Dear Members 

Firstly my thanks to Bill Murdoch for all his endeavours over the past 6 years in getting the course to its current position, where the bulk of major works have now been completed. As we enter the formal golfing season I thought it worthy of communicating the next month’s activities and this is something that I would like to repeat monthly at least during the playing season.

 During the next month the primary aim is to get some definition into the course and to achieve this we are dependent on some growth. We have had the rain so just now need the warmth!!  It will not have escaped members attention that we have some Fusarium within the greens but this has been treated and once some dry and warm weather follows we will be tinning and top dressing the greens to combat this. The wet weather has determined that some areas have needed to be roped off to protect the course so please bear with us and adhere to the requests to walk the extra few yards - it is for everyone’s overall benefit and will help us present the course in the very best of order.  

 PLANNED WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE COURSE IN THE UPCOMING MONTH

• Continuation & completion of bunker sand topping up.
• Continuation of aeration on compacted areas around the course.
• Pencil tinning & top dressing of the greens. 
• Ongoing renovation work to green banks, applying seed & dressing. 
• Fertilising fairways.
• Total weed kill around tree bases and plantations.
• Finish par 3 course.
• Fence around 1^st tee.
• Tidy starters hut behind 1^st tee.

Whilst Richard and his team will do their utmost to fulfil our expectations we do require your assistance and cooperation as well.  If we can all please endeavour to pursue the following basic principals then we will collectively help continue the ongoing improvement & protection of the course. We would therefore appreciate your co-operation with the following.

• IN WET CONDITIONS CARRYING YOUR GOLF BAGS OPPOSED TO USING A TROLLEY.
• USING PATHWAYS PROVIDED WHERE POSSIBLE.
• ABIDING BY ROPED OFF AREAS.
• REPAIRING YOUR DIVOTS & PITCH MARKS. ESPECIALLY ON PAR 3’s.
• CARRYING & USING DIVOT BAGS PROVIDED.
• RAKING BUNKERS AFTER PLAYING YOUR SHOTS.
• USING RUBBISH BIN’S, & TEE CADDY’S PROVIDED AT ALL TEE’S.

One heart felt plea from me and that is if you don’t own a pitch mark repairer then please go and buy one as a pitch mark repaired instantly takes 24 hours to recover and an unrepaired one two weeks. I am delighted to say that as we enter the season this is not a significant problem but is one that we have suffered from historically.

For me I will aim to carry one of the seed bags to repair fairway divots (on the assumption that I will one day hit one). 

Let’s help Richard by meeting him half way.

Have a great golfing season and here’s to presenting the course at its very best.

 

R J Lamond - Course Chairman

1 May 2012.