22 Dec
We’re delighted to publish the dates for our Open Events in 2012.
Ladies Open – Thursday 3rd May 2012
Seniors Open – Thursday 12th July 2012
Mixed Open – Sunday 22nd July 2012
Junior Open – Thursday 16th August 2012
Mens Open – Saturday 18th August 2012
Entry forms can be downloaded in PDF format by visiting www.driftgolfclub.com and following the OPEN EVENTS link.
17 Aug
41 Golfers teed it up for the first PowerPlay Golf event at The Drift on Friday evening. The golf was followed by a delicious BBQ from our head chef Ian.
As with any golf event, you hope for good weather and the clouds were looking rather dark and ominous, but thankfully all we got was a little drizzle that only lasted a couple of minutes.
Giving the green keeper the opportunity to put nine difficult pin positions on the golf course was a bit worrying. How cruel would he be? When I went out to put in the PowerPlay flags just before the start of the event, my suspicions were proved correct. The flag on the 10th hole was a little over 3 feet from the right edge of the green.
It was clear that we were going to have to work hard for our points on the PowerPlay holes.
The verdict from the golfers was that they had fun and would like to do it again, even from those that did not fair so well.
The winner of the event was Jim Hartley (28hcp) with a total of 31 points. On the four powerplay holes Jim scored 22 points which included a chip in for a gross birdie / net eagle at the last hole to net himself 8 points. A pretty good way to finish the round.
The next event is sure to be even bigger and better. I think we will be asking the greenkeepers for some easier pin positions.
10 Aug
As a result, we have decided to introduce a trial membership aimed at giving you a feel for our club and an opportunity to meet some of our members before deciding where to call home.
During your trial membership, you will enjoy the following benefits:
• 7 day unlimited golf with full playing rights for two months (i.e. no green fees)
• Benefit from full playing rights with no greenfees
• Make use of the practice facilities with unlimited range balls
• Get to know the friendly members and staff
• Have a FREE lesson with PGA Professional Sam Quirke
• Bring two guests free of charge with your inclusive guest passes
• Keep regular contact with the Membership Team to ensure you are making the most of your trial
• The opportunity to establish a handicap by completing 3 x handicap cards
After your trial our aim is to make sure that during your trial you meet many members and have a thoroughly enjoyable time. After this we are sure you will want to join us.
3 Aug
After 4 months of work the new irrigation system is fully operational and what better way to sign off the project than to have a bit of a get together with some sparkling wine, canapes and a water display from the new system. Not to mention a great summer’s evening for the hundred or so people that attended the evening.
The sparkling wine went down really well and the chef’s new canapes were delicious and enjoyed by all. We will need to get Ian to make some more mini yorkshire puddings the next time. They were gone before you coud say “I’ll have one!”.
Not to worry, there will be plenty of more opportunities in the coming months to enjoy the chef’s new recipes.
The Captains (Jon Kent, Aileen Thompson and Phil Monks) had the honour of cutting the ribbon. Well Jon & Aileen did. Phil was left in their dust they were so quick and was left posing with the scissors.
Once the ribbon was cut, the sprinker on the 18th gave us a bit of a show of what it can do and then went into a display working it’s way up the 10th fairway and back down the 18th. Thanks to Mark Pennels for organising the display.
Sam Quirke was the designated photographer for the evening and got some good shots of the new system in full flow. We hope to add these to the website for all to see.
Now we are all looking forward to seeing the improvements that the new irrigation system is going to give us. It is sure to help cement the Drift as one of the best conditioned courses in the area.
We hope you all had a great evening and as much fun as we did.
30 Jul
The Mind Factor by Karl Morris
5 Shots Lower Without Changing Your Swing
Learn the secrets to the revolutionary system of improving your golf game WITHOUT having to change your swing!
This even is specifically structured to give you the tools and techniques you can use INSTANTLY on the golf course.
You have absolutely nothing to lose but the frustration of bad golf.
Karl Morris is one of Europe’s leading MIND COACHES, delivering cutting edge methods of peak performance and goal achievement to a range of clients across sports and business.
From the world of golf, Karl has worked with players such as:
Join us for a fascinating evening on Tuesday 11th October and learn how you can improve your golf game.
Tickets for the evening are £20 each for members and non-members and include tea, coffee and biscuits.
To confirm your place please e-mail memberships@driftgolfclub.com or speak to Graeme.
30 Jul
Get Ready To play golf’s new 2-flag format
One Green, Two Flags. One Easy, One Hard
PowerPlay Golf- a 9-hole Stableford competition, with a twist. One game and you’ll be hooked.
There are two flags on each green one easy and one hard.
The Black Flag = Double Points for net birdie or better
With only 3 PowerPlays available to you in your first 8 holes you must choose wisely.
And on the last hole, it’s decision time.
A last-hole PowerPlay birdie or eagle wins double points, and possibly the tournament … but failure to make par spells disaster as you lose 3 points for bogey or worse on a last-hole PowerPlay.
This is Risk & Reward Golf at its best.
Will you be courageous enough to go for a PowerPlay on the last hole?
Friday 12th August
Tee Off Times 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Members – £10 Non-Members – £20
Includes 9 Holes Golf, BBQ & Prizes
To Enter: e-mail memberships@driftgolfclub.com or speak to
Graeme McLeish in the office
Are you ready for the PowerPlay?
30 Jul
In spite of challenging economic times and the related industry trends of cost-cutting and non-investment, the Directors of the Drift Golf Club have made their biggest single financial commitment since acquiring the Club in 2001.Jonathan Connell, the Club’s Managing Director, commented; “It is essential that our Members’ see improvements in their Club each and every year. In 2011 the main investment is the installation of the latest, fully-automated, irrigation system.”
“Clearly with a golf club, the course is our first priority and all of the team at the Drift remain committed to its improvement and development. Not surprisingly the existing irrigation system, which is 30 years old, struggled to cope with the exceptionally dry June & July we encountered in 2010 so we have chosen to do something proactive about it.”
Ben Beagley, The Drift’s newly appointed General Manager, said “I’m delighted to join the Drift Golf Club at such an exciting time in the Clubs history. Work started just after Christmas to improve the water storage capacity by enlarging some of the existing lakes and in March the irrigation contractor began the 16-weeks of work necessary to install what will be the latest state-of-the-art irrigation system to all greens, tees, approaches and, most importantly, the fairways.”
In 2008 a strategic review of the Drift was undertaken by the Ken Brow
n, Ken Moodie & John Nicholson partnership, which lead to the Club committing to a comprehensive development plan for the short, medium and long term.
In the winter of 2008/09, the implementation of these exciting plans began with a significant improvement in the woodland management scheme and this was followed in the spring of 2009 with an overhaul of all existing bunkers and the addition of several, strategically placed, new ones.
During the winter of 2009/2010, the Drift management focused its attention on the tees with the consequence that new ones were added and existing areas enlarged.
Innovative work continues unabated at the Drift and it is hardly surprising that the Club remains extremely proud of its long-held reputation for providing excellent greens the whole year round.
In addition to the comprehensive work that continues out on the course, significant improvements have also been made in the Clubhouse; improvements which include the changing rooms, furniture, fixtures and fittings plus an excellent upgrade to the patio area from where to enjoy a drink and watch the efforts of other golfers as they negotiate the testing new group of bunkers that protect the 18th hole!
History
Once part of the Lord Onslow estate, the course was created in the mid-70′s by Sir Henry Cotton and architect Robert Sandow. The tree-lined par 73 course winds its way through mature oak woodlands, with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers making accuracy a premium while at the same time providing a rewarding challenge for all standards of play.
The Drift Golf Club is in East Horsley, Surrey (with easy access from the A3 and M25) where a warm-welcome awaits its members and guests as its friendly staff go about their business of providing enjoyable days for all members and guests.
