January 2025

So begins another year, it seems to come around quicker as you get older !

On behalf of the course staff we truly hope the new brings you joy on the course, happiness with your scores and laughter in the club !

For those members who are unwell or caring for a loved one that is, our heartfelt wishes are with you, and with all family like clubs if anything we can do, don’t hesitate to ask.

 

As we finish up preparations for our first main event of the 2025, the Capel Junior Open it is pleasing to look around the course and see what we have achieved, we can only hope the wind stays down and doesn’t start howling this afternoon with screaming Easterlies as it has been the past 4 weeks.

It is always challenging to set the course up for this event, the public holidays, and general Xmas / New Year “spirits” have us at skeleton staff for a good week or 2 and then have just one full week in which to prepare for the event. Constant strong Easterlies as always make matters all the more interesting, impacting on irrigation uniformity, requiring extra attention and time to areas impacted and also extra time with debris removal through the course, which sometimes just feels like %#% against the wind at times.

All areas require clearing before maintenance is carried out from Greens through Bunkers, Tees and Fairways, and despite the Blower, Mulching and sweeping it is a never-ending period of rinse and repeat on top of normal major event work preps.  It makes today (Friday before the event) all the sweeter for the staff, knowing that despite this, their efforts and dedication overcome the challenges and we can be pleased with what we have accomplished. Thankyou staff.

 Immediately after the Junior Open, we will be mini tinning Greens followed by a light sanding, this is for two purposes, the main being part of our preparations for the next major event being the Ladies Summer Cup with an estimated 150 players. The second is part of our new Poa and Saltine trial programs we are running, to enable continued smooth surfaces and fill in any blemishes from stunted Poa grass within the greens.  

To accommodate this, Sunday 12th Pm has limited tee times and Monday 13th there will be 9 Hole closures through the day. Disruption to the surface will be minimal for 2 days before returning to normal.

 This process will be repeated after the Ladies Summer Cup in February and looking ahead if all goes according to plan achieving outcomes we expect,  will be implementing a monthly tine and dust in as part of the normal maintenance program.

 During the closure times we will also be applying wetters and fertiliser to various areas.


The Low rate Saltine control aimed at slow control while limiting cosmetic injury to the greens  bent grass is taking affect, we are happy with the progress to date on the greens we are trialing with Saltine areas thinning, bent grass filling in and limited injury occurring. 

 As mentioned last update, we were forced to postpone Bunker renovations on the 1st and 16th with equipment unavailability, that continues. With the delay, it became very obvious we had to temporary improve the 1st bunker as the base was deteriorating rapidly, we have completed some temporary work and replenished the base with extra sand to improve conditions till full renovations can be completed.

 

Till Next time

Happy Hooking

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