Course Status Update

1st Fairway This is one of the lowest areas on the fairway and naturally water will accumulate here.  However, drainage has been installed in previous years and is clear and working well.  Unfortunately there is no main outlet due to the extensive rock formation in the surrounding area.  There is however, a large sump located to the R/H/S near the main road which stores rain water and filters it slowly into the natural ground system. As you know, we have experienced an increased volume of rainfall causing this area to flood for lengthy periods, this has accelerated thatch levels to the turf on top of the drains, therefore slowing percolation rates down causing this area to continually flood.  At present, we have removed the thatch-affected turf and soil down to the gravel layer to ensure no further flooding occurs and also to aid recovery of the existing turf.  As part of our winter programme we intend to install additional lateral drainage to control further flooding. L/H/S 7th Green As you know a few months ago we excavated new drainage tracks to L/H/S of the green as a temporary solution to remove surface flooding which was deteriorating the condition of the turf in this area. Unfortunately the depth of the tracks were determined by the depth of the drains in the green. Therefore, it is my intention to locate and connect to existing drainage to the R/H/S of the 8th tee where the depth is greater allowing us to instal additional drainage to the rear of the green and to the start of the 13th fairway. There are no serious issues with this area other than it being a low-lying site. Also this year experiencing the poorest summer on record and only hope this will change. Installing additional drainage will require excavating across the apron. Therefore for safety reasons a temporary green will be in use until work is complete.

12th Fairway Our green staff are currently installing lateral drainage across the fairway.  They are taking extreme care not to damage services to the Ex. Farm Building on R/H/S which run from the R/H/S of the 8th across the fairway to the fence on R/H/S of the 12th fairway.  For safety reasons tee markers will be located approx. 100yds from the main tee to allow green staff to work safely and effectively. 14th Fairway This fairway has suffered the most in the way of flooding this year. I contacted a reputable drainage contractor a few months ago to seek advise on improving drainage to the fairway. I followed his advice and agreed in carrying out hollowtining, scarifying and sand topdressing with sand banding to follow at a later date. Sand banding will link surface water to the existing drainage system as a cost-effective alternative to installing further drainage, however this could possibly be at a later date! To date hollowcoring, scarifying and sand topdressing have been carried out. Unfortunately, to the end of the scarifying procedure we were hampered with torrential rain showers and also into the following morning. This affected and delayed the application of topdressing sand and didn’t produce the quality of work expected. However, the last few days we were able to apply the sand, which is now disappearing into the turf and significantly, improved turf stability and firmness. Soil conditions and thatch controlling products will be applied at a later date.

16th Fairway As you are aware.  To the L/H/S of the fairway and rough has become extremely wet due to the poor summer we have had this year.  Thatch levels have significantly increased within the turf on top of the drains, which is reducing the percolation rate in which water passes through the root zone.  The existing drainage flows from the L/H/S of the green down towards and underneath the 16th Tee leading to a sump located to the R/H/S of the 15th green in amongst the tees.  Further investigation has revealed that the flow of water is restricted when exiting the sump therefore causing a backup in the 16th fairway.  As part of our winter programme we intend to install additional drainage around the sump outlet, also if weather permits carry out renovation work i.e. hollowcoring, topdressing and vertidraining To the fairway to improve turf health and pliability.

Your co-operation is essential and appreciated so our staff can carry out their work safely and efficiently. Your patience and understanding is appreciated through this difficult climate period.   Thank you   Douglas McIntosh