Course Update - February 2014

Out on the course we have started our spring bunker refurbishment program. The bunkers on both courses are being edged, cleaned out and sand levels replenished.

The approaches and walkways have been intensively aerated with 19mm diameter tines to a depth of between 150/180mm. These areas are now being top-dressed with sand and brushed. In time this type of maintenance will improve the drainage and playability of these areas.

This winter many hours have been spent re-furbishing the course furniture. The course and balcony benches have been sanded down and received several wood treatments. Tee markers, course bins, planter boxes, flag pins etc have all been prepped and re-painted, ensuring they are in pristine condition for the start of the new playing season.

The newly re-built 7^th medal tee is rooting extremely well and has recently been lightly top-dressed and brushed. Weather permitting this tee should be ready for play from the beginning of April.

In the workshop, the grass cutting machinery and our extensive range of course maintenance equipment is being serviced and made ready for the start of the new season.

The small garden at the entrance to the overflow car park has also received a make over and the signage around the clubhouse has been replaced. 

The small garden at the entrance to the overflow car park

Drainage Hole 13

This week we started our last drainage project for this winter. We are concentrating on the area between the 12^th green/13^th tee and directly in front of the 13^th tee. This is another area, which becomes waterlogged after prolonged rainfall.

The water will be piped from in front of the 13^th tee, round the 12^th green and into the woods on the left-hand side of the 12^th hole.

A total of 110 meters of 160mm perforated drainage pipe-work will be installed during this project.

The area between the 12^th green and in front of the 13^th will also be renovated and re-turfed.   

Drainage Plan - Route of new pipework marked in blue

Waterlogged area in front of 13th tee

Pipework being installed behind 12th green

Excavating the trench between 12th green and 13th tee

Stripping off the waterlogged turf in front of the 13th tee

Drainage Project – Approach to 17th Green

The 17th green has been intensively aerated, scarified and top dressed over the last few years and although the thatch levels are still considered excessive, its playability has slowly started to improve.

What is a little disappointing is the front section of this green and the approach, which again has become extremely waterlogged.

Our initial plan was to install a short ten-metre section of drainage pipe above the green on the right-hand approach to the green. This drain would intercept and divert the surface water away from the green's putting surface.

But like a number of other small drainage projects, it has now grown arms and legs.

Excavating drainage trenches

We have now extended the pipe-work and drained the hollows on the right-hand of the green and at the same time and more importantly discovered an old broken tile drain that was completely blocked.

Because the tile drain had collapsed it was clearly not allowing water to flow away from this area.

Collapsed drain uncovered

Water flowing away from the unblocked drain

Ready for pipe-work

Although it will undoubtedly take some time to dry out, what is encouraging is that the new drainage pipe-work is already moving water away from this area.