Members Weekly Newsletter 31-12-21

Friday 31st December 2021
I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and were able to enjoy some quality family time. 2022
is just around the corner and once again we look forward to the new year and what it can bring
us. I am sure that many of you will be wishing, as I will, for a return to more settled times when
we can go about our lives without restriction and looking over our shoulder for Covid.
On behalf of everyone at Royal Dornoch can I wish you all a happy and healthy 2022.
Loony Dook, 1st January - UPDATE
With the high Covid rates locally and the need to restrict social mixing post Christmas, there will be no ‘official’ Loony
Dook on 1st January. There will be no catering as that is where crowding occurs. However, East Sutherland Rescue
Association will be on duty around high tide at 11am as a precaution. Visit Dornoch request that if you are planning to
swim that you take a lateral flow test before you set out and only come if it is negative. Please keep a good distance
from other households.
East v West of the Burn, Sun 2nd January
Our annual match will still take place despite the strange circumstances that we are enduring. As previously, book
your own tee time and play with your own partners on whichever course you prefer. It is an individual stableford event
over the first 14 holes but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play them all if daylight permits. Check in with the Pro Shop
making sure you indicate which side of the burn the players are from. Full club handicaps with stroke index relative to
your gender. Afterwards there is a special offer in the Clubhouse of soup, stovies and a drink of your choice for £10,
and this is available to everyone, not just those playing in the match.
Long Service
In 2021 we celebrated the long and continued service of two employees. Donna Sutherland has worked in the
office looking after all your bookings and many other admin tasks for 25 years and Eoin Riddell has been part of the
greenkeeping team for 35 years with the last 16 as our Course Manager. It is great to see such dedication to the Club
and I am sure that you will join me in thanking both of them for what they have done for us all over those many years.
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150 Club - December Draw
The winner of £50 is Moira Rennie and the lucky winner of £200 is Debbie Bethune.
Members Survey
We have had a great response to the survey but if you haven’t completed it yet there is still time as it doesn’t close until
Monday 3rd January. Just click this link https://rdgc.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/royal-dornoch-winter-2021-survey and use the
password Foxy.
New Struie Membership Applications
The Council of Management have decided that due to the continued flow of new applications coupled with the very
small number of upgrades this year no new applications will be accepted after those approved at the Council meeting
on Monday 10th January 2022.
Tee Times in 2022
The Council of Management have decided that no further visitor bookings will be taken for the period 1st April 2022
to 31 March 2023. This means that all available visitor tee times in this period can now be booked by members. If you
wish to do this please contact the office on bookings@royaldornoch.com
Covid 19
Please remember you MUST still book a tee time, check in with the Pro Shop and start from the 1st hole as Track and
Trace remains mandatory for everyone.
Signing in is still mandatory in the Clubhouse and you can do this using the NHS Scotland App or by writing your name,
phone number and time of arrival on the sheets provided. Please remember to CHECK OUT/SIGN OUT when you
leave the Clubhouse.
Within the clubhouse try and use a one way system of up the main stairs and down the back stairs and it is
recommended that there are no more than 3 households seated at a table with at least 1 metre between tables.
Castle Stuart Golf Links
As a member of Royal Dornoch you can take advantage of reduced green fees at Castle Stuart. In 2022 you will pay
£125 per round or £190 if you want to play 36 holes within a 7 day period - the standard fees for this is £245 and £315
respectively. You can also take non members of Royal Dornoch along with you at a reduced rate of £215 per round. If
you want to take advantage of that next year contact them direct on bookings@castlestuartgolf.com
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Pro Shop
The Pro Shop hours for January will be from the first tee time to 4pm 7 days a week but may close earlier due to
weather or playing numbers. Contact them on 01862 811924 or email proshop@royaldornoch.com. The online store is
available for you to make purchases here and to get your members discount you have to register on the site but please
note that verification may take a day or two.
Remember - In addition to the above the Pro Shop will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Office Hours
For January the office opening hours will be 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. It is still closed to visitors so please
contact them on 01862 810219 or bookings@royaldornoch.com
Please note that the office will be closed on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th January.
Clubhouse Bar & Catering
Remember - In addition to the following the clubhouse will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Bar - 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday.
Catering - Closed Monday and Tuesday; 10am to 4pm Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday; 10am to 6pm on Friday and
Saturday.
Please note that the clubhouse may close earlier than these times if there are no customers.
Upcoming Club Events
• Sat 1st Jan 2022 - Clubhouse CLOSED
• Sun 2nd Jan - East of the Burn v West of the Burn; No Sunday Roast due to the competition
• Tues 4th Jan - Senior Roll Up
• Thurs 6th Jan - Pro’s Stableford
• Fri 7th Jan - Pizza Night
• Sat 8th Jan - Whisky Stableford
• Sun 9th Jan - Sunday Roast
• Mon 10th to Fri 28th Jan - Championship Course CLOSED
• Tues 11th Jan - Senior Stableford (Struie)
• Thurs 13th Jan - Pro’s Stableford
• Sat 15th Jan - Whisky Stableford
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Golf Courses
With the team on holiday this week there is nothing to report about the course but please remember the following when
you are playing.
Play from Mats - When you see a mat on a teeing ground then you MUST use this for your tee shot.
Bunkers - We have reinstated the Preferred Lie local rule for the time being.
Pitchmarks - Please repair your own and any others that you see.
Thanks for reading.
Happy Golfing!
Neil D. Hampton, General Manager
Stay safe. Protect others. Save lives.