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Dr Alister MacKenzie - A Legend in the World of Golf Course Architecture
In tribute to the centenary of our course the Centenary Committee wanted to create something with ‘Wow Factor’ that commemorated the life and work of Dr Alister MacKenzie. Numerous wall plaques and foundation stones were discussed, but the suggestion that got everyone excited was the creation of a life-size MacKenzie statue, carved from wood.
Having seen champion woodcarver Tim Burgess at work locally, we set up a meeting to discuss the idea, time scales and costs involved in bringing the statue to reality.
Having scoured the internet and various history books supplied by the MacKenzie Society for pictures of the great man, we presented ‘Tim the Carver’ with only 2 or 3 pictures that he could work with to create the masterpiece.
Having identified a potential oak tree that was blocking the view of the 18th green from the clubhouse balcony, the tree was systematically trimmed back to hopefully preserve the trunk for carving, however it was discovered that the tree was diseased and rotten through the centre. The tree was chopped down and removed and in its place a solid piece of oak trunk measuring over a meter wide and 3 meters in length was set in concrete, ready for the statue to be carved from.
With a wait of over 6 months for a window in Tim the Carvers busy schedule of commissions, summer shows and competitions, mid September 2011 was agreed upon.
Early on Monday 12th September 2011 Tim the Carver started with his selection of nearly 40 different chainsaws cutting large pieces of timber away to start the statue. With assistance from members of HGGC who kept the tea flowing and the wood chippings down to a minimum, Tim worked solidly for up to 8 hours a day for 3 days. On the second day a period dress golf day was organised with members and guests asked to dress according to the period of 1913. Please see gallery tab for photos (credit for these photos goes to Andrew Hayden and Ian Sandels).
Having discussed the initial idea with the Alister MacKenzie Society we have already agreed that the society will bring a team of players to see the statue and challenge Hazel Grove to a match in the centenary year, where they will unveil a plaque to celebrate the occasion.
We hope all the members are happy with the Centenary Committee decision because we have had some sleepless nights over this but the carving now stands very proud, is a lovely piece of visual art and will be there for a long time to come (and we can all sleep soundly once again).
With 2013 Centenary planning and fundraising already well underway, the Centenary Committee at HGGC have recently been successful with their application for a Manchester Airport Community Grant of £1500 towards the purchase of 100 Bird Boxes and two large fountains for the lakes on the course.Two of our qualified golf club members are now suggesting the best sites for the various types of bird boxes. The boxes were all purchased from leading supplier CJ Wildlife in Shrewsbury, at a cost that was heavily subsidised by their own charitable donations programme, and golf club members are now also able to buy boxes for their own gardens at exclusive discounted prices. Contact details are 01743 709545 - www.birdfood.co.uk.
The Manchester Airport Community Grant will also contribute towards the clean up and aeration of the two main lakes benefitting the wildfowl, fish and amphibians that live on the course.
The Centenary Committee would also like to thank all the members of the golf club who personally sponsored the bird boxes for this project.
A pond restoration committee has been set up in response to the guidelines for grant funding and receipts have to be submitted to Manchester Airport before the end of October so we need to move this along quite quickly.
Any help would be much appreciated. Please contact Ian Cook/Bill Dootson.
Our thanks go out once again to all who contributed in any way, shape or form but special thanks go to the following for all their hard work in bringing another fantastic bridge to fruition:-
Andy Bowden (Project Leader)
Ian Sandels (Finance)
Malcolm Grant
Bill Dootson
Gavin Muir (supplied materials at cost)
These people all worked a very long day until the job was complete.
Thanks again guys - now... where is there another bridge???
Val Waters
Georgina Thompson
Margaret Farrell
Pauline Brackett
Bernard Brackett
June Dawson - plants
Well done and a big thank you from all the members. It's a pleasure to have a tinkle now.
Our thanks also go out to Mike Davie and his team who dug all the trenches in record time and the whole project was completed at minimum cost through the generosity of members' donations and time, and was of no cost to the club.
Whilst our thanks go out to everyone for their support, special thanks go to the following people for all their hard work:-
Tony Johnson - Project Manager
Tony Cockell - Project Manager
Mike Davie and his team
Keith Dennis
Bill Dootson
Bob Eccles
Ifor Edwards
Nigel Green
Alan Hirst
Dave Seed
Georgina Thompson
Another example of Hazel Grove members pulling together!
Again our thanks go out to all who contributed in any way, shape or form but special thanks go to the following for all their hard work in bringing a lot of planning to fruition:-
Andy Bowden who led the whole project
Gavin Muir who supplied all the materials at cost
Ian Sandels
Dave Buchanan
Malcolm Grant
The weather was megga cold but these guys stayed out there until the job was complete and how great it looks now. Thanks guys.
[Pictures can be seen in the 'Gallery' section]
A few of our members have mentioned the clock outside the pro shop could do with replacing/refurbishing. We have looked into both options and the better option appears to be refurbishing the clock which is already in place. A very experienced member in this field has kindly offered to project manage this and things have now been set in motion.
The Ladies Section have very kindly agreed to fund this project. Thank you very much to all our Ladies.
It is very much appreciated.
(see gallery section)
The club has now upgraded the CCTV security system which has been long overdue. This was due to the cost issue but unfortunately, in these times, it has now become a necessity rather than a luxury. The upgraded system was very kindly supplied at cost and fitted free of charge by one of our country members, Dave Rudd. The CCTV concentrates on protecting all members and visitors of the club for safety and security reasons. The upgrading of this system should also reduce our insurance premiums.
The installation of the system was jointly funded by the Council, the Centenary and the 300 Club. Our thanks go out to everyone involved but an extra big thank you goes to Dave for his time, expertise and the very quick and efficient manner in which it was installed. Once he’d made this kind offer – it was all installed, up and running within 2 weeks with no disruption. This was a much needed job and it was very well done.
Fantastic and thanks very much Dave.
Most of the feedback regarding this project has been positive but there are a number of members who are opposed to it, mainly due to the oak tree having to be removed, the Greens Director has listened and has made the decision not to go ahead. He has decided that at a time when the club is pulling together and moving forward this hole is best left as it is for the foreseeable future.
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A suggestion has been put forward to make the 13th hole into a target Par 3. This suggestion appears to have gained a lot of backing from both the greens committee and a lot of members, who all think it’s a great idea. It will, of course, be subject to the funds being raised.
This is an exciting venture for Hazel Grove, giving us something that is missing from the course, but it cannot be done without member support.
Some Centenary projects have now been started and the new hole has now moved up to the top of the project list. This new hole will enhance the course with better options for golfers at every level.
If you would like to contribute towards this specific project, please indicate this on your donation form.
If you would like further information please contact Mark Thompson, Greens, email: tomo4816@hotmail.com, Mob: 07799 883633.
Thank you.
Although it appears to be early for 2013, the planning and preparation work needs to be started now so that the plants in the area will be fully established by the time we reach our centenary year.
Cleaning of the area has already started and groundwork implementation is in progress as you read this. We are particularly looking for members to donate certain plants, you will find a list of what is needed posted in the golf club. If you would like to help or have something to add to the project please contact the project leader. Please be patient with this project because there is such a lot of hard work going into this and unfortunately the cultivating of this area won't happen overnight, but you can be assured it will be worth the wait.
Thank you.
Project Leader - June Dawson
A big thank you all concerned.
The installation began on 27th January and on 10th February the 100th box was put in place by the Working Party (see photo gallery). Some birds were waiting patiently and there was an uptake on the boxes almost immediately. All the boxes are numbered and there will be a location map available in the clubhouse, along with a list of names and numbers.
Special thanks go to:-
Ian Sandels - who worked hard to coordinate everything and everyone
Nick Taylor - who painstakingly prepared all the boxes making installation much easier
Alec Thurstan - who managed the project along with John Rayner
Dave Buchanan
John Blakemore
Steve McGahan
Dave Seed
Bill Dootson
Ian Cook - who thought up the whole idea
We have now completed the "bird box" project for 2011.
68 of the boxes contained some form of nest. A 68% uptake. We really did not know what to expect but I think that this is an excellent return. It is difficult to be precise, but from the evidence we have coal tits, blue tits and great tits appear to have used the boxes.
13 of the boxes had either eggs or chicks still in them. It appears there could be a number of reasons for the apparent desertion.
Perhaps the adult birds were killed, the eggs were addled, the eggs were second broods or were simply left. We understand these occurrences are not uncommon.
26 boxes had no signs of nesting material but some had bird droppings which presumably means it had been used as some form of shelter.
5 boxes were missing. All of these were sites close to public rights of
way - perhaps the boxes were stolen?? These will be replaced.
Recently Kestrel and Owl boxes have been erected. We are expecting big things in 2012 Watch this space!
As a matter of interest we have had a report from John Raynor our "bird" advisor. Last week he saw goldcrest, lesser redpoll, greater spotted woodpecker, bullfinch, jay, redwing, blue tit, great tit and long tailed tit on the course - as well as mallard, coot and little grebe on the ponds.
John is really impressed with the uptake of these boxes and never expected it, largely due to the 'newness' of them.
Overall, what a great success story.
Our thanks go out again to all who contributed in any way, shape or form but special thanks go to the following for all their hard work in bringing almost 12 months of planning to fruition:-
Andy Bowden who led the whole project
Bill Dootson who co-ordinated and planned it
Gavin Muir who supplied all the materials at cost
Ian Sandels
Bob Eccles
John McLellon
Steve Jones
Ifor Edwards
Andy Boardman
Dave Seed
Nigel Green
John Blakemore
These people all worked very long days until the job was complete.
Thanks guys - what a great team! What a great club!
WOW. We have just been notified that the Seniors Section are going to completely fund the bridge on the 3rd. This is also fantastic news. On behalf of all the members we would like to thank you all very much for your generosity.
Andy Bowden who led the whole project
Bill Dootson who co-ordinated and planned it
Colin Ridgway (Jackie's brother) who designed it
Gavin Muir who supplied the materials at cost
Ian Sandels
Bob Eccles
Paul Glazier
Steve Jones
Dave Seed
John McLellon
Roger Fletcher
Mike Billington
These people all worked tirelessly until the job was complete.
Congratulations - what a great job, what a great team!
WOW. We have just been notified that the Wednesday Section are going to completely fund the bridge on the 1st. What fantastic news.
On behalf of the whole golf club we would like to thank you all very much for your generosity.
Due to the outstanding success of initial Centenary Fund donations sent in from club members following the mailshot to let people know what we were trying to do to improve your club, the committee has now unanimously approved the allocation of funds for the commencement of work on the refurbishment of the the two bridges spanning the stream on the club's 1st and 3rd holes.
Plans and designs have been drawn up and a long list of volunteers have come forward to assist with the supply of materials at cost, free equipment use and labour to get the projects underway.
The initial thought was to just repair and tidy up the bridges, but with forward thinking and planning for the future it has been proposed and accepted to go a stage further and widen the bridges so that buggies can easily cross should it be necessary.
We also need to improve the appearance of the bridges with wooden side balustrades, better decking or astroturf and a centenary plaque to commemorate the occasion.
Work on the first bridge is expected to start on 11th/12th October and is likely to take approximately 2 days - COMPLETED.
Work on the bridge on the third has been programmed for Thursday and Friday of next week (22/23rd October) - COMPLETED.
This will be one of the initial "high impact projects" undertaken by the Centenary Committee and will visually and practically improve the course for members and guests, and is just one of a host of Centenary projects the Committee have lined up to give Hazel Grove Golf Club "The Wow Factor", and an edge when competing against other clubs in the area for new members and the prestigious golf association tournaments, important societies and lucrative corporate golf days. All of these outside organisations want their members or guests to play a good course which is well manicured, has all the necessary facilities and is visually appealing.
Thank you to those members who have already donated and to those who are supporting the various raffles and working parties.
If you just haven't got round to donating yet - please would you consider doing something about it today.
Thank you.
Project Leaders: Andy Bowden/Bill Dootson
As we plan for the Hazel Grove Golf Club Centenary in 2013, there have already been a lot of fantastic and imaginative suggestions of what we could produce and improve on the course with any funds that are raised, however, everyone has their own ideas of what they would like to see, be it better flowerbeds or rebuilding bridges.
If you have an idea that you would like to submit to the Centenary Committee then please jot it down on an email or contact Jackie Dootson or one of the Committee members.
When you walk around our great golf course you must have your favourite greens, holes and views.
Is it a green that look great from across a lake, a long view up a fairway, or have you spotted an angle from where the fairway and green on a particular hole looks really pretty? Maybe it's a view of a hole that looks particularly challenging and epitomises a superb test of golf?
We are asking you to assist a group of local artists who have agreed to create a commemorative Centenary painting, which they will be donating to the club.
The Centenary Committee will then produce a limited run of prints which will be numbered and signed by the Captain, the Professional and the Artist.
The prints will then be made available to members for a nominal cost and also used as complimentary prizes for any competitions or raffles run during our centenary year.
Together with the artist, we have compiled a suggested list and taken some sample pictures, but we want your input as well before we make any final decisions!
Please email the Committee with your suggestion or add a note to the comments sheet that will be posted on the notice boards at the top of the stairs in the clubhouse.
Thank You
Ian Cook
The Centenary
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