Hi everyone,

I hope that you have had another fine week, and that for the most part, the sun has shone on you.

To be honest, I do not really mind that it has rained, although I do not want it to go on for too long. It is good for the garden, and even more so, it is good for the golf course.

It has taken a bit of a hammering over the last few months, as there was only a certain amount of work which could be done, and then the weather, as lovely as it was, completely dried everything out, and then we started playing on it. A bit of a shock to the system I would say. However, it will recover, and now that Dan, along with Connor and Seth, are on the case, it will soon improve. Dan started his job as our new Head Greenkeeper last Monday and it already feels as though he has been here forever. Thanks to Kev Perkin for donating a Flymo to the team. How good is that?

I hope that you have noticed that the surrounds are looking a bit tidier too. It is great to have Kath back, as she continues to look after our site so lovingly and keeps an eye out for aspects that could do with a bit of touching up. Thanks also go to Jake Wilshaw and Harry Fearn, who are working their way around the site to keep everything tidy. Keep up the good work.

It has been my first week back and I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who let me through. I have played a couple of times on my own, just to get a few swings in, and without exception, groups in front of me have let me through. Thank you so much.

Members have been very careful keeping social distancing and following the rules and guidelines. I feel privileged to be part of an establishment where its members are caring so much for each other.

I played with my mate Deb Barnett on Tuesday, and we rattled all the way around – lovely for me, more annoying for her. I have been aware that I had only one topic to talk about – the golf club; it has somewhat filled my every waking moment for the last few weeks, but she did say that she felt the same, only her topic of discussion was her allotment. How can you spend nearly 3 hours talking about golf and food? – mind you, when I put it like that, quite easily. It was good to be back. Have you found it difficult to find things to talk about? Let me know what your topics of discussion have been about on: nbdirector@leekgolfclub.co.uk

As you know, we have been trialling new formats of play, as 4balls were allowed from Monday. We asked for your comments on how it was going. You have been telling us, and we thank you for that. Keep the comments coming. Dave Gallimore wrote with his thoughts, and I wrote back to him. I have included some of my response, as it seems to put everything that we are trying to do into context: -

‘I am pleased that some of the changes are working for members. It could well be that some of the things we trial become the 'norm'. If they work, why change it? Some things may even be extended. However, if they do not work, we will chuck them out. I think that you could say that the situation continues to be 'fluid', and we will try to find the best plan for the Club.

We are in the discussion stage regarding competitions, and also how we want to move forward, including how we can continue to increase income, in order to safeguard our Club.

BRS is proving invaluable. It gives us so much information. Instead of the 'they say', we can use BRS to produce reports which have definitive data - these are the busy times; nobody plays at this time. Is there peak, and off peak? As a marketer, for me, this is gold dust! I will endeavour to put all of this data together for the benefit of the members.

We have this massive opportunity and it is really exciting.

Watch this space Dave and be sure that your thoughts will be part of the future of Leek Golf Club.’

Just to let you know that we are listening, and hopefully the plan which is ultimately approved supports the needs and requirements of the majority of members. Keep on letting me know your thoughts. You will be designing the future of the Club. I am sure that whatever we do, it will always remain ‘fluid’.

We are living in a time of great change, but if we embrace it, we can ensure the longevity of our club, and the wellbeing of our members. We are listening to what you want, and It is all unbelievably exciting.

Are you coming along for the ride? Join me on the roller-coaster, it is totally exhilarating.

This month we welcome 2 societies. On the 17th June, the Grumblethorpe Golf Society will be on the tee at 11am, and on 26th June The Globe Golf Society will be with us from 10am. The tee will be booked for about an hour on each occasion, so if you are around the course when they are with us, then do so hello.

For everyone who is still isolating, then I send you my very best wishes. Take care of yourselves at home and do let me know what you are doing. You never cease to amaze me with your imagination.

I have taken delivery this week of my very own mask, lovingly made by Lesley Powell. Lesley, I love it, and it will grace every supermarket I visit this week. Thank you so much.

This week’s blog has been much more about plans for the future, and we can plan what happens, so let us get going!

Take care and stay safe, and that means all of you.

Nel