Greens Update: September 2020

Dear Members,

Not a lot of news from the greens team this month, as we have mainly been concentrating on cutting grass. Since we had a period of course closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, we have purposely not hollow-tined the greens - this to allow everyone to get as much use and benefit from the course as possible.

Phil and the team are looking to scarify and ‘verticut’ / top-dress the greens in September.  The exact dates for this activity will be confirmed. When the work is undertaken, the greens should be back to playing as normal within just a few days.

We are looking to bring back divot bags for use on the course, whilst ensuring compliance with coronavirus regulations. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency since the course is showing signs of wear, especially as many golfers are not replacing their divots. Some weeks ago, we arranged a volunteer team to undertake divot repairs around the course and we may need volunteers again to carry out the same task. If you would like to help, please let me know and I will sort out an afternoon to do the work when it is quieter on the course.

I have a plan in place with the greens team to top dress quite a few of our tee boxes this winter - expect this work to start as soon as the season finishes.

I have also been asked to have the greens team inspect and rod / clean the land drains on the usual wet winter fairways on the 7th , 10th, 11th,, 13th, 14th and 16th holes. Hopefully, we can clear any possible blockages or start to insert new drains where required over the final part of the year and into next.

You may be aware that we have advertised for 2 new apprentice greens staff.  We are just finalising the review of applications and we will be interviewing in the next week or so.

Don Stubbs – Greens Chair