Covid -19 Week four or five. Who knows anymore...

Hi All,

Well that's another week in this weird situation. I don't think restrictions will be completely lifted for sometime but the good news is the government are looking into golf opening and with other countries opening up golf first, it's looking hopeful. A lot of the European countries that have opened up have restrictions in place. Most are two balls only and bigger gap tee times but let's face it, some golf is better than no golf.

Out on the course this week it's been very busy, very busy indeed. I will go into more of this next week but following the 28mm of rain last friday the place greened up nicely and the growth started to kick in. The struggles of being short staffed are showing in some areas but we are staying on top of the key areas. Once we are all back to normal we can play catch up in these areas. I am very confident we could turn this course round relatively quickly to get open for play once the government says go!

Since Friday's rain, the forecast has been sun, sun, sun so the irrigation system has been busy along with the team hand watering, this is a daily task again.This has been one guy everyday of the week just trying to keep areas alive. The growth has been high this week and the team have done a great job staying on top of it and presenting a golf course ready for your return.

We also finally managed to get the 17th green and 18th tees back online. These had not worked since the new main went in on 18.  This is because the as laid plans are wrong and we don't really know where the pipe work is. Running a new line off the main to the existing box was fairly simple but needed to be dug in at the right time with the banks at the back of 17th being shaped.

Profusion are now back on site shaping the range. We have started at the back of the range by 17. This is because most of the soil we need is in place already. We will work behind the ladies 18th tee then up the left of 18th. We have had some lorries in but not a lot. Once we know more construction has started and loads easier to get we will be trying our best to get the 1st hollow started but currently there isn't enough to even start this but enough to finish areas like the 18th carry, the rear of the 17th. It's important that we get areas finished now and seeded. Having three or four areas started and not finished is not how we want things done.

For those of you have not seen last week's blog please see the link 

here:- https://youtu.be/3GZuekdOvTQ 

Okay, that's enough from me. I do hope you are all safe and well and that you are still practicing your golf for your return. I love seeing all the videos or photos of made up practice nets, games and putting comps. 

Stay safe 

Matt 

Covid -19 Week two of the Lock Down

Hi All,

Week two of the lock down has been abit different. Mixed feelings of frustrations at times and worry as most of you will be feeling I assume. The Queen delivered her speech last night and we all clapped for all the key workers on Thursday night.  If you are a key worker we thank you for all you are doing to keep the country running and especially for our NHS staff who are truly amazing. 

This week due to the frosts we had very little growth, we split the team up into pairs working three days in the week and then we had the staff in fully for two days. These were obviously staggered but unlike before we have pushed this to hour gaps so there is no pinch point in the greenkeeping yard. 

Watering has become a daily activity already. I can’t believe how quick we have dried out, our last day of rai was the 19th March, so different.. We managed to get our semi rough mower fixed so this has been out and we have caught up without mowing. We still haven’t cut greens yet. These have been left to rest and recover. The bent grasses have gone mad in them. Great to see but would be very noticeable if golfers were out here playing. 

Hand watering has started

Cutting taking place

Tees looking good after feed

Apart from that, cutting aprons, tees and semi has been all we cut this week. The areas around the clubhouse have been mown to keep tidy and weed removal from pathways and around clubhouse started and only to keep the place tidy. We fertilised the green on Friday. This will give us a good base feed for the coming year ahead and keep the turf healthy.  

Fertilising greens 

On Wednesday I came in with James Ferris to a heavy frost so we took the opportunity whilst here to get on with divot filling the crow damaged and areas damaged from the winter.

Lots of talk within the industry about what the next step of essential works will look like. It's a hard one but I know long term but  if we are allowed to work to maintain the course we should be allowed keep all areas in a good condition. One of my worries at the moment is golfer's thinking they will come back to clubs after a break and it will be like Augusta. This simply isn't possible or allowed under current guidelines. Watch this space, I will update when I can! One thing for sure is the course has never had rest like this before and this will help aid recovery from last winter.  

The range work is still continuing. TJ are working on moving the soil to the right place while its dry. This will speed things up once we are up and running as normal

That's enough from me this week. A quieter than normal week but the week ahead looks warmer so hopefully we will get some growth. 

Remember if you are struggling to get out or need help doing your shopping or you just want someone to chat too, please let us know. We maybe able to help. We care and are willing to help if needed. 

Remember we are Team Stoneham!

Stay safe everyone

Matt