Drainage 16^th Fairway – Update

Despite difficult ground conditions and inclement weather we have made good progress on the 1^st phase of drainage works on the 16^th fairway.  

We have repaired a number of collapsed drains and installed an additional fifty meters of new drainage pipe-work. 

Some of the fairway areas, which were damaged by the prolonged wet weather this summer, have also been repaired.

Repairs almost completed

Due to a ground frost this morning we were able to aerate the area to a depth of 200mm with 19mm diameter tines, which will aid recovery. 

Video - Aeration 16th Fairway

Safety Barrier - Update

The path between the 9^th green and 10^th tee has now re-opened.

The safety barrier has now been erected and the paths surface refurbished. 

Looking down towards the 10th tee

Works completed

Further improvements (weather permitting) will be made in January on the lower section of the pathway.  

Drainage 16th Fairway

This week we have started to repair some of the areas on the 16^th fairway that were damaged by the extremely wet weather we experienced this summer.

During this phase of works, we are concentration on the area of the fairway that runs adjacent to the open ditch.

We are also trying to locate and inspect any existing drainage pipe work, to determine its condition.

Some pictures below of our survey and progress.

A manhole backed up with with stagnant water 

And the reason - a collapsed drain 

We have already uncovered a number of collapsed drains, some of which are being cleared and repaired.

Unfortunately, some of the damaged drains are beyond economical repair and will require replacing.

One of the areas requiring a new drain

A new drain almost ready for the pipe work and gravel

Subsurface Aeration

In an attempt to break up some of the deep-rooted compaction in some of our greens, we have this week hired a Robin Dagger.

The Robin Dagger has a single 30 mm x 600 mm tine, which is driven into the ground by an air hammer.

Once the tine is fully inserted a burst of compressed air is released horizontally in three directions at the base of the tine.

The air pressure at the point of release is around 100psi. 

The compressed air creates fissures in the soil, alleviating compaction and allowing water to penetrate more deeply.

Below is a short video of the Robin Dagger working on Ravelston’s 5^th Green. 

Safety Barrier

Today, contractors began installing a safety barrier on the pathway between the 9th green and 10th tee and despite some difficult ground conditions, good progress has been made. 

Post hole drill

First three sections installed

This essential maintenance work is expected to last 4/5 days and is required to be completed before the introduction of buggies next spring.

Irrigation Pumphouse – Power Supply

Members are advised to proceed with caution when parking in the practice ground car park or when accessing the bottom side holes from this car park.

We are at present installing a new power supply cable to the Irrigation Pumphouse, replacing the existing cable, which is now beyond economical repair.

Works are expected to be completed by Friday 16^th November.

Excavating trench for cable

Cable ducting installed

Safety Matting

Earlier in the year we installed non-slip, impact absorbing safety matting on a number of areas on the golf course.

The product has proved so successful and versatile, we are now using the matting in a number of other areas on the course.

Safety matting being installed on the slope down from the 7th tee

Matting being used to prevent excessive wear round winter tee mats .

A perfect solution for slippery steps

Drainage - 12th Green

Recently we commenced drainage and landscaping works on the 12^th green.

Because of the way the green has been shaped and contoured the rear section of the green is prone to flooding, particularly, after prolonged and heavy rain.

Flooding on the 12th green

To help alleviate the problem we have decided to install two sections of 80 mm diameter perforated pipe on the green and construct a drainage outlet.

Drainage outlet completed

We are also lowering and re-contouring a section of the left-hand green-side banking, this will allow rainwater to flow freely away from the green during heavy rain. 

Part of the green-side banking being lowered

Once the pipework has been installed and surface levels established, re-turfing will begin.