10th Pathway

We are at present installing three sets of raised kerbs on the lower section of the pathway from the 10th tees.

These are being installed to divert surface water away from the pathway and to help prevent washout of the path surface. 

Second kerb installed

Final kerb section being cemented into place

Once the cement work has set, this section of pathway will be dressed with a mixture of granite dust and cement before finally being rolled and compacted.

Spring Bunker Refurbishment

With the new playing season now only a few weeks away we have been refurbishing the bunkers on both courses.

Between the two courses we have in total 92 bunkers, 55 on Murrayfield and 37 on Ravelston.

Step 1- Edge the bunker.

It is important that the bunker edge is well defined, not only so the golfer can clearly identify whether the ball is in or out of the hazard, but also to prevent grass rhizomes and stolons from encroaching into the sand.

Green-side bunker on Ravelston before edging

Bunker edged

Step 2 – We then check the depth and coverage of the sand

This is done to ensure that we have a minimum of 75/100mm of sand on the flat and 25/50mm on the bunker face or slope.  

Additional sand being added

Step 3 – Add additional if required

If additional sand is required, it is important that the new sand is firmed, this will help avoid the ball plugging.

Sand being firmed

Step 4 – Final rake

Ready for play and the new season

To edge and refurbish all 92 bunkers takes somewhere in the region of 220 man hours and approximately  60 tonnes of sand.
Annually we use between 100 and 120 tonnes of sand over the two courses. 

Drainage Update

In the last few days we have completed some remedial work on the drainage pipe-work on the left-hand side of the 16^th fairway. 

The drainage in this area, which is linked into the open ditch outlet, was installed in the mid 80’s. 

Like many parkland golf courses at this time, when plastic perforated drainage pipe and gravel was installed it was wrapped in a geotextile membrane.

This was done to prevent the ingression of tree roots into the plastic pipe-work, which can cause blockages and damage pipe-work.

Unfortunately, after a number of years the very fine pore spaces in the membrane become blocked and clogged up with fine soil particles. 

When this happens, water is prevented from entering the drainage pipe.

In the picture below the soil and blocked membrane is preventing the surface water from reaching the drain below.

The drain line (marked with yellow flags) is only is 300mm/12" below the surface

When we are refurbishing any of the existing pipe-work lines, we always remove the offending membrane and soil.

This is replaced with additional gravel and grit before topping off the surface with a sandy root-zone.

See picture below

Installed Pipe-Work Spec

Additional drainage being installed on the left-hand side of the 16th fairway

Although the newly installed drainage pipe-work on the left-hand side of the 16^th fairway will not solve all the problems in this area.

It will help speed up the water removal process and ultimately, improve playing conditions in this area.

Course Closed

Unfortunately, because of adverse weather conditions, both courses have today been closed.
Sub zero temperatures and overnight snow have left both courses unplayable.

Some pictures from earlier today,

Clubhouse & 18th green this morning

The 1st tee and fairway this afternoon

For further daily updates please phone the golfline on  077 8315 7721

Thank you

Drainage - Hole 16

At long last we have been able to drain the small “duck pond” that had formed in front of the 16^th tee.

This has not only been an unwanted feature of the hole since last summer but a source of some minor irritation for some.  

We have also refurbished the existing drain in front of the 16^th tee and at the same time took the opportunity to renew part of the mains water feed to the drinking fountain.

While the trench was open we also extended the mains water pipe to the location of the new on course toilets

Excavating new drainage lines

Ready for new drainage pipe-work

Refurbishing the existing drain in front of the 16th tee

New mains water pipe-work installed

Drainage Update - Hole 10

Drainage Update – Hole 10

I am delighted to report that the final sixty meters of drainage pipework on hole 10 has now been installed.

This completes the drainage works on hole 10 for this winter.

Excavating new drainage pipe lines

Pipework installed and drainage trenches backfilled

New inspection chamber constructed

Drainage binder layer spread and now ready for top soil

This area will be top soiled and re-seeded in the early spring and should be back in play for early June.