News Archive

Hole 22 & Green Conditions

22nd Hole

The work on the 22^nd hole is taking shape, albeit after a few weather setbacks. There was a further delay this week with concrete trucks having to be cancelled, as the course was too wet to start the first pour of the cart path.  The project will soon see the cart path extended down the left-hand side of the fairway, looping around the back of the green and joining the existing concrete path at the rear of the 23^rd tee. 

Works completed to date:

• Removal of foreign species of trees from left-hand side of the fairway, opening up the canopy to allow more light and improved air flow to this fairway.
• Tree lopping to both the left and right hand side of the fairway to allow a wider play avenue through what was an ever tightening gap at the narrow point of the fairway.
• Initial major earthworks. The fairway has been levelled, widened to the right, and the fairway bunker removed.  The most significant change has been at the narrow point of the fairway, with a substantial amount of soil moved to level and widen the play area. 
• Removal of the bitumen path between the 22^nd green and 23^rd tee.

Up-coming works:

• Cart Path installation / completion.
• Addition of double row irrigation to the fairway and green approach.
• Fairway capping: once the irrigation has been added, the fairway will have a layer of topsoil/sand spread to provide a growing medium for the turf.
• The fairway will be sprigged with ‘tiff tuff’ turf, the same process used for the 24^th fairway. The grow-in period is expected to be 3-4 months.

Bunkers: existing bunkers will be renovated while the front right-side bunker will be reduced in size.  Solid turfing around this area will also occur.

Green Conditions

Following the renovation in early February, where a less invasive renovation was adopted, the playability of the greens returned to an acceptable standard within two weeks.  More traditional renovations, using hollow cores, will take typically 5-6 weeks which is frowned upon by the golfer (not unique to Keperra).  There has however been some subsequent issues with thatch (organic matter) which has caused areas within some greens to become “puffed up” where organic matter build up is higher. In these areas the mowing has caused scalping (leaf removal) to occur in some of the greens on holes 1-18 (known as grass variety 328).  The ‘Tiff Dwarf’ grass on holes 19-27 reacts differently to the same environmental conditions (rain, high humidity, and reduced light on overcast days), with the scalping being limited to some holes on 1-18. 

On a positive note, the turf is showing signs of recovery now with several amendments to the program being implemented to accelerate recovery.  Increased dusting is taking place when course access allows, to continue to manage the puffiness of the 328 and provide a firmer even surface. Plant health is good with strong white roots seen in test plug observations in late February. 

A management plan is in place to reduce the thatch and has been formulated with the assistance of an industry consultant.  Further inputs are being made in the coming week/s to deliver a firm even putting surface for Club Championships and thereafter. 

The greens will be dusted on Monday and Tuesday of next week, weather permitting as part of the greens management program.

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Ladies Golf News

February has disappeared in a flash but not before some great golf had been played by many lady members especially the Junior Pennant team – keep it up girls, we are so proud of you. 

The weekend ladies were fortunate enough to have their opening game in fine weather.  Sadly the weekday ladies weren’t so lucky. But that didn’t deter a great roll up wishfully thinking we’d still be able to play nine holes. We soon had Michael and Gavin serving coffee and cake at 8.30am as a large group of ladies adjourned to the bar. A big thank you to Helen Blanchfield who quickly organised a putting competition which turned into serious business. Nothing nicer than a playoff featuring Pat Connor, Jan Stapleton and Di Briggs (see above). Plenty of happy banter and cheering as Di showed us all just how it’s done and walked away with the prize.

Keperra Ladies were well represented at the recent Halcyon Cup played at Gainsborough Greens. Congratulations to Pat Connor and Kim Williams (3rd) along with Allison Maguire and Michele Casey who joined the BDLGA committee and finished runners up (see below).

Bookings are now open for our first Open Day on the 30th March and we welcome Tangalooma Resort as our exclusive sponsor with amazing prizes over two divisions. 

And it’s Championship month – wishing everyone the very best and of course thank you to Championship Sponsor Jeffrey McConaghy Jewellers for his continued support. Also, I omitted to acknowledge and thank Hemp Nation for their valued support at our January morning tea. We greatly appreciate each of our sponsors and I’d ask you to think of them first.

Jennie Gribble

Ladies President

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KCGC NRL Footy Tipping Competition

Keperra will again be running its annual Footy Tipping Competition commencing March 11th.  Footy Tippers will be invited to two Functions throughout the season including a State of Origin (away game) and finals game with catering provided.  Last year, the Competition gave away $4800 in cash and prizes.  To get involved in the competition, please click on the above image and when prompted, use the password: LakeKeperra.  For any assistance in setting up your account, please contact Club Administration via admin@keperragolf.com.au

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Membership & Competition No Shows

As the Club makes the turn into the second half of the golfing year, it’s pleasing to report that Membership figures are strong.  While the Club does have more members than when it conducted its renewals in August 2020, these increases are not overwhelming.  While it has proved slightly challenging at times to secure a tee time for Saturday competitions, the Club wishes to reassure Members it monitors these sheets closely.  As such, some months ago the Club closed the 6 Day Membership category and as previously communicated effective March 1^st, the Club introduced Provisional Memberships status to all 7 day playing rights categories (Intermediates, Juniors & 7 day) for ALL NEW MEMBERS to the Club. 

A concerning trend which has become evident is that booking sheets are now reaching capacity quite quickly.  However, more concerning is that in the 12 hours prior to tee off, considerable vacancies begin to present.  While this is a good outcome as it means those on the waitlist will get a round of golf within their desired time frame, it is concerning because this presents slightly misleading information regarding actual participation.  For example, in the days leading up to Saturday 27^th, the booking sheet was at capacity (as has been the norm in the last few weeks), however at the end of the day’s play, a total of 41 tee times were left vacant including 12 in the AM field.  More disappointing was a total of 10 bookings were deleted on the day of.  The Club would ask that if you are aware that you will not be participating in any competition to remove your name immediately.

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Green Conditions

Following the renovation in early February, where a less invasive renovation was adopted, the playability of the greens returned to an acceptable standard within two weeks.  More traditional renovations, using hollow cores, will take typically 5-6 weeks which is frowned upon by the golfer (not unique to Keperra).  There has however been some subsequent issues with thatch (organic matter) which has caused areas within some greens to become “puffed up” where organic matter build up is higher. In these areas the mowing has caused scalping (leaf removal) to occur in some of the greens on holes 1-18 (known as grass variety 328).  The ‘Tiff Dwarf’ grass on holes 19-27 reacts differently to the same environmental conditions (rain, high humidity, and reduced light on overcast days), with the scalping being limited to some holes on 1-18. 

On a positive note, the turf is showing signs of recovery now with several amendments to the program being implemented to accelerate recovery.  Increased dusting is taking place when course access allows, to continue to manage the puffiness of the 328 and provide a firmer even surface. Plant health is good with strong white roots seen in test plug observations in late February. 

A management plan is in place to reduce the thatch and has been formulated with the assistance of an industry consultant.  Further inputs are being made in the coming week/s to deliver a firm even putting surface for Club Championships and thereafter. 

The greens will be dusted on Monday and Tuesday of next week, weather permitting as part of the greens management program.

Read More