Course Update
The greens have continued to present consistently well post the early spring coring renovations including the extreme climatic challenges faced in the recent months. A very strong and pleasing recovery and result has been achieved. Treatment programs targeting couch grass encroachment in the green collars has commenced. This will be carefully rolled out in the coming months and will remain ongoing until autumn.
The continuation of wet climatic conditions continues to heavily hamper the course team’s ability to present the courses in their ideal spring condition. Reactive maintenance and repair work continues to be prioritised across all turf surfaces, bunkers and wastelands as well as the roughs and plantation areas. Our important spring programs implemented in September an prior to the high rainfalls periods have also been effected and will require repeat treatments in summer. The spring Wintergrass (Poa annua) treatment with-in our warm season grass areas on Tees, Greens Surrounds and Fairways is showing clear signs of impact. We will focus on turf health for these areas in the coming months before undertaking several follow-up programs when the warmer stable weather presents in January. The course audit and improvement program has been postponed until dry access to the work sites present.
The record 204mm of rainfall recorded in October has been followed by a further 111mm in November to date. The yearly total currently sits at 884mm (34.8 inches).
The course team will turn its focus post the club championship events to the North Course for the preparation of the Sandbelt Invitational Event on Thursday December 22.
MAR/ASR (Managed Aquifer Recharge/Aquifer Storage and Recovery) Water Project
The key project management consultants for this our very important water project have been secured. Craig Flavel from FDP (Field Development Planning) is in our Independent Technical Advisory Role, and Aurecon will be the Lead Project Management Team working closely with FDP and PK. Both very experienced and industry leaders in this field of MAR/ASR Water Projects. A project kickoff meeting was held recently including a selected PK Working Group. The objective of the meeting was for our consultants (FDP & Aurecon) to provide an overview of the project, update the current status, detail of the next steps and pending investigations including the likely future financial impact and timings. A detailed project action plan is currently being investigated and prepared by Aurecon. The key project emphasis is now on securing the required regulatory licensing, detailing the project scope and methodology, continued data collection and testings, completing the detailed design, preparing tender documents, securing quality contractors for the field programs and to ensure project success. A directive for cost control, saving potential as well as securing available government grants have been issued to our consultants. The action plan with more accurate timelines and costs will be presented to PK in the coming weeks/months.
Amendment to Extreme Weather Policy
An amendment to the EXTREME AND DANGEROUS WEATHER POLICIES & PROCEDURES has been initiated to cover heavy rainfall events. (See below new policy information).
2 . Heavy Rainfall
Heavy rainfall can have a significant impact on course playability and can also present a danger to persons on the course.
This policy is intended to minimize risk and protect the courses.
- The Director of Courses or his delegate shall have the discretion to close the courses due to heavy rainfall at any time.
- The Director of Courses or his delegate will provide the Director of Sports with an update on the conditions and indicate an anticipated reopening time. The Director of Sports will communicate all updates to members
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
A key focus for some months has been on the preparation and presentation of the courses for the Men’s and Women’s Club Championships. The high rainfall in October and again in November has made many of our normal spring, lead up and current tasks very challenging, but it was nice to be greeted with a dry and warmer stretch of weather to commence the championships. We have also been fortunate to have had the daily event days played with minimum weather impact. The Course Team continue to work hard and present both courses in the best possible conditions, understanding of the climate conditions present.
DRAINAGE PROGRAM
As reported previously, our annual drainage program normally undertaken in autumn/winter, has been forced to be rescheduled to the summer/autumn months of 2023. The drier ground conditions at that time will enable this program to be more efficient and successful. Further details on this program will be presented closer to the work commencing. One positive outcome from the high rain events has again been the exposure of previously non captured wet damp areas that have now been included on our Future Drainage Enhancement Plan.
BUNKERS/WASTELANDS
The current Temporary Local Rule that covers bunkers and wastelands will continue to remain in place. This is necessary whilst the climatic conditions remain unstable, and an improved stretch of dryer conditions will enable the necessary repairs and restorations to be performed successfully.
A full bunker audit in conjunction with our Course Architects has been in progress in recent months. The initial findings of the audit will be presented to the course advisory group in December. Members will be advised of the agreed outcomes when the full audit and review is complete.
ROUGHS
Due to the excessive rain, our normal spring rough maintenance and presentation programs have been severely impacted. This includes our routine mowing, non-desirable weed and grass species control and consistency of presentation. At the earliest convenience, and when a dry stretch of weather presents, these programs will be prioritised and actioned.
RANGE TEE
The use of the turf on the driving range tee will commence from December.
RAINFALL
204mm or (8.16 Inches) of rainfall was recorded for the month of October in what was a record monthly total. 111mm has been recorded for November to date with the cumulative yearly total now standing at 884mm
UPCOMING WORKS PROGRAM
- Course preparation and presentation for the Club Championships throughout November
- Nutritional input across the warm season grass area of tees, green surrounds, and fairways
- Focused primary and deeper rough mowing for height control including a selective herbicide application program to remove all non-desirable weed and grass species
- Ongoing light sand dusting on greens to fine the leaf texture, firm and smooth the putting surface
- Fungal disease and insect prevention program on cool season grass areas (greens) and warm season grass areas on tees, green surrounds, and fairways
- Continued bunker and wasteland repair work
- Continued preparation works for the recommencement of the Course Audit and Improvement Program Projects
- Course preparations for the Sandbelt Invitational Event on the North Course in December
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses