GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE
MONTHLY REPORT: JANUARY 2021
Prepared by Course Manager, Robert Bacon
Weather Summary
Since the beginning of the festive period, we have been subjected to sub zero temperatures with -8c being the lowest recorded temperature. Periodic rainfall amongst these temperatures has seen large patches of ice forming on temporary greens as well as other areas of the course.
Course Status
The course has been closed on multiple occasions throughout this recent period due to the previously mentioned ice. When open we were obviously using temporary greens. Ride-on buggies, when on, have been confined to the lower holes (1 & 11 through 18). We have been using the grass tees whenever the course has been open due to the tee mats being frozen. Bunkers are frozen solid with the ones that are holding water particularly dangerous.
The Health & Safety of our members is always of paramount importance especially when the Clubhouse and Pro Shop are closed severely limiting our ability to provide aid if/when required.
Staff summary
I am sure most of you are aware that there has been some reshuffling within the greens team due to Mark Gallacher leaving last year, the team is now as follows.
Course Manager – Robert Bacon
Deputy Course Manager – Billy Donnelly
1st Assistant Greenkeeper – Iain Kerr
Assistant Greenkeeper – Shey Donald
The crew will be supplemented by 2 seasonal workers allowing us to maximise our hrs spent on the course through long periods where the tee sheet was completely full.
Furlough
Again, I am sure that the clubs use of the government furlough scheme is common knowledge and the fact that we are only operating with 2 staff and have been since November 30th is widely known. The use of the furlough scheme will be review at the end of January but is expected to continue. This has obviously impacted on and sharply prioritised the work scheduled for this winter.
Prioritised Winter Program
The winter program is also, as always, heavily influenced by the speculation regarding our major development works with any spend in the areas that are earmarked for sale being kept to the absolute minimum.
The prioritised winter program is as follows –
3rd Green – New drainage installed & Front bunker modified with bunker face being lowered.
Drainage on paths & resurface.
Bunkers – Edge, destone & top up with sand.
Gorse – Focusing on the carries at 14 & 17.
Tree Work – Raise canopies etc.
Large Holes
We will be returning to regulation hole cups mid-February to allow our members to ‘get their eye in’.
Feedback
Please provide feedback from your on-course experiences or from your peers. All feedback is considered and placed into the program of works. We have several items from last season which require implementation. These are as follows –
Realignment of the 7th fairway – This will be done when we re-establish the mowing lines in the first couple of cuts of the new season.
Gorse & Carries @ 14 & 17 – This is in the winter program and will be carried out over the next couple of months with the permanent removal of the gorse where necessary.
Hazard Marking – Greater care will be taken on establishing and maintaining our hazard markings as a matter of routine.
Please add as much as you wish, and we will endeavour to complete the works asap.
Robert Bacon – Course Manager