Fresh from the Fairways: May Edition

Introduction

By Paul Day, General Manager

Hello everyone,

We’re kicking off this edition of Fresh from the Fairways by celebrating Aaron Rai’s historic PGA Championship victory – defying 150-1 odds to become the first English player to lift the Wanamaker Trophy in over a century!

Closer to home, the relentless rain from January through March tried its best to dampen our 2026 season, but we are officially back with a bang! Despite a very tight window to recover from a particularly punishing winter, our greenkeeping team has done an exceptional job returning Richmond Park Golf Course to the fantastic condition you expect.

With Rory’s back to back Masters win in April, the buzz heading into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale this July is unlike anything we’ve seen. While we might swap coastal dunes for our ancient oak trees and diverse wildlife, the competitive spirit is just as high here as we head into the peak summer season. Who is your pick to lift the Claret Jug?

Whether you are sharpening your game on our driving range or taking on the unique challenges of the Duke’s or Prince’s courses, we are thrilled to welcome you back to an urban escape that is looking sharper by the day.

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

2026 Loyaltee Golf® Customer Survey Results
Golf Course Update
Claim your free copy of the 2026 Golf Society Playbook.
The Sunchaser Deal is Back
Clubhouse & Catering
Team Update
Community News

You Spoke, We Listened!

By Paul Day, General Manager

Thank you to everyone who completed our Loyaltee Golf® 2026 Customer Survey! We are thrilled that you continue to rate Richmond Park highly for its outstanding value for money and convenient London location. We also loved reading your glowing praise for our friendly and welcoming team.

We know this historically wet winter made ground conditions tough across the UK, but with summer approaching, we are turning your feedback into an exciting action plan. Here is our focus for 2026 based on your top requests:

Course Drainage: Improving drainage across both courses is a major priority to reduce temporary greens during the winter months and keep fairways in great shape all year round.
Pace of Play: Richmond Park Golf Course is one of the most visited golfing destinations in Europe, so we are constantly reviewing how we can improve and maintain a reasonable pace of play, especially on weekends.
Driving Range Upgrades: You’ve made it clear that range tech is a major priority for you.
Tee Time Availability: We are looking at ways to reduce no-shows to ensure everyone has a fair chance of playing when demand is high.
Course Tweaks: Our greenkeeping team is focusing on levelling tee boxes, adding sand to bunkers, completing the bunker reconstruction projects and keeping the greens in top summer condition.

Huge thanks to our friends at The Masters Golf Company for supporting our survey and providing a fantastic iCart Evo Trolley for the prize draw! ️‍Congratulations to the winner, Lori P!

Golf Course & Facilities Update

By Roger Mills, Head Greenkeeper

Navigating the Spring Shifts

What a difference a few months make! We’ve gone from an incredibly wet start to the year straight into the driest spring we’ve seen in some time.

While the warmer overnight temperatures are helping the greens improve nicely, the sudden lack of rain is hindering new seed growth across the course. We are seeing the same issue on the driving range, where the lack of moisture has temporarily stalled turf recovery following recent drainage works.

Water Management & Bunkers: The dry spell has pushed our irrigation system to the limit much earlier than usual. After tackling some major system issues at the start of the season, the team has been busy hand-watering critical areas. To put things in perspective, we usually don’t need to top up the clubhouse pond until mid-summer, but we’ve had to use mains water to since April, to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Now that these irrigation issues are firmly under control, the team can redirect resources toward the finer details of the course – with a major focus on getting our bunker works back on schedule after weather delays in Q1.
The Bots are Back in Town! Following a very successful winter trial, we are continuing an early summer trial with Husquvarna robotic mowers to monitor the effectiveness of this modern approach to course preparation.
Tree Protection (9th Duke’s): Due to the age and condition of the tree on the 9th of the Duke’s, we have been advised to restrict access to this area. The temporary rope will soon be replaced by a permanent wooden fence, identical to the one on the 10th of the Prince’s.
Fresh Signage: We have taken delivery of 72 brand-new course signs as part of our recent rebrand from Glendale Golf to Loyaltee Golf®. These will be rolled out across both courses over the coming weeks as time permits alongside our summer cutting schedule.
Front Entrance Gates: Following a recent road traffic incident, our timber entrance gates have unfortunately been damaged beyond repair. Temporary security gates are in place while we work with the insurers to arrange a replacement.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Despite the seasonal challenges, the courses are shaping up beautifully for a fantastic summer of golf!

Special Offers & Events

By Mike Gray, Deputy General Manager

Chasing the Sun? Bargain Buggy Rental is here!

There’s a certain magic to twilight golf at Richmond Park Golf Course – quieter fairways, long shadows, and the beautiful Royal Parks setting. Now, you can upgrade that experience for less than half the price.

With our Sunchaser Deal, add an EZGO Electric Buggy to any off-peak or twilight round for just £15 (Regularly £32). Check out golf’s hottest deal here.

Planning a Society or Golf Day?

Being a Society Organiser can be a thankless task – so we’ve made it easier. We’ve just released our FREE 2026 Golf Society Playbook, designed to help you plan a day your group will actually talk about for years.

From choosing the right format to securing the best dates at Richmond Park Golf Course, it’s all inside. Click here to download your free Golf Society Playbook.

Why join for a year when you only play in the summer?

Love the course but not ready for a year-long commitment? Our Loyaltee 1-Month plan is the perfect summer solution. It’s our most popular flexible option, giving you full member access and unlimited golf throughout the peak season.

Whether you want to maximise your game during the long evenings or just enjoy the course at its best, you can enjoy all the perks – including member discounts – for 30 days. No long-term strings, just pure golf.

Click here and sign up today.

On The Menu

By Andy Silverman, Group F&B Lead

From the First Tee to the 19th Hole

Whether you’re hunting for birdies or just trying to survive the bunkers, one thing is certain: you’re going to need refuelling. From quick snacks at the turn to celebratory rounds at the bar, we’ve got your cravings covered.

Grab & Go Made Easy

Don’t let hunger ruin your scorecard! Our Grab-and-Go stations are stocked and ready for action. Swing by the Clubhouse Cafe to grab your stash before you tee off.

New Flavours at the Clubhouse

The Clubhouse kitchen has been busy! We’ve launched our new Clubhouse Menu to feature classic favourites and fresh new dishes. The atmosphere is chilled, the views are scenic, and the fries are always crispy. Ready to see what’s cooking – click here and check out our brand new menu.

Team News

By Emma Dobbins, Operations Manager

Congratulations to Harry Putt!

We are delighted to announce the promotion of Harry Putt to the role of Duty Manager.

Many of you will already know Harry, who first joined the Richmond Park family back in 2023 as a part-time employee. Harry has shown incredible dedication, a fantastic work ethic, and a real passion for delivering a great experience to our members and visitors.

His progression from a part-time team member to a key part of our management structure is incredibly well-deserved. Please join us in congratulating Harry when you next see him around the clubhouse, and wishing him the very best of luck in his new role!

Community News

By Mike Gray, Deputy General Manager

Growing the Game: Free Golf Sessions for Local Cub & Scout Groups!

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our local community and introducing the next generation to golf, we are delighted to open our doors to local Cub and Scout groups.

We are offering free, tailored golf sessions for children aged 8 to 10, providing them with full access to our fantastic facilities. Led by our team, these fun and interactive sessions are designed to give young people their first taste of the sport, learn new skills, and experience the physical and mental benefits of golf in a supportive environment.

Do you lead a local group, or know someone who does? We’d love to welcome your troop to Richmond Park! For more information or to book a session, please contact michael.gray@loyalteegolf.co.uk

Richmond Park: A Top 3 UK Destination for iGolfers!

We are thrilled to announce that Richmond Park Golf Course has secured the #3 spot in the UK for the most rounds played by England Golf iGolf members!

According to the latest data from England Golf, the combined rounds played across our Prince’s and Duke’s courses place us firmly in the national top three.

At Loyaltee Golf®, our mission has always been to provide accessible, high-quality golf. Seeing so many iGolfers choose Richmond Park to maintain their handicaps and enjoy the game proves the community is stronger than ever.

And Finally...

The days are getting longer and we’ve reached that glorious stretch of the season where twilight golf is a perfectly valid excuse for being late home.

Our maintenance team has the course in peak condition, but the excitement doesn’t stop at the 18th green. We’re gearing up for a blockbuster summer of sports on the big screens including Wimbledon, followed immediately by the high-stakes drama of the FIFA World Cup. To top it all off, we’ll be watching the world’s best take on the links at The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.

Let’s make it a classic. See you on the fairways!