Some of the work we carry out requires us to be quite disruptive to daily golf and the ability to utilize the 37th hole limits the amount of contact we have with golfers when trying to carry out these jobs. The use of the 37th hole is something I wish to do a lot more of and at times it may be for a day, week or even 2-3 depending on the work we need to achieve around the courses. This week it was the 8th West that got some extra attention with sodding and bunker repairs high on our priority list.
As mentioned in recent weeks minor repairs have been ongoing on a number of greens and this will continue to happen on 8 throughout the week. A large area at the front of the green where we see a lot of congested traffic has been sodded and will be protected for the rest of the week and in the coming months to allow it to establish. Unfortunately, due to the layout of the hole this area is and always will be a problem area for us and we encourage golfers to please be aware of the fragile turf through that area. Adhering to ropes, signs and hoops will go a long way to improving the turf health.
Bunker maintenance will also be carried out with normal snipping, edging, levelling and compaction of faces planned for Thursday and Friday. The front bunker will be a priority for us while the hole is closed with the other two bunkers only needing minor work to improve their playability.
Vegetation work within the carry has also been underway to remove some of the thicker grasses that had taken up most of the sight line through to the green. The look we now have is quite bare however, a great population of native grasses have been staked through the area and a concentrated effort to develop these will see the area look a lot more visually appealing over time.
ROWAN DAYMOND
Course Superintendent