While the rest of the world seems like chaos and we face a huge global pandemic from Coronavirus the one sport that isn't off the agenda at the moment is golf. The UK's Chief Scientific adviser has announced to a health select committee "You can play golf provided you keep a distance"
We are trying to keep course open as long as possible but the world of sport have turned their eyes to golf and asking why this should be allowed when there sport isn't... We must follow the simple rules as stated on the flag pole, emails and in the clubhouse.
Important Information
- If you have any cough, cold or flu like symptoms please do not come to club or go out on the course and follow the government guidelines. Please see here:- www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- All Staff, Members and Guests attending the Club are asked to practice respiratory hygiene (i.e. covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Staff, Members and Guests attending the Club are asked to wash their hands and use the hand sanitisers placed around the Club regularly
- Please follow the government guidelines regarding "Social Distancing". This basically means staying 2 meters apart at all times. This is generally easy when playing the long game but the risk increases in the bottle necks, greens, tees, bridges and pathways. Try and stagger and stay back from the person in front of you. This also means staying 2 meters back from all staff members this includes on the course, clubhouse and the pro shop.
- Arrive for your tee time on time but please 'No hanging around' outside the pro shop or too many people around the putting green and nets. Please use common sense and protect yourself and others
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| Upside down hole cup |
- Ensure not to touch the flag or pins. Always use your gloved hand if you do. We have turned the hole cups upside down so the ball sits higher so hands don't need to go into the holes and the ball is easier to retrieve. Its important that we minimise all risks so we can keep the course open for you all to enjoy. We are encouraging 'Gimmes'.
- Do not clean your ball with your saliva!
- No Handshakes before or after the match, no sharing equipment
- The ball washers are out of action and not to be touched.
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| Rakes have bought in from the course |
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| Bunkers have no Rakes now. The team will rake daily |
- All the rakes have been removed from the bunkers. Please use your feet or the back of your club to level out the sand as best as possible
- Mark your own card. Do not swap cards
- The boot cleaner/ shoe compressor is now off (because this is touched by nearly every golfer coming off the course)
- Wash your hand for at least 20 seconds on completion
We understand that the steps we take will create disruption but we strongly believe that they are appropriate in these circumstances where the health and well being of everyone remains our priority.
We are mindful however that guidance is constantly changing and that we are all being asked to take measures that change the way we work and live our lives to help stem the spread of the virus for the foreseeable future.
If you still wish to play golf at the club during this time, please do it safely and within the Government Guidelines.
Other news...
The team having been taking advantage of the good weather in the last week. You didn't think I would blog without mentioning the weather :-) The rainfall has been unbelievable with 310mm YTD so far and nearly 800mm in the last six months. Our yearly average is 879mm and March has not ended yet... Luckily the weather has improved, its a shame about the rest of the world!
All the main playing surfaces have been cut this week. The fairways for the first time since January. We have finally aerated the greens using chisel tines. These are like knives. The go in and give a bigger hole underground but with slit at the surface. This will close up quickly and trap air within the soil profile.
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| Chisel tine. Notice its not round but a knife like hole |
Hand cutting of greens and aprons is still on going. The surfaces are starting to firm up now and trolleys are allowed back on (some good news). All the tees, aprons and surround have been vert drained with 12mm tines at 200mm depth to breath some air into these areas.
All fairways, Aprons and surrounds have been fertilised with Iron and PGR (growth regulator). Normally we are feeding like mad at this time of year to get growth and to improve course recovery. This year with the temperatures increased, following the winter feeds and the current situation in the world we are trying to rain the growth in just in case transport restrictions are brought in.
Flymoing and strimming of bunkers and banks has started and they look good for the first cut of the year.
Lots of blowing of debris including the Corvid (Blackbirds, Magpies, Crow) damage. Remember that this is being caused by the chemical withdrawals in 2018 that we warned about. They are digging for leather jackets or crane fly (daddy long legs to you and me). While they are a grub (like the 'Hungry Caterpillar' book), they are eating the roots of the grass plant and the birds can see this from the air as the leaf discolours and they know where dinner is... the grass plant is the only thing stopping it. We have been trying to reduce the amount of Magpies on the course and are looking to encourage Starlings as they still eat the grub but with a smaller beak, so less damage. We are also looking at crow scarer's etc. The damage will be divoted or re turfed depending on the circumstances but in the grand scheme of things this is a small problem that we keep addressing.
Its a worrying time for us all and staying safe and healthy is our main concern. Just because we cant see it, it doesn't mean its not there...
As long as we allowed we will continue to maintain the course as good as we can.
The team have been fantastic and adapted to the changes. Split shifts, breaks and cleaning procedures two to three times a day. I could not ask for a better team around us at this stage.
I will to try blog weekly to keep those in isolation up to date with the course and the club.
As a club we need to be ready to come out of this in a better position and back to normal as quickly as possible. I am sure the party after this has past will be amazing. Until then, stay safe and protect yourself and those around you.
Stay safe everyone
Matt
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