January and February produced record amounts of rainfall and the golf course has suffered. The relatively dry summer resulted in a lower than normal water table going into the winter, but this wasn’t to last. The heavy rainfall has produced numerous flooded areas throughout the course. This standing water can’t be pumped out as it’s caused by the high water table.
The course currently has 6 winter greens. Greens 16 and 18 are currently flooded and 6, 7, 14 and 15 have been altered and re-turfed. During the winter, we felt the need to protect some of the shore greens, so 6 and 15 have been moved, slightly altering the holes. DMK Golf Design was involved, and the new green sites are definitely going to enhance the golf course.
In response to the heavy rain/sand blow and strong winds we’ve experienced, the immature 7th and 14th greens have been re-turfed with a more resilient type of grass that should hold up better to the winter periods in years to come. A turf nursery will also be constructed for any turf needs in the future.
Other current works include:
- Golf paths on 3, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 have been smoothed and mats have been laid. These mats let grass grow through, and do not look out of place. They work well and improve the walk.
- Bunkers have been worked on through the winter – this includes some re-vetting and turfing. We hope that, if the mild weather continues, the new greens will be in play in April and up to full summer speed by May.
- The course has also been measured and a new stroke-saver is in production. The signage will be swapped over by April. Currently, we tee off from the 10th adjacent to the Golf House – this will become the 1st, as it was originally designed to be. The scorecard and strokesavers will be altered accordingly. The flooding should ease through March and traditionally, the course is clear of any water by mid-May. We hope to have the range open again by then, as well.