New Members

As a new member you'll want to settle into the club as quickly as possible. This section is designed to help you familiarise yourself with the practical way in which things work at Wrotham Heath and provide a guide to those little questions that the new members often have when they first join.

Hopefully if you had a proposer he or she will explain much about the way we do things on a day-to-day basis. Indeed we encourage all proposers to act as mentors for the first few months, whilst also seeking to help you integrate and build contacts with fellow Wrotham Heath members.

Our club is widely regarded as very welcoming, partially as a result of maintaining a lower number of members than most private clubs in the area. Consequently we do have a close knit and friendly membership. However, as with joining any new organisation you will need to get actively involved to be fully integrated and this can be achieved by entering some of the many competitions that are run throughout the year.

Another way of getting to know people is to play in one of the many 'swindle' groups that members regularly organise each week. Those wishing to play simply turn up on the day at the appropriate time and are drawn to play with fellow members usually for a notional stake. If you would like to join one of these groups, please contact the Club Secretary or Club Steward.

Mens Competitions

There is a full calendar of competitions in a variety of formats covering all handicap levels throughout each year. The events are listed in the annual diary that members are entitled to collect on renewing their subscriptions. Many of these events have been named after their originators or sponsors and so you may find it useful to review the list here.

Entry sheets are posted on the competition notice boards a few weeks before each event is due to take place. Simply enter your name on the sheet but do read the entry conditions listed and ensure that you are eligible. Most of the entry fees are automatically deducted from the Club swipe card via the office.

We run both a weekday and a weekend medal and stableford competition in every month. These are open to members at all handicap levels and are divided into three sections, namely Category 1 players (0-10 handicaps), Category 2 (11-15 handicaps) and Category 3 (16-28 handicaps). To enter any of the medals or stablefords just ask for a competition card from the professional's shop and pay the entry fee of £3.00

In order to keep the course flowing on the weekend medal and stableford days all players must use the white tees (whether they are in the competition or not) and fourballs are not allowed.

In addition we also play a number of inter-club matches. There are friendly games with a mix of handicaps and tournament matches at all handicap levels as the Club is a member of the South East Golf Association. Sheets are displayed in the men's changing room for those wishing to be considered for selection.

Guests

Guests are entitled to be signed in at a reduced fee of £20.00 when playing with a member on a total of six occasions in any calendar year. To sign a guest in go to the Pro Shop and ask for a guest green fee and sign the book.

Members Guest Days

As a member of Wrotham Heath Golf Club you are entitled to hold one member’s guest day in a calendar year. These can be held Monday to Friday depending on availability and need to be booked with the Club Secretary. You are permitted to bring up to 20 guests. Please note that fourball golf is not permitted.

Examples of a members guest day packages are:

• 18 holes golf
  1 course lunch
  This package would cost £26.50

• Coffee and bacon rolls on arrival
  18 holes of golf
  two course dinner
  This package would cost £36.50

For further information about booking a Members Guest Day at Wrotham Heath Golf Club please call Jill on 01732 884 800, or email us at info@wrothamheathgolfclub.co.uk

Swipe Cards

Members are entitled to a swipe card on joining which provides a discount on all food and beverage purchases in the Clubhouse. The card can be topped up over the bar or in the office. If a card goes into the 'red' the system allows for one further transaction to be processed before it is locked out. The bar staff are asked to discretely advise members when this occurs. A statement of your personal account is always available from the office on request.

Course Tees & Etiquette

Members are required to adhere to the starting times listed on the boards at the 1st and 10th tees. On some occasions a tee may be reserved for a match or competition. This will be clearly stated on the fortnightly board located in the porch so you can plan ahead.

For most major competitions specific start times are allocated to each group. You are advised to ensure that you get to the Club in good time to meet up with your playing partners before your allotted tee time. Members that fail to appear for drawn competitions without providing adequate notice (at least 24 hours) are subject to exclusion from the next two drawn competitions.

At all times we seek to ensure that golfing standards and etiquette are adhered to. Please apply common sense on the course and let faster groups through especially if you have to search for a lost ball. It is standard courtesy to invite a group that includes the Club Captain to pass through. If you are having a bad round you should not walk off the course until you have completed the full eighteen holes. Members who do so in a competition leaving their playing partners to complete the round are also subject to sanction.

Mobile phones are not permitted to be used on the course or in the Clubhouse. There is a payphone in the entrance hall area. Mobile calls may only be made in the car park.

Dress Code

Members are asked to adhere to the dress code notices placed in the Club. As a general guide the wearing of training shoes, sneakers, football or rugby shirts, track or shell suits, jeans and tee-shirts are not permitted. On the course clean smart golfing attire and shoes are required. Men may wear tailored shorts in the Summer months providing they are accompanied by plain white socks. At all times shirts must be tucked into trousers.

Smart golfing attire is necessary on the course and can be worn in the spike bar. Whilst we do not prescribe jacket and tie to be worn in the lounge, members are required to wear clothing that has not been soiled through play out on the course. The Clubhouse is designated a no smoking area.

Social Events

The club enjoys a busy social calendar of events including the Annual Dinner Dance / Captain's Ball, which is a black tie event held at a local hotel in February.

Quiz nights, race nights and themed gourmet evenings are scheduled on a regular basis. Notices are placed on the social board to advertise functions together with the costs.

Places for most events are on a strictly first come basis and we hope as many new members as possible will attend functions each year as this is another way of meeting fellow members.

See some photos of some of our social events here.

Formal Club Events / Management

Wrotham Heath is run by an elected committee which includes the President, Chairman, Treasurer and nominated members who set policy and oversee its implementation.

The AGM is held in March when the accounts are presented and it is followed by the new Captains drive in.

All members are encouraged to attend the AGM to vote on key matters and have the opportunity to hear about management issues that affect the club.

Committee Members

The General Committee is currently made up of;

• Dick Crawcour - President
• Roger Cruttenden - Chairman
• Stan Topliss - Immediate Past Captain
• Colin Kirkaldie - Captain
• Eddie Leaver - Vice Captain
• Mrs Janet O'Sullivan - Lady Captain
• John Timms - Treasurer
• Tony Hodgson - Chairman of Membership
• Peter Martin - Chairman of House
• Matt Allfree - Chairman of Greens
• John Grant - Chairman of Competitions
• Mark Heaton - Social
• Paul Stacey
• Jim Bennett
  

A copy of the Club's Constitution and Bye Laws is located on the table just inside the lounge, there is also a copy on this website. A suggestion book is provided in the stud bar and requires six signatures for issues to be raised in front of the Main Committee.

Any Problems

If you should be unsure about any aspect of your membership, please speak to Jill Hodgson the Club Secretary.

Finally we wish you many years of enjoyable golf at what we know to be one of the best private members golf courses in the area.