In spite of challenging economic times and the related industry trends of cost-cutting and non-investment, the Directors of the Drift Golf Club have made their biggest single financial commitment since acquiring the Club in 2001.
Jonathan Connell, the Club’s Managing Director, commented; “It is essential that our Members’ see improvements in their Club each and every year. In 2011 the main investment is the installation of the latest, fully-automated, irrigation system.”
“Clearly with a golf club, the course is our first priority and all of the team at the Drift remain committed to its improvement and development. Not surprisingly the existing irrigation system, which is 30 years old, struggled to cope with the exceptionally dry June & July we encountered in 2010 so we have chosen to do something proactive about it.”
Ben Beagley, The Drift’s newly appointed General Manager, said “I’m delighted to join the Drift Golf Club at such an exciting time in the Clubs history. Work started just after Christmas to improve the water storage capacity by enlarging some of the existing lakes and in March the irrigation contractor began the 16-weeks of work necessary to install what will be the latest state-of-the-art irrigation system to all greens, tees, approaches and, most importantly, the fairways.”
Background
In 2008 a strategic review of the Drift was undertaken by the Ken Brown, Ken Moodie & John Nicholson partnership, which lead to the Club committing to a comprehensive development plan for the short, medium and long term.
In the winter of 2008/09, the implementation of these exciting plans began with a significant improvement in the woodland management scheme and this was followed in the spring of 2009 with an overhaul of all existing bunkers and the addition of several, strategically placed, new ones.
During the winter of 2009/2010, the Drift management focused its attention on the tees with the consequence that new ones were added and existing areas enlarged.
Innovative work continues unabated at the Drift and it is hardly surprising that the Club remains extremely proud of its long-held reputation for providing excellent greens the whole year round.
In addition to the comprehensive work that continues out on the course, significant improvements have also been made in the Clubhouse; improvements which include the changing rooms, furniture, fixtures and fittings plus an excellent upgrade to the patio area from where to enjoy a drink and watch the efforts of other golfers as they negotiate the testing new group of bunkers that protect the 18th hole!
History
Once part of the Lord Onslow estate, the course was created in the mid-70’s by Sir Henry Cotton and architect Robert Sandow. The tree-lined par 73 course winds its way through mature oak woodlands, with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers making accuracy a premium while at the same time providing a rewarding challenge for all standards of play.
The Drift Golf Club is in East Horsley, Surrey (with easy access from the A3 and M25) where a warm-welcome awaits its members and guests as its friendly staff go about their business of providing enjoyable days for all members and guests.
Drift Golf Club www.driftgolfclub.com