Fresh from the Fairways: February Edition

A note from the General Manager

Hello everyone,

To say it’s been a “wet” start to the year would be the understatement of the century. We’ve seen enough rain lately to make us consider trading our golf clubs for kayaks, and I know how frustrating the resulting course closures have been.

I want to start by acknowledging our greenkeeping team. They have been nothing short of heroic, working in difficult conditions to protect our turf and manage the constant rain. Their dedication is the reason we still have a course to return to.

Most importantly, thank you for your patience. We know how much you’ve missed not being to get out on the course as often as you’d like, and we truly appreciate the support you’ve shown us while we’ve navigated these constant disruptions.

The Golf Season Is Loading…

The good news? There is light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is officially on the horizon, the ground is finally beginning to dry, and The Masters is just weeks away. Nothing signals a fresh start like the azaleas at Augusta and the return of longer, sunnier days.

Dust off the clubs – better weather is coming, and we can’t wait to see you back on the fairways.

Here’s what we’ll be covering in this edition of Fresh from the Fairways:

Loyaltee® Golfer Survey 2026
Head Greenkeeper’s Update
Upcoming Events
Promotions & Special Offers
Clubhouse & Catering
Team Update
Community News

Have Your Say!

Putting aside the obvious weather-related challenges, we’ve got big ambitions for 2026. We want this to be your best golf season yet, but we aren’t mind readers!

To make it happen, we need your help. Take a few minutes to fill out our Loyaltee Golfer Survey. Tell us what you love, and what’s grinding your spikes. It’s your course — so have your say!

Everyone that completes the survey will be emailed a coupon for 20% off your next tee time, plus automatic entry into the prize draw to win a £169 iCart Evo 3 Trolley!

Head Greenkeeper's Update

Course Status & Management

The Duke’s Course: Currently closed due to saturated ground conditions. Following our established seasonal protocol, this closure is a preventative measure to protect the turf’s integrity and ensure premium playing conditions for the official start of the season.
The Prince’s Course: Despite a dry end to 2025, the course has faced challenges with the persistent rainfall of early 2026. While our sandbanding programme has significantly enhanced green drainage, the volume of rain has exceeded current absorption limits. However, these improvements mean the greens will recover and return to play much faster once the weather breaks.
Greens Renovations: In response to the unpredictable weather, we have scheduled a secondary renovation date for late March. This serves as a vital contingency plan to ensure our maintenance schedule stays on track regardless of the rainfall.

Investment & Machinery

Our fleet is growing! We’ve added two new machines for the 2026 season to boost our operational capacity. These aren’t just simple lifecycle replacements; this is a strategic increase in capacity designed to help our team build on 2025’s record-setting conditioning standards

Winter Projects & Improvements

While the weather has limited the scope of our winter works, several key projects are underway:

New Teeing Areas: Construction is progressing on the 3rd and 11th (Prince’s). Final leveling and turfing will commence as soon as ground conditions stabilise.
Tee Leveling: The 5th, 9th, and 16th (Prince’s) are also slated for re-leveling to improve playability and aesthetics.
Halfway House: Improvement works in this area will resume the moment the ground is firm enough to support machinery.
Clearance: Our team, in collaboration with The Royal Parks, has been hard at work on extensive “out of sight” clearance and woodland management to improve airflow and course boundaries.

Turf Recovery & Irrigation

Our Autumn overseeding yielded positive results across both courses. However, areas impacted by previous drought—specifically the 12th (Prince’s)—require further renovation.

Proactive Recovery: Recognising that we can no longer rely solely on predictable seasonal weather, we are installing dedicated sprinkler systems in these vulnerable areas. This will allow us to precisely manage moisture and accelerate turf recovery as soon as spring temperatures rise.

Clubhouse & Facility Improvements

Major Range Improvements

To ensure top-tier practice conditions year-round, we are beginning a major drainage improvement project on the driving range starting February 23rd.

Duration: The range will be closed for two weeks midweek only while these upgrades are completed. Weekends will be open as normal.
The Result: This work will significantly improve turf quality and ball recovery efficiency.
Note: All other practice facilities remain open as usual.

A Smoother Arrival

Have you noticed the upgrade? We’ve officially refreshed the car park and buggy storage area with a brand-new surface. Whether you’re unloading your clubs or heading out in a cart, the transit from your car to the first tee is now smoother and cleaner than ever.

Coming Soon to the Bar

We’re leveling up our refreshment game this spring. Starting in March, look out for two exciting additions to our taps and fridges:

Stella Artois 0.0%: All the classic premium lager taste, with none of the alcohol. Perfect for a post-round refresher before you head home.
Thatchers Fusion: For those who like a twist, we’re introducing these vibrant, flavor-infused ciders. Stay tuned for the specific flavor line-up!

New Season, New Flavors

Our kitchen team has been hard at work crafting a brand-new menu, set to launch this March. Expect a mix of hearty clubhouse classics and some lighter, seasonal dishes perfect for the warming weather.

Team Update

Meet Our Newest Greenkeeper, John Gorrie!

Please join us in giving a warm Richmond welcome to our newest team member, John Gorrie. Many of you may recognise John from his previous work at a very local course, and we are thrilled to have his talent on our side of the fence. John’s reputation for excellence precedes him, and his specialised experience will be a fantastic addition to the crew working hard to keep our fairways and greens in prime condition this summer.

Next time you see him out on the course, be sure to say hello!

Community News

We are delighted to congratulate Max Stanley on successfully completing his England Golf Community Golf Instructor Course.

This certification is more than just a personal achievement; it marks a significant step forward in our commitment to developing golf in the local community. Max is already well-known for his incredible golfing talent and his new qualification will help expand our coaching programs to reach a wider audience, breaking down barriers to entry, and ensuring that golf is a sport everyone can enjoy.

We are proud to have Max leading the charge in our mission to make the game more inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all.

And Finally...

We’ve officially survived the worst of the winter slog, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel. While you’ve been drying out your gear, we’ve been working double-time behind the scenes to ensure Richmond Park Golf Course is in prime condition for our biggest season yet.

It’s time to dust off the clubs, bag your 20% survey discount, and get back to the game we love. The Master’s is coming, and when the sun finally shows its face we’ll be the first to see you on the tee!

P.S. Don’t forget, filling out our survey doesn’t just get you a discount – it also puts your name in the hat to win that awesome £169 iCart Evo 3 Trolley!