Drought
The impact of the drought on the course is apparent on some fairways. In general the tees and greens are holding up well despite the relatively poor quality of the water from the spike and sump. Trees are not being watered due to restrictions and watering of tees and greens has been cut back.
Wear and tear in certain areas is also due to heavy cart traffic and cart users are asked to avoid worn areas at all times.
Congratulations
Congratulations to our member, Sean Quinn, on his acceptance to the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). Founded in 1946, the society is the oldest professional organization of golf course designers in America.
All ASGCA members have completed of a minimum of five major golf course projects and are peer-reviewed by the ASGCA membership.
Well known members include Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus.
We are fortunate to have Sean guide us through our course improvement process.
Tree Removal
The large gum to the left of the 14th was struck by lightning during a night time storm some weeks ago and has been removed in the interests of player safety.
Construction priorities
The drought is inhibiting grass growth so renovation work will be restricted to areas where there is available water from tee and greens. Accordingly we will concentrate on greenside bunkers and gravelling paths.
Construction objectives
Specific work to be carried out is as follows:
Hole 11
- Clean up greenside/water hazard edge
- Open up bunkers for visibility
Hole 12
- Open up greenside bunkers for visibility
Hole 13
- Modernise greenside bunker
Hole 14
- Modernise greenside bunkers
- Remove dead tree
- Clean up cart areas at tee and between green and 15 tee
- Grass messy area between green and next tee
Players are requested to be tolerant of course workers and the work being done during the quiet season.
New Equipment
The club has taken delivery of a new Jacobsen fairway mower to replace our 17 year old veteran and a new greens mower. The other greens mower is being upgraded to meet the reel specifications of the new machine. While the impact may not be apparent during the drought period and while there is low growth, the improved quality of cut should be noticeable when summer arrives.
The “retired” greens mower will be used on the tees.
For the Greens Committee
Peter Oosthuizen
