Rainfall and Course Conditions
Over the past 14 days the courses have received over 126.5mm of rain. This includes the extreme weather event that occurred on Friday October 9 when 35mm of rain was recorded in just over one hour. This caused significant damage to the bunkers and sandy waste areas.
The Course Team continue the repair work on the bunkers which is expected to be complete by October 21 before commencing with the wasteland areas. Many hours have and will be required to have them back into a playable standard.
The total rainfall for the month of October currently stands at 126.5mm (already 55mm over the monthly average). See below photos after the severe rain.
Course Audit and Improvement Program
The current task in progress is the realignment of the maintenance track on the right hand side of the 6 South hole. The inclement weather has severely impacted progress on this project unfortunately but will be complete in the coming week/s.
Our course audit and improvement program continues albeit slower than originally anticipated, weather constraints being the major factor along with some contractor labour shortage. It will now require the full budget year to complete all audit tasks. One of the larger remaining tasks is the Drainage Program in which the bulk work will likely to be scheduled in early autumn 2023. We are working closely with OCM to lock in a scheduled plan to successfully complete this program. It is likely that minimal project work will be undertaken in November, December and January to allow for a clear run and preparation time for the Club Championships, Sandbelt Invitational event and avoid the intense summer heat period in January.
Greens Storm Water Storage Pump System Servicing
Recently and in preparation for the summer months, we had a company in to service our greens storm water transfer pumps. This system plays an important role in water capture into our skye road storage dam.
Greens Recovery and Soil Dusting Program
The greens have recovered extremely well and as expected from our recent greens hollow tyning program. Mowing heights will soon be at our intended levels.
A very light and more regular soil dusting program will be introduced this growing season. The light applications will be barely noticeable with little to no effect on golf play and maintenance programs. The objective of this program is to ensure adequate organic matter level dilutions are maintained, leaf texture fineness is achieved and greens present firm and smooth so they play to their potential. Sand plays a vital role in achieving the above objectives.
Spring Course Walk
On Monday 10 October, 38 members participated in our inaugural Spring Walk with our Courses Team.
Members enjoyed understanding the many and various aspects relating to the vegetation management and its importance for the courses.
We continue to invest heavily in protecting, developing, and managing a sustainable environment for our 11 unique EVCs (Ecological Vegetation Classes) of vegetation to survive and thrive as well as providing attractive habitat in these zones for fauna to exist throughout the facility.
The walk showcased many of the striking heathland plants and native grass species currently in flower.
The Spring Walks will be undertaken in October on an annual basis, and we encourage all interested members to participate.
UPCOMING WORKS PROGRAM
- Course preparation for the Club Championships Event in November
- Nutrition input across Tees, Green Surrounds and Fairways
- Ongoing light sand dusting on greens to fine the leaf texture, firm and smooth the putting surface
- New Course Furniture – Flags and Flagsticks to replace existing items on course (includes a shorter designed flag for the short game greens)
- 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
- Selective herbicide application program in roughs to remove all non desirable weed and grass species
- Continued Course Audit and Improvement Program Projects
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses