Our annual course renovations commence next week.
From 4.00pm on Sunday 3rd September to Friday 8th September we will be scarifying the fairways and coring the green surrounds. During this time, we will have at least 9 holes in play each day, perhaps more, depending on the process of our renovations.
At a glance:
- Fairways – Scarify / groom / scalp down
- Green surrounds – Hollow tyne
- Tees – Combination of Hollow tyne and Scarify
- Greens – Light dusting, no more than a usual Monday dust during the growing season
Rain throughout the week is a challenge for our team, it can either slow or completely stop our process.
We have programmed the renovation to take place across the full week to allow for any ‘down time’ due to inclement weather.
Prior to the 3rd of September we will be cutting down the fairways shorter and scroll cutting them, which is cutting in tight circles. This is to remove some of the leaf material and clean them up before they are groomed. The process of the fairway renovation will be to run our Terra Rake or Scarifier over the fairway, scroll cut, blow/remove chaff, apply insecticide and apply fertiliser.
The green surrounds will be hollow tyned with a 17mm (inside diameter) tyne. Once the cores have dried out they will be rubbed around to separate the organic matter from the sand, the organic material will be blown off and extra sand applied to fill in the holes. Some of the thicker green surrounds may be scarified as well.
The tees will be scarified around this time, but given that our main focus will be on the green surrounds and fairways, tee renovations might start the week prior and continue the following week. This will not affect the playability of the course as we will work around the golfers to complete tee renovations. For example we can renovate white tees on ladies day.
As with previous years we will not be renovating the greens, they will get a dusting of sand which will be the first for the season and some fertiliser along with a deep aeration. The greens surfaces will be no different from the previous week.
Renovations are a difficult task and our staff will endeavour to complete the process with minimal disturbance to members. Your patience throughout this period is appreciated.
Nathan Bennett
Course Superintendent