Course Update
The Courses are presenting well and coping with the dry runs of weather the summer has produced to date together with the high levels of golf play. Storm Water supply levels in the dam are very low and a rainfall event is required in the coming weeks to collect enough water to see us safely through the summer watering season.
Damage resulting from the extreme weather events in recent months and the resulting repairs program are nearing full completion. The bunkers are all now back in normal play and the final aspects of the tree repairs are nearing completion.
Our 2021/2022 Course Audit Review undertaken in conjunction with OCM is now complete and will soon be presented to the Courses Advisory Group.
A key focus is currently on the presentation of the courses in coming weeks/months for member and corporate events together with pennant rounds.
Tee Carries and Out of Play Areas
Recently we have begun undertaking our annual ”lowering” of select tee carries and out of play vegetation areas. In some of these areas of vegetation we will undertake a controlled regeneration burn during Autumn. This method continues to provide great success in regenerating a wide range of native heath and grass land plants species so important to the ecological value for the flora and fauna on our site, as well as to control density levels, weeds, and undesirable plant species.
We will add to this during the winter months in the difficult access areas with a more significant mulching head that was successfully used during the course development phase. The areas will be mapped and covered In the Course Audit Review. This annual process significantly assists with the general upkeep maintenance, cost control and presentation of these important areas for the courses.
Current and Upcoming Programs
- Selected soil top-dressing over drainage lines and uneven turf areas. “In Progress”
- Pre and post emergent weed control across our warm season grass areas of Green Surrounds, Tees, and Fairways. “Commencing in March”
- Final completion works on the damaged trees from the October 2021 severe windstorm. “In Progress”
- General bunker maintenance focused on edge/walk-in trimming, wall and floor contouring together with entry/exit point focus. “In Progress”
- Turf fungal disease prevention programs. “Commencing in March”
- Autumn Turf Nutrition Program preparation. “Likely commencement in late March/early April”
- Annual Drainage Program preparation. “Likely commencement in April/May”
Course Furniture
New hole cups and flagpole ferrules are now in place on the course greens. This will enable the flagpoles to maintain a more consistent and sturdy position in the hole cup, and in all the various climatic condition we encounter.
Bunkers and Wastelands
The bunkers and wastelands repair on the South Course were completed last week and are all now back in normal play.
Our Bunker Maintenance Program has continued this week refining the bunkers playability and presentation level, focus is on the edge and walk-in trimming across the North Course and wall and floor contouring on selected South Course bunkers, entry and exit heights are also being prioritised for improved member entry and exit. This will remain progress for a while yet. We are also working on ways to best deliver the general maintenance programs/presentation in the bunkers whilst we encounter this next short wave of high play levels.
Turf Disease Pathogens
As reported in 2021, we are again seeing the same Turf Fugal Pathogens diseases such as Fairy Ring on Greens and Fairways Patch (BF1) on the couch grass areas on Fairways being their most active during February. They are presenting as circular rings but will subside as the daylight length reduces and cooler weather arrives soon. The impact on the greens is very minimal with little concern but select fairways will require the implementation of programs of autumn nutrition and colourant to mask up the visual impact until it goes into a dormant phase from autumn. There remains no known cure for the fairway fungal pathogen, but we are working as a collective with other clubs, industry disease experts to find a cure or a way to limit their effect and see out their cycle. Many clubs in NSW and Vic are experiencing the same.
Tree Work
Work has recommenced to complete the final clean-up works on the tree damage from late in 2021. A key focus area will be along the boundary of 2 North, and any trees that require safety pruning or removal of hanging branches. We need to prune/remove damaged trees on the RHS of 2 North that have fallen onto the fence in order to undertake the necessary repairs. We will also have a heavy screen replanting program to re-establish the screening of the boundary post this work. Note – A few trees that have recently died on the South Course between Holes 4 & 5 and Rear of 17 North will be removed or made safe in conjunction with this work. This program will complete the work and form part of the Storm Damage Insurance Claim.
Rainfall update for 2022
Rainfall for the year to date totals 69mm. Very low rainfall recorded for the month of February (1mm) with the extended run of dry conditions.
Director of Courses,
Glenn Stuart