December 2023

The last time I left off we were about to commence Fairway Scarifying for the first time in many years and doing so in house with demo equipment for the first time. I am please to advised on the whole, the program and demo equipment was a resounding success. 

We managed to complete all 18 holes within 4 days, with all outcomes exceeding expectations and to add to the success without any major interruption to competition play and only slight inconveniences to social play which were managed exceptionally by the golf shop staff. 

 Due to the success I recommended to the board to proceed with the purchase of the Scarifier unit of which was accepted.

The Board should be acknowledged for their support and commitment to providing the necessary equipment to meet player expectation of standards. 

The addition of the equipment will no doubt take the fairway grooming to a new level, less thatch better water penetration, healthier turf and promotion of new growth all leading to better ball lies with the ball sitting up, not to mention increased fairway delineation just to name a few benefits. 

 The equipment will also be used for Tee dethatching; a process that at present takes a week to complete with a pedestrian machine will now be completed in a day, pre seed drilling of areas prior to winter and generally incorporated into the maintenance programs and schedule. I look forward to seeing the realisation of benefits this equipment will provide. 

On another positive note, the practice tee is fully grown in, and we will look at restricted opening of the tee very early in the New Year, being a new surface and the heavy wear it will cop, we want to be able to manage it without interruption of public holidays causing increase work demands for other course works during this period. 

 On a less than positive note, you will have heard by now one of our 2 submersible pumps has decided that after 25 years, it’s time to clap out, We were making plans to lift the pump out this coming winter, I guess it wanted an early retirement. 

 Not exactly the best time of year to get these issues sorted but plans are proceeding to replace the pump and motor as soon as possible while keeping cost to a manageable level. 

 While the pump is out of the bore the bore intake screens will be cleaned and the bore treated to ensure the bore itself is supplying as it should be and is in good condition. 

 In the meantime it does mean we are irrigating at half capacity, and while the Greens, Tees and Fairways in the most part will all be adequately covered, the 1st cut roughs, carries and supplement irrigation areas will suffer the most. In play this will mean those areas will dry out from the outside in, specially in areas outside the full irrigation zone, i.e. the 1st cut rough, hopefully we can get back to full operation sooner than later but at this stage we are at the mercy of suppliers and delivery, hopeful of a pre Xmas install, but planning for a very interrupted Xmas Period. 

 Good news is its turf, once we are back at full capacity, we will implement recovery methods and full recovery won’t take long after that, its grass, it’ll grow back! As long as the important critical areas are covered! 

 It does mean until we do, there is no rest for the wicked, on top of normal pre Xmas maintenance we will deal with extra hand watering and more time spent on the irrigation components to ensure what we do have running is working at its full capacity. No doubt what I want for Xmas this year! 

 So plenty to keep us occupied on course over the Xmas /New Year period, and on that note we wish all our members and fellow staff a safe and wonderful Xmas and New Year. 

 Till next time 

May Your Santa Sacks be stuffed With Balls and white Tees 

And the driver you want 

 Keeps you out of the trees 

 Happy Hooking