Monday 22nd April 2013.

Work commenced this week on the replacement of the final 2 sawdust tee paths on the course.

Both the 3rd and 6th tee paths were dug out and paved this week with final touches to be completed over the next fortnight.

This sees the end of the ugly washaways that occurred through the winter months, the continual need to top up pathways and needless to say no more sawdust in you socks!

A offshoot of the 12th tee path to srevice traffic for the ladies is also planned.

 

3rd Tee Path.

 

 

6th Tee Path.

 

 

 

Wednesday 10th April 2013.

Recently some work was completed on the approach to the 7th green. Members may have noticed for some time a wet area developing near the bunkers even through the hot months.

This water was accumulating in the very thick thatch/mat layer under the turf and this required physical removal as no amount of surface coring would have given us a satisfactory result.

This area was dug out, new sand incorporated and returfed.

 

 

There was a significant amount of organic matter under turf layer and this was impeding free drainage through to the underlying sand. This photo shows the thickness of this layer.

 

 

MONDAY 11TH MARCH 2013.

Work continued this week on the leveling of bunker bases. With the majority of bunkers edged and trimmed over the past couple of weeks, we have turned our attention to leveling of the bases with our skid steer loader.

We shall continue on this path and should have them all completed by mid April.

 

 

 

 

Friday 15th February 2013.

Just a reminder to all members that greens with be renovated on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th February. Only 9 holes will be available for play on these days while this is being undertaken.

This renovation will take about 3 weeks to recover fully without disturbing too much of the golfing season.

Tuesday 12th February 2013.

A new filter for our irrigation system was installed in late January. This was necessary due to the failure of our existing filter that had served us for some 18 years.

Parts for this filter were unobtainable due to its age and the fact that this particular model had been dsicontinued some time ago.

The filter is a very important part of our irrigation system, removing all foreign debris from irrigation water before it enters the mainline system. If this was to enter the system, it would have a detrimental effect on our irrigation valves and rotors.

The filter selected has the capacity to operate with greater water flows than we currently operate at allowing us to use it for many years and will be an efficient component of our system should we complete an upgrade to our pump station in the future.

 

 

 

 

Friday 25th January 2013

The 8th green and surroundings are growing in well though we have had some issues with a case of Pythium disease recently. This has come about due to the moist conditions required to establish the turf and the high humidity we have had on occasions over the past couple of months. This disease has since been treated and turf is recovering well.

Insects have also proven to be destructive with an invasion of Argentine Stem Weevil causing some damage to new shoots but a management programme has commenced for this pest and this will bring them under control.

Neither of these pests will cause long term damage to the green with a sound control programme.

We are continuing regular mowing and rolling of the green while gradually lowering our mowing heights. Regular topdressings are being made to help protect new growth and the crown of the plant and these will continue for the next couple of months.

Bunkers have been prepared for play with the importing of bunker sand and turf on the surrounds is establishing itself well.

It is anticipated that we will be opening the green for play on Wednesday 6th February not withstanding any further issues.

Monday 7th January 2013.

The 8th green and its surroundings are developing well and, like the rest of the golf course, has come through the hot spell over the Xmas and New Year period very well.

Regular mowing of the green and more recently a topdressing have had a good affect on toughening up the surface and preparing it for the rigours of play.

Further topdressings will be made to the green before it is open for play which, everything being well, could be early February but this will depend on its progress over the next 3 weeks.