Fresh from the Fairways

Fresh from the Fairways: April 2025 Edition

Welcome to your quarterly update

The days are getting longer. The Masters is around the corner. That can only mean one thing… a fresh new golf season is bursting onto the scene, promising sunshine, laughter, and maybe, just maybe, a few less lost balls.

The excitement is building here at Richmond Park Golf Course. We’re thrilled to provide you with an exclusive, insider’s look at our preparations for a truly exceptional summer of golf.

Here’s what we’ll be covering in this edition:

Make 2025 your Best Golfing Year Ever!
Golf course update from our Head Greenkeeper
Upcoming events
Promotions & special offers
Clubhouse & catering
Team update

Make 2025 Your Best Golfing Year Ever!

There’s so much to look forward to as we head into a new golf season, but it’s also a good time to give yourself a check-in.

Honestly, who isn’t feeling totally swamped these days? Work, online life, it’s relentless. But what if I told you there’s a way to reclaim some peace? Turns out, golf could be your secret weapon for a healthier, happier you.

Check out our new article and discover five reasons why golf will be your happy place in 2025.

Golf Course Update

Following an exceptionally wet winter, we’ve experienced a welcome shift to dry conditions, with March shaping up to be one of the driest on record. While this is positive for golfers, it necessitates adjustments to our spring maintenance plans. Traditionally, we leverage the warm, wet spring to address winter damage, including animal disturbances and bare fairways resulting from heavy traffic.

Richmond’s dedicated overseeder will be deployed in early April to revitalise these high-traffic areas.

Our greens renovation program, encompassing solid tining and sand topdressing, was completed in March, ensuring optimal conditions for the start of the new season. The greens have responded well to this treatment.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our 2025 fleet of maintenance equipment, including:

Toro hybrid greens mowers
Toro hand mowers for greens and approaches
Toro semi mower for surrounds and banks
Trailed blower for debris removal
Electric powered utility vehicles

Furthermore, our previous greens mowers have been repurposed as tee mowers, enhancing our cutting capacity across the course. These equipment upgrades will significantly improve our maintenance efficiency and overall course quality.

The natural spring on the 5th Princes fairway continues to present challenges. Despite the installation of an underground pipe last year, persistent blockages have resulted in recurring overflows on the left-hand side. The high flow rate necessitates prompt action to mitigate flooding. We are exploring filtration solutions to address this issue permanently.

The new tees on both courses are establishing well. The surrounding areas, currently appearing somewhat rough, are intentionally being developed as long rough areas to create a natural transition and enhance the course’s aesthetic appeal.

New 150-yard markers are scheduled for delivery in early April, replacing the existing inconsistent markers. Additionally, new flags and poles will be installed to provide a fresh look for the season.

Bunkers will be replenished with new sand in April. We are also in the process of obtaining approval from The Royal Parks to fill in redundant bunkers, which will improve overall bunker conditions and allow staff to focus on other essential maintenance tasks.

The driving range has undergone a significant refresh, featuring new color-coded yardage markers for improved accuracy. New mats have also been installed, consistent with our annual spring maintenance. The range, and our staff, endured a challenging winter due to persistent wet conditions. The dry spell in March has resulted in a marked improvement, enabling an early start to the season.

Upcoming Events & Offers

Get ready to tee off! With the golf season rapidly approaching, April is bursting with golfing offers.

Anticipation is already building for the Masters, where we’ll unveil a spectacular weekend of deals celebrating the year’s first Major.

Immediately following, enjoy our Bank Holiday Weekender promotion during the first long weekend of 2025. April is shaping up to be a phenomenal month for golfers!

The Sunchaser Deal is back for the summer! Available from 1st April, you can add a 2-seater buggy to selected off-peak & twilight tee times for just £12. Click here to find out more.

Finally, calling all future golf stars! Our new junior golf programme starts in April. Perfect for little rippers, GoGolfing™ Junior Lessons are held every Saturday at 1pm.

Clubhouse & Hospitality

Spring brings a vibrant refresh to the clubhouse! We’ve unveiled a fresh coat of paint, accented with a splash of new color, alongside a revamped menu and an expanded selection of beers this March.

Looking ahead to April, we’re enhancing your on-course experience. Our fleet of 30 buggies will be equipped with EZGO’s Pace Technology™, providing comprehensive GPS mapping and innovative features. This system also safeguards sensitive course areas by issuing warnings and automatically disabling buggies that stray into restricted zones.

Finally, in April, our retail space will receive a significant upgrade. We’re partnering with Taylormade Golf to install a bespoke display featuring their latest accessories.

We’re excited to announce a complete revamp of our clubhouse menu! Get ready for some delicious new additions:

Ziggy Crinkle Cut Fries: A taste-test winner!
American-Style Pancakes with Streaky Bacon: A delightful light breakfast option.
Wagyu Cheeseburger: A premium main course treat.
Korean Chicken Wrap: A flavorful and satisfying option.
Toasted Teacakes with Hot Drink: The perfect afternoon snack.
Hot and Spicy Chicken Wings: Ideal with an ice-cold post-round beer.

This Spring also sees the launch of our new range of Golf Day packages. Designed for groups of 12 of more golfers, you can choose from our popular ready-made packages or mix & match to create your own. Click here to find out more.

Team Update

We’re delighted to announce Michael Gray’s return as Deputy General Manager. After supporting the initial launch at Airlinks, he’s back to strengthen the team at Richmond Park Golf Course.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing golf and is a loyal supporter of Chelsea FC.