11th Hole drainage update

The aim is to install bunker drainage and run the drain line across the fairway into the lake. We firstly marked out the area, looking at the natural contour/sloping of the fairway to see chose the best place to run the line. We then stripped the turf, and started digging the trench from the pond side up to the bunkers, with sufficient fall.

Pops with the sod cutter

The bunkers prior the drainage

The trench

The outlet

A great relief

The next steps are to now install the 6" perforated pipe along with 20mm chippings, and the backfill and turf. Please be aware when playing this hole, as machinery is being used.

Greens will be cut Tuesday morning along with the surrounds. We will also be adding some sand to bunkers where needed, as all bunkers are to be in play on March 1st. For more regular updates add us on facebook.

11th hole notice

Monday will see the start to our drainage project on hole 11. As we have hired a mini digger for the week, This will cause some disruption. This is much needed work and we are positive this will improve the playability of the hole.
We will start with the bunker drainage on the RHS of the fairway, this includes trenching through the 3 bunkers and across the fairway to the lake. We will be using 6" perforated pipe along 20mm chippings. During this time we will be moving the tee markers up the fairway, making it a short 180 yard hole.
Moving up to the green, water seems to be running off the mounding at the back, therefor supplying the green with too much water. In effect we will run a 'horse shoe' drain around the green running into the lake short right. We will also be using 6" perforated pipe and 20mm chippings. During this time we will have a temporary green.
Weather permitting these works should be completed by Thursday. Hopefully no snow over the weekend!!!

We will keep you updated on our Facebook page, and blogger

Edging and sanding new bunkers

We've recently been doing some work to the new bunkers on holes 3 and 4. First we got a nice edge and shape, then cleared any weeds/debris finally adding the sand. When adding the sand it's important to keep a consistent cover of around 4 inches, also to compact the sand.

Jason achieving the edge

Sammy adding sand

Machine log

To create a communication link between the Greenstaff and the mechanic, we have introduced a machine log system. Each machine has a clipboard in the mess room, which the operator has to complete after use. The content is just a simple form, including operators name, times and dates, and any comments or faults, it is then the mechanics responsibility to check these and complete any tasks needed. I believe this is a simple and effective way to monitor our equipment.

16th Tee Bank

I recently posted that we would seed this area, the new addition to the 16th tee complex. We decided to turf the area as we were fortunate enough to come across some good sod. We have protected the turf from any bird damage by covering the area with netting. We just need to add some granite dust to the pathway and the job will be finished.

The weather yesterday (Monday) was a welcome surprise, we just need it for sometime now for the course to dry out. The south side is open for play, however the north remains closed until further notice.  You may have noticed end of last year we had a hydraulic leak on the 4th green. This was probably the worst time of the year for this to happen, as our only option is to seed and top dress this area. Turfing would be another option however we do not have a turf nursery with greens quality turf. So with the weather warming up, this morning we decided to hollow core the scar, top dress and seed with creeping bent grass. 

Cored, seeded and dressed

Cores

We have also managed to make some alterations to the 17th tee complex. We removed the sleepers and have created a tier from the ladies tee to the blue tee box. We had to raise the left hand side of the blue tee, so it is now the same width as the lassies tee. I'm sure you will all agree this looks formal and smarter. 

17th tee before

Pops and Sammy turfing

Single cut on the greens this morning as there has been some growth over the past couple days. The team are looking forward to spring, stepping up the golf course presentation and seeing the benefits of our winter works. 

Keeping guard

Braving all weathers

The weather doesn't look to be clearing up anytime soon, it seems to be getting worse if anything! The team have still been working through it and progressed with some smaller jobs, but will still improve the course. We aim to make the tee complexes more accessable for machinery, and also for us to operate on the surface safely. This week we have took away the sleepers at the front of the 16th tee box, and shaped it to act as a suttle tee bank. This now gives the mowing equipment more area to turn, saving wear and tear. The tractors/aerifiers plenty of room to run off the tee, and also looks better visually. We installed new edging, and we have decided to seed the area, once the weather warms up. As you can see in the picture below, the weeds along the edge. As we don't box off our tee clippings, they can often blow over the front of this tee, this encouraging the weeds to flourish. The works we have done, will prevent the clippings from going onto the path, therefor helping us overhaul the weeds situation. We do spray our paths with total weedkiller, when the weather is on our side.

Before - Clearly needed some work

Compacting and grading the soil

Going back to seeding areas when the weather warms up, you may have noticed the back bunker on the 3rd has been filled in, and shaped up. This will also be seeded once the temperatures rise.

This morning we started aerifying fairways, we simply cannot get anough of aerification at the moment. It's a practice that turf needs to improve the health of the plant, then improving playabilty and the visuals. This time we are using the small tines going down 3 inches, but have added some heave to give the profile a kick. In simple terms - no heave is when tines go staright in straight out, increasing the heave gives the tines a kick action when it's in the soil, this allows the water and air desperse alot easier.

Pop on the 1st this morning

At the moment we can only take a day at a time with this weather. We have some feeding to get on top of, fertilsing greens, tees and surrounds. And also to repair some of the course boundry fences.