Chairman of Greens Update January & February
Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to all members for your patience over the past few weeks as we’ve faced some challenges with the course. Below is Bob’s detailed report, but I’d like to provide a brief summary for further clarity.
On January 13th, we experienced a pump failure affecting one of the four motors in the reticulation system, which reduced our watering capacity to 75%. While greens continued to be watered at full capacity, some fairways and roughs were reduced, resulting in heat stress in certain areas. Unfortunately, the necessary part had to be sourced from Adelaide, and it was installed on January 24th.
However, just one day after the repair, we encountered another motor failure with the newly installed pump. This issue is still being addressed, and we are currently operating at 75% watering capacity. We are working hard to resolve this and hope to have it fully resolved in the coming days. We kindly ask for your continued patience, as we are doing everything, we can to expedite the repairs. We had displayed this update in the Pro Shop, but I realise some members may have missed it, and I apologize for not sending an email notification as well.
Additionally, I’ve received several inquiries regarding the length of the roughs. Over the past three weeks, we’ve faced staffing shortages, with one team member on scheduled leave and others absent due to illness. We are actively recruiting to address this shortage and to cover other planned leaves in the next six months. If you have any further questions or would like to reach out, please feel free to email me at cog@gosnellsgc.com.au.
On a positive note, the Greens Committee is finalising a small capital works program for the next seven months, with plans to reinvest in areas around the course that need attention. We are looking at finalising this on the 11/2/2025 at our greens meeting. We will share further details once the program is finalized.
Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our volunteers, who have been tirelessly maintaining their ongoing program despite the challenging heat. If you happen to see them around the course, please take a moment to thank them for their dedication. Thank you once again for your continued support and understanding
Course Report – Prepared By: Bob Holmes
Greens: Are holding up well to the heat, some patching will be required on the 7th and 11th due to disease, nematodes, heat stress and root invasion. Programmed applications of dustings, fungicides, nematicides and fertilisers continue to be applied.
Above areas on the 7th that require patching and roots removed from the back of the 11th green.
Fairways and surrounds: Light verti-cutting has commenced to remove thatch and help increase firmness. Isolated dry patch is apparent on many fairways due to the irrigation failing to water over night twice in three days plus having to reduce their watering by 20% due to one of our main irrigation pumps still out of action.
Roughs: Due to hot humid weather the roughs feel like they are growing an inch per day. For the last month our rough cutter has had one deck out of action reducing its cutting ability to 80% it is now back to 5 decks. As well as staff being off the roughs have only been getting cut once a staff member is available, as greens, fairways, surrounds, tees and bunkers take priority. Majority of the roughs have now been cut.
Pump station: Currently pump 4 is still out of action now due to a shaft seal shattering. A new multistage stack will be fitted due to damage caused from the shattered seal.
Above water leaking from the pump due to the damage seal, and the shattered damage seal next to a new seal.
15th Bunker: The r/h bunker on 15 has been widened, with a sprinkler added to promote new grass coverage. The area that was removed to widen the bunker will be rotary hoed to remove small fibrous roots, this will also allow the sand to be pushed further into the middle of the bunker giving a better defining edge.
Above the newly widened bunker and the new VIH sprinkler that was installed.
Staff: Currently advertising on SEEK for a qualified greenkeeper for 6 to 9 months fixed term contract with the opportunity to become full time for the right candidate.
