Welcome to the October 2023 newsletter.
I am pleased to inform members of the activities that have been completed or planned over the next few months.
9th green – The 9th green is now out of play. Sod from our nursery has been laid and everything is travelling in the right direction. We expect the green to be unavailable for around 8 weeks. Hole 13A & B are now in play. The photo below was taken on Thursday 19th Oct, one day after the sod was laid.
Own a hole concept – During my rounds I rarely see any members repairing additional divots, pitch marks or checking that the bunkers have been raked correctly. There appears to be more divots than normal on our course at the present time. I therefore ask the question: Are members committed to this process or do you believe it is the Grounds staff or someone else’s responsibility. We should take pride in our course and that includes repairing divots and pitch marks as well as raking the bunkers correctly. Match will be raising this at presentations and the Pro shop will be asking you the question: “Do you know which hole you own”.
Warm up range – Greens have approved that hybrids will be able to be used on the warmup range when the 100m and 150m markers are installed. Woods are not permitted. The permission to use hybrids is along the same lines as irons. No hybrid or iron can be used if the member can reach the house at the rear of the warmup range. Only range balls can be hit on the range as they have a compression of 80% of a normal golf ball.
6th path – Originally it was approved that we would install a concrete path along the 6th hole. Due to the exorbitant cost to complete this task. [originally planned to cost $30k now blown out to over $40k] As the path is no longer viable, Greens has now approved the following:
- Remove the two small mounds on the LHS just before the green, this will widen the area members can walk instead of being channelled into the small area between the mound and bunker.
- The LH greenside bunker will be reduced in height on the LH side by around 1.5m to enable the area closer to the shed to be levelled off creating a wider area to walk to the 7th tee box as well as making it easier to mow.
- The woodchip area on the LHS of the gum tree is to be shaped and grassed to allow the woman to walk directly to their tee box.
- The remaining area near the shed will be converted into a small garden bed along similar lines to the 6th tee box garden bed.
- The approximate cost is $10k.
- This new plan should result in a wider area for members to walk and permit the course staff to mow this area without hacking up the old grass bank.
It will take two days to complete the new plan. A temporary green will be in play for Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th November. The new area will be opened when the grass has taken. Members will be directed to walk to the RHS of the green to the 7th hole.
Controlled burn area – During the winter months in 2024 the Volunteers will venture into the golden triangle to remove burnt and fallen branches and generally tidy up this area. Wattles along the edge of the golden triangle will also be removed. We are hopeful that a portion of the dam near the 15th lake will be visible from the 15th tee.
Fairways – The height of cut was dropped to 6.5mm straight after being renovated, the height will gradually be raised during summer and leading into Autumn. Some wheel marks across the 13th and 15th fairways from fire trucks and a truck reinstalling the 15th bore have been rolled. A light top dressing may be required if they don’t bounce back. Areas of bindi continue to be spot sprayed.
Greens – Have recovered nicely, they have been liquid fed, sprayed with a fungicide as a preventive measure as well as being sprayed for nematodes and for the control of Poa Annua seed head. Fortnightly dustings have also resumed. The height of cut is now at 3.5mm.
Second tee box – Most of the melaleucas behind the tee box and along the LHS have been removed. A hibiscus hedge will be planted. By removing the melaleucas and the fir trees, the tee box will receive more direct light and air flow which will assist with grass growth and grass retention especially during winter.
Tee Boxes – All tee boxes will be vertimowed and levelled over the next few months as well as sprayed for Kikuyu and crabgrass. The 9th will be completed whilst the hole is out of play.
Rough – first cut – The height of the first cut was raised to 64mm to see what impact this had on the cut. Grounds have now decided to drop it back down to around 50mm. Reason for this was that the parramatta grass was looking long and scrufffy and would definitely hinder any golf shot. Spot spraying of capeweed and clover is also continuing.
17th area behind the green – The 11th fairway will be cored with cores utilised to turf the area behind the 17th green.
Volunteers – The volunteers completed the following tasks during October:
- Removed and trimmed the melaleucas on the LHS on the second tee box.
- Assisted with the establishment of the Ladies recognition garden near the Hydrangeas next to the 9th tee box.
- Completed removal of stumps and roots on the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 18th All 18 holes have now been completed. There will be roots remaining that were missed but in the main the vast majority of roots have been removed which will assist with grass growth and ensure the blades on the mowers are not blunted or broken by hitting exposed roots.
Spraying – The grounds staff will commence spraying around all trees and bunkers as well as spraying fairways, surrounds and rough for billbug.
Cages – Two of our warmup cages blew over due to recent windy conditions. Parts are being sourced to repair both cages. When repaired they will be erected for member use.
Bare patches – Bare patches on 13B fairway have been repaired. There are further bare patches on the RHS of the 14th bunker and on the 12th fairway approx 100m from the green that will be repaired over coming weeks.
Snakes – Snakes are very active and have been seen on the course. Please take care when walking in the bush or near the edge of any rough. The black snake pictured below we believe is a tiger snake was seen slithering across the 15th fairway heading towards the dam in the golden triangle.
Report by
Terry Gale
Chairman of Greens
