April 2018 Blog

April 2018 Greens Blog

1.     Eco Bunkers:

·         These have all been turfed & weather permitting they should be in play within 3 – 4 weeks.

·         Douglas reassures me the back of the one at the 5^th will not be too high. The base is being carefully shaped to ensure any balls entering it will roll into the middle & not get caught under the back lip.

2.     1^st Green:

·         Following the installation of the new drain in this green, it’s looking great & back in play.

3.     14^th Red Tee:

·         The new tee was rolled/cut this week & weather permitting should be in play within 2 weeks.

4.     LHS of 17^th:

·         Douglas will be assessing this area as it’s extremely wet. If necessary it will be roped off & marked GUR.

5.     Drainage:

·         There are several unusual areas of the course which are holding extraordinary levels of water. In the interests of being proactive & minimising course closures during next winter, Douglas is developing a plan (for committee approval) as to how we might manage these areas during the playing season.

6.     Preferred Lies:

·         Preferred lies will remain in place until further notice.

7.     Pitch Marks:

·         There are a ridiculous amount of pitch marks on the greens. Therefore we are re-issuing the surname alpha split asking all members to repair pitch marks on at least their allocated greens. See below:

A                      -           Hole 1.

B                      -           Hole 2.

C                      -           Hole 3.

D                      -           Hole 4.

E/F                   -           Hole 5.

G                      -           Hole 6.

H                      -           Hole 7.

I/J/K                 -           Hole 8.

L                      -           Hole 9.

Mc                    -           Holes 10/11.

M                     -           Holes 12/13.

N/O/P/Q            -           Hole 14.

R                      -           Hole 15.

S                      -           Hole 16.

T/U/V                -           Hole 17.

W/X/Y/Z            -           Hole 18.

March 2018 Greens Blog

March 2018 Greens Blog

1.     Winter Programme:

·         The Winter Programme is in the main completed, with only the following works outstanding:

ü  Re-turf on the area which was thatched at the LHS of 10^th fairway – turf arriving w/c 26^th March.

ü  The company we usually use for scarifying have gone under & although we have sanded the fairways given concern, we may need to look at doing this ourselves going forward (hiring/buying the necessary machinery).

2.     Eco Bunkers:

·         Constructed at the 5^th, 7^th & 16^th. Sand has now been installed & turfing will start done w/c 26^th March.

3.     1^st Drain:

·         Green has benefited hugely from no play throughout the winter & the returfing has settled well.

4.     14^th Red Tee:

·         Fully flattened & turfed. Although there is some rooting already it will not be in play for the early part of the season.

5.     Exit Route 16^th to 17^th:

·         Tried to re-route around the back of the 16^th to the 17^th tee (red) but agreed to revert to original plan to place double rubber matting at the LHS of 16th until it dries up.

6.     Drainage:

·         The Greens Staff have undertaken some investigations on the course where water has been “bubbling” and puddling, i.e. LHS of 17^th, between 11^th/12^th & 10^th. All these have been rectified but it has highlighted the drains between the 8^th – 12^th holes will require further significant work over the next 5 years.

·         Investigations will also be done in relation to the “bubble” on the 8^th & where possible remedial action will be undertaken.

7.     Machinery:

·         We will shortly have our new machinery with us:

ü  Aeriation within 2 – 3 weeks.

ü  Cutting by early April.

8.     Fairway Protection:

·         The blue stakes will be removed on Friday 30^th March, but preferred lies will remain in place until further notice.

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 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

Greens Blog: December 2017

1.     Winter Programme:

Works on this are progressing as follows:

·       New drain at the RHS of the 1^st green has been completed, with some minor turfing work required.

·       Red tee at the 14^th has been flattened & roped off. Turf will be re-laid when weather permits.

·       Green staff are clearing some of the smaller trees at the back of the white medal tee are ongoing to ensure more air/light into the area.

·       Works on the 18^th exit pathway has started.

·       Fine hollow tining on greens has been slightly delayed to the increasingly cold weather.

2.     Course Closures/Conditions:

·       Members will be aware the course has been closed on several occasions over recent weeks. This in the main has been due to inclement weather with extraordinary rainfall, followed by freezing temperatures. We have a duty of care to our members/visitors & are required to ensure playing the course does not present any foreseeable risks to them. Therefore, we ask that members recognise the course will only be closed where a series of dynamic risk assessments (undertaken daily) have determined opening the course would damage it or would be potentially unsafe for members to play.

·       We will endeavour to have the course open where at all possible & when it is we would ask players to be alert & diligent, avoiding any potentially slippy areas where possible.

·       Players should also ensure they have appropriate footwear with good spikes in them.

3.     Contact the Greens Team:

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

Jane Lees

Greens Convenor

Greens Report: September 2017

Greens Report: September 2017

1.     Winter Playing Conditions:

·       Preferred lies will be in operation with effect from Monday 2nd October along with the requirement for winter wheels on all trolleys.

·       Members who have mats & wish to use them throughout the winter months can do so in the rough only.

2.     2^nd Hole:

·       We are still receiving complaints from members about near misses on this hole.

·       We will monitor the situation & in the meantime continue to grow the grass between the banking on the 2^nd & the bunker on the 4^th hole to discourage the “high road”. We will also source & display more permanent signage for the tee.

·       Members are reminded to shout “fore” if they are taking the “high road” & also to record any accidents/near misses in the book behind the bar.

3.     6^th Medal Tee:

·       After a seeking a wide variety of advice & some considerable work from the Greens Team, we are pleased to advise we have managed to save this tee.

·       As suspected the problem has been “football stadium syndrome”, i.e. lack of light & air.

·       As part of the proposed winter programme, tree contractors will be thin out some of the larger trees at the back of the tee & the Greens Team will work on removing/thinning out the smaller ones.

4.     9^th Hole:

·       Despite concerns that the landfill pipe on the RHS of this hole would cause flooding, Douglas has been up to see it & is confident the sophisticated system is more than adequate to control any water flow away from course.

5.     Trees:

·       Also proposing to remove/thin out some trees on the 6^th & 16^th holes to alleviate how much water is being held on the fairways. Again contractors will deal with the large ones & our own team will deal with the smaller ones.

6.     Winter Programme:

·       We have discussed this in detail & Douglas is preparing a spreadsheet of proposed works, priorities, man hours & costings.

·       Much of this work will be done in-house by our own Greens Team to rather than out-sourcing.

7.     General:

·       Douglas will yet again chase the 5^th & 14^th tee markers. We will also look to amend distances on the cards when we next print them.

·       Hawthorn bush in front of the red tee @ the 12^th is to be chopped down significantly to ensure it can be managed safely by the greens Team.

·       Members to note roped areas on the LHS of 10^th & 13^th are GUR.

·       Members are reminded that no more than 2 balls should be played on the course & should they wish to practice with more, they should do so in the Practice Area.

·       We will be displaying “rules of engagement” signage on the Practice Area as members continue to hit back towards the Clubhouse. 

·       The Greens Committee would ask that members raise any queries/concerns with the course via Greens@cathkinbraesgolfclub.co.uk & not with the Greens Team or Secretary.

Jane Lees

Greens Blog: June/July 2017

1.    Paths

·         3rd:      Suspected the buggies might be ripping the matting up. Consideration is being given to speed restrictors on our buggies which may alleviate this as well as other safety concerns.

·         17^th:     Matting to the red tee has been ripped up, the ground levelled, matting replaced/bolted & covered with red grit.

2.    6^th Medal Tee

·         This tee is again giving cause for concern & we have sought advice from an advisor in the company who provide our turf. We are taking forward their recommendations which include lifting turf, scarifying/coring, applying an agreed substance & re-seeding with rye grass. Consideration will also be given to clearing more trees around this tee to allow more air & light into it.

·         In the meantime, the white medal tee will remain in the forward position.

3.    5^th & 14^th Tee Signage

·         After some initial errors with the signs, these will be in place in the next 2 weeks.

4.    2nd/4th safety issues:

·         Warning signs have been more or less ineffective.

·         Several more reported near misses, even as wide as the steps at the new 5th tee with no shout of “fore”!

·         This is a known safety risk & we are putting some control measures into place. As an initial step the cut of grass at the top of the 2nd backing to halfway towards the bunker on the 4th will be lengthened from 50mm to 100mm.

·         We will continue to monitor this issue & ask that all players experiencing accidents & near misses formally record them in the book behind the bar.

5.    Eco-bunkers:

·         Following a recommendation from Douglas & the Greens Committee, the COM has agreed to trial an Eco-Bunker on the 16^th hole. They look good as well as natural & have hugely impressive savings in terms of labour, bunker maintenance & sand.

6.    General

·         Old tee at 14^th will shortly be reseeded.

·         Club washer at the 13^th will be re-instated & one will also be placed at the 11^th.

·         Rough at RHS of 17^th, towards gorse will be kept slightly longer to avoid bounces into gorse/trees.

·         Until we can lower/reshape the rear of the LHS bunker at the 5th permanently, additional sand has been dumped into it in attempt to ensure balls do not get caught under the back lip.

·         No practice signs are to be placed on 5^th & 13^th tees.

·         The sluice gate at the 5^th is not functioning properly & we need to investigate what is required to fix it.

·         We are asking members to help maintain the superb condition of our greens. In an alphabetical surname split, please take ownership of pitch marks repairs on your identified greens as follows:

A                      -           Hole 1.

B                      -           Hole 2.

C                     -           Hole 3.

D                     -           Hole 4.

E/F                  -           Hole 5.

G                     -           Hole 6.

H                     -           Hole 7.

I/J/K                 -           Hole 8.

L                      -           Hole 9.

Mc                   -           Holes 10/11.

M                     -           Holes 12/13.

N/O/P/Q          -           Hole 14.

R                     -           Hole 15.

S                      -           Hole 16.

T/U/V               -           Hole 17.

W/X/Y/Z          -           Hole 18.

·         We will be working on the start of the winter programme works at the next greens meeting. Already on the list:

ü  Work on levelling the red 14^th tee.

ü  Trimming back gorse on the RHS of 16^th hole.

Please continue to get in touch via

Greens@cathkinbraesgolfclub.co.uk

Jane Lees

Greens Convenor