Category: Pro Shop

Our head professional runs our Pro Shop along with his team of aspiring professionals. Members and visitors who wish to improve aspects of their game can book private tuition with one of our PGA Professionals . As well as stocking some of the best brands in golf, the Pro Shop also offer a club/trolley repair and re-gripping service.

If there is anything that is not within the pro-shop, please ask one of staff and we will be happy to get it for you.

We are open from 8am you can call us on  01708 688396

What are these !!!!

I am sure most of you already know what these are and the problems they cause but I want to educate those that don’t .

This picture of the 8th green shows thousands of grubs called leatherjackets which basically are the grubs that turn into a crane fly( aka Daddy long legs). Their eggs are normally laid in late summer -Autumn and once hatched basically feed off the roots of grass and if not got rid of can cause terrible damage and even total loss of grass cover. They are and are found pretty much everywhere and some years are worse than others depending on many factors. Until 3 years ago we had a pesticide, chlorpyriphos, that we could legally spray and they were totally eradicated . This pesticide is now banned and we have very little single effective treatment to get rid of the darling little things!

This year we are suffering with them on the following areas the 1st,3rd,8th,13th,17th and the putting green, and also the 18th fairway. All we can do is now use a combination of various methods.

SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS IS JUST ABRIDGE THAT GET THEM !! If I was that lucky I would do the Lottery !

Please ,if you are one of those who think it’s just Abridge GC, for your own education of the problem we are facing either right click on this link below or copy and paste it in your web browser to read a very interesting and clear explanation of the problem. We are not making excuses we are telling you the honest truth about an issue ALL Golf Clubs have got!

https://www.lawn-tech.co.uk/blog/pests/leather-jacket-control-in-lawns-new-eu-legislation-bans-pesticides/

The methods we can try legally now and have been the last two years are 4 fold. Accelypryn, this is an emergency licensed pesticide which has some effect but not a total cure. Nematodes, this is a biological way of getting rid of them, they do work but you need very very precise conditions to make them work. Vegetable Oil, this is something being trialled and seems to suffocate the leatherjacket but again you need precise conditions. ‘Sheeting off‘. This is literally covering areas off with large dark plastic sheets overnight, it seems to bring the leatherjackets to the surface. This does bring a lot of them to the surface but not all of them. The issue with this is we have to take the sheeted area out of play from the afternoon until the next morning. We will continue to do this though over the next couple of weeks . Please see the video below.

Leatherjackets being ‘sheeted out’

Sheeting off the 8th green

Sorry the last bit of that video also contained a clip of the damage the heavy rain caused last night! Another nice little issue the dreadful week of weather we are having, but at least we know the drainage is working!

So as you have now hopefully read we do have a problem and as always we are trying , like all other Golf Clubs, to do as much as we legally can do ! Regrettably, a few Golf Courses may still be spraying things they should not be! it should be a level playing field?

I know Lol Green sent a link to a much more in depth explanation . Copy and paste the link below. It’s an hour long presentation but I ask that if you do get time please watch, as this issue is all about education and getting you as Golfers to understand the issue?

https://www.bigga.org.uk/resource/managing-the-leatherjacket-challenge.html

To sum up hopefully in the next week or so we will have thrown every bit of ammunition and the warmer growing conditions arrive we will out compete the leatherjackets and the areas affected by leatherjackets will start to recover. It’s been a terrible spring for grass conditions but it is what it is , we are where we are and we will always be trying our best!

Who would be a Greenkeeper!!

Most of you are very understanding and those that are not so understanding I ask you read and watch the articles i have posted.

Sorry for going on but I have to get this message across !

Bunkers getting topped up next week !

Enjoy you Course , Enjoy your Club …………It’s your’s remember!

Are you Ready ? We are!

Well I hope you are excited about your return to your Golf club next Monday. As I wrote to you all a few weeks ago we have been very busy when the weather has played ball!

The wet weather has continued through March up until last week. Thankfully we have had a good dry last 7 days allowing us to get on with some of the jobs i mentioned were being planned.

My staff have worked exceedingly hard the last few months during very difficult times and I hope you will all appreciate these circumstances have been challenging for us all.

I would like to welcome our new member of staff who has replaced Marc. Luke Herron joined us this week , some of you may remember him as he worked at Abridge approx 12 years ago as a junior Pro. Hopefully he will be a better Greenkeeper than he was a Golfer !

Most areas have now been cut, though there are some wet places that still need time to dry out before we can cut them.

7th Fairway

Greens have been fed and top dressed, ( don’t panic like one of our Members did earlier this week! , they have not been smothered in sand, just a light dressing to help smooth them out, it’s far too early for any heavy sanding) and the greens are now at their normal March/ April height of cut and are starting to recover nicely from the wet Winter.

Greens coming on nicely for the time of year

All Bunkers have been edged, weeded, heavily raked and put back in play. We have managed to get a few of the ‘fill in’ bunkers turfed and I ask you to please keep of all of the new turf.

Bunkers looking good

The driving Range Tee has also been finished and the mats have been moved to the front of the tee while we let the turf ‘knit in’. The club and Jack have invested a lot of time and money to give you a great new practice Tee and I ask that you please keep off at all times until it’s ready to use. This applies to all of you !!

Turf being laid and watered on the New Driving Range Tee

We are ahead of schedule on some of the Jobs and a little behind on others. Thank you to Del Morgan and Barry Francis who gave up some of their time last weekend to help out with some jobs. I would also like to thank Lol ‘Mr Abridge’ Green for all his help, he can be seen most days getting his daily exercise wandering around the course sorting little jobs out!

The Wildlife have been enjoying the peace and quiet, and as much as it’s lovely to see it and we often disturb their ‘private garden’ we are all really excited about re-opening and no doubt being told off by a few for disturbing you as Golfers!

Munch-jack rarely seen when Golfers are around
Deer on the 7th tee

It’s such a great time to be a Member of Abridge GC as there has been so much invested on the Course and in the Clubhouse in the last few years and so much more planned ! To have a waiting list to join us as a member now is a great sign that most of you appreciate what we are trying to achieve and we are getting a great reputation of the ‘place to be’!

I welcome all of our New Members that are joining , please make yourselves known to my staff as they are all quite friendly and always happy to answer any questions you might have.

I also welcome seeing all of you, our existing Members, back to our Club from next Monday. Hope you are ready ?

WE ARE!

Enjoy your Golf , Enjoy your Club………..It’s yours remember!

Geoff

Course Manager

We’re coming back! but it’s been a tough winter

Well I hope this update finds you all safe and well? Lockdown has been tough and its been quite tough trying to get jobs done in relentless rain and the odd week of snow! You only have to had walked around where you live and look at the excessive water on the fields until a couple of weeks ago to see how bad this Winter has been. 3 weeks ago we were covered in snow ! after yet another record breaking wet winter! The positive is that the last 2 weeks we have been dry and warmer and things are slowly drying out.

4th and 5th three weeks ago
The flooded fields below the 13th green before the snow arrived

Those that like statistics, here are the rainfall details when comparing Winters the last 3 years.

October 2018 – 1st Mar 2019 226 mm October 2019 – 1st Mar 2020 503 mm October 2020 – 1at mar 2021 644 mm

I want to manage expectations of your return, we have had an atrocious Winter and please remember we ‘Locked down’ last year on the 29th March 2020 and ‘unlocked’ the 16th May 2020. This time we are ‘unlocking’ the 29th March 2021, we cannot rush surfaces, we are doing our best so please remember it’s only March. My staff and myself are fully committed to producing a great Golf Course as soon as conditions allow but please be patient.

As you all know we are approximately a year ahead of our Drainage installation schedule. On solid clay, as we are, very little drainage systems would cope with the persistent rainfall, but the drains we have installed to date are working and doing a noticeable job. As stated when we decided to install drainage we were never going to be able make Abridge dry as the summer, but, what we aim to achieve are quicker draining surfaces and more playable, but this will take time and we are certainly doing and trying our best! The 1st 5 holes have noticeably drained quicker these last couple of weeks.

On a positive note the Greenstaff have been trying to do as much as possible since December and are working hard to get things ready for your welcome return. Below are some of the jobs we hope ! to complete by the 29th March

New ditch at 2nd Hole to take water away from the 1st Hole. Cleared the existing ditch on the right hand side of the 2nd Hole. The sleeper wall at the 4th tee has been replaced and rebuilt where it was collapsing. Completion of the New Driving Range Tee.

Driving Range tee

A new fence at the back of the 4th Green. Extensive tree work between 6th and 7th fairways including ditch clearing. New winter mats at 7th and 8th Holes. Tree thinning at the 9th Green. Re-sealing of the leak in the 14th Pond All greens, tees and approaches verti-drained, seeded, top dressed and given a ‘starter’ fertiliser.

18th Green after a long awaited trim

Completion of the new patio area Installation of several new ditches to help with the drainage. Installation of Main and Primary drains on either the 16th or 18th Further secondary drainage on some of the front 9 holes. Repainting and cleaning of all Course furniture Turfing some of the bunkers that we had started filling in

Work on the 4th TEE

So hopefully you can see we are busy! and also as trying to get surfaces cut where possible as the course continues to dry. Obviously some of the above jobs are weather dependant but at least we have plans!

Click on the video below to see a summary of some of the work and conditions since December. Apologies its a bit disjointed but I put it together in limited time !

A few of the things that have happened the last few months.

Moving forward into this year we are geared up and budgeted for doing the following Drainage and Course improvement works as soon as conditions allow us . These jobs will carry on throughout this year to continue to improve the playability and overall condition of the Course.

Continuation of the Drainage works on holes 10,14,16 and 18 New ditches to enable Pipe drainage and general water run off to drain off the Golf Course. Installation of pipe drainage to Greens 1, 7 and 13. Completion of the Bunker reducing programme and rebuilding of the bunkers at the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 11th holes .

The above represents significant continuing investment in your Golf club. Consider how much has been done the last 4 years:- Full coverage High Tech Irrigation . Paths around all 18 holes allowing Buggy’s and Trolley’s all year round Drainage of the whole course over the next 3-5 years A fantastic new Clubhouse incorporating ‘The Lounge’ with new patio. Great new catering and social events, ( when allowed!) by Tina and Paddy A great new Proshop, Caddy store, Fitting Centre and New Driving Range Tee all handled by our great Pro Jack Winer and his staff. . It just shows with what’s been done to date and whats planned why its great being a member here at Abridge Golf Club

FINALLY ALL OF THE STAFF AND MYSELF WOULD LIKE TO SAY A MASSIVE THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE MEMBERS THAT HAVE SUPPORTED THE CLUB AND STAFF THROUGHOUT THIS LAST 12 MONTHS WE ARE SO GLAD TO STILL ALL BE HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN A FEW WEEKS

Enjoy your Golf , Enjoy your Club………..It’s yours remember!

REMINDER OF IMPORTANT PRO SHOP CHANGES FROM JANUARY 1ST 2020

  Important Information Regarding

        Changes in the Pro-Shop

Dear Members and Guests

From the 1st JANUARY 2020

the Professional Shop will be going cashless.

This means that cash will no longer be accepted. All payments made in the shop from this date will have to be made by either;

  • Using a credit/debit card to add money to a Pro-shop account and making payments using your account.
  • Using a credit/debit card to make payments in the Pro-shop.
  • Digital wallet payments via services such as Apple Pay & Google pay will also be accepted.

If you have any questions about the changes please contact Jack in the

Pro-Shop as soon as possible, thank you.

Golf Principles @ Abridge Pro-Shop

WINTER WHEELS

DUE TO THE MONSOON WEATHER WE HAVE HAD OF RECENT WEEKS, COURSE MANAGER AND THE COURSE DIRECTOR HAVE NOW DECIDED THAT WINTER WHEELS ARE A MUST FOR THE GOLF COURSE.

Whilst normal, flat wheels are allowed on the paths and rough only, investing in Winter wheels will save you time and hopefully put less miles on your round

Benefits

Powakaddy Winter Wheels (Pair)
Non Clogging Open Tread Design

– Use your electric golf trolley in winter / wet conditions

– Unique patented* design fits most Powakaddy electric trolleys

– Minimal ground contact protects fairways and courses

– Non clogging open tread design

– Reduces tyre marks on the course

– Developed in association with green keepers and course managers

Motocaddy S Series Hedgehog Winter Wheels
Improved Traction During Wet Conditions

Transform your Motocaddy S Series into the perfect winter trolley by making it suitable to use even in the worst weather conditions.

The outer of the wheels feature the ‘Hedgehog’ design which helps to prevent the wheel of your trolley from skidding on the wet ground. These wheels should be suitable if your course allows them even during trolley bans.

– Easy to fit and remove.

The Pro Shop will be making a large order at the end of this week (25th October) or early part of next week. If you would like to purchase a pair of winter wheels please call the shop on 01708688333 or email jackwinergolf@gmail.com.

POWAKADDY – £70.00 / MOTOCADDY – £80.00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROFESSIONAL SHOP

Due to the new building works, the professional shop telephone number is currently down. This is the 01708688333 number. A technician from BT has been informed and we are waiting for them to sort the issue.

If you do require the professional shop for anything, please call the golf club switch board on 01708688396 and opt for Pro Shop

US OPEN 2019 DRAW

In honour of next months US OPEN at The Prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Club we are raffling off a Stunning, Limited Edition Titleist Mid Staff Bag

Raffle Starts Monday 20th May at 7:30, with the WINNER announced during the Final Round of the Tournament (Sunday 16th June)

Raffle tickets will cost £5.00 per strip or 5 strips for £20.00.

You can enter within the Professional Shop.

GOOD LUCK !!

T&C’s

Raffle will be Open to All Members & Visitors of Abridge Golf Club. It can not be redeemed for Cash or Credit within the Shop

Masters Draw is Now Open

It’s that time of year again where the Majors start our golfing season, and what with the new schedule changing for 2019. All four Majors will be held inside a 4 month window. Making golf very exciting leading us into summer.

MASTERS – Apr 11 – 14th (AUGUSTA)

US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP – May 16 – 19th (BETHPAGE BLACK )

US OPEN – Jun 13 – 16th (PEBBLE BEACH)

148th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – Jul 18 – 21st (ROYAL PORTRUSH)

Can the man they called Captain America in last years Ryder Cup be the first player since Tiger in 2002 to win back 2 back Green Jackets.

Open to members, visitor and guests their are some amazing prizes this year. New Epic Flash Drivers to Ping Umbrellas

Come in to the Professional Shop to pick your raffle tickets today and have a chance to win these incredible prizes.

SIMPLY LOVELY !!!

“This is where God hangs out.” Mac O’ Grady

“Every shot is within a fraction of disaster – that’s what makes it so great.” Gary Player

“If the Masters offered no money at all, I would be here trying just as hard.” Ben Hogan

MASTERS RAFFLE

£5 PER TICKET OR £20 FOR 5

1ST PRIZE CALLAWAY NEW EPIC FLASH DRIVER    
2ND PRIZE – OGIO GOLF BAG  
3RD PRIZE – 1 DOZEN TITLEIST GOLF BALLS  
4TH PRIZE – PING UMBRELLA  
5TH PRIZE – PING BAG TOWEL    

THE PRIZE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY 14TH AT 5PM

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