Dear Members
On behalf of the greens staff and myself I would like to
take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year and hopefully a
successful playing season.
This is an update on the Course winter programme so far:
New 14th gents tee.
Construction began in November 2016 with 30 trees being
removed to prepare the site and provide access routes for materials. To date
400 tonnes of material has been installed consisting of 80-100mm stone base
layer covered by a 20mm gravel layer acting as a drainage carpet , followed by
12 inches of sand/soil root zone mix to get to the final level required similar
to the existing tee. The surface has now been re turfed using the existing turf
from the old medal tee. The theory being that the root system will develop
quicker plus the turf will survive better in this shaded area. The new
measurement of the hole is now 501 yards extending by some 20 yards. The tee
bankings shall be turfed shortly followed by the installation of a new
footpath.
RHS of 5th Green.
Five large Sitka spruce trees have been removed from the
right hand side of the green .The purpose of this is to allow additional
sunlight and air movement into this area to improve turf quality not only for
this area but for the green also , especially during the winter months.
Approximately 150 tonnes of soil has been installed and landscaped to include a
small winter green removing it from its current position on the 6th
tee. Final shaping and landscaping will continue with turfing commencing from 6th
February.
Tree removal LHS 10th Green.
Approximately 40 large Sitka spruce trees have been removed
from the large tree plantation to L/H/S of the 10th green. Similar
to the project at the 5th the principals are the same to improve
turf quality not only to the 10th green but to surrounding areas as
well also to the existing trees within the plantation. It is our intention to
continue this work on an annual basis to areas required throughout the course.
14th Fairway Bunkers
Work is almost completed on the first of 3 bunkers on this
hole. We are continuing with the re-vetted style bunker face to all 3 bunkers
but at a lower height. Work will continue on the bunkers once we have completed
work on the 5th green and 14th tee.
Timber Tee Steps.
For safety and aesthetic reasons the rotten timber steps
have been removed from the 4th and 7th tees. New treated
timber steps have been installed at the 7th and the 4th
should be completed by mid February . Green staff will continue to assess the
condition of existing steps and will repair and replace when required.
Air Compressor / Shoe Cleaner.
A new machine has now been installed at the 18th
pathway leading from the course.
Douglas McIntosh
Course Manager
