General Club Update by Juliette Nutland

2010 has been another challenging year for everyone both in and out of the industry. The ongoing recession placing a strain on everyone's wallet. However, we have been actively pushing projects behind the scenes. Having been granted the planning permission for the next 9 holes back in February we have been busy 'doing the detail' and arranging a company to work with. This Autumn the new plans were put up in the clubhouse and it feels as though many of you have 'played the course' already! The new access drive has now been laid at the farm next door providing a safe entry and exit for future lorries to bring in their precious cargo of much needed material to help us construct the new course. Once again the recession and down turn in the building industry has caused us frustrating delays-we simply cannot build a course without material-and lots of it. However it looks like the tipping should begin in the very near future-weather permitting. We will stockpile the material to build the first 4 holes-the 4 nearest to the existing 9 holes. This will mean that we can complete these and start them off 'growing' sooner rather than later. We are most fortunate to be able to complete all of these major works without the existing 9 holes being affected in any way. Somewhat understandably, the key question we always get asked is ' When will the new course be open?' Currently, the only truly honest answer is 'as soon as possible' We simply cannot say more than that as the rate at which the material is imported to us, is totally out of our control and without it we cannot construct the course. Rest assured that we want to move forward as much as you do!

Let There Be Light! - AGAIN?

After a successful first season with the floodlights turned on last year, we had an unexpected delay in being able to turn them back on this Autumn. The temporary planning for the first year was due to be renewed without delay. However due to an unexpected delay we could not turn them back on at the beginning of September as planned. Once again a large amount of time and energy, letter writing and phone calls behind the scenes took place to smooth over the concerns raised and finally on 25th October we were once again allowed to turn them back on, this time for good. The driving range is now open until 21:00 Monday-Thursday and until 19:00 Friday-Sunday. (Last baskets at 30 minutes before the closing times). It would be great to see as many of you as possible now making use of the lights for that all important practice or a private lesson

2010 Junior Update by Michael Walters

This year has been an exceptional one for the juniors here at Basset Down. The junior programme on a Saturday morning and Wednesday evening continues producing enthusiastic and talented young golfers, and as in previous years the order of merit evening, which was held in November was a great a success. The order of merit is a grading system that takes place during the summer months for juniors who attend the group lessons. They are graded on all facets of the game, including etiquette, safety, achievements and competition scores. So the juniors coming through are not just able to play the game, they are also understanding of the way they need to conduct themselves. This junior programme has also helped to boost junior member numbers; currently standing at 15, the highest it has ever been! All of these juniors began with us by participating in the junior group coaching scheme. We currently have 6 juniors with handicaps and anticipate that number to be in double figures by the spring. County Coaching Two of our girls were recognised by County last year for their potential, Beth Richardson and Shannon Smith They were both invited to go to Wiltshire Academy junior coaching. This year there are 3 girls and 2 boys who will be attending! Competitions This year in an outside competition, a Tiny Tigers event held at Broome Manor in July, six of our juniors took part. One of them, Sam Lloyd, scored a 'hole in one' and holed out from the tee and finished fifth overall! This year we also played our first ever junior team match. Playing at home against North Wilts, a team of six battled valiantly, but unfortunately lost 4.5-1.5. Although five out of the six matches did go to the last hole. Golf Mark A significant development for 2011 will hopefully be the club achieving the GolfMark accreditation. This award recognises the work that a golf club does with juniors and will be important in gaining extra funding, so that even more can be done with the development of our juniors in the future. One of the key facets of GolfMark is to work with the local community and in particular schools. This is an area where we are ahead of the game, with Professional Michael Walters teaching Golf Xtreme at Wootton Bassett School. Golf Xtreme is a stepping stone towards golf and has been really helpful in broadening youngsters horizons. The final session will see the youngsters coming to Basset Down to experience golf in a golf club environment. More courses are planned for the Spring Term.

.and now for the Ladies by Ian Bolt

Our Ladies Coffee Mornings, held on a Tuesday between 11-12, continue to prove very popular with class attendances going from strength to strength. 'I have been delighted with the progress of all the ladies who have attended. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere has had a very positive effect on many of the Ladies confidence levels. Quite a few have now started to play the course and are thoroughly enjoying the game for the first time.' With the Ladies section steadily growing it is hoped that our new Ladies will soon achieve handicap status and this in turn will lead to an increase in the numbers interested in playing in competitions in the coming years. 2011 fixtures will give our ladies an increasing number of opportunities to compete. Carolyn Edmonds was the first winner of the 2009/10 Ladies Winter league. 'We thank you for your support and both Michael and I look forward to helping all our members again next year. We all believe that with our new 9 holes on the way the future of the Basset Down course is these difficult times is looking very good.

Members Update by Graham Short

This year was Basset Down's second season playing in the Wessex League. (An inter-club competition between 9-hole courses in the region) It resulted in Basset Down capturing no less than three trophies!. At the beginning of the year Bassest Down defeated Whitley Golf Club to win the Winter Knockout Cup, with the season being rounded off with success in the Chairman's Cup. The club was also honoured when Keith Pryke was awarded the 'Clubman of the Year' by the Wessex League committee. Well done Keith! On the home front there was an extensive competition programme throughout the Spring and Summer months. The flagship competition of the year was the Annual Club Championship, which for the first time was played over 36 holes. It was a close fought thing with he eventual winner being Keith Pryke. The competition also saw a new course record being set by Paul Sheridan who scored a gross 70. The number of members entering competitions this year has grown steadily and several of the competitions were won by members who have just started playing and gaining their handicap for the first time. This is really encouraging news. We are always looking for more members to take part in these competitions and also to play in the Wessex League Team. If you are not currently a member and are considering joining a club then you might consider joining Basset Down as both the League Team and the competitions are both run on a 'low key' level with an extremely friendly atmosphere.

A view from the greens by John Richards & Les Thompson

Despite the course having been frozen for weeks it is still in amazing condition... thank you to all you players who have been careful with your trolleys. Also, we thank you for your patience on uncut areas due to the frost. The Autumn drainage programme on the 6,8 & 9 greens has been successful . There is however some levelling off work to complete when the frost clears. In the New Year we plan to level off the 5th & 8th tees, this will of course be dependant on weather conditions. Les wins award! On a different note, we are pleased to report that Les Thompson has been presented an award from Hartpury College for 'The Best Modern Apprentice' @ NVQ Level 2 at the college for his year. An excellent achievement-Well done Les! He begins his NVQ3 in 2011