As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a positive year for Hunley Golf Club. Membership numbers are strong, and our commitment to delivering consistent, year-round service remains steadfast. This growth in both our community and service quality is something we’re incredibly proud of and our aim is to continue to improve.
Disruptive Weather
However, the year has not come without its challenges. 2024 has been the wettest year of my 29 years in Greenkeeping, and the wettest year on record since I joined Hunley 12 years ago. The rainfall we’ve experienced has been 30% above average, and the wet conditions have highlighted areas within our facilities that require attention. None more so than the driving range, which I will discuss later.
While this weather has been tough on everyone across the UK, we’re not making excuses and remain dedicated to providing you with the best possible value for your membership.
Unpredictable weather will always present us with evolving challenges and we’ve already started planning for the upcoming year. We’re optimistic about making the most of these opportunities for growth and improvement as we head into 2025.
Additional Challenges
That said, 2025 will bring additional challenges, including an even heavier tax burden. For small businesses like ours, these financial pressures are significant, but they remind us of the importance of innovation and adaptability.
In my new role as General Manager, I am more committed than ever to ensuring the long-term stability of Hunley Golf Club. The responsibility I feel is immense, but so is my belief in the strength of our team and our collective ability to keep pushing forward. One of our key strengths as a team, has always been our ability to think creatively, embrace new ideas, and venture beyond the conventional. This mindset has allowed us to make meaningful improvements to the Club, and it will continue to guide us as we face the challenges of the coming year.
Driving Range
A prime example of this philosophy in action is the ongoing project at our driving range. This has been a significant undertaking, but it’s one that we are fully committed to seeing through. We believe the result will be well worth the effort, enhancing your experience at Hunley Golf Club for years to come.
In 2024, we faced a situation where our driving range could no longer provide a satisfactory service. This, combined with increased labor requirements and the costs associated with replacing lost balls, put a strain on the business.
Although it was a huge commitiment to take on such a project, we have made significant progress since then. The shaping of the field is nearly complete, with targets now in place at 50, 100, 150, and 200 yards. Mounding has also been created to better separate the range from surrounding areas, and two valleys have been designed to efficiently direct water away, ensuring the range remains functional and usable year round.
Although the bulk of work is complete, we will continue to keep you informed as work progresses into the new year.
The Course
Without doubt the biggest positive has come from the course.
With the first half of the year being so wet, it did demonstrate how successful our work has been over the years. While most clubs remained closed for long periods we were able to offer a course for play more often than not.
More than that our greens have played fantasticly well all year, rain or shine, with the years of work producing greens dominated by fine perennial grasses having paid dividends in that regard.
The driest two months of the year were the last two and conditions have been as good as it gets for winter golf as a result.
Managing Resources To Meet Expectations
Given that our Greenkeeping team has been down a staff member for much of the year, the success of the year provides a strong foundation for our efforts moving into 2025.
However, with the ongoing financial pressures and the challenge of sourcing skilled labor, we are compelled to adjust our strategy. While automation is on the horizon, it isn’t quite a reality yet. As a result, we are focusing on restructuring and enhancing our machinery fleet. This will allow us to cover more ground more efficiently, enabling our current team to produce greater output. Although these adjustments aren’t perfect, we are taking a realistic approach, doing what is necessary to meet our objectives and ensure the continued success of the club.
We are very grateful to our committed team and we have confidence that with superior technology, they will be able to surpass previous performance.
Swingroom
Having to carry out major work to the driving range, we took the opportunity to also add a swing room to the upgrades. The new state-of-the-art golf simulator room will offer you the chance to play and practice your game year-round, no matter the weather. Using Trackman technology, the simulator tracks key data like your swing, ball speed, and distance, providing instant feedback to help you improve your skills.
Whether you’re looking to practice your game, take a lesson with one of our pros, or just have fun with friends. You can play famous courses, compete in virtual tournaments, or simply enjoy a social game in a comfortable, high-tech setting.
Taking on the construction of the simulator in-house has resulted in a delay, so it’s not quite ready for use yet. However, progress is being made, and we’d like to have it fully operational by the end of January if we can.
We understand that the upgrades to both the range and teaching bay have caused some inconvenience in the short term. That said, both will be available to you before too long, with even more enhanced features and options for your enjoyment.
January
We will be taking a break from work on the driving range from mid January. Once all the shaping work is complete we will return the machinery currently on hire.
Storm Darragh highlighted an issue by washing out work completed in one of the valleys. Because of this we will be leaving the final work until March, reducing the risk of further disruption to the work. Final drainage and sanding will be carried out prior to seeding the field, reducing the chance of further wash outs before the field becomes fully grassed over.
Beyond that we will be focusing on our maintenance facility. This will also involve exploring the range of equipment on the market to bolster our inventory and have us even better prepared for another busy season.
Many thanks to everyone for their support and here’s to a fantastic year ahead in 2025.
Greg Fitzmaurice
General Manager