As we move into the final month of winter, the course planning processes move to the spring renovations and preparing the course for Summer. More immediately, we have commenced a spray program to address the emergence of winter grass in the putting surfaces, and extensive tree maintenance works continue to improve the play lines of holes, expose waterways, and improve airflow & sunlight to playing surfaces.
Greens
We are extremely pleased with the health of the greens and the way they have performed throughout winter. The strong coverage that existed going into winter ensured that we would not need to oversow the surfaces. It is always preferred not to oversow as it removes the need for an additional renovation & the playing convenience that come with this task. Furthermore, it reduces the tasks and additional stress the plant incurs whilst spraying to remove the rye at the end of the season.
The green renovation process is anticipated to be similar to last year's approach. It will be a reasonably invasive renovation with 16mm cores being removed, deep scarification & a heavy top dress with sand and nutrient amendments (subject to final agronomist reports). Throughout summer, we will again adopt a regular grooming and dusting process with the goal of strengthening the plant and the quality of the playing surface. A modified approach is being considered for greens 7 & 17, which are challenging year-round. Green 8 will not be renovated with the expectation that the works to build the new retaining wall and, ultimately, a new green will commence before the end of the year.
The preparation of the temporary green on hole 5, which will also be used when hole 8 is out-of-play, is progressing well. Mindful of the poor condition of green 8, the temporary green may be used for social play sooner rather than later in an effort to reduce wear and tear.
Tees
Several tees need attention, and their poor condition is primarily attributable to the volume of play that the course continues to manage. All tees will be renovated through aeration, top dressing, and adding nutrient amendments. Although a more varied tee rotation process has aided the condition of the tees, larger and additional tee areas are desperately needed. Identification and planning for tee improvements have commenced, and details will be soon shared.
Fairways
This year the fairway renovation will focus on the front nine and surrounds. The fairways will receive scarification, aeration, and top dressing, with a plan to amend the top dress with gypsum to improve the growing medium. The recovery from this process may take 4 or 6 weeks, but as evidenced this year, the process is well worth the short-term inconvenience. The bottom of hole 19, the top section of fairway 22 & bottom of 23 will also be renovated. Selected areas on holes 14 & 15 will also receive remediation.
General
Repairs to the electricity source of the 15th pump shed and the main line pipe will also occur over the next 8 weeks. These works will not disturb play flows but are essential to ongoing course maintenance.
Quotes are also being obtained to repair the right side of hole nine near the green. This area has long had poor turf coverage and is often very dry. The improvements include new irrigation and fresh turf. These works should be completed before the end of the year.
Doug Tester Keith Johnson
Club Captain Superintendent
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