Fresh from the Fairways: May Edition

Introduction

By Michael Chapman, 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 Tilgate Forest to the peak summer 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 trade Birkdale’s coastal dunes for our own majestic, mature woodland, the pure drama of the game feels just as close to home on our fairways. Who is your pick to lift the Claret Jug?

Whether you are sharpening your game on our Toptracer® Range or taking on our signature undulating, tree-lined 18-hole course, we are thrilled to welcome you back to a facility 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 Michael Chapman, General Manager

Thank you to everyone who completed our Loyaltee Golf® 2026 Customer Survey! We are incredibly grateful for your feedback and loyalty as we work to make Tilgate Forest one of the premier courses in the South East.

What You Love

We are thrilled that you continue to highly rate Tilgate Forest for its excellent value for money and convenient location. It is fantastic to hear that you are noticing our recent investments in new paths and winter tee boxes. We also absolutely loved reading your special shout-outs praising our amazing and helpful Golf Services staff!

Our Exciting Focus for the Future

We know this historically wet winter made ground conditions tough for golf courses across the UK, but with summer approaching, we are turning your feedback into an exciting action plan. Based on your top requests, here is what we are focusing on:

Course Drainage & Enhancements: We know the heavy rain and course closures were frustrating this winter. Improving our course drainage is a major priority so we can keep the course open and the fairways in great condition all year round. We are also looking at levelling out uneven tee boxes across the course.
Driving Range Refresh: We hear your feedback about mats, golf ball quality, and how Wi-Fi is affecting the Toptracer® screens. We are looking into refreshing the bays, lifting the overall presentation with some exciting visuals, and upgrading the technology to make your practice sessions seamless and enjoyable.
Elevating the Clubhouse Vibe: You told us the clubhouse would benefit with feeling more cosy, and that the food offering needs a revamp. We are exploring opening the upstairs area more frequently and our brand new Clubhouse Menu will help improve your post-round enjoyment.
Course Safety & Signage: We noted your safety concerns regarding dog walkers and the general public wandering across the holes. We have just taken delivery of more signage to manage pedestrians and ensure your rounds are safe and uninterrupted.

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 (a regular at Richmond Park Golf Course)!

Golf Course Update

By Jack Slade, Course Manager

We are committed to providing you with the best possible playing surfaces, which is why we recently dedicated two full days to essential course maintenance. While closures are never ideal, these intensive sessions are the secret to a healthy, resilient course that performs year-round.

Click on the video above for my latest update.

The Work Behind the Greens

On Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th, our Greenkeeping team executed a comprehensive maintenance plan. Here is a look at what was accomplished to ensure our surfaces remain in peak condition:

Surface Refinement: Greens received a double dose of top dressing, followed by brushing, drag matting, and overseeding to encourage dense, smooth turf.
Structural Health: We performed verti-draining and 9mm solid tining to relieve compaction, alongside tee aeration to improve drainage and root growth.
Nutrient Boost: A granular fertilising program was applied, followed by an intensive watering-in process across all greens and tees to lock in those nutrients.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make Tilgate Forest the best it can be. See you on the first tee!

“A great golf course isn’t just grown; it’s built through the daily dedication of a team that cares about every blade of grass.”

Special Offers & Events

By Michael Chapman, General Manager

Chasing the Sun? Half-Price Buggies are here!

Golf’s hottest offer is back for the summer! We’re slashing buggy prices in half so you can focus on your game (and the sunshine). Click here and grab a Half-Price Buggy to elevate your Tilgate Forest experience.

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 Tilgate Forest, 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 Darran Giles, F&B Manager

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 or the Halfway House to grab your stash before you tee off, or at the turn.

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.

Brand New Refreshment Buggy!

We’re bringing the clubhouse to you. Over the next few weeks, keep a look out for new new refreshment buggy. Whether you need a quick snack or a refreshing beverage, we’ll be on hand to serve you mid-round.

Team News

By Mark Watt, Operations Manager

Teamwork Makes the Greens Work

Despite one of the most challenging winters in recent memory, the course is looking fantastic. This is a direct result of the hard work and long hours put in by our dedicated course maintenance crew.

Since joining us in February, our Course Manager Jack Slade has already made waves. By implementing innovative maintenance strategies and unifying the team, he has set a high bar for the season ahead.

Employee of the Quarter

A huge congratulations to our First Assistant, Wayne Austin! Wayne earned this quarter’s top honours for his incredible work keeping operations running smoothly before Jack’s appointment. Every great team needs a “ship steadier,” and Wayne was exactly that.

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!