From the Golf Shop
We are into the wrap up part of the season with all Match Play events coming to an end. Men’s and Ladies Leagues in their last stretch, and the weekend events are finishing up with a few more qualifiers to get into the Masters event on Sept 26. It has been a great season for events, with participation numbers much higher than ever before, and we hope you have had fun coming out and meeting some new members, playing with some old friends, and enjoying some of the different formats at each event.
We held the inaugural Labour Day Team Event on September 7, and we got lucky with the weather; all things considered. Bob Ruffell and Scott Clarke finished with a very nice 63 overall, with Dan Coates and Luke Coles just behind at 65. Bob and Scott are heading to the Masters with that win, as are Karen Miller and Nianne Foley (lifelong exemption for Nianne as she is the 2019 Masters Champion) as the low women’s team for the event. There were lots of Road to the Masters points up for grabs as well, so there was good movement on that Order of merit.
We have the Tour Championship this weekend and it’s a nice field of players, some trying desperately to secure a spot in the Masters with either a win, or enough Road to the Masters points to get them in. Those that have won a qualifying event* are already in (*all events other than the Canada Day and Bring your Best Scrambles), and the top 25 men and top 15 women get in after all the events have been completed. The Masters field will be finalized after September 19. Yes, we have Green Jackets, Pimento and Cheese Sandwiches, Butler Cabin interviews, Rae’s Creek, Eisenhower Trees, Amen Corner, Par 3 Contest, Ceremonial Opening Tee Shots, Champions’ Dinner and more.
I know its late in the season, and this next reminder should have gone out earlier, however please give it a read and let’s see how we do.
Practice Facility Etiquette:
- Power carts used as range transportation: We are seeing a growing number of members take a power cart to the range, and then keeping the cart for extended periods of time. We run short on carts daily and having power carts unavailable to rent because they are down at the range is not an acceptable scenario. A pre-round warmup is understandable, but otherwise we need to have the carts available for their intended purpose. They are here for members who need them to play golf on the course, and they are an important revenue source for the club. The Outside Service staff are happy to shuttle you back and forth during those days when cart availability is at a premium. This applies to all cart usage programs and scenarios. When any member takes a cart, we expect it to be available for other members 4.5 hours after initial rental.
- Power cart parking: We have a number of good areas to park your carts such as the designated parking area to the left, before the range begins, or in the roundabout by the short game area. Parking on the grass areas or on the path behind the range damages the turf and creates traffic issues. If you need to park on the path, then ensure all 4 wheels are on the path please.
- Divot Pattern: Long divots parallel to each other please.
- Tees: We are still in a Covid 19 Operational Plan and we would like members to pick up their own tees, whole or broken, and store or discard them. This practice can extend beyond Covid 19 protocols and it shows good respect for your club and fellow members. This applies to tee decks on the golf course as well.
- The Putting Green by Still Valley 1. This is for putting only, no chipping, pitching, etc.
- Short Game Area:
a) If you are taking healthy divots, replace them, and/or clean up your debris before you leave. There have been some disappointing remnants after some short game practice sessions.
b) When you hit those chip, flop, pitch, and bunker shots on the green they leave ball marks. You are expected to fix them. That green used to be excellent for practicing putting as well (although that is not its designated purpose), and as of recent it has become sadly mistreated. The turf department does fix the ball marks prior to cutting it, however you should still leave it as you found it, or better than.
c) Range Balls: Similar to item 4, we are still in a situation where we want to limit touch points. There are upwards of 12 signs all around the practice facilities that state that range balls are not permitted to be taken down to the short game area, used, and left scattered all over. There are members that are entering the range hut, taking the baskets, scooping balls, hitting them all on the chipping green, then leaving the balls scattered around. We have had to resort to locking these areas now in order to help enforce the rules stated on the signs.
Guests, Dress Code, and property:
- Only guests that have a booked tee time with you may use the range. Arriving at the practice with friends and family that are not part of a tee time is not permitted.
- The golf course dress code applies to the Practice Areas
- You may not take the range balls and use them on the golf course. Yes, this is still happening.
Apologies if some of these points seem obvious to many of you, however this reminder was a little overdue. We are heading into a wetter part of the season and we will start to see more divots on the fairways and deeper ball marks on the greens. Let’s redouble the efforts for course care as well.
We still have one or two groups each day that decide to play slow, not fix their damage, let their guests arrive with poor dress code, fail to enforce the course rules with those guests (and fellow members too), and in general show a level of discourtesy that will ultimately put their membership status in jeopardy. You know who you are, and we ask that you get on board and start doing your part, like the vast majority of your peers do here at the club.
I’d like to thank those members who have been such a good influence on the club, showing courtesy to fellow members, respecting the club's rules and traditions, and having a great time while they do it! We have a large number of intermediates that love to have a good time out there and do it all with a positive attitude, great respect for the course, the employees and their fellow members. We have long time members that have carried the torch since day one, showing a level of loyalty that is unparalleled. They have seen the atmosphere at the club change as we grow, evolve, and mature into a healthy, active facility. They like what they see for the most part, and we need them to help foster that love of Vespra Hills when they meet members that are new to the club, or that may need a little encouragement on how to be a good club member. We have a group of juniors that are just a pleasure to watch learn the game and all that it has to offer. Please make them feel welcome when you see them on the range, or the golf course. The need your guidance and mentorship, just as I did when I was their age.
Thank you all for your support and for choosing to be a Vespra Hills Member,
Chris McNair
Head Golf Professional
