Weather;-

A mild month with 11 days with rain showers amounting to 56.5 mm of rainwater. Only 8nights were cold enough to produce ground frosts.

- Temporary greens were in use for 2 days due to the main greens being too saturated .

- A trolley ban was put in use for one day and buggies for a further 8 days.

Competitions & Societies;-

All medals &  Stablefords were played. Other Competitions include;-  The Flag Competition and Ladies Friendly Competition.

No Societies visited the course this month.

Greens;-

The following operations were carried out on the greens (other than routine maintenance);-

- Sprayed Iron Sulphate @ 40 kg per ha. (6^th/1).

- Vertidrained to a depth of 9”.  (9^th, 10^th & 11^th /1).

Iron sulphate was used to “burn off” any small amount of Fusarium disease activity present.

Recent high winds has have blown a lot of debris on to the greens such as small twigs & Pine needles, these were blown off with hand operated blowers on several occasions.

Tees & Surrounds;-

Following removal of adjacent Conifer trees, the 18^th competition tee was extended by cultivating the root zone layer and introducing new turf.

 Bunkers;-

• Sand was added in bunkers where warranted.
• Leaves have been removed regularly.
• Solved the problem of stones appearing in the sand in the L.H.S. 8^th greenside bunker. This was due to the damaged membrane on the stone drainage sump which has been replaced.

Fairways;-

• Fallen branches, twigs & leaves have been harvested brought about from the recent strong winds.
• The perimeters of the fairways have been pedestrian mown to signify definition to the rough.

Automatic Watering System;-

The pop up sprinkler on the 18^th competition tee has been moved to allow for the extension.

Work Completed;-(other than routine or already mentioned).

• Completed enlarging & re-shaping the practise bunker. The practise green has also been enlarged and now hosts three holes & flagsticks.
• Harvested fallen leaves & branches on the course.
• Cut down the Tiger rough in order to regenerate new growth next spring.
• Continued with re channelling “roping off” walkways to control wear. Worn areas that cannot be extended have had a layer of sand applied in order to firm them up;- utilising the  stock of free sand that was not suitable for top dressing the greens last spring!
• Cleared debris such as Elder/Ivy in tree copses behind the 1^st green , between the  2^nd green & 15^th hole, between the 5^th tees & 16^th green, behind the 16^th green, R.H.S 14^th hole & 6^th fairway, between 6^th & 13^th holes and finally between 7^th green & 11^th holes. The  Ivy  at the base of the trees & the cut Elder will be sprayed in springtime to kill the source.
• Removed fallen tree in Members car park.
• Cut branches to head height on the Willow trees at the 3^rd hole.
• Fitted new brush on electric boot cleaner.
• Sorted rabbit burrowing damage on the 15^th competition tee.
• Re turfed  bare area around the 9^th R.H.S greenside bunker.
• Moved old stock pile of wood at bottom end of practise pitching site.
• Controlled burning some of the old stockpile of wood in “Panshandle” plot.
• Repaired “Redpave” pathways.

Equipment;-(other  than routine servicing).

J.D 2500B

greens mower;-     Fitted new bottom plates.

                    Fitted new bearings of two rotary brush shafts that keeps

                    the rear rollers clean on the cutting units.

J.D 8700 (older)

fairway mower;-    Relief ground cutting cylinders & fitted new bottom plates.

                    Replaced worn bearings on cutting units where warranted.

J.D 2653B

tees mower;-       Reground cylinders on cutting units.

J.D 8800 Terrain

rough mower;-      Replaced front wheel bearings on cutting unit.

Allen National;-    Carried out winter overhaul including regrinding cutting 

                    cylinders.

Next Months Work;-other than routine activities (& work already mentioned).

• Continue with Verti draining operations.
• Continue cleaning out shrub Elder & Ivy in tree copses between 7^th & 12 holes, between L.H.S 1^st green & 18^th hole and behind 15^th green.
• Clean out the canals at the 3^rd water hazard.
• Carry out repairs to memorial bench.
• Remove Bramble & shrub covering the eastern boundary rabbit fence & carry out repairs.
• Possibly carry out winter overhauls on Ransomes Sports gang mowers.
• Possibly install drinking fountain close to the 18^th tees.
• Possibly install information signage regarding next hole on the approach to the tees.

                       Andrew Kennett- Course Manager.