Travel plans

I attended the wkaalbout' and can confirm that discussion took place on all the points listed in the Winter Development plan. My recollection is that a broad concensus was reached on most of them and the more controversial proposals such as removal of bushes behind the 12th green have been shelved. Its worth adding that we discussed the slight widening out of the OOB to the right of the 4th fairway in conjunction with a slight re-alignment of the tee. Having now stood at the back of the 4th tee it does point slightly to the left (sufficiently so in my opinion) but although the adjacent netting starts out parallel with the tee it then starts to wander right slightly following the OB line on the ground. Straightening the OB line (and fence) from the off' would be a subtle change but the visual effect should make a difference to the way players unfamiliar with the hole set up. Small point perhaps but anything that helps keep the hole in play long term is worth trying. I personally consider the removal of the out of bounds to the right of the 12th a masterstroke. I confess that I am one that has occasionally chosen the forbidden' route down the 14th from this tee and the predominant reason is the penal nature of the out of bounds line. In certain conditions (firm fairway, left to right wind etc) a straightish long drive aimed between the bunkers and the OOB can bounce (somewhat unfairly) OB. Clearing the undergrowth and thinning the trees will ensure that most players will find their ball (sorry Eric) and at least hack it back into play. Aiming down the 14th will then make much less sense strategically. I can't see that this change will cause any more balls to go on the road as nobody will deliberately start aiming further right than at present theres no point as the hole doglegs the other way. Stewart Cusworth