https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOOWSnHjT04&feature=youtu.be
Just thought I would upload a copy of our greens presentation evening PowerPoint in video form. This will allow those who were unable to attend to view the presentation quickly and get a little understanding of some of the achievements and challenges we have faced in the last year and a little bit about the future projects.
The presentation starts with our vision and what our aims have and will be.
Then there is a quick comparison between picture I took from when I
arrived until now.
We also have some soil analysis results which show all our aeration works are improving the greens not only on the surface but its helping to reduce the thatch layer.
Next we look at the solid investments by the Management Committee which have included new Machinery to improve presentation and efficiency, New welfare facilities for the staff (more on this to come in blog), New irrigation pumps and pump house, slowly improving the pathways (which are still high on our list). New material storage bays in the overflow car park for our normal maintenance (note during major projects more area maybe required but will be cleaned after). We have been using fallen Oak from the course to make sleepers for use on the flower bed (thanks to John). Other investments have been in the staff training and health and safety. The greenstaff have a achieved a great deal in the last year not just on the course but within there training and development.
We then looked at the challenges with the weather, the wettest winter on record and the fact that the course was previously closed for over 40 days with similar rain and this year we lost 4 days! the woodland management project has helped a lot to improve airflow and to dry the course out ('You do not hang your washing in a wardrobe as its to dark and no air but you hang it on a washing line'!) That's why its essential to manage the woodland but some holes require more and had to be closed during the winter.
We as club do not want this to happen so essential drainage works will need to be added.
Next we look at the solid investments by the Management Committee which have included new Machinery to improve presentation and efficiency, New welfare facilities for the staff (more on this to come in blog), New irrigation pumps and pump house, slowly improving the pathways (which are still high on our list). New material storage bays in the overflow car park for our normal maintenance (note during major projects more area maybe required but will be cleaned after). We have been using fallen Oak from the course to make sleepers for use on the flower bed (thanks to John). Other investments have been in the staff training and health and safety. The greenstaff have a achieved a great deal in the last year not just on the course but within there training and development.
We then looked at the challenges with the weather, the wettest winter on record and the fact that the course was previously closed for over 40 days with similar rain and this year we lost 4 days! the woodland management project has helped a lot to improve airflow and to dry the course out ('You do not hang your washing in a wardrobe as its to dark and no air but you hang it on a washing line'!) That's why its essential to manage the woodland but some holes require more and had to be closed during the winter.
We as club do not want this to happen so essential drainage works will need to be added.
This year we will concentrate on the 13th green as our moisture readings were around 57% in the winter, this is 27% higher than we want. In comparison the worst I had seen before was 44% anywhere. Over 50% the grass starts to die as there is a lack of oxygen so drainage works will be essential to keep the green healthy and in play.
We will also be draining the 17th and bottom of the 15th holes.
These will be at 5 m spacing's and added to new ditch.
The new ditch worked well last year helping to dry the other holes up hill (6,12 etc) but its only an outlet and we then need to add primary drainage (pipe and stone) and we will look to see if a secondary drainage gravel or sand banding) will be required. Just to note when we closed the 17th last winter its moisture reading was 85%!! The works will be carried out in the summer as the course is to wet to drive on in the winter without causing extreme damage. This plus the higher temperatures will mean a quicker recovery.
Its all about getting the timing right for the course.
Growth was another issue, December and January were better than March and April (which is madness). This meant recovery form the winter was slow and then when May arrived the growth flush after all the rain and cold was huge causing other issues for example the roughs getting really thick. We explained our plan and the fact that we don not own a long rough mower (yet) and what we have been doing including borrowing mowers, spraying off the thicker grasses from within the heather (you will see a picture of grasses dying).
Its all about getting the timing right for the course.
Growth was another issue, December and January were better than March and April (which is madness). This meant recovery form the winter was slow and then when May arrived the growth flush after all the rain and cold was huge causing other issues for example the roughs getting really thick. We explained our plan and the fact that we don not own a long rough mower (yet) and what we have been doing including borrowing mowers, spraying off the thicker grasses from within the heather (you will see a picture of grasses dying).
Our irrigation system is also causing us issues as we look to upgrade the system to cope with modern requirements and to be more water effiecent. The slides show how we spend as much time watering the bunkers, paths and trees as we do greens. This is mains water and we need to be more responsible for it.
Next up we show all the work with the heather and the planting of the new stuff, which has taken unbelievably well (a thanks to the rain). Graham who presented this bit also showed how the heather is coming back in other areas (look for the picture on the 11th). Graham also highlighted the machinery being used and how we want to keep this in a juvenile state.
Next up we show all the work with the heather and the planting of the new stuff, which has taken unbelievably well (a thanks to the rain). Graham who presented this bit also showed how the heather is coming back in other areas (look for the picture on the 11th). Graham also highlighted the machinery being used and how we want to keep this in a juvenile state.
Lastly you will see the bunker projects slides that have been up in the clubhouse for months and some time lines of works for both the bunkers and our winter schedule as a team. Murray Long our Course consultant presented this with me and spoke about his previous experience at Sunningdale (taking the courses up the world rankings), Ferndown and Coombe Hill (where he won the Course renovation of the year). The aim is start out on the course and work in so if the weather turns the damage across the course will be kept to a minimum. The slides show the steps we will go through during the construction.
I hope this helps and is something you will be interested in and for those of you who didn't attend you didn't have to listen to me for 45 mins :-)
Thanks
Matt
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