February 2018 Blog Update

February 2018 Blog Update

 1.     Eco Bunkers:

·         As previously advised work started w/c 12th February to replace the bunkers at the 5th & 16th greens. We had enough material left over to do a further bunker, so the bunker at the right-hand side of the 7th green has also been replaced.

·         The artificial revetted faces are already in place & the identified bunkers have been slightly re-shaped to suit the holes, e.g. 5th is now smaller & more of a pot bunker.

·         Greens Team will soil/turf around the new bunkers over the next week & weather permitting they should be well in play for the season starting.

·         Natural turf revetted bunker faces need a lot of maintenance & full refurbishment every 5 years. The faces of the new bunkers will be crisp & clean for 20 years plus, with minimal maintenance.

·         Overall excellent value for money for 3 bunkers & our staff have been trained to install as well as maintain them.

 2.     Tee Markers:

·         New tee markers/distances for the 5th & 14th should be with us in the next 2 weeks.

        3.     Thatch Areas:

·         Wet area along left-hand side of 10th has now been re-turfed & the area at 13th will also be completed this week.

·         There is a need for some further thinning out of trees at the 10th & also the 16th too as this has the same problem.

       4.   1st Tee (Red):

·         The walkway immediately in front of this tee is extremely wet & we’ve agreed to move all play to the tee at the right-hand side for the next week or so & rope of the path to right of the red tee.

       5.     Exit Route 16th to 17th:

·         Like the area at the front of the 1st tee, this is also extremely wet making access to the 17th tee (red) difficult. Double rubber matting to be placed at this area until it dries up.

       6.     Greens/Course Status:

·         Due the lengthy spell of inclement weather as well as to reassure members we are doing all we can to have the course open, with as many greens on as possible, we have formalised this process for weekend play:

ü  Up until 10.00am the onsite Greens Staff, in conjunction with the Professional Shop will assess the course to determine the closure/greens status.

ü  Where possible, the course status will be posted on the club website ahead of the first booked tee time.

ü  After 10.00am & only where there has been a significant change in conditions, the Professional and if appropriate any Greens Committee member who is present at the club (or on the course) may review the course/greens status.

NB: Only the Greens Team, Professional & Greens Committee Members can make decisions on the course status.

Contact the Greens Team:

Members wishing to discuss any course related issues are encouraged to do so via the Greens@cathkinbraesgolfclub.co.uk

February 2018 Blog

1.    Winter Programme/Works:

Despite extremely trying weather conditions, works on the agreed programme has continued where possible. In addition to previously reported works, members will have noted the following:

·         Thinning out of trees between several of our fairways, e.g. 6^th/7^th & 14^th/17^th. This allows necessary aeriation & light it some of our wettest fairways/tees.

·         Fine hollow tining & top dressing of greens.

·         Soft/wet thatched turf has been removed from LHS of 10th & 13th fairways awaiting the application of the new root zone & returfing.

·         Works on the 18th exit pathway has been completed.

·         Topping up bunker sand & tidying bunker faces continues.

·         In the few weeks we will see the installation of the two new Eco Bunkers. Replacing the one at back of the 5^th (from the new tee), allowing us to also re-shape it accordingly. The 2^nd one will replace the bunker at the 16^th. These bunkers have huge advantages, not least a 20-year guarantee & require very little maintenance.

·         During closures, staff are working hard on general maintenance of the course furniture, tee markers/plates as well as updating necessary H & S records. This week has also seen the Greens Staff assist with the locker room clearance.

2.    Course Closures/Conditions:

·         Disappointingly we are experiencing a lengthy period of inclement weather which has seen many course closures over the last 2 months & is extremely trying for all concerned. This is obviously outwith our control, but we want to reassure all members we endeavour to have the course open with full greens in play where at all possible & without the potential for a detrimental effect to the ongoing quality of our course or where there may be a safety risk.

·         We rely on the expertise & experience of our Greens Staff (in conjunction with our Professional) to make decisions on the course status throughout the day Monday to Friday & up until 10.00am at the weekends.  After 10.00am at the weekend & where there has been a significant change in conditions, the Professional and if appropriate any Greens Committee member who is present at the club may review the course/greens status.

3.         Contact the Greens Team:

·         Members wishing to discuss any course related issues are encouraged to do so via the Greens@cathkinbraesgolfclub.co.uk