New to the Park?
The object of this section is to let new members know how things are organized in what is now your Club. There is a good deal of information elsewhere on the web site and this document is intended to give a general picture of life at the Club.
We try to avoid having too many rules for our day to day activities but, inevitably, we do have our ways of doing things.
GOLF
Our Secretary, Jamie Forteath, is available to help all new members become involved in the Club, be it in formal competitions or the variety of social golf which takes place. Do please allow Jamie to help in your integration into the Club.
You will have a Fixture List giving information on when competitions are scheduled – further information is available on the web site.
The Course
We are fortunate in having four holes in the centre of the normal course – referred to as the Winter Holes. These four holes are not closed when the remainder of the course is closed (other than on race days). This means that when weather conditions are such that the course is closed or when the Ladies have the course to themselves (on a Tuesday morning) or when there is a visiting party members can always find four holes on which to play.
However, like the rest of the course, they are closed on race days.
The practice ground remains open at all times.
In the Winter, the course changes when the Winter Holes are incorporated into the course and holes 12, 13, 14 and 15 are omitted – a separate score card is available for this ‘new’ course and all matches are played on this course layout. The change normally happens in late October/early November and is reversed for the start of the new season in April.
Golf Handicap
You will not be able to enter a competition until you have a handicap. If you have a handicap from a previous club please show it to the Secretary so that it can be entered into our records. If not, do ensure that you hand in three cards from rounds on our course so that the Secretary can assess your handicap.
In order to prevent handicaps from lapsing it is necessary for each Member to submit 3 cards each year.
Formal Club Golf Competitions
In the season, between April and October, there are competitions on most Saturdays and Wednesdays. Exceptions occur when the course is closed because of horse racing. The normal format for medal competitions is a three ball unless it is noted otherwise.
The starting sheets for Saturday competitions are put on the Competition notice board in the Men's Locker Room at 6.00pm on a Thursday for the following Saturday competition and on a Monday for the following Wednesday competition.
It is normal to agree with one or two others to play at a particular time. However, if you do not know many other members it is quite acceptable to put your name on the starting sheet next to others – it is considered courteous to ring and inform them that you have done so.
Registration
On the day of the competition you can register for the competition by swiping your loyalty card through the slot at the side of the touch screen monitor in the lobby to the Locker Room and follow the on screen instructions. You can also sign with your pin number (found on the handicap list ) or simply use the index and type in your name.This will register that you are playing and deduct the entrance fee (currently £2) from your card.
On completion of your round, sign your card in the normal way, and ensure that both signatures are provided. Then input your score into the touch screen monitor in the Main Lounge and post your card in the slot in the box on the table.
After the competition is closed, you will be able to find out your success or otherwise on the HowdidIdo web site. It is simple to register yourself on this with an email address and a password.
Prize giving
It is normal for the winners of competitions to be presented with their prizes at the Club Dinner. However, on a few occasions – Captain’s Prize, Invitation Day, Invitation Mixed Greensomes, Mixed Foursomes competitions – the winner is announced. On these occasions, it is hoped that members will remain in the Clubhouse until the short ceremony and that the winner(s) will stay and give a short speech of thanks. If there is cash as part of the prize, it is custom to put it behind the bar for the enjoyment of those whom you have beaten!
Knockout Competitions
In the season there is a singles knockout (The Briton Cup) and a foursome knockout (The De Loriol Trophies). A sheet goes up in advance (normally by mid January) and members put their names into an open draw. Names have to be put on the sheet by the end of February and the draw is boarded by mid March. The dates by which each round must be completed are listed in the Members Handbook.
There are other informal foursomes and four ball better ball competitions in Winter – look out for information on closing dates.
Matches with Other Clubs
Our league team plays in the Northumberland League and in 2009 finished in the top half of the league.
We play annual matches against clubs like Royal Burgess, Brancepeth Castle, Seaton Carew etc. Dates can be found in the diary and on the web site.
Our Seniors (over 60’s) play against many of the local clubs in the Northumbria Seniors League and in 2009 finished at the top of the table.
Keep an eye on the notice boards and put your name down for selection for any of these matches.
Mixed Golf
There are four main mixed competitions – the Dunlop Trophy, Towers Trophy, Wilkinson Salvers and GPLGC Salvers.
There is a Mixed Summer League which is great fun and a good way to meet others.
Put your name down if you would like a game. If you do not have a partner, one will be found if at all possible.
Informal Golf
The Park is a Club where a lot of informal but regular golf is played. For example, on Wednesdays when there is no competition, there is a 'Draw' whereby the Secretary arranges couples to play together. On most other days, a group will turn up at a set time and throw up balls to decide who will play with whom. The Secretary will tell you when such occasions occur and you should feel free to join in.
It is also a tradition at The Park that any member 'hanging around' the first tee will be invited to join the first set of players to arrive. So just turn up and there is a good chance that you will get a game.
In any event, the Secretary will give help to arrange for members to get a game.
Apart from competition days, there are no tee times and it is not necessary to book before play. However, we do organize other golf events so do check the Club Diary on the web site to make sure that the course is open and available.
During periods of very bad ground conditions, the course is occasionally closed to play. Notification of this can be found on the web site after 8.30am each day. However, the four winter holes are never closed other than on horse racing days. The practice field is never closed.
Guests
The names of all guests, whether playing or not, should be entered into the Guest Book which is in the corner of the Main Lounge. You are entitled to invite up to three guests to play at the Guest Rate provided they are playing with you. Any guest is limited to playing the course six times a year, no matter who invites them - after that they must pay the full rate.
Dress Code
We expect our members to dress smartly on the golf course. Shirts are to be tucked in at all times. Shorts should be tailored and knee length or just above the knee without ‘cargo’ pockets and socks, when worn with shorts, should be knee length or, if short, in plain white.
For safety reasons only proper golf shoes are to be worn on the course.
Locker Rooms
Access to the Locker Rooms is from 7.00am daily until the bar closes.
We have a large number of golf bag lockers which are currently all occupied. If you would like a locker, please ask the Secretary to add your name to the waiting list.
In addition to large lockers, there are some kit bag lockers available for annual rental or on a daily basis using a coin operated lock.
Trolleys
Good quality pull trolleys are available for members from a rack without charge, subject to the purchase of a token. The token is automatically returned from the trolley dispensing mechanism after each time a trolley is taken.
Trolleys are available for visitors and member guests – they can be removed from the rack by inserting 3x £1 and 1 x .50 coins.
There is a store for electric trolleys which also includes charging facilities for trolley batteries. If you would like a trolley space, please ask the Secretary to add your name to the waiting list.
There is a single seat buggy available for hire by any Member subject to prior reservation with the Secretary. This buggy can only be used for playing in competitions after submission of a medical certificate and approval by the Committee.
Speed of Play
We expect all players to play at a rate which does not impede others. The typical times for a round can be found in the Members Handbook. Do please check your rate of play after the 9th and keep up a good rate of play at all times.
Until recently there was a rule which said that only 4 balls could start until 10.00am at weekends; this has been relaxed but if you are a 2 ball, please try to join up with another 2 ball so that your rate of play does not disturb a field which will generally be playing at the rate of a 4 ball.
Insurance
The personal effects of Members of both Clubs are not covered by any Club insurance policy. Nor does the Club policy cover any incident on the course. Members are advised to make their own arrangements.
Race Days
On days when horse racing is taking place, golf is necessarily restricted. We are required to be off the course entirely an hour before the first race and cannot go back on the course until half an hour after the last race. The practice ground remains open but the Winter Holes remain closed.
SOCIAL
Clubhouse Arrangements
The Secretary will provide you with a Discount Card which may be loaded with credit (min £20) at the bar and this can then be used to pay for food and drink – it gives the member a 10% reduction on bar prices.
Lunch
Sandwiches are available in the Main Lounge.
More formal meals are served in the Dining Room where both a weekday and Sunday lunch menu is available. On weekdays, meals are served on a first come, first served basis but it is advisable to book for Sunday lunch.
Dinners
Dinner is served in the Dining Room every Wednesday and Saturday. It is advisable to book for these times.
The Dining Room is also available on other evenings for private dinner parties – arrange these through our Catering Manager, Fiona Little.
The Sun Lounge is available for private lunch or dinner parties – again, contact Fiona
Clubhouse Events
Throughout the year, there are various functions arranged – typically dinners, a jazz night, a quiz night open to members with or without wives/partners.
In addition there are a number of official Club dinners – a list will be boarded for those which are open to all Members.
There are groups who play bridge, both informally during the week and more formally monthly in the evening.
Tipping
Tipping of Club staff is not permitted. Instead, when you receive your request for renewal of subscription, you will be invited to make a donation to the Staff Christmas Fund. This money is distributed to the House and Green staff. As a guide, we would suggest a minimum of £30.
Dress Code
Gone are the days when a jacket and tie were obligatory anywhere in the Clubhouse except the Locker Room.
We now have a more flexible approach designed to encourage more members to use the Clubhouse. We nonetheless have a few rules.
The Dining Room remains an area where formal dress is required.
Formal dress is defined as:
Business shirt with tie but no jacket
Business shirt with jacket but no tie
Business shirt with jacket and tie
In other areas of the Clubhouse, smart casual is the order of the day. We do, however, expect that Members will not come into the Main Lounge without removing outside clothing of any sort – also that wet, damp or dirty clothing will be changed before doing so.
We have excellent showers and changing facilities with towels, hair driers etc to enable members to freshen up after their golf.
Members Guests
Do bring your friends to enjoy the course and club facilities but please make sure that they are aware of the dress code and etiquette. Members are responsible for their guests.
You will need to fill in their names and Club, if relevant, in the Visitors Book and, if golfing, pay the relevant Visitors green fee, currently £15.
If you wish to bring guests to play on competition days, you must obtain the Secretary’s authority to play – if given, this will be at quiet times on the booking sheet for the day and you will have to play in the same format as a competition (frequently 3 ball).
You will also need to fill in the names of non-playing visitors in the Non-Playing Visitors Book in order to comply with Licensing Regulations.
Visitors Day
NGC and GPLGC each hold their own Visitors Days annually. Members may each invite one guest. A time sheet is put up in the Clubhouse some weeks in advance; names can be added together with another Member or left for another Member to add his names.
It is normal to invite your guest to join you for lunch - this is available all day no matter what time you start play.
The cost of the day is modest and is a good way to introduce friends to our great facilities.
INTRODUCTIONS TO MEMBERSHIP
Members who have been members for more than five years may propose or second an application for membership twice in any one calendar year. There are no restrictions on supporters to applications being proposed by eligible members. Full details are available from the Secretary.
Where newer members have a suitable candidate in mind they should consult the Secretary who can give the relevant advice.
GOSFORTH PARK LADIES GOLF CLUB (GPLGC)
Ladies may join GPLGC by two routes. They can apply in their own right, if they have no family connection with NGC, and go through a membership application process similar to that used by the Men.
If they are related to a member of NGC (wife, mother, unmarried sister, unmarried daughter) they go through a simpler process.
For further information, please contact the GPLGC Secretary.
GOODS FOR SALE
Glenmuir shirts, sweaters, waterproofs etc with the Club logo can be ordered from the Secretary.
Prices range from £18 upwards depending on quality and style chosen.
Golf hats with Club logo now available for £10
For further details see the Secretary’s office or look up the web site http://www.glenmuir.com
A limited selection of golf balls, gloves, tees etc are available from the bar or the Secretary.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
There is a section on the web site for Members – the entry page gives a summary of any news about the Club as well as giving access to the Men’s, Ladies, etc sections of the web site. This allows you to keep in touch with what is going on.
We keep in touch with you by sending regular emails giving information which we hope you will find useful and informative.
COURTESY TO OTHERS
We do expect our members to be considerate to their fellow members – we do not allow mobile phones to be used other than in the car park and we do like to see our members looking smart at all times.