Head Green Keeper's Winter Works Programme 2019/2020

INTRODUCTION

Subject to the availability of capital funds, herewith are my proposals and recommendations for a programme of winter works, phased over 2 years. The proposed works are predominantly tee reconstruction related and are designed to address short comings that have been exposed in recent seasons. They also feature as a priority concern from the recent Greens section “member’s survey” as well as recommended improvement works by our consultant agronomists.

CONTENTS

1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

               - FINDINGS

- ORDER OF WORK

               - PROPOSED PHASES AND COSTS

2 - MISSION STATEMENT / PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

3 - RECOMMENDATIONS AND REASONINGS FOR PHASE 1 (WINTER 2019)

               - IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDED IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS (2018)

               - SOFTENING OF McNABBS

               - 9TH TEE REDEVELOPMENT

               - 1ST TEE REDEVELOPMENT

               - 10TH TEE REDEVELOPMENT

               - 3RD TEE REDEVELOPMENT

- OTHER WINTER REPAIR / PREPARATION WORK

               -   TOTAL COSTINGS

4 - RECOMMENDATIONS AND REASONINGS FOR PHASE 2 (WINTER 2020)

               - “AMENS CORNER”

- 13TH TEE AND PATH PROJECT

- 12TH AND 13TH PATH ROUTE AND 12TH RECONTOURING

- 12TH TEE RECONSTRUCTION

               - TOTAL COSTINGS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the following document I have tried my best to produce information that will explain and illustrate clearly my ideas. Whenever it has been possible I have used evidence from other sources to clarify our position.

Whilst this is all necessary, I also recognise its length. Therefore I have summarised my findings here.

FINDINGS

In my opinion, our focus has to be primarily on improving the tee provision here at Penwortham Golf Club. It is in this area that I feel we are falling short, compared to our competitors and the overall impression of the golf course is tarnished because of a poor standard of tees. Addressing this will create fast, easy wins for us to “gain and retain” members.

Whilst not being the only focus, it is however the main subject of this paper. I hope to illustrate clearly the order of works, which and why areas have been chosen and the benefits that will be achieved.

ORDER OF WORK

There are a number of factors that have to be considered and these dictate the order and timings in which work can be carried out. Budget, ground conditions, movement/utilisation of materials have played a major part in the plan of works.

• It should be planned that funds are available for us to begin the work as early as possible. I’m hoping that work on McNabbs, some tree removal and the path connection near the 3rd tee, can start before the end of the playing season. I fully understand any major work on the tees would have to be delayed till mid-October (sides match 12th October).

• Splitting the work into the phases as described, allows the work to flow better. This way we will not be disturbing the same areas over consecutive years and producing wasted “double digging” and renovation costs.

• As explained in the following pages, any bulk materials harvested from these projects can be utilised in the construction of the base layer for the 12th tee.

PHASE 1

• McNabbs - is a straight forward project and having this done first will provide us with base materials for both the third tee and twelfth tees.  This will also provide a site where we can immediately relay any suitable turf that is removed from the tees.

• Outstanding Irrigation improvements as work is carried out

• I feel the work should be carried out in the order of 9th, 1st, 10th and 3rd tees this winter. This is dictated by the fact that these are the commonly agreed (members survey) to be the poorest tees on the course. I specifically say this order of works, due to the access that will be required to get materials to and from these sites, before ground conditions deteriorate. Completing the majority of the work on these areas early will also allow as much recovery time (from damage) before the start of the season, as possible.

• It would be sensible to work on the 9th, 1st and 10th areas at the same time due to their proximity to each other. When the work on the 9th and 10th tee is being undertaken it would be advisable to close the 9th hole and just direct golfers from the 8th green directly to the winter 10th tee.

• When works has been completed to a certain point (pre-turf), we then can move onto the next tee thus utilising our time better. It is planned that all major earth works will be completed by the end of the new year with only final finishing and turfing being completed in January. This will allow for any adverse weather delays we may incur.

• Once this has been completed we can spend time on the other “winter “ works that can be addressed easily

PHASE 1  COSTS

Irrigation improvements -                                    Cost approx. -    £1500

Soften “McNabbs” features -                              Cost approx. -    £1840

9th winter, yellow and White tee -                      Cost approx. -    £4026 (£16 per m2)

1st winter, yellow and White tee -                      Cost approx. -   £3634 to £4026 (£16/£17 per m2)

10th Yellow and White tee -                                 Cost approx. -    £2980 (£15 per m2)

3rd winter, yellow and White tee -                      Cost approx. -    £5790 (£21 per m2)

                                                                                   TOTAL COST -          £19770 to £20162

PHASE 2

• I feel it is sensible to parcel this phase together as the areas in question are so close to each other, the work and disruption to members can then be contained.

• This phase is pretty self-explanatory. The simple closure of the 12th hole and the possibility of the 13th tee being moved forward will allow us to work unimpeded on the 13th tee, 12th tee and the path between simultaneously.

• Now that the well-established supply route from the carpark to this area is in place, the obstacle that has always made work in this area impossible during winter has been removed.

• Like Phase 1, It is planned to have all the finished levelling and turfing completed by mid-January on all areas, thus allowing plenty of time for them to establish and be ready for the start of the new season.

PHASE 2  ORDER AND COSTS

13th winter, yellow and White tee -                   Cost approx. -                                 £3570

12th/13th Path route & 12th re-contouring-       Cost approx. -                                  £7510

12th winter, Red and White tee -                        Cost approx. -                                  £4476 to £5876

(£27 to £22 per m2)                                     

                                                                                   TOTAL COSTS -        £15556 to £16956

OTHER PROPOSED WORK AND COSTS

I would also like to get the approval and monies made available to address the costs that will help us achieve our goals and other following works:

Capital costs -

 Road legal / safe trailer for daily transport of Excavator/ materials - Cost approx.         £4000

Other works also costed:

Install positive outlet and drainage for 15th bunkers & practice ground -      Cost approx. -    £1000

Woodland clearance and prelim works around 2nd tee-                                    Cost (approx.) - £1500

MISSION STATEMENT

During the time the club/ course has been on this site, it has been developed so that we now have many features that were constructed during different time periods by different parties.

Whilst many of these areas were fine for the climate/volume of traffic at the time, they are now regularly failing under modern pressures.

I propose from this point onwards we should take the design principles used for the greens and their surroundings and apply them and others to all future works.

Whilst we cannot undertake the mass soil movement to change the surrounding topography, as was done during the greens construction, we can easily “soften” some of these existing features so they appear natural rather than “sat on top” of the existing ground. This is one of the “principles” that I have used, and will use, when planning all future constructions.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN, REDEVELOPMENT / CONSTRUCTION

• To improve the aesthetics of the course

• To naturalise features within the course without detriment

• To increase playing surfaces

• To follow S.T.R.I. recommendations

• To protect against all future climate conditions

• To create easier maintenance of areas

• To utilise every square centimetre of land

• To construct areas as cost effective as possible

• To rectify as many issues as possible with single operations - Minimise members disturbance

• To improve all members/visitor’s experiences when playing the course all year around.

It is with these in mind, that I have come up with the following proposals.

I will present each one with a brief reminder/explanation of why each project needs to be carried out. This will be followed by my recommendation and lastly by the forecast costings.

The main focus has been on tee complexes and there each individual issues.

The quantities calculated are “worst case scenario” especially regarding rootzone volumes.  We may be able to utilise more of what we presently have on site to achieve the construction criteria and consistency that the S.T.R.I have specified for the reconstruction of the tees.