To date, the 12th has been excavated, new drainage pipe installed, back filled with gravel and root zone installed to turf level. We have also included vertical storm drains to the lowest areas to cope with flash flooding.
It is my intention to delay turfing to the top of the drains until February or March 2013 prior to the competition season starting, as I feel this will act as a sealant and reduce perculation rates, therefore we will not benefit from the new drainage system. However once the new turf has been applied and given time to establish we can begin to aerate.
1b. We are currently installing a new 150mm main drainage pipe across the first fairway which flows to the concrete sump to the right hand side near the boundary wall. The main pipe is in need of renewal and I also intend to install lateral drainage with additional storm drains to cope with the increased rainfall we are now experiencing. If weather permits we hope to have this completed by 09.11.2012.
1c. Drier ground conditions this week has allowed us to access the area to r/h/s 15th green with our machinery to continue excavating an open ditch which connects to an existing ditch further into the old practice ground.
Further investigation has revealed the main drain from the 16th fairway was connected to an existing clay tile drain. The clay tile drain was found to be blocked with tree roots. We have now by passed the clay tile drain and connected the 16th main drain to the open ditch. Water flow has dramatically increased from the two inlet pipes from the 16th fairway, however we will continue to monitor how effective this has been and if no significant improvement on the fairway is seen we will continue to investigate existing drainage. I also intend to remove the thatched turf on top of the existing drains so that further surface water can enter the drainage system at a faster rate.
To date we have had two drainage consultants looking into this area and other areas throughout the course and we are awaiting the reports.
2. 7th green/13th fairway drainage
As of the week commencing 12.11.2012 I intend to begin installing further drainage to the l/h/s and rear of the 7th green and also connecting o the start of the 13th fairway.
As i mentioned in a previous blog the problem is the depth of drainage. As you know I have excavated open drainage tracks to the existing drainage system in the green. Unfortunately this is not deep enough to install additional drainage to the rear of the green and to the start of the 13th fairway.
My intention is to connect to existing deeper drainage to the r/h/s of the 8th tee and excavate back to the 7th green.
On the basis we do not occur any rock excavation, we hope this will be completed by 26.11.2012. The temporary green will be in play during this time.
3. Fairway Protection
As of week commencing 05.11.2012 I will be introducing fairway protection. As I mentioned last week blue lines will be installed to indicate the start and finish of the area of fairway we are protecting. This applies to all of the fairway's marked with blue lines. Please comply with fairway protection as this is extremely beneficial to the condition of the fairway's in spring 2013.
Thank you for your co-operation
Douglas McIntosh
