Course Update
The courses have enjoyed some more stable weather in the recent weeks. A good foundation of moisture throughout the properties soil profile from the high rainfall recordings in November (147.5mm) have been very beneficial to all turf and plantation areas.
We are excited to report that our Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Project will commence next week. Taking advantage of the South Course closure for the fairway scarifying renovations, we will commence the pipework installation that crosses fairways 2S, 8S, & 17S to minimise impact on play. The remaining pipework installation will continue in the out of play areas post next week until complete. The remaining aspects of the project will be undertaken in Q1 and Q2 of 2026. Members will be provided further details in early 2026.
We have been very fortunate to access and engage with a world’s leading weed, pest and disease professor John E. Kaminski, Ph.D from the USA (Penn State University) over the coming months whilst he is on a sabbatical break in our country. We will proactively utilise his knowledge in search for the management and potential cure of the Fairway Patch Disease (BF1) previously reported and many other clubs have experienced throughout Australia for several years. We have commenced a product trial exercise plan on the 10S fairway that will be in progress throughout December and January. Further details and results will be reported to members in early 2026.
The Course Team has continued with a heavy focus on the detailed maintenance tasks across the property. Some of the more recent detailed works include:
- Renovation of our premium front entry and driveway turf areas.
- Ongoing selected bunker and wasteland renovations (edge and walk-in trimming, weed control and prevention, wall and floor contouring, sand addition and redistribution, face compaction and exposed cloth management).
- Nutritional input across the South Course warm season grass to assist recovery from the coming scarifying renovation program.
- Greens surface refinement post the renovation program – Poa scanning and removal, light weekly sand dusting and growth regulation programs to fine the leaf blade to increase the green speed and produce a smooth ball roll with a firm ball response.
- Drainage program work refinement via soil topdressing, holes 9N & 17N. Ongoing.
- Selective weed control and prevention with a focus on Winter Grass (Poa annua) control.
- Fixture maintenance, copper cap cleaning and restoration on tee and directional signs.
- Landscaping commencement around the perimeter of the new buggy storage facility.
Upcoming South Course Fairway Renovations
An aggressive fairway scarifying program on the South Course fairways and selected green surrounds & tees that link in with the fairways will be undertaken on December 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th. The front entry and turf zones along the driveway were successfully undertaken this week. The course will be closed on those days for the task to be performed. Contractors will assist the Course Team with the scarifying program.
The key objective of this program is to remove and reduce the organic matter in the grass canopy and top part of the soil profile. The outcome will result in an improved growing environment and turf health that will enable a higher level of presentation and playability of the turf.
An aggressive mowing program at low heights will accompany this program post the scarifying to deliver the key objective. The debris accumulated will be stockpiled off the playing surface of each fairway and managed onsite as part of the program. The expected recovery period is 4-6 weeks.
The video below is from our successful renovation of the North Course last year.
Current and Future Maintenance Programs
- Consistent course golfing season preparation and presentation for Member/Guest events.
- Fairway Scarifying Program on South Course (Week commencing December 15), with the Front Entry/Driveway Areas to commence the week prior.
- Bunker/wasteland general maintenance, weed control and renovation programs (In-progress and ongoing).
- Greens scanning and selective hand-weeding program (December).
- Turfgrass growth regulation programs. (Full summer period).
- Non-desired grass and weed control programs in bunkers, wastelands, roughs, vegetation and creek areas. (In-progress and ongoing).
- Rough density reduction and mowing line extension program. (In-progress and ongoing).
- Pre & Post emergent winter grass control program on green collars and interface areas. (November/December).
- Warm season couch grass encroachment control and prevention in green collars (Summer Program with treatments in December and January.
- Warm season grass nutritional program. (December/January).
- Fairway disease preventative treatment program commencement. (December/January). Engagement of a world’s leading weed, pest and disease professor to be utilised and a trial plot plan incorporated on the 10S fairway in December and January.
- Vegetation maintenance programs that include selected slashing, tree pruning and weight reduction, dead/hazardous tree removal, non indigenous tree suckers and woody weed removal (e.g. LHS 4N, RHS 16S) and general weed control. (In progress and ongoing).
- Annual Drainage Program – A follow-up sand top-dressing program with-in the drainage lines to finetune and level the fairway surface on holes 9N & 17N. (December/January).
- Northern car park perimeter planting extension to include area adjacent new buggy storage facility. (December/January).
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses