July 2024

Welcome to the July Course Update, hopefully your staying warm and dry between rounds whether that be on course or in the club ! 
 Rain patterns continue to dump large amounts of rain in short periods, the most recent 25mm in 35 minutes, causing further washouts and course repair from water damage.
Attending these issues takes priority over any planned maintenance works so each event does impact our planned maintenance programs, delays in most aspects of winter maintenance is occurring. To date over 400mm has fallen since May. 
 With the continued heavy rain impacting bunkers it is likely we will sand replenish towards the end of the rain season. At this time we will be introducing a new product to trial, applying on bunker faces to assist in sand binding and hopefully limiting the extent of washouts in future. 
 The main planned Bunker renovations have now been postponed till spring, the delay caused by storm damage clean up now running into the period where the majority of staff leave is taken, we simply ran out of available time in the short term for this intensive work. 

 Whilst we do not seek to prevent cart use during wet periods, a timely reminder this is reliant on cart users being responsible and not abusing the privilege, unfortunately some instance of reckless use while the course is wet is forcing us to revaluate how we manage cart use during winter, please be responsible when driving carts and report any instances of reckless use, don't let the small % ruin it for everyone. 
 Winter also sees staff leave taken that can't be during the busy summer period, it also is when machine maintenance takes priority for the season ahead, two main works so far have been the sharpening of fairway mower reels, and main roller alterations the greens corer which required removal and some fabrication work, now complete and ready for the season ahead. As we proceed other equipment will be attended with full servicing as need be. 

 The new pump end for the back 9 bore has arrived, this will be shelved for when required to replace the old pump in B9 bore. A reminder, the back 9 bore pump has a new motor but using the old pump end which is working fine at present, this was done to get operational as quick as possible last summer without delay of sourcing a compatible pump which proved difficult given the specification of the existing pump and bore. Due to the nature of and style of the upright pipe connections on advice from Australind Bore and Civil and Thinkwater, we do not want to unnecessarily lift the pump to replace it while it is in operational order as risk of dropping bottom end is possible. With the information we now have, the Front 9 Bore pump is and will be in similar situation as the Back 9, i.e., once pulled the pump will likely be unserviceable, as manufacturer no longer exists and parts are no longer available. The plan at this stage is, in an emergency situation the shelf pump will be utilised to for replacement. In the winter, non irrigation period of 2025/2026 we will be looking at providing cost provisions to purchase a replacement pump, motor and associated cost for installation for the Front 9 Bore. 

 Towards the later part of this winter we will be marking out, reconfiguring and installing extra irrigation coverage for the practice fairway, this is now required due to the increased use of the practice area and to make ball collection for the volunteers easier with a wider area for mechanised pick up on turf rather hand picking on bare ground.
 GREENS 
We are slowly getting back on track with various programs that were impacted by supply issues, with greens responding very positively. Some motley discolouration will start to occur as our winter grass management kicks in along with colder night temperatures now occurring. 
 Penetration products were applied in an effort to reduce rainwater puddling on greens. we have seen an improvement in drainage and will not use more invasive coring techniques, particularly while managing poa in the greens. 
Green aprons were solid tined to improve drainage, the aprons are generally the worst effected wet areas on course as the greens shed surface water direct to the front area. Green Surround turf repair and recovery of eroded and washed out seed areas are nearing completion, some fairway areas are also in need of attention and will be completed shortly. 
 Staff are continuing to divot tees weekly as time permits, We still would like more effort from players to chop divots in heading into the non growth months ahead. 

 Except for major events, the grassed practice tee area will now be closed for winter with the undercover area used exclusively. The grassed area is very small for a practice tee and careful management through the non growth period is an ongoing consideration. 

 Finally once again I would like to thank the course volunteers for the continued work removing dead trees, path construction and other work as required, tremendous effort by all, thank you very much. 
 Till next Time 
 Happy Hooking

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