Estate Manager
Estate Manager’s Report
With Spring now finally here, there has been some grass growth to help repair the winter wear and tear around the golf course. Fertiliser has been put onto the greens and tees, with visible results. The approaches and certain areas around greens and tees will been done next week.
Coming out of winter (and to remind you all that it was only a few weeks ago) is always a difficult time to manage the greens. There is a process to undertake in moving from a winter putting surface to a summer putting surface. It is not merely a case of giving the grass a shorter haircut. To achieve a smooth and consistent ball roll on a green takes a combination of the correct application of nutrition, brushing, verti-cutting, topdressing, water management, aeration, rolling and height of cut. There are a lot of elements to balance and manage, and it takes time and effort to achieve. It is off the back of achieving a smooth and true ball roll that ‘green speed’ is attained.
The pedestrian bridge and path at the back of the 11th is progressing, although not finished as previously anticipated. When completed, it will add a new dimension to an already attractive golf hole.
Next week will see a delivery of turf which will be used to repair rabbit damage to some tee and bunker edges. Also the two fairway bunkers on kingfisher will finally be filled in and turfed over.
During the winter, the stake and roping placed around greens, approaches and slopes proved to be of benefit in keeping traffic off these sensitive areas. The roping that is now out on the course will continue for the whole year.