Greens & Facilities Report August 2024

Monthly Greens and Facilities Update

Thanks for reading this latest bulletin aimed and keeping you up to date on the activities and plans for the Club's course and facilities.

We will start with an update from our Head Greenskeeper Matt Lock, and then continue with news on various other areas of activity.

But firstly we would like to thank the nearly 300 of you who took the time to respond to our membership survey.

Responses are being analysed and next month's update will comprise a detailed summary of Greens and Facilities feedback having listened to what you have said.

Greens

You will recall that we committed to do everything we can over the summer months to prepare our greens for the winter ahead in the knowledge that there would be some effect on playability compared to normal for this time of year. We have now successfully completed the second round of micro-coring and top dressing.

In the last 2 months we have removed several tonnes of thatch from our greens and put down 30 tonnes of sand. I would like to repeat this process again before the end of the year as it will pay dividends during the wetter months as it will improve surface drainage and firmness.

Course cutting

Due to exceptional staff absences over the last 4 weeks it has not been possible to maintain every area to the high standards we set. The team have given their all on a daily basis to stay on top of things for which I am really grateful. Our irrigation system has required further repairs for another 2 leaks this month to perished pipework, and we also shut the whole system down during a dry spell to fix the damaged water tank. This was a nervous few days! We are also bringing in additional support to the Greens team on a temporary basis whilst some of the team remain off work. Thanks also to young Morley one of our juniors who spent a couple of days with us in July as part of his work experience at the club.

Shaun Harvey has been carrying out course walks every week or two with me where we discuss specific areas of feedback from members and try where possible to action areas of improvement, but as mentioned above this past month just keeping up with the basic course setup and maintenance has been the challenge.

Driving Range

With the grass green and the ground firm it is easy to forget the just 4 months ago our range was waterlogged and had to be closed along with it must be said dozens of ranges all over the country. Our issue is that the range is made from heavily compacted clayey spoil with some pockets of topsoil. Because the water cannot penetrate the sub layer and find it's way into the drainage system it sits on the top and becomes the bog that we saw in the winter.

Multiple site meetings with expert contractors and consultants, including camera inspections of the drainage pipes themselves have led us to a point of understanding the root causes. What we are now doing is working with those parties (Jeremy Burt and son Jamie - JB Groundworks having been invaluable so far) to find an economic whilst effective solution that allows the range to stay open as much as possible during the work, and over the next winter which we sincerely hope will be drier! Early October remains the window identified to carry out the work.

Temporary Greens

Having agonisingly missed out on getting 4/5/6 temporary greens in play last winter due to October washout, they are now being cut with a cylinder mower at a height of 25 mm. This is in preparation for their use this coming winter. Yes we do expect micro-coring and dressing to improve greens drainage generally but 4 and 6 in particular will always be the earliest casualties of heavy rain. We will lower the height over the next couple of months after the threat of drought has past.

We appreciate all your efforts to repair pitchmarks and rake bunkers, this gives us all the reassurance that you want to see the course presented to the desired standard the same as we do. With many new members playing golf who may not necessarily be aware, we encourage everyone to help educate them on how we respect fellow players and the greens team by leaving no trace of your being there.

Thanks, Matt

Maintenance Buildings

You have probably noticed the crack in the end of our greenskeepers buildings after it was reversed into by a lorry delivering sand.

The haulier's insurers have been processing this, and we are close to having the building most importantly made safe but also improved aesthetically and functionally. It will be repaired with a timber structure that will house our full buggy fleet.

Clubhouse

We're sure you'll agree the entrance area is much fresher thanks to some love from Glyn Swiggs, and the rear of the kitchen too with the install of new gates kindly donated by Tony Pitts. The bin storage area will be a project for the future too, don't forget we have in excess of 1000 litres of heating oil that needs a home, talk to Catherine if you want to do a deal!

Three Phase Power and Solar Panels

Both of these projects are oven-ready but we are undertaking final due diligence to ensure that they remain affordable. Membership renewals were impacted by the cost of living crisis and playability of the course over the winter period. The former has also impacted our Green Fee and Society revenue this year.

If you have any suggestions or feedback on Greens and Facilities please speak to either Club Manager Catherine, or the Executive Committee members responsible for this area, Ross Facey and Shaun Harvey. They can both be contacted via the Intelligent Golf messenger.

Many thanks,

Ross & Shaun