Dear Members,
All Members would be aware that there have been a number of our greens that have not responded as well as others following the course renovations. This is not unusual, especially when greens are the age of ours, as well as following the extreme wet weather we experienced in the middle to end of the year.
After the major greens renovations were completed, we were concerned with the slow recovery of several greens. It was decided after 4 weeks to re-fertilise those greens. Unfortunately, after a low rate application, we got a burn from the fertilizer. Steve Brennan will monitor the greens over the next couple of weeks to determine a repair program. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been patching/plugging most greens. Some of these plugs have failed. These plugs can be very temperamental at times. Any poor plugs will be replaced as needed.
As you can notice, the tees and fairways are drying out. Our bore pump, which supplies our irrigation water, has been down for approximately 12 days. We have had technicians working on it since the problem occurred. Both the new and old pumps are having voltage issues which are damaging the pumps. We have a crane booked for Wednesday to remove the pump again. Hopefully the issue can be quickly identified and repaired but until then, stored water will only be used for greens irrigation. Until the repair to the pump is completed all turfing repairs around the course will be put on hold. Water is currently being pumped to the irrigation dam from the holding dams.
Hole 7 grow-in is continuing as per schedule. The green is currently being cut at 7mm and will be lowered by 1mm every week until we have the green down to 3.5mm. The cut contour has been marked for the greens and surrounds and is currently being cut at 13mm. The fairway has been cut at 10mm. Over the next few weeks, the definition from fairway to rough, and bunker surrounds will become more evident.
A new temporary green is being constructed on the 3rd fairway at approximately 140m from the Men’s blue markers and approximately 80m from the Women’s red marker. Once the construction is completed, the green will be grassed with Tiff Eagle, a hybrid couch. Having this new temporary green will give us greater flexibility for ensuing work that will be undertaken around the course from time to time.
Regards,
Steve Brennan, Lindsay Verdon, Steve Manton