COURSE REPORT SEPTEMBER 2017

Transcription

1 COURSE REPORT SEPTEMBER 2017 Greens Maintenance Week Scarifying in progress Greens surfaces after scarifying Hollow Core of Aprons and surrounds The August maintenance week was a busy period for the team. The week began with a complete scarifying of the greens surfaces to remove a significant amount of thatch along with a hollow core of the aprons and surrounds. We were then able to load the surfaces with over 40 tons of kiln dried sand before top dressing. This intensive work is essential to keep our greens surfaces, aprons and surrounds in prime condition. Scarifying isn't a new regime at Coxmoor however this is the first time we have deployed this more invasive process in the August maintenance period, it may not look pretty but the results are much healthier greens in the long term. It is always difficult to disturb what were excellent surfaces but as I keep reiterating, these process are necessary and will be ongoing year on year. The tees and greens were also verti-drained as part of the ongoing process of encouraging free draining surfaces. This is the excellent results some 3 weeks after the maintenance process was completed. Recovery has been very good with surfaces returning in a short period of time. 1

2 Heather Scrape 8th Hole The maintenance period also allowed the team to develop a heather scrape near to the 8th green. This area was infested with "Yorkshire Fog" type grasses and was an ideal candidate for a heather scrape now that tree thinning has been completed in that area. The pictures show the team using a 'Field Top Maker' which was set to strip out the broader leaf grasses and their roots leaving a fine surface. This area will be covered with heather brash to encourage the Calluna Vulgarus (purple heather type) to establish along with areas of fescue grasses. 2

3 6th Hole Temporary Green A Temporary green has been laid on the 6th Hole. As can be seen from the pictures the green is set to the right side of the fairway below the ditch. The temporary green should provide a much better surface than the fairway, which due to the clay band across the hole is prone to water retention. The 6th holes uphill and rolling characteristics are also not ideal as a temporary surface on the fairway. Hedge Trimming The club boundary hedges have been trimmed, this is a yearly process to maintain the current hedges and promote stronger growth. 3

4 1st Tee Renovation The first tee is receiving a renovation to the rear and sides with some raised beds and the planting of heathers and fig ivy to cover the plain wall at the back of the tee. Thanks go to our handyman Tony who is completing most of the work, the area will certainly look much more appealing as the plants grow and thrive. 4

5 Summer Period The greens team have been pleased with the progress over the past 12 months and the benefits of the hard work and planning have certainly paid off in terms of course condition and especially greens surfaces. The recent PGA Assistants event received universal praise from the organisers and competitors on course set up and condition. See: ( ) for more on the championship. This coupled with excellent visitor and most importantly Members feedback drive the continued course vision. I have many meetings with the Greens Team and all contribute to our courses development. They continue to be a fantastic, hardworking professional group and the membership should be proud to have such a dedicated workforce acting on their behalf. Below are a few photographs taken this year. 5

6 Driving Range Update The Driving Range opposite the 13th Hole is open. This is for members and guests only using and collecting your own golf balls. As with the range near the clubhouse aim away from the course. Please warn golfers by shouting 'fore' if you hit a shot towards the 13th fairway. This is also the case for golfers playing the 13th hole who hit a ball towards the practice area. Winter Program 10th Hole Work will commence in early October to relocate the 10th Tee and develop the bunkering around the 10th Green with our partners Lakeland, who have worked with us over the past three years on course development. Essential tree work will take place before this work commences and members will use the forward winter tee (old red course tee) until the work is completed. 16th Hole Tee Following the recent visit from Ken Moodie preparation for construction of the new 16th Tee has taken place. Work will continue throughout the winter. Work on bunkering and shaping of the 16th hole will take place during October with both fairway and greenside work ongoing. Reshaping of the fairway and tree work will also take place during this period and throughout the winter in preparation for the golfing season. All members should note that the work on the 10th and 16th necessitates that temporary tees and greens will be in operation at some stage until the work is completed, members patience is appreciated during this time. The winter program will also see ALL Fairways and Tees deep Verti-Drained. Greens will be treated for disease and verti-drained regularly, the air2g2 unit will also be deployed when appropriate to continue to combat greens compaction. 6

7 Winter Mats At the recent greens sub-committee and club committee meetings the issue of Winter Mats was discussed. The club has purchased in the past three years around 4000 mats at considerable cost. Unfortunately there still appears to be a shortage, a position that is unsustainable. Please check your golf bags, lockers, garages and homes and return any mats you find to the club. Winter Mat Use After discussions with the Head Greenkeeper, Greens Team and club committee, Mat use will now be compulsory on EVERY hole on the course. The areas for mat use on fairways will be denoted by a white line on each hole at the discretion of the Head Greenkeeper (All Par 3's must use Mats), any ball in this area MUST be played from a mat. This is to allow ALL course fairways to be rested and fully recover for the coming 2018 golfing season. This approach is in line with many other courses across the country and will make a real difference to our fairways. Dates of implementation and local rules will be published in due course. Pitch Marks So you can spot me around the place here is a recent photograph. I hope you will find me approachable so feel free to ask questions or give feedback for the greens team. PAUL ORTON - Greens Chair Coxmoor Golf Club 7