace that will look over the 18^th green. This work will commence in January for completion by the end of March. While this work is being completed, golfers will have access to the bar through the patio doors and to the changing room from the external doors. We appreciate that this will lead to some inconvenience, but ultimately we will all benefit.

Phase two includes increasing the size of the old pro shop, an extension of the bar area to include its own gully kitchen and a new bar that will directly service those using the patio. This will mean that in future, golfers will not be served food from the main kitchen when events are taking place. Phase two will take place in Q1 2023. While the construction work is happening, golfers will be served from the function suite.

The clubhouse surrounds such as the safety netting, patio, and cap park will all be upgraded to create an impressive venue. Once phases one and two are complete, Warley Park will have a clubhouse to be proud of where both golfers and functions can simultaneously take place in harmony. This is critical if Warley Park is to become financially sustainable.

Course News

From Dominic Rodgers, Course Manager: 

November has certainly been a kind month. It has only turned cold the last few days with the first 3 weeks seeing unseasonably warm weather and little in the way of the wet stuff. 

As a result we remained cutting the course longer than in recent years and it has allowed us to keep the buggies available to hire for longer than usual… 

We have used this period to prepare the course for the winter ahead and make progress with the new greens, approaches, tees and bunkers. 

In preparation for the winter ahead we have now completed our first cycle of wall-to-wall deep slitting to aid drainage alongside our new drainage system to ensure the playability of the course deep into the winter. 

The new greens are consistently making progress, so much so that we have now reduced the height of cut to 6mm. In anticipation of the greens being ready for play early in the new year we have shaped the new aprons and approaches at a height of 15mm. 

The new bunkers have now been rubber crumbed and the surrounds turfed. We are currently in the process of revetting the bunkers and hope to have this completed by the end of the month in readiness for sand early in the new year. 

Finally, it’s our intention that weather permitting we will begin to turf some of the drainage lines that have dropped in height or are still struggling for growth throughout December. We will also begin our second cycle of deep slitting the course. 

Cheers, Dom 

Captains’ Update

Men’s

From Dave Datson, Club Captain:  

Captain’s Fun Day Texas Scramble 

My fun day Texas Scramble was held on Tuesday 26th October 2021. We had 18 teams of 4 taking part. The night before had seen much rain which continued into the morning, but I am glad to say the rain stopped before our 9am Shotgun start and remained dry and mild throughout the 18 holes. My thanks to Paul, Sarah and whole Get Golfing team for helping us enjoy a great fun day. The scoring was impressive, but the winning team were the “All Sorts” of Viv and Paul Shooter, Sue Allen and Graham Killington with a net 56. Very well done! We all enjoyed some lovely food, drink and fellowship on a fine golf course. My thanks also go to Rodney Hall and Doug Carrington for helping me on the day. 

Night Golf 

Paul and his team arranged Night Golf for Thursday 28th October. The GG team in particular did a great job of dressing up as did many of those taking part, especially the Ladies to make it a particularly Ghoulish event! Oddly, the winning team was the Cars Corpses consisting of Doug Carrington, Doug Barrett, Rodney Hall and oh — myself! This is certainly an event worthy of note in your diaries for next year. 

Captain’s Breakfast 

Another great tradition of Warley Park was this year held on Sunday 7th November. A fantastic breakfast served upstairs by Sarah and her team followed by 9 holes of golf. Many Past-Captains attended looking very splendid in their Captain’s Jackets. 

Poppy Day Appeal 

I was privileged to play in the Poppy Day 18 holes team event on Monday 8th November. Organised once again by Les Polden who did a wonderful job getting the teams together. The weather was kind to us, Paul Fileman and his team assisted, and we had a shotgun start. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and the tireless efforts of Les, well over £2,000 was raised! Yet another great Warley Park tradition that sets us apart from other Clubs and allows our fantastic members to shine! 

Captain’s Dinner Dance 

My dinner-dance was held upstairs at the Club on Saturday 13th November. Sarah and her team set the room up so nicely and I hosted 90 people for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thanos our Chef created our very tasty dinner, DJ Skittleman provided the music. The bar staff worked tirelessly, and everything combined for a magical night that was over too soon. My thanks go to my daughter Gemma who organised the table plan, name cards, balloons and table decorations. To my wife Patsy and my Vice Captain Dave Handley and his lovely wife Heather who helped me greet everyone. I also presented Kim Sparkes with her trophy as Lady Club Champion, Delray Bussey with her trophy as Lady Golfer of the year, Doug Carrington and Chris Wikins with the Barham Cup mixed pairs trophy, Tom Hone with his trophy for Handicap Champion and Paul Jackson with his Club Champion trophy. Congratulations to all these great golfers! My thanks also go to all those attending who made it a special night indeed for Patsy and myself. I of course drank too much Rose wine but still managed to stay on my feet just long enough for some fantastic “dad dancing” after the dinner and presentations! 

Incoming Captain’s Drive In 

I know I keep mentioning the great traditions we have at Warley Park. I am so pleased to say new owners Get Golfing are embracing so many of these traditions and the Incoming Club Captain Dave Handley has his drive in, together with Incoming Lady Captain Carol Mumford, on Sunday 2nd January. Do make a note of this in your diary and do come along if possible, to show your support and even join them for lunch upstairs afterwards if you can. Congratulations to them both and I wish them as enjoyable a year as I have had. Incoming Vice Captain Wayne Griffiths is already taking round the Drive In Boards so if you see him at the Club do please put your hand in your pocket and have a bit of fun picking how far you think Dave will hit his Drive In. A chance to win a few bob for yourself and remember half of everything raised goes to our Juniors section. I look forward to seeing you there!  Cheers everyone! 

Ladies  

From Liz Brown, Ladies’ Captain: 

Seniors  

From Steve Abbott, Seniors’ Captain:  

A quiet month as the season and my year (or rather 2 years) draws to a close. Swindler of the year for the nth year running has been won by Graham Robson. Congratulations Graham your consistency is unbelievable despite often playing many shots below your handicap. Just one trophy still to be determined, the much sought-after bandit of the year, for which there are several strong contenders. All will be revealed at our Christmas lunch on 13 December. Before that we have our final competition of the year, 3 Clubs and a putter, followed by our AGM on Monday 29th November. 

I have enjoyed my year and would like to thank my fellow Captains, Dave Datson and Liz Brown, who have been a pleasure to work with. It has not been an easy year and Dave in particular has worked tirelessly to bring the club together both on a social and golfing level. 

Proshop News

From Nick Darby, Golf Retail Manager:

Our Black Friday sales continue into December! Use code: GGBlackFriday at checkout for 15% off

Warley Park Christmas Raffle

The Get Golfing Proshop is happy to announce this year’s Christmas raffle. We have £500 worth of prizes to win, with the headline prize a new Titleist Vokey SM9 with customisable grind, finish and loft. Tickets can be bought for just £10 from golf check-in. Raffle runs throughout December with prizes drawn on the 31st. Please note the Vokey wedge will be released on March 7th.

Pro News

From Russell Killington, PGA Professional: Hi all, well once again where has this year gone! 

With Christmas fast approaching if you are looking for the perfect stocking filler for your loved one, friend or yourself, you can get a golf lesson gift voucher with myself.  

Gift vouchers are available for the range, putting, short game or on-course lessons and can be tailored to suit your needs.  

Don’t forget if you buy a course of six lessons you only pay for five! 

You can collect the voucher from the golf office, or I can post directly to you.  

You can contact me on 07919186499 or email me at [email protected] 

Happy golfing! 

Russell 

To contact Russell, please email: [email protected]; or phone: 07813822842. 

From Wayne Selley, PGA Professional: Hi everyone, hope you are all well and enjoying your golf, as the chilly weather sets in don’t forget to visit the Get Golfing Proshop for all your winter clothing and accessories to keep you nice and toasty this winter with great discounts available and our price match guarantee. 

If you are stuck for ideas for a Christmas presents for the golfer in your life how about treating them to one of our golf lesson packages that are catered for all levels of golfer 

We have available lessons vouchers presented in a Christmas themed wallet of your choice. 

For any further information on our lesson packages please call 01277 224891 

Hope to see you all on the golf course in the coming weeks (don’t forget to rap up warm) 

Wayne Selley 

PGA Professional