Short Game Practice Area - Update

Update - SGPA

The chipping green was seeded, raked and rolled on Tuesday 2^nd September. The bankings and surrounds were completed two days later.

We have chosen a seed mixture, which contains 60% perennial ryegrass and 40% slender creeping red-fescue. At this time of year the perennial ryegrass seed normally starts germinating at around day 14 and the slower growing fescue seed by day 28.

The rapid establishment of the perennial ryegrass seedlings will give the new turf sward strength and excellent wear qualities and in doing so give protection to the slower growing fescue seedlings. The slender creeping red fescues seedlings when fully developed will give good wear tolerance and due to its high shoot density it will produce a compact tight sward.

I have included some pictures taken over the last 10 days of the seeding of the chipping green and the first signs of seed germination.

Chipping green ready for seeding

Day 1 - Seeding chipping green

Green seeded, raked and rolled.

Day 7 - First signs of seed germination

Day 8 - More seed germination

Day 9 

Course Update - August 29th

This week in addition to our normal daily cutting and maintenance schedule we have been hollow coring, over-seeding and top dressing a number of tees. The par 3 tees were completed three week ago and the results have been excellent, the new seed has germinated and is already helping to produce stronger and much denser swards.

Hollow coring the 15th tee

The reason we over-seed at this time of year is because soil and air temperatures are ideal for optimum seed germination and growth. With adequate moisture, nutrients and sunshine the new seedlings should be well established before the colder autumn/winter weather sets in.

Next week the remaining tees (1,6,9&18) will be completed.

Short Game Area Update

Despite experiencing some delivery delays the project is progressing extremely well. The chipping greens irrigation has been installed and is ready for connection to the main irrigation system. Work continues on the chipping greens surface and the immediate surrounds. The bunkers have also been excavated and are almost ready for shaping and contouring.

Over the last three days 360 tonnes of materials have been delivered to the site of which 320 tonnes has now been spread. 

The first 20 tonnes of root-zone being delivered

Connecting irrigation pipe-work and sprinklers

Shaping the bankings sub-base

Spreading the chipping greens root-zone

Excavating the first green-side bunker

Excavating the second green-side bunker

Provided the weather holds we envisage the chipping green being ready for seeding on Tuesday/Wednesday next week and the bankings and surrounds the following week.  

Short Game Practice Area Development

Blogging Resumes

I thought I would begin with a short up-date on the progress of the short game practice area development and also post some pictures.

The chipping greens sub-base has now been constructed and the greens perimeter drainage installed. The drainage grit layer, which is a 2 mm to 6 mm diameter stone will be spread over the sub-base early next week. This layer will stop the root-zone washing down and blocking the perimeter drain and prevent integration of the root-zone and the sub-base.

Next week we take delivery of the root-zone, which is approximately 240 tonnes. With the assistance of an outside contractor this should be spread over the chipping green by the end of the week. 

Some pictures of our progress:

Looking down from the 9th Tee with the green & bunkers marked out

Sub-base being delivered

Checking the levels and spreading the sub-base

Installing the perimeter drain

Perimeter drain installed

Further updates to follow

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