Winter Update 2020
COVID-19
During these very uncertain times of constant change and unknown futures we have had a limited amount of staff on the golf course. We reduced our labour cost from March by roughly 60%. I would like to thank all my staff for keeping the course in very good condition with limited time and frequent changes to staff hours and how we normally would operate. As of Monday the 15th June we returned to full time work but have split the team to have staggered start, finish and break times so we are able to adhere to social distancing rules. With this return to ‘normal’ work we will start to get on top of the little jobs we haven’t been able to get to and start to prepare the course for Spring which is only 10 weeks away. The return to full time work for the greens staff will also give us a chance to get into the bunkers and add sand and reshape them all. This will be a priority once we have caught up on all other jobs.
Winter Wear
With the cool season starting to settle in, I would just like to mention that wear does become a big issue, especially if we do have a wet winter. I will keep the ropes to a minimum, but any ropes that the members do see up, please understand they are essential. Please walk around them and if you do need to take them down to play a shot, please put them back up again. This will help keep grass on fairways, surrounds and collars and help me to produce better playing surfaces.
Fairway Spiking
We have started the annual winter fairway spiking. I will look to spike the fairways monthly in June, July and August, then core them in September during fairway renovations. This is a slow process so please understand that the machine cannot move out of your way or stop, and you are allowed to move your ball if the machine is in your way. The reason we spike fairways is to improve air and water penetration into the soil. This improves soil structure and helps root growth, allowing us to produce a better playing surface. The spiking will also help keep the fairways drier after rain events as the water will be able to move deeper into the soil and off the surface.
Increase in volunteers
We have made the decision to hold extra volunteer days to help get the course and gardens back to their usual high standard coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will now have two volunteer days per month. For more information on volunteering, please speak to Michael Clough or myself. Usual jobs include garden and tree work, helping fill drainage trenches and other general maintenance work to assist the greens staff. A bacon and egg roll and coffee are supplied afterwards, and you have a chance to ask the course superintendent any queries you have about the course during this time.
Sam Neylon
Course Superintendent
