Course Extension
The latest news on the course extension is now covered in the monthly newsletter.
September 2010
New Nine given the go ahead by members at EGM
The EGM was held on Thursday 16th September and members were asked to vote on the following motion: 'The members of Rushden Golf Club authorise the Committee of Management to proceed with the course extension, subject to planning permission, satisfactory agreements on the terms of the loan and the conditions of the lease.'
After 1 hour and 20 minutes of presentation and discussion members voted. Of the 250 votes received on the night or in advance by postal vote, 209 (84%) voted in favour of the motion and 41 (16%) against.
Negotiations can now begin with the banks and the Duchy of Lancaster regarding the terms of the loan and the lease. In addition our full planning application will be completed for submission.
Thank you for proving the Club with a clear mandate to proceed with the development.
What can members do to help?
Following the October sub committee meeting a request for support will be posted for members. We believe there are many members who have skills and abilities who would be happy to contribute in some way. If you have anything that you would like to controbute then please speak to one of the sub-committe (see below) or email the Secretary at secretary@rushdengolfclub.org
Members of the sub-committee
- Ian Dickerson
- Neill Briggs
- Brendon Sharkey
- Alan Morton
- Mark Abbott
- Nigel Richards
- Jeremy Smith
The committee will be expanded to suit the roles and workload identified.
Card for the course
Below is our first draft of the yardage for the new nine. Some changes will be made once we establish the best fit for each hole within the available land.
| Hole |
White Par |
White yardage |
Red par |
Red yardage |
| 1 |
4 |
380 |
4 |
346 |
| 2 |
3 |
168 |
3 |
141 |
| 3 |
4 |
415 |
4 |
358 |
| 4 |
5 |
488 |
5 |
375 |
| 5 |
4 |
411 |
5 |
374 |
| 6 |
4 |
380 |
4 |
319 |
| 7 |
4 |
343 |
4 |
329 |
| 8 |
4 |
375 |
4 |
352 |
| 9 |
3 |
119 |
3 |
110 |
| Out |
35 |
3079 |
36 |
2704 |
| 10 |
5 |
475 |
5 |
418 |
| 11 |
4 |
430 |
4 |
360 |
| 12 |
3 |
220 |
3 |
170 |
| 13 |
4 |
400 |
4 |
350 |
| 14 |
4 |
440 |
4 |
370 |
| 15 |
5 |
550 |
5 |
430 |
| 16 |
4 |
380 |
4 |
345 |
| 17 |
4 |
400 |
4 |
330 |
| 18 |
3 |
160 |
3 |
160 |
| In |
36 |
3455 |
36 |
2873 |
| Out |
35 |
3079 |
36 |
2704 |
| Total |
71 |
6534 |
72 |
5577 |
CSS |
71 |
72 |
October 2010
New nine layout finalised
The new nine course design layout has now been finalised. There have been a few minor changes and 2 significant ones (these changes are reflected in the above card for the new course). The major change is to the last 2 holes. The 17th will now be a long par 4 over a brook followed by a par 3 18th again bringing the brook into play.
The changes were deemed necessary due to the playability of the 18th as a par 4. A drive of less than 250 yards would leave a blind approach shot with a brook alongside the green. It was felt that this would be a poor finish and for most players the hole would be a matter of luck over skill. In addition the previous 17th was a flat par 3, probably the only dull hole on the new nine. The new 18th brings the book into play in front, to the right and behind the green. We feel that this will be a special hole on which to finish a round and will be in view of the clubhouse.
Business plan and planning application underway
The business plan for approval by the bank is currently being prepared. We hope to submit the planning application during week commencing 11th October. Members will be updated on progress.
January 2011
Planning permission underway
The new nine course design layout has now been finalised and the planning permission application submitted. We hope that permission will be granted in line with the original planning permission granted in 2007.
Revised budgets
We have been looking at the overall cost of the project and all associated costs. Rest assured that all possible savings will be made without compromising on the quality of the new course. We still expect to be able to develop the new nine for less than £300,000.
New 9th green and car park
Work was undertaken in December on the mounding required around the new 9th green. We had to delay the work on this until approval from the planning authorities to commence the temporary car park which we hope to have completed by the end of January 2011.
The car park is a temporary solution and was included within the budget for this year, not within the new nine development budget.
The mounding is now in place awaiting seeding and whilst it may not be fully in play at the start of the season we do not anticipate too long a delay. The greenside bunker has been enlarged to become more of a hazard as well as offering further protection to the out of bounds.
April 2011
Possession of new land
We recently met with the Chief Executive of the Duchy of Lancaster and his team. This was a very productive meeting and we agreed to take on the new area of land on an agricultural rate (lower than we would normally be charged) for a period of 12 months from 25th March.
This will allow us to access the land in advance of commencing the works to begin the work required on the fairways and ensure that we have the maximum time possible to construct the new nine ready for a target opening date of April 2013.
This will also enable us to undertake the heavy earthworks earlier giving more time for the land to repair.
We are in discussions with the current tenant regarding the use of the land for the period until we need to commence work.
Planning permission
Our planning permission application raised a few queries that we are dealing with. We do not expect this to be a major delay and still hope that permission will be granted in line with the original planning permission granted in 2007.
Thanks to our helpers
Thank you to all those who helped to rake the new mound behind the 9th green, removing stones and in some cases boulders. This is greatly appreciated and we hope that more members will be able to help when the project is fully underway.
May 2011
Debentures
Members will be aware that we are currently seeking debentures to enable us to proceed with the development. We plan to hold a meeting shortly to explain the situation to members and will advise a date for this shortly.
Possession of the new land
We have possession of the land for 12 months during which time we have an agreement with the previous tenant to allow him to graze on the land until we are in a position to proceed. We had an option to take the land on for a 12 month period at low rates but no certainty of being able to take the land on in 12 months if we did not do so now. As such the decision was made to take possession.
Tours of the new nine
The farmer is treating the weeds on the land and we will soon be able to mow areas where the fairways will be. Once this has been carried out (in June) we will be arranging walking tours at various times of the week for members (and possible new members) to get a feel for the new course and ask questions on the design and development of the course.
Can you help?
We will shortly be asking members if they are able to help out in any way - planting trees, providing materials, driving machines etc. Please look out for details. It will be your course and you can help to bring it about.
June 2011
Information evening
We will be holding an evening on 19th July to inform members on the progress to date and explain the debentures. Our legal representative, David Dees, will be attending.
Work commencing in the new land
We will be cutting areas of the new land to define the fairways from early July. This will enable members to get a feel for the new course and hopefully be a promotion tool for new members.
Tours of the new nine
Tours of the new land will commence prior to the information evening, we expect each tour to last about 1 hour. We encourage you to take the time to have a look and ask any questions of the new nine development committee who will be hosting the guided walks.
Can you help?
We will shortly be asking members if they are able to help out in any way - planting trees, providing materials, driving machines etc. Please look out for details. It will be your course and you can help to bring it about.
July 2011
Information evening
The members information meeting will be held in the clubhouse at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19th July. All members are welcome. The focus meeting will be to explain progress with the new nine
development, to outline the debenture scheme and to take any questions that members may have. Our solicitor, David Dees will be attending to explain the debentures to members.
Tours of the new nine
Tours of the new land will commence prior to the information evening, we expect each tour to last about 1 hour. We encourage you to take the time to have a look and ask any questions of the new nine development committee who will be hosting the guided walks.
There will be 2 tours on the evening of the 19th, one commencing at 5.00pm and the other at 6.00pm. Please place your name on the list in the clubhouse if you would like to attend either of the tours.
We feel that by walking the new land, with areas having been cut to define the shape of the new course, members will have a better understanding of the project.
Can you help?
All of us could do something to help bring this vision to a reality. If you feel that you could contribute in any way please place your name on the list in the clubhouse with an indication of the assistance that you may be able to provide.
September 2011
Information evening
Members attended the information evening in July and heard about the progress made since the EGM held in September 2010. We are now very close to having the finance in place and membership numbers have increased significantly over the past few months providing the Club with the necessary income to make the project viable.
Our solicitor, David Dees explained the debenture system to members and answered questions on the legal processes.
Tours of the new nine
We held our first tour of the new land prior to the information meeting. Further tour dates and times will be scheduled over the coming weeks, please keep an eye on the notice board for dates. The feedback from the first tour was very positive, with around 50 members being showed around the land.
Can you help?
All of us could do something to help bring this vision to a reality. If you feel that you could contribute in any way please place your name on the list in the clubhouse. Over 40 members have already indicated that they would be willing to assist in some way, demonstrating the positive attitude of members, for which the Club is very grateful.