COURSE WORK GENERAL UPDATE

There are various course improvement jobs in progress, so below is a brief update about what's been happening around the course.

This post briefly covers:-

• Greens drainage
• 18th tee bank
• 5th bunker
• 6th - area left side of bridge
• Tree work
• 10th old tee

If you have played recently, you might be thinking - why do they keep starting something new without finishing the previous job?  

Well, mainly down to weather/ground conditions and resources.  We have a lot of work to get through and are aiming to work efficiently, so if weather or ground conditions hold things up with a certain task then we move on with something else.  

With the greens drainage work we generally get a few greens to same stage which also helps manage machine hire costs.  Also, some projects link up and we try to make use of all materials.  For example, if we remove soil from digging drainage trench, we like to use elsewhere. 

So, there is some method in the madness!

GREENS DRAINAGE

Sub surface drainage is being installed on the low lying areas of the green.  This will not be an overnight cure as additional drains will likely be required along with a reduction in thatch.  However, an improvement is expected and is certainly a big step in the right direction. 

Area highlighted where drainage is initially being installed - 3rd green.

Drainage installed with turf soon to be re layed.

Greens with work in progress so far include the 3rd, 7th, 9th and 18th with additional lateral drains to be added next winter if necessary.  Other greens are also to be included with the 2nd green a high priority next winter.  More detailed posts for each green will be posted on the blog soon so keep a look out.

18th TEE BANK

Some tee banks around the course have quite sharp edges which creates additional maintenance work over the summer.  Normally this tee bank would have to be cut with a flymo type mower which is more labour intensive.  

Now the bank has been landscaped to a better gradient, it will allow a ride on machine to mow this area therefore eliminating labour intensive flymo work. 

Other tasks on the tee itself also become easier because now the machines can turn on the bank where before it was not possible.

Tee bank re landscaped

Turf was lifted then using soil from nearby drainage work was used to re shape the bank.  Following soil preparation the same turf was re layed.  The same work is currently being done to the left side.

None of this work cost a penny!

5th BUNKER

Many bunkers on the course have an uneven base which leads to inconsistent depths of sand on the surface.  

All grass over growth around the edge was removed to leave a fresh clean edge and shape restored to original shape.

Before work started.

Base re shaped and grass over growth removed.

Once the sand was removed, some clay soil was brought in from another job (12th/13th path work) to help re shape the bunker base.

Some wet weather back in November limited the progress for this project, along with other work priorities.  Conditions are currently good (dry - rain & clay don't work well together!) and it's expected the next step will be carried out over the coming weeks.

Having an evenly shaped base will allow us to manage sand depths more easily and therefore improve playability.

6th - AREA LEFT SIDE OF BRIDGE

This sharp slope and deep hollow is labour intensive for mowing (flymo work) during the summer which is unnecessary.  

Using soil from other jobs to re landscape deep hollow.

By softening the slope and reducing the depth of the hollow will make more accessible for a ride on mower, saving time on flymo work by hand.  This will likely be seeded in April/May.

TREE WORK

Over the winter there has been bursts of tree work going on around the course. The reasons for this work are:-

• Tree felling following recent strong winds, most notably around the 12th tee. 
• 'Crowning' as basic tree maintenance.  This involves removing lower branches and will improve accessibility for mowers, as well as helping you find your golf ball more easily!  It also allows the tree to grow properly.
• Felling to reduce tree numbers which allows more desirable trees to grow and flourish.
• Improve much needed light and air movement for the turf, especially around the greens.  
• General scrub clearance (such as 'suckers', brambles etc) that sprout up from nothing and eventually suffocate more desirable species.

Below are photos of some of the work carried out.

Following recent strong winds early January. - 11th / 12th.

Work well underway around the 11th / 12th.

A lot of wood and not many trees left, 11th / 12th.

The 6th medal tee 'carry' now has a clear sight to the green.

Clear view to 6th green and more aesthetically pleasing.

BEFORE - looking back to medal tee.

AFTER - looking back to medal tee.

10th TEE

Soil removed from drainage work for the 9th green has been dumped around a previously used 10th tee.  This is with the possibility of re instating the use of this tee, even as an additional tee or winter tee.

An old 10th tee.

Soil dumped and tracked in around bank at 10th.

Drainage work on the greens is expected to be fully complete, with turf layed by next week.  Look out for additional posts on some of these points, giving a bit more information throughout the various stages of the project.

Remember by entering your email address in box at top right side, you will automatically be notified with any new posts.