Although the Christmas and New Year period was very wet indeed, the last couple of weeks has blessed us with nice cold, sunny and dry weather which has enabled the course to dry out somewhat. We have even been able to take some of the mowers out on the course and cut some areas, which have not been cut for about 3 months! I’m sure it won’t last.

Much activity has been happening on the course, apart from the cutting with a contractor coming in to dig out all the silt from the two ponds at the 1st hole, as well as the ditch near the 6th tees. This work will really help drainage and rain water to escape from the course more quickly.

We have also dug a new ditch down the right of the 5th hole (over the road, at the green end) so that in future, if we feel extra drainage is required to help drain that particular area, we have an area ready for the water to escape. We also discovered an old drain during this process.

Another area where we have been active, is behind the 17th green, where a ditch takes away all the water from over on the 1st, 9th and 10th. We have dug out all the loose stone that was partially blocking the ditch exit, as well as tidying up the surrounding scrub land to better present the whole area.

During this work we located old and existing drainage, and this is the kind of work that we will be focussing on in the near future. There are many drains around the course and it is important that we keep on top of them. We will be jetting the drains to make sure everything is working as it should.

Something else we will be turning our attention to is the bunkers. Although it is currently rake and place, we will try and keep the bunkers as playable as possible during the dry spells over winter. If you could therefore do your bit by raking out your footprints, that would be really appreciated by the staff.

There are a few bunkers out there that have very poor edges, with years of foot traffic and machinery making them look unsightly. We will be prioritising the worst areas, digging out the old turf and replacing it with new hard wearing turf.

We have carried out some tree work on the bottom land, with dead or dying branches or trees taken out. Some of this work will allow the remaining trees to grow and flourish now that they have more space. The trees (row of scraggy hawthorns) on the right of the 16th were also removed. They were in very poor condition, right on the drain line across that area of land and were also interfering with the whole maintenance of that area. The trees behind this row are now of significant size that still there is difficulty of an approach shot to the green. The stumps currently left will be removed as soon as possible.

As for the greens, we continue to work on them as we start to cast our minds towards the start of the season. Much planning is already well underway with regard to nutritional planning, aeration work and trying to make sure they are in a good as condition as possible as we approach the main spring period. Obviously, they suffered a lot during the Christmas period with a new disease outbreak, mainly due to the very mild and humid conditions, with temperatures reaching 15 degrees.

Plenty of work is needed to help them recover, hopefully this will be aided with decent weather. This work includes more aeration, overseeding, and we will be looking at a suitable window to carry out some scarifying on the greens, to help reduce the amount of thatchy organic matter which can build up during the winter period. This will be communicated nearer the time.

The brand new sprayer is being put to good use already and will continue to be of major benefit, applying liquid nutrition to all surfaces, as well as targeting weeds in the main playing areas.

Greens Update 28.01.22

Catering Committee Report

Head Green Keepers January 2022