Dear Members and Partners

 

Course Update: Winter Preparation

As we approach the end of the season, I’d like to share our final course update before we close. Our winter preparations are well underway, with a strong focus on ensuring the survival and health of our greens. Here are the key steps we’ve taken:

1. Plant Nutrition and Fungicide:

o Since the club championship, we’ve adopted a “little and often” approach to plant nutrition. Regular applications help maintain turf health during the colder months.

o We’ve also applied preventative fungicide to protect against diseases.

2. Surface Disruption:

o Today, we’ve intensified our efforts by disrupting the surface. Our first task was micro hollow coring of the greens.

o Following this, we’ve introduced sand injection. This technique, previously trialled during the summer, enhances soil structure and drainage.

o Despite the cooler temperatures and damp conditions, we delayed the above until now, this was to give you good greens for as long as possible. The consequence of delaying until now is the recovery is very slow and the sand will remain on the surface for much longer than it does during the summer. o An article on why we do the above: Course Care: Thatch Control Key To Firm, Resilient Fairways (usga.org)

 

Unfortunately, we’ve had to close greens 9 and 12 this week. However, there’s hope for improvement. If conditions allow and it remains dry, our plan is to reopen either both greens or at least one of them for the upcoming weekend.

Here’s why these two greens have faced challenges:

1. Wear and Tear:

o Greens 9 and 12 are showing signs of wear and tear.

o The issue lies in a clay layer approximately 2cm below the surface. This clay layer hampers drainage, causing water to linger near the surface.

o Frequent foot traffic exacerbates the problem, leading to quicker wear compared to other greens.

2. Construction Legacy:

o We suspect that the clay layer dates to the time of construction.

o These 2 greens are receiving their 2nd application with the sand injector, continued use of the machine will eventually dilute the clay layer and at the same time move it deeper.

 

Hole 19 is open for play and will replace hole 12.

 

Other tasks ongoing or completed:

· Hollow coring of tees and approaches followed by a sand dressing.

· Occasional cutting of grass

· Solid tining of all fairways

· Erecting snow barriers near greens.

 

Important Update: Golf Course Closing

· Last Day for Play: Sunday, October 20th.

· Limited Tee Times Next Week (week 42) (Monday through Friday):

o Availability depends on weather conditions.

o We’ve been consistently cutting grass until last week, which impacted our winter preparations, we really need as much time as possible before the weather turns against us.

· Staff Departures: All our seasonal staff leave by the end of October.

· Golf Cars Off: To prevent wear and tear. Any damage now won’t heal and the winter won’t be kind to damaged or weak turf.

· Stay Updated: Follow our social media accounts for the latest news.