Written by Matt Gannon (Chairman of Greens) and Bob Holmes (Course Super)
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.
You may have noticed some trees missing from the 13th green. These trees were removed to help improve the health of the greens. Tree shadows and roots cause issues for our greens, and we have an independent report detailing which trees should be removed and the damage they are causing. Over the next 2–4 years, and as funds allow, we will continue to address this by removing the trees that are impacting the greens.
We also have a list of tasks that we are aiming to complete in the next 2–4 months. This includes widening the right-hand side bunker on the 15th hole, investigating water-saving measures, and looking into options for water drinking fountains. We are currently exploring different types of fountains and their costs.
The volunteers have put together a small program to stay on top of ongoing maintenance around the club, in addition to their other weekly duties. We anticipate this list will grow as more tasks arise:
- Garden beds around the clubhouse, bottom car park, and driving range will be maintained monthly.
- Granite paths around the course will be re-dusted quarterly.
- Tee signs will be oiled annually or as needed.
- Hibiscus trimming on the 3rd hole and around the car park will be done annually. We aim to complete this before opening day.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their continued support of the club. They do a fantastic job, and we truly appreciate their hard work.
Superintendent Course Report
Greens: Are looking very healthy at present, with a lot more growth happening at the moment than I would prefer. Light grooming has commenced to help in firming the greens and to remove some poa annua seed head that is visible.
Fairways and surrounds: Have been sprayed with iron together with the monthly planned PGR. This will darken the fairways and surrounds in color while managing turf growth of the kikuyu which jumps out of the ground in hot humid conditions. Cleaning fairways and roughs are a constant struggle this time of the year, with the white and lemon scented gums shedding their bark and constantly dropping leaves.
Tees: The large men’s tee on the 2nd has had the worn area down the middle removed and new turf installed. The entire tee was then sanded to help the new turf settle and to help level any low spots. Thin worn areas of numerous other tees have also been lightly topdressed.
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Pictures: Work being done on the 2nd tee.
Tree removal: Four trees left of the 13th green have been removed with the stumps being ground, the stump holes have then been cleaned off debris and filled with sand and kikuyu runners.
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Pictures: Trees being removed left of 13th green and the filled stump holes.
Staff: Jason has been accepted into The Ohio Program, the program offers internships for single greenkeepers between the ages of 19 and 28, which entail upwards of 18 months hands-on practical experience. Jason is currently heading to the U.S in late March where he has been placed at Baltimore Country Club. At this point Jason has only committed to 6 months with an option of doing another 6 months at a different course in the south as winter approaches the northern courses. I’ve asked Jason to give monthly updates on his U.S adventure.
Machinery: The two secondhand Toro MDX utility vehicles have finally arrived. These vehicles are used all year round but are crucial when sand requires brushing in on the greens, the Kubota utility vehicles are too aggressive on the greens. Our previous MDX failed just one week after renovations when the chassis broke in two. The two acquired MDX’s are 4 years old and are ex Wembley’s, they have a few more features than our old MDX with canopy’s, windshields and heavy-duty tow bars.
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Pictures: The broken MDX and the two secondhand ones
Upcoming Projects & General Maintenance for December
- Clover, flatweed & nutgrass spraying.
- Re-establish the bent nursery where the turf has been removed.
- Bunker shaping left side of 15th green.
- Sprinkler installation on 15th rough.
