Liphook Golf Club Archive

Betty Haslam Farewell

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0900

A reception was held at the Club on Saturday March 27th to mark the retirement of Betty Haslam, the longest-serving member of Liphook staff. She has worked behind the bar for sixteen years and the Captain, Ian Hewitt, recounted how Betty could remember the names of all members and many regular visitors - as well as the military rank of manyof them. Betty in turn thanked the members for their support, particularly when her husband died.

Martin Macpherson of the RNGS made a speech and presentation on behalf of the many visiting Societies who were welcomed by Betty. David Strike spoke and presented a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Bohunt Manor Golfing Society. Liphook Captain Ian Hewitt spoke warmly of Betty's loyal service to the Club and, on behalf of members, presented her with a book containing the many letters of appreciation sent by members, an engraved bowl and a cheque representing the donations by members.

Betty will appear behind the bar from time to time since she has agreed to make herself available if required.

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Help for Heroes Day nets over £20,000

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0900

Members will wish to know that the final figure raised at the HELP4HEROES GOLF CHARITY DAY on 21 October 2010 was £22000.

The committee for that event would like to thank all the members who supported the day in so many different ways. Your fantastic generosity, both in terms of time and money, was much appreciated.

THANK YOU ALL

‘It’s about the blokes, our men and women of the Armed Forces. It’s about doing your bit, no matter how big or small. They are just blokes but they are our blokes; they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes’....part of the mantra of the wonderful Help ƒor Heroes Charity that has raised £70 million pounds in the last three years!

Well... Liphook Golf Club set sail on a glorious autumnal day ...Trafalgar Day, to do their bit!

Golfers from Liphook and very many surrounding clubs played in their H4H Charity Golf Day. Sponsorship was provided by local Businesses, individual members and various Service organisations. Tony Purslow, the Mercedes Dealer from Hindhead provided prizes including a car for a Hole in 1 at Liphook’s notorious 1st Hole.

Throughout the day Competitors and many other visitors were ‘persuaded’ to purchase raffle tickets for some wonderful prizes...enter a ‘lucky dip’ for a Justin Rose Golf Bag....putt for a Jeroboam of Champagne...bid for the silent auction lots which included Drivers signed and donated by Retief Goosen and Justin Rose, a cricket bat autographed by this year’s England cricket team and a signed framed photograph of Rory McIlroy.

Following an excellent traditional Curry lunch....stirring military music...viewing a series of footage showing scenes from Afghanistan and images of the injuries that the war has inflicted on our Heroes ... a young soldier, Adam Cocks, gave a very moving inspirational presentation!.....Adam had worked in the City and started his military career with the Honourable Artillery Company and in October 2007 put his career on hold and was deployed to Afghanistan....Adam became part of the Brigade Reconnaisance Force in Helmand Province...he was blown up twice and survived albeit with wicked injuries... 15 ops on his knee...3 ops on his wrist...multiple fractures throughout his body etc, etc and spent 2 years at Headley Court ....as a result of the second explosion his driver was killed..Adam survived unlike those 341 Heroes who have been killed since 2001!

Adam concluded his presentation ‘I was one of the more fortunate, despite being badly wounded, I was returned to the UK alive from Afghanistan nearly 3 years ago now. I would like to thank you for the kind support you have shown by raising money for such a great charity...HELP for HEROES’.

Following an auction by John Nicholson, the well known auctioneer, various lots were auctioned including tickets for Wimbledon, Twickenham to see England play the All Blacks, Europe’s Ryder Cup Team Day 2 Jumper & Shirt, a Flag and Souvenir Programme signed by Cory Pavin (The US Ryder Cup Captain), Golf at The Wisley & The Berkshire, a day at sea with the Royal Navy and a house in the South of France.

At the conclusion of proceedings John Harvey-Samuel, the Chairman of the Organising Team, presented prizes to the Winning Teams and thanked Sponsors, Competitors, Visitors and the Golf Club’s Indoor & Outdoor Staff for a superb result for the Fund Raising Day and presented Paul Ross, from the HELP for HEROES Team, with a cheque for £20000! He concluded by saying ‘....they are our blokes... our men and women of the Armed Forces....they are our heroes...we here at Liphook GC wanted to do our bit!’

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EGU Award for Liphook

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:22:00 +0900

Prestigious EGU Award for Liphook

On 17th February a presentation took place at the Club to mark the recent award by the EGU of its valuable GolfMark accreditation to Liphook GC. GolfMark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises clubs with outstanding junior and beginner friendly golf facilities. Keith Maplesden, Chairman of the Hampshire Golf Partnership, and Beverly Huke, County Development Officer, presented the official EGU GolfMark certificate and plaque to Ian Hewitt, Club Captain. Ms Huke said: "Hampshire Golf Partnership is thrilled that a prestigious club such as Liphook should become one of the first eight clubs in the county to have gained GolfMark status."

In order to achieve this accreditation, three key areas within the golf club were rigorously assessed. They were : Coaching & Playing, Club Environment (including sports equity & ethics) and Child Protection & Duty of Care. James Wardrobe (Junior Organiser), Ian Mowbray (Club Professional) and John Douglass (Managing Secretary), who were all closely involved with the effort to achieve GolfMark, together with James Taylor, Junior Captain, were also present at the award ceremony.

What are the benefits of this award for Liphook? Firstly, we shall have access to greater levels of funding and grants for the Club. We shall receive more recognition within the local community for the Club's commitment to junior golf and positive promotion via the EGU/EWGA websites. Furthermore, we can better guarantee well-coached, committed and educated juniors, many of whom will go on to become the next generation of adult members.

In order to fulfil all the assessment requirements, there were seventy-eight criteria to meet, of which thirty-four represent the minimum necessary standards. Here is just one example from each of the three assessed areas : Girls and boys must have equal rights to enter into junior competitions; The golf club must have adopted an equal opportunities/sport equity policy; The golf club must have adopted the Children in Golf Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. In acknowledging Liphook's achievement, Andy Willems, EGU Regional Development Officer, said: " I would like to thank the whole team at Liphook for the amount of work you have put in, and many congratulations in achieving the award. Your efforts have been second to none and you have produced a very good and comprehensive GolfMark evidence file, which is much appreciated."

GolfMark status has also qualified the Club for funding from the Hampshire Golf Partnership. A further point is that from 2011 clubs without Golfmark will no longer be selected for county junior zonal training, nor as venues for Schools of Excellence.

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Club Championship 2011

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:14:00 +0900

52 competitors, encouragingly more than in previous years, participated in this year’s Club Championship on Saturday 11^th June 2011. Despite favourable playing conditions, scoring throughout the day was poor with only two rounds recorded under net par. The Club Championship is divided into two parts, the Club Scratch Championship and the Douglas Hall Trophy which is presented to the handicap champion. The scratch competition was won by Obe Ayton with a gross score of 145. Obe had a 77 in the first round followed by an excellent 68 in the afternoon. The Douglas Hall Trophy was won by James Brown with a combined net score of 142. James played consistently throughout the day with two rounds of 71.

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Clubhouse photographs

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:55:00 +0900

A collection of photographs of the Clubhouse from when it was first built up to 2009 when Chris Warren was commissioned to take photographs for a Club brochure. Click here.

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Loos and Blues

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:03:00 +0900

This article appeared in the Spring 2007 edition of the Newsletter. It was written by John Douglass upon completion of his first year as Managing Secretary of Liphook He includes a brief description of the work done on the new Men's Locker Rooms.

November is never a good time to start a new job and this is especially true at a golf club. The course has been put to bed for the winter and the dark mornings and evenings can get you down. My move from Scotland had gone smoothly but I have to admit there were times when I missed North Berwick with its spectacular views and constant public attention. My main effort at this time was getting used to how the club operated, settling in a new Kitchen Manager and meeting the membership.

Between January and April my focus was on the “Blue Loo” (the temporary portaloo) and the new changing rooms. Looking back, the building work went relatively smoothly but there were times when things did not go according to plans. I remember once being called away from lunch to deal with a major flood in the portakabin. I managed to find the stopcock, but returned for my pudding soaking wet! I now believe that we have got locker rooms to match the high standard of the course. When I used to come to the Club as a visitor I was always disappointed by the changing facilities. Now no one can complain!

Further disruption in the clubhouse was caused by Phil James’ heart attack in February. Phil’s illness obviously put additional strain on us all, but with the help of Betty and Carol and the recruitment of David Strike we were able to overcome most of the difficulties. I am glad to report that Phil has made steady progress and it is good to see his smiling face back behind the bar

The summer months have continued to be busy. The course has benefited from the wet summer. In April, the fairways were very poor and I worried what they would be like if we experienced another prolonged dry and hot summer. I do take my hat off to David Murdoch and his team; the course throughout the summer has been in excellent condition. The Club has received many highly complimentary comments, both publicly and privately, about the state of the course. As a player, I have been surprised at how difficult it is! It is a little short, but this is largely due to the fact that it has 5 par 3’s. Ideally, a course should have 4 par 3’s. However, when you examine these holes, they are all good and it would be difficult to decide which one should be sacrificed. Perhaps my only criticism of the layout of the course is that the last 6 holes, in particular 14 to 16, do not live up to the high standard of the rest. Having three relatively short doglegs in a row is, to me, repetitive and can make your round a bit of an anti-climax.

One of the idiosyncrasies of Liphook that has surprised me is how busy the course is during week days as opposed to week ends. In my opinion, this is caused by an over-congested fixture list. There is also a number of roll-ups with sizeable turnouts. These groupings and the fixture list can make certain mornings (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) very busy and this has created problems. I have suggested to the Committee that the fixture list is reviewed.

The summer also means the school holidays. August has provided many opportunities for our Junior members to play in competitions and receive coaching. The Junior Section is one of the Club’s success stories. A number of Juniors have represented the Club in official matches and competitions. As Murray Abraham has reported on page 7, the Club’s recent victory in the Border League is largely due to the fact that three Juniors regularly play in the team. John Jeffrey and James Wardrobe do an outstanding job as Junior Co-ordinators and this is reflected in full Junior membership and a long waiting list. This all bodes well for the future of the Club.

Golf in England is going through difficult times. Many clubs have vacancies and waiting lists exist in only a few clubs. In many ways, Liphook is well placed to meet the challenges of the future. It has a good course in excellent condition that can rise to future challenges. Its Junior section is flourishing and hopefully these youngsters can be encouraged to play their part in ensuring the Club’s long term future.

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Proposals to upgrade Men's Locker Room

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:52:00 +0900

The Captain's Letter accompanying the 2005/6 Annual Report and Accounts contains a description of the Committee's proposals to upgrade the gentlemen's ablutions and locker room and the ladies' facilities. The total cost of the improvements is £162,000 which includes £10,000 for the upgrade of the ladies' facilities and £10,000 non-recoverable VAT.

"In view of the level of expenditure" writes the Captain, "the Committee believes this project should be approved by the membership at the AGM. A resolultion to this effect will therefore be moved and voted on at the meeting and the decision will be based on a simple majority of those present. As you can see from the detailed Questions and Answers, the Committee has stated: "The capital cost of the option recommended would be funded entirely from the club?s internal cash resources. No borrowing would be required nor would any levy from members be needed." The architect's drawing, below, shows the proposed layout compared with the present locker-room. The plan, below, shows more detail of the lockers and the ablutions.

Gordon Musk writes: "Our Club house is a traditional one which has been improved with the addition of the entrance hall, lounge and dining room extension, staff room and a modern up-dated kitchen. In each case, cheap short-term options were avoided in favour of designs tailored to meet existing and longer-term needs. Each project was completed within budget and without the need to resort to levies or bank loans.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is wrong with the men’s ablutions and changing room?

The fundamental problem lies with the ablutions. In particular, the area is too cramped. The number of showers is insufficient and the drying area inadequate in size. The committee received representation several years ago from members concerning this. There is little natural light or ventilation in the showers and this creates mould growth every year, which in turn creates a hygiene problem. The floor is difficult to clean and water ponds on the floor because of incorrect falls. Windows, ceilings, wall and floor tiling, sanitary ware and fittings throughout the whole ablutions area all need replacing, lighting needs to be improved and radiators replaced. For reasons expanded upon below, correcting the above inadequacies in the ablutions has the additional bonus of creating extra space to enable a proper refurbishment of the changing room. The windows, ceilings, carpets and fixtures and fittings in the present changing room all need replacing. Ventilation and lighting need to be improved. The increased space in the changing room would offset the crowding experienced on a significant number of times per year when larger golf events, including two LGC ladies meetings, take place.

A proper changing room refurbishment would become ever more important in future as people’s expectations of modern standards increase. Current facilities are inferior both to those of other golf clubs in the area and to the provision made for LGC lady members. A golf club with such a superb course and excellent reputation should have facilities in keeping with its status.

What proposals are there to improve things?

Greatly improved ablutions are proposed through a resiting of the area within a new extension. The whole area would become more spacious with increased facilities. In particular the extra space provided would give the ablutions a much improved quality of ventilation and would give far greater scope to introduce fresh air and natural light. Modern wall and floor tiling, fixtures and fittings would be easier to maintain and would reflect the standards expected of a club with our reputation. Modern energy systems would improve efficiency. The extra changing room space would help provide a much better equipped facility with new ceilings, carpets, modern lockers, seating, hanging and storage space, proper towel storage and disposal, more mirrors, better lighting and ventilation. The present ablutions area would become an integral part of the main changing room with some space given over to the provision of lockers. Area Old New Increase Ablutions area 336 sq ft 448 sq ft 33% Changing Rooms 616 sq ft 1176 sq ft 90% Locker numbers 49 63 27% Hanging Spaces 50 100 100% WC cubicles 2 3 33% Urinals 4 4 0% Wash basins 3 4 25% Showers 4 6 50% Footbath 0 1 100%

What improvements would be made to ladies’ facilities?

Various improvements are proposed. These include the lengthening of the toilets, the introduction of borrowed light and extract ventilation from the toilets, the opening up of the vanity units, the screening of the front of the shower area for greater privacy and new floor and wall tiling throughout the whole of the ablutions area.

Where will the men be able to change and wash in the meantime?

Temporary accommodation would be made available for the period when the changing room and extension were being fitted out. This would involve the hiring of Portakabins to provide adequate changing and ablution facilities for approximately two months.

Why not just carry out an upgrade to current changing and ablution facilities without increasing their size?

Consideration was given to merely refurbishing the existing ablutions and changing room without increasing their size. This would at best only be a costly, short term solution, which would NOT solve the key problems associated with these areas and is therefore not feasible. Consideration was also given to enlarging only the existing ablutions area, but this would mean encroaching into the present changing room. This would limit access to a space already restricted in size, make a proper changing room refurbishment impossible to achieve and is therefore not feasible. Consideration was also given to replacing the present individual shower units with a communal shower area, but the space available would be inadequate in size. Looking ahead, it is worth noting that Child Protection issues mean that it may become obligatory in the future for Golf Clubs to provide separate changing and ablution facilities for adult and junior members. We would have the flexibility to be able to do this with the proposed new changing room lay out, but not with the existing one. The proposals include the provision of a toilet facility for the disabled, which again would not be possible, if the existing layout was maintained. Health and Safety regulations may well make it obligatory to provide such a facility in the future.

How many more large capital projects can we expect?

This is the last major project concerning the club house facilities. Within the next five years the only major project foreseen is the replacement of the existing course watering system, which is beginning to show signs of wear and tear. The present five year plan suggests that this can be funded within the club?s future cash resources without recourse to borrowing from banks or members.

How can you be certain of the cost?

We would enter into a lump sum, fixed price contract based on a completed design following the receipt of competitive tenders. There would therefore be no exposure to cost overrun. We employed this method with the lounge, dining room, staff room and kitchen projects and the contracts were all completed within budget.

Can the club afford it?

The capital cost of the option recommended would be funded entirely from the club?s internal cash resources. No borrowing would be required nor would any levy from members be needed. After the project completion the club?s cash resources would not be expected to fall below £100,000 at June 30th 2007, which is the low point of the annual cash flow cycle.

What are the financial consequences?

Annual expenses would increase by about £15k to cover depreciation, insurance, rates, heating, cleaning and non recoverable VAT. As the project would be completed within the winter months we would not expect any significant reduction in visitor or society income. There might be some small reduction in bar and catering income, if members stayed away. In the longer term we would expect that the improved facilities would add to the attraction of Liphook GC, which would protect, if not improve, our third party income.

Does the budget include a contingency reserve? Yes.

What can go wrong with the project?

There is a risk that between the publication of this document and the AGM, firms tendering successfully might procure other work that would prevent them from taking on this commission. This might have time and cost implications. The risk or otherwise would be identified just prior to the AGM.

Costs

Option 1 * The total cost of limited refurbishing without increasing the size of the men?s ablutions and changing room would be £80,000, i.e £65,000 for the limited upgrade of the men?s ablutions and changing room, £10,000 to be spent on improving the ladies? facilities and £5,000 on non recoverable VAT.

Option 2 The total cost of full refurbishing together with increasing the size of the men?s ablutions and changing room would be £162,000 i.e. £142,000 for the upgrade of the men?s ablutions and locker room, £10,000 to be spent on improving the ladies? facilities and £10,000 on non recoverable VAT.

Programme Target dates

4th November 2006 AGM 10th November 2006 Signing of contracts 20th November 2006 Construction starts 29th January 2007 Provision of temporary changing accommodation 29th January 2007 Refurbishment of Ladies’ ablutions area begins 26th February 2007 Completion of Ladies’ ablutions area 26th February 2007 Internal work begins on Men’s ablutions and changing rooms 23rd April 2007 Completion of project.

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The Wheatsheaf Hotel

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:26:00 +0900

This article appeared in the Spring 2006 edition of the Newsletter.

For photographs of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, click here

In the nineteenth century, travellers between Portsmouth and London who needed food, a bed for the night or spare horses could choose between two Liphook coaching inns. The Blue Anchor was the more famous, and it received the royal charter after King George III and Queen Charlotte stayed there. The Wheatsheaf, a mile down the road (see the photograph, below right), was its bitter rival. There were annual stagecoach races between the two hotels between Liphook and Petersfield, with wagers being made on both sides. Rivalry was intense, and on one occasion the Anchor coachman forced his rival into the ditch.

With the coming of the Portsmouth Direct Railway line in 1859, horse-drawn traffic was reduced, and the Wheatsheaf’s inn and stables were transformed into a hotel by Friary Meux Brewery and renamed The Links. It had 7 bedrooms and one of its managers was John Skiff’s father Roy, who ran the hotel from 1955 to 1969.

When Liphook Golf Company was formed in 1922 it rented the house next to the hotel which is still called the old clubhouse; it provided an office for the secretary, a meeting room, locker rooms and a small bar/coffee room. The hotel met any other needs.

The Black Huts over the road housed the pro’s shop and workshop, the caddymaster, green staff, irrigation tank, numerous carts and a stable for the Club’s black mare. Bohunt Manor Golf Club also used the clubhouse at first but as its membership increased, a clubroom was built for them next to the Black Huts.

After the war the Club tried to purchase the Links Hotel to use it as a clubhouse; when that was turned down, the Club moved in 1949 to the present site with at first a temporary clubhouse. Friary Meux Brewery sold the Links to Mr and Mrs Grace in 1985, and they sold it to Richard Northcott in 2000. Richard carried out a modernization programme, and the Links was sold to Fuller’s Brewery of Chiswick in 2002.

The hotel now stands to benefit from tourism which should increase following its inclusion in the National Park; it has recently received planning permission for 35 extra bedrooms. Fuller’s will review the market later this year.

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Jottings from the Club's History

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:20:00 +0900

Of the 281 members in 1928, 42 had handicaps at 10 or under, (2 at plus figures), and 126 had no handicaps at all. Members had plenty of time to play golf! The course standard scratch score was 76, which may be the reason why the handicaps were lower than present day ones, although today’s clubs and balls are much more sophisticated. Most clubs were made by the Professional, Percy Lockyer and his two Assistants.

The Links or the Wheatsheaf Hotel in those days, provided our Clubhouse, and buttered scones and suitable beverages, were partaken after a hard day’s golf. Copies of The Liphook Story are available at £ 19 from Maggie Disney in the Office

Non-shareholders paid Entrance Fees £ 5 . 5s. Annual subs Men £5 5s and ladies £4 4s. Family Members –Sons and Daughters between 14 and 18 £ 1guinea and had no vote). Service Officers £ 3 3s. Regimental Messes.18 playing members at 20 guineas and 9 members at 10 guineas. £3 3s. Ministers of Religion £ 2 2s. (There were special rates for School Masters later. And people say that today’s categories are complicated!) These rates sound a lot less expensive than today but when you factor in inflation these rates are pretty much the same as we are paying in 2006.

Link to Pics of Percy Lockyear and Wheatsheaf/Links Hotel Click here

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Bronze Age Bowl Barrow

michaelblakstad@btinternet.com — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:05:00 +0900

This article appeared in the Autumn 2006 edition of the Newsletter.

For photo of the Bowl Barrow, click here

The most historic patch of Liphook Golf Course is the Burial Mound between the 14th tee and the 11th green. It was built in about 500 BC when a Saxon chieftain was buried below ground level in the centre of the mound (or ‘tumulus’). This was towards the end of the Bronze Age, a period during which copper, lead and tin were mined and converted into bronze for tools and ornaments. Artefacts of the period were almost certainly buried with the chieftain. It is located just inside the Hampshire border on land now owned by Richard Northcott.

According to the Hampshire Treasurer’s records the mound had not been disturbed from that time until the Club placed a Ladies’ Tee on it. Elsewhere, many barrows have been quietly excavated in an attempt to learn more about the chieftains and the articles buried with them.

In about 1900 thirty Douglas Fir trees were planted round the top of the mound; strong winds and thinning have reduced this to twenty. Very few barrows have trees planted on them, and special permission must have been obtained by the then owner, Mr R Lee, but there is no record of this. The records state that in 1929 the mound was surrounded by dry stone walling; in 1949 the stone wall was removed and shallow ditch dug round it. The mound is now well maintained by David Murdoch and his team.

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