Clonmel Golf Club – Centenary Club Development Plan
Members,
I would like on behalf of the Course Development Committee to take the opportunity to brief you on progress since my last update in March.
Phase 1:
As you all know by now Phase 1 is complete and the new tees and greens are fully back in play. This phase constituted the full redevelopment of greens 2, 9 and 17, new men's tees on holes 2 and 15, upgraded ladies tee on hole15, enhanced landing areas on 13th and 15th fairways and tree planting.
Despite very difficult weather conditions during development and into the growth season in spring and early summer, all areas have come back into play as anticipated and have not presented any difficulties which might hinder ongoing play.
As I have communicated on many occasions before, it will take some time for the newly developed areas to fully settle down and assume similar playing conditions as the rest of the course. A specific program has been designed by our agronomist for the course staff to implement to ensure that all areas of the course display consistent playing conditions in time.
Phase 2:
Final proposals have now been agreed between the Course Development Committee, Jonathan Tucker, our STRI course architect, and SOL Golf, the developers, with respect to the development program for Phase 2. This program is essentially that which was outlined and reviewed in conjunction with obtaining approval of members at the recent EGM for the land exchange with John Cooney.
The main elements of the program include the development of holes 5, 6 and 7; developing a new Par 3 to facilitate the removal of the existing hole12 as a practice area; and the redevelopment of the existing 8th green. In effect, this involves developing 5 new green and 4 new tee complexes and all the ancillary development works associated with the re-orientation of the new holes.
The plans showing the designs for this next phase of the development are displayed for viewing by members in the Clubhouse.
It is expected that work on this Phase will commence in late July in areas of the existing club lands that will not impact on play; mainly right of 5th tee and fairway. On receipt of planning permission the work will move onto the new lands. Work on areas impacting play will not occur until mid-September at which time it will be necessary to close holes 5, 6 and 7. A new temporary green on the 8th will facilitate continuation of play through holes 4, 8 and 9 during the period of closure. This means that 15 holes will be in play throughout the construction period of Phase 2.
Practice Area:
The Development Plan approved at the 2007 AGM committed to investigating the possibility of developing a suitable practice area, but it did not include any funding given the lack of realistic options at that time. The land exchange creates a terrific opportunity to finally solve the practice area issue by converting the existing 12th hole into the practice area. A new Par 3 will be constructed to replace this hole and obviously this will require a re-orientation of how the course is to be played following completion of the entire development. In this regard, a number of options exist and these will be considered over the coming months as the works progress.
However, given that the land exchange enables the development of much stronger holes, in addition to facilitating the practice area, the Development Committee has agreed that the Development Plan will absorb the costs of the new hole. The Management Committee has agreed that the transactional costs of acquiring the land will be borne by club funds on the basis that it was not part of the original plan but is required to meet the long term interests of members to develop a practice area.
Finance:
The Phase 2 proposals were approved to proceed at the June Management Committee meeting, subject to the necessary long term finance being put in place. In arriving at this decision the Management Committee was aware that this would bring the total spend on Phase 1 and 2 to in excess of €500,000, still well within the budget of €550,000 approved by the members for the Centenary Club Development Plan at the 2007 AGM. However, given the very positive reaction of members to Phase 1 and the exciting opportunities contained within Phase 2 there was unanimous agreement to proceed with completion of the development works as outlined above.
Total borrowings for Phase 2 are expected to be in the range of £230,000 to £250,000, well within the limit of €350,000 under the approved plan. The balance of funds required for Phase 2 will come from members’ subscriptions and ongoing fundraising such as the recent successful club classic. There were no borrowings required for Phase 1.
The borrowings required for Phase 2, combined with existing club borrowings and the land transaction costs, are being restructured into long term financing, resulting in overall lower annual cash repayments for the club. In this way the Management Committee agreed that Phase 2 can be financed within the approved plan budget and without any undue strain on existing cash needs.
Planning Permission:
The application for planning permission for the proposed extension of the golf course into the newly acquired lands adjoining the existing 5th hole was submitted to Waterford County Council in early June. The application is scheduled for decision in late July. Assuming no issues arise we expect to be able to commence works on the new land in late August or early September.
Future course layout:
Once the 12th is removed for use as a practice area the 11th hole will become the 18th hole. The new development will result in the existing 7th hole being played in the opposite direction, slightly shorter but likely to be more demanding overall. The exact layout in relation to playing the course has yet to be finalised and will be influenced by trying to provide a front 9 and back 9 of relatively equal par. The overall length of the course will vary slightly following completion of this plan and, with a new Par of 71 for men and 73 for ladies, will result in an overall more interesting and challenging course.
Other elements of the Development Plan:
The Development Committee is committed to staying within the overall approved funding of €550,000. To the extent that funds allow, following completion of Phase 2 we will address other elements of the plan and will communicate with members on those as we near the decision point.
Thank you for your patience during Phase 1. Hopefully, you all agree it was well worth it. The commencement of Phase 2 is upon us and again I ask for your continued goodwill as we embark on the continuation and the successful completion this ambitious work.
Patsy O'Keeffe
Club Development Committee
July 15th, 2009
Clonmel Golf Club – Centenary Club Development Plan
Update to Members on Course Development Works
I would like on behalf of the Course Development Committee to take the opportunity to further update you on progress on the implementation of our Centenary Club Development Plan.
Progress of re-developed areas:
Conor Nolan, STRI agronomist, visited the club on February 25th as part of his routine visits as course consultant. During that visit Tom Byrne and I met with him to review progress on course development work completed before Christmas.
He expressed himself very happy with progress to date and did not foresee any difficulty in meeting the expected opening date of mid-May for the three new greens. Like other greens there has been some disease scaring of the 2nd and 9th but the advised treatment is expected to resolve this in advance of opening.
The redeveloped areas on the 13th and 15th are progressing very well and have clearly benefited from the absence of traffic. We have now re-opened these holes, the 13th as a par 3 and the 15th as a shortened par 4. All redeveloped areas are GUR and we would ask members to avoid walking on those areas. Assuming good weather and favourable growth conditions during March it is expected these holes will be fully back in play coinciding with commencement of Summer time.
The new tees are progressing as per expectations for the time of the year.
The access area to the left of the 17th will be repaired by turfing the area approx 10/15 metres in front of the green, the rest will be seeded to try and minimise the overall cost of repair. All other areas from the back of the 17th to the 11th fairway will be repaired by turfing.
A program of work has been given to course staff to progress all the re-developed areas, including rolling of green surrounds, sand top dressing and application of fertiliser.
Tree Planting:
The first phase of the tree planting program will commence this coming week. This will see new trees planted between fairways 1 and 11, 18 and 16, 13 and 15, 2nd tee, 4, 8 and 11th holes.
To help with air movement some trees will be removed from the right of the 17th green. The corner of this plantation nearest the tee will be reviewed based on golfers’ feedback after a period of play. There has been some pruning to silver birch at the new 2nd tee. It is intended to remove and cut back some trees in the area in front of the 15th tee and, in time, to do extensive clearing of that area.
Phase 2:
Detailed discussions are ongoing between the Course Development Committee and Jonathan Tucker, STRI course architect, with respect to layout options for holes 5, 6 and 7.
I expect to be able to communicate in more detail on proposed plans within the next couple of weeks.
Finance:
I would like to highlight two particular things which are up and running to raise club finance as per the motion approved at 2007 AGM. A Course Development Classic is scheduled for May 21st and 22nd. It is expected this will coincide with the opening of the new greens. A committee has been established to run this classic and you will be hearing from various members of that committee over the coming weeks. We ask that all members give this very important fund raiser their full support.
As part of the tree planting program we have launched an "Adopt a Tree" sponsorship initiative. This is a tremendous opportunity for members to show their support for the club and we ask for your enthusiastic support. See notices around the club for details.
Thank you for your patience over the past few months. Summer time is nearly here and everything to do with Phase 1 is right on track.
Patsy O' Keeffe
Club Development Committee
March 8th, 2009
‘ADOPT A TREE’ PROJECT
Clonmel Golf Club has embarked upon an ambitious Centenary Club Development Plan. One element of the development will see the planting of a large quantity of trees on the course over the lifetime of the Plan.
The programme will involve the planting of a number of native broadleaf species that are compatible with existing trees on the course and which are sensitive to the natural landscape and environment of the area. Species will mainly include ash, lime, oak, rowan and silver birch.
The Tree Planting Programme will improve and enhance the quality and character of the golf course and will also make a valuable contribution to our environment by having a positive effect on the national effort to reduce CO2 emissions, combat the effects of climate change etc.
Clonmel Golf Club is offering members and their families the opportunity to adopt a newly-planted tree on the golf course. On payment of a once-off contribution of €100 a member will be allocated a specific tree, will receive a Certificate of Adoption of the tree, and will have his/her name entered on the Register of Adopted Trees that will be maintained by the Golf Club and be displayed in the Clubhouse.
Applications will be considered and trees allocated on a first-come basis. All members are invited and encouraged to participate in and support this ‘Adopt a Tree’ Project in the interests of both enhancing our golf course and positively contributing in a meaningful way to a better environment.
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