The Last Word
By David Cromie, RLGC Secretary.
Welcome to Hoylake
On a wet morning in July 2008 I found myself sitting in the
splendour of the John Behrend Library being interviewed for the Secretary’s position soon to become vacant on the retirement of Chris Moore. Fifteen months into the role there has not been a day when
I have not considered it a privilege to have been appointed to serve the members of what can only be described as the historical home of English Championship Golf.
The first year
During the past 12 months the Club, as with most
organisations, has not been immune to the effects of the recession. Despite this trend, Council has continued to push forward with much needed development at Hoylake.
Irrigation and Links Improvements
In July members were invited to attend an ‘Open Meeting’
where Adrian Mortram (Irrigation Consultant) and Stuart Ormondroyd (STRI Agronomist) gave presentations explaining the rationale why the Club needed to invest in a new irrigation System. At a subsequent Special General Meeting in September the membership voted unanimously for the financing and installation of the system. Craig Gilholm (Links Manager) is seeking to pursue a
policy of improving all the greens, fairways and tees by sowing finer fescue and bent grasses that are typical of a Links Course. The establishment of these grasses needs to be encouraged through selective and measured application of water, and particularly so in high temperature conditions. Rob McBurney and his Green Committee together with
our Irrigation Consultant, carried out a detailed tendering procedure and this has resulted in procuring a best value irrigation system for our Links. Work to install the irrigation system commenced in November and will be completed in March 2010. Phase 2 of the Dr Martin Hawtree (Links Architect)
changes and improvements to the Links is being carried out in tandem with the irrigation work and includes a rebuild of the 17th green. The standard of work being carried out by both
contractors is of the highest quality and the disruption to play has been minimal. In the coming years Members and visitors can look
forward to playing a Links second to none with regard to its condition, divorced of winter tees and artificial surfaced pathways. Yes, the Links will present a greater challenge to all – you wouldn’t want it any other way!
Showers
I suppose one of our notable achievements during the
year has been identifying and rectifying the problems with the showers in the Gentlemen’s Locker Room! Eight months on and not a problem, touch wood! Even the Captain’s personal shower is functioning to all his needs!
Economy
In tandem with all other Championship venues in the
Great Britain and Ireland heavily dependent on visitor income 2009 has been a difficult year. Early in 2009 the economy faltered and we experienced a substantial fall in bookings for visitors particularly from the United States. The Corporate and Society golf market also reduced dramatically.
2010 and Beyond
The recent announcements of the Club hosting the 2012
RICOH British Women’s Open, the return of the British Boys’ Championship in 2013 and The Open Championship in 2014 is exciting news and further clarifies the high regard in which the Royal Liverpool Golf Club is held within the world of golf. The focus going forward will be to improve the Hoylake
experience to both Members and Visitors. In addition to the improvements to the Links the Golfers’
Entrance will be enhanced by the introduction of a Hoylake Time–Line that will graphically chart the history of this great Club. One of the main priorities going forward will be to ensure
the services on offer at Royal Liverpool Golf Club are not just merely delivered but over delivered!
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