Green’s Update – Feb 2023
Chairman of Greens, Terry Gale
Welcome to the Feb 2023 newsletter.
We have been very fortunate, in that we have not experienced our normal hot summer with currently no days in the 40-degree mark. This is most unusual for Perth, but a blessing for out green staff & course in general.
An update on the course activities is detailed below:
- New Course Machinery – The second fairway mower is now on hand together with a new Kubota spreader. The new bunker rake is due for delivery by early to mid-Mar.
- 17th Bare spot –The grass in this area has taken hold & growing well. A number of small gum trees next to this area will be removed over the coming weeks to further assist in the growth by permitting more sunlight & air flow. This area will remain as GUR until such time as we have full grass coverage.
- Bunkers – To date 21 bunkers have been improved by way of widening, flattening the bottom & scrapping surplus sand from sides.
3.1 Right hand greenside bunker on the first.
3.2 All three greenside bunkers on the 6th.
3.3 LH Greenside bunker on the 8th.
3.4 Both the LH & RH greenside bunkers on the 9th.
3.5 Both the Left hand & right hand greenside bunkers on the 10th
3.6 The greenside bunker on the 11th.
3.7 The greenside bunker on the 12th.
3.8 All three greenside bunkers on the 14th.
3.9 Both the LH & RH greenside bunkers on the 15th.
3.10 The 17th greenside bunker. [Small nose has been removed].
3.11 The RH side fairway bunker on the 18th.
3.12 Both bunkers on the 7th.
3.13 Bunker on the 4th.
Captain Paul Cooper & 2IC Simon Platt have done a fantastic job on the bunkers to date. We have 7 greenside bunkers remaining. With a bit of luck, we will complete these by the time the Gosnells Open is played in late April if not earlier. Work on fairway bunkers will be completed during the winter months.
Bunkers are an integral part of all golf courses & it is extremely important that members respect the time & effort devoted by Paul & Simon, by doing the right thing & raking bunkers in the correct manner after they have played their shot. As advised in the January newsletter we need to weed out the perpetrators who disregard their duty.
- Boundary fence – The new 4m high fence along the lower carpark boundary has been erected. Hopefully we have now solved the issue with our neighbour.
- Third tee box fence – The posts have been installed. Mesh will be attached at a later date. To improve the playability of this hole two large gums trees on the left-hand corner will be pruned. The pine tree next to the second green will be removed as well as another gum tree on the right-hand side opposite the two trees to be pruned. Another gum tree on the RHS will also be pruned. This will ensure members can have confidence in hitting the ball down the right-hand side of the fairway & away from Ranford Road. Holes 1,2 & 3 were re-aligned back in the mid-nineties to ensure members teeing off were hitting towards the centre of the course & away from Warton & Ranford roads. What is proposed will assist in this area on the 3rd.
- Stumps – We intend to hire a stump grinder for three days in early to mid-March to remove further stumps & tree roots that protrude above ground.
- Club & Member Motorised Buggies – Members are advised that all Motorised buggies must not be driven on any tee box or left next to any green. The Buggy policy stipulates that Motorised buggies must be a minimum 5 metres from all tee boxes & 10 metres from all greens. If there are cart paths next to a tee box then the Buggy must be parked in this area. I request all members respect this policy especially as winter is approaching & we wish to ensure these areas are maintained in excellent condition.
- Divots on fairways & Greens – This is a timely reminder that all divots whether on fairways or greens must be repaired. Please refer to “Course care” on our website for the correct procedure to follow.
- Volunteers – The volunteers removed the plumbago’s along the lower carpark & found over 1000 golf balls in these bushes. They have also have trimmed both the LH & RH side of the 14th .Work has commenced on the 15th.
- Old course photo’s – The photo below, I believe is of the first hole with the lake on the RHS being the 9th. I do not know when the photo was taken but note a bunker on the LHS of the fairway. The trees are very small which suggests it was taken not long after the course opened.
Please be aware of snakes which are still active.
