As the Course Manager here at Stoneham I've seen first-hand the trials and triumphs nature throws our way. This year has been an exceptional year and now officially a record breaking year. We are currently at 1090mm of rain this year with some big numbers still forecast to come but more on that in a minute.
That level of rainfall makes 2023 our
wettest year on record. I don’t think this will be a big shock to people
but the data backs this up.
In 2020 we received 1067mm our first time we had gone into
the thousands and in 2012 we had one of the wettest winters but only ended up
922mm.Looking back at the records since 1973 our wettest ever years looked like
this:
·
1982 – 999mm
·
1993 – 957mm
·
1994 – 972mm
·
2012 - 922mm
·
2014 – 924mm
·
2020 - 1066mm
·
2023- 1090mm so far…
So
another wet year but the regularity of the rainfall since October has been the
thing I’ve not witnessed before. The lack of drying time and persistent rain
has left an impact of a really high water table. Even the slightest rainfall
triggers course flooding, compounded by a lack of evaporation. It's a delicate
balance trying to keep play going, reducing damage and the most important,
keeping people safe.
Working in the dark and cutting when we can
The team and the
members have all been doing all they can to help aid this situation.
The team as discussed
in the last blog have used all the cultural practices and chemistries available
to aid water flow through the profiles. The investment in drainage, blinder in
the bunkers and the pathways have meant we have been playable quicker than in
previous years meaning more golf getting played, even though it doesn’t feel
like that at the moment. In 2016 (not even on the chart above for rainfall) we
ended up only playing to the 10th and up the 18th for
weeks due to flooding on the greens on 11, 13 and 14 along with unplayable
fairways on 15 and 17.
You the members
have had to carry your bags with smaller sets of clubs, using mats on tees that
get damaged every winter and just by following the roping off of areas are all
helping to protect your course ready for the new season and for this I thank you!
Bunker
Renovations and Leaf Clearing
Hopefully you would have seen the bunker renovations still taking
place with the 9th greenside, 4th Right hand side and now
all the bunkers on the 8th complete and looking sharp.
The fairway bunker on the 9th is still under
construction. More work is being planned on this so please don’t think it’s
finished like the turfs have been laid in attempt to stop the soil and revet
turf from eroding over the Christmas period.
In January we will be continuing with works taking place on the 2nd,
7th and 5th to complete this winter’s renovations.
Our team have also been diligently clearing leaves, ensuring our
course maintains its playability. This is no mean feat and we will be attacking
more areas within the woodlands in the New Year but the good news the leaves
are down and the team are on top of the main areas. The huge piles of leaves in
our composting areas are the proof of the work load.
Leaf Clearing on the 11th
A huge thank you to the team for that, over 1200 man hours already
into leaf blowing and collection just shows the size of the task.
15th
Leaf clearing the wet isn't always fun!
Heading into the Holidays
As we approach the Christmas period, our hardworking team prepares
for a well-deserved break. However, our focus remains on combating the prime
disease pressure—particularly combating threats like fusarium disease. Managing dew
becomes paramount during this point of the year, the crucial element in
safeguarding the health of our greens.
During the Christmas period the team are aware this is the
priority. Damage from disease at this time of year can take months to recover. The
team will be doing all they can daily to keep the course in good condition but areas like bunkers cannot get the same amount of attention as they would normally. Please help us to help you by repairing pitchmarks and raking bunkers after your shots.
If the forecast is correct we could be in for a tough Christmas period with heavy rain and high winds. The course will be inspected daily as normal but its import we prioritise the course and member safety at all times.
If the course is unplayable, it’s simply is unplayable. We cannot risk huge damage or an accident just because of the time of year. We have the two coldest months of the year to come, meaning we won’t get any recovery and with the already high water table, it won’t take much to push us over. Please bare that in mind, we have started the winter on our back foot.
Hopefully the forecast will change yet but I thought it was worth reminding
everyone where we are.
Considering all the rain we have had, I must say I think the course is holding up really well and the condition is the best I’ve seen it at the end of December. This is proving our strategy is right.
I would like to thank you all for your kind comments and gifts for
the greenstaff. I would also like to thank you for bearing with us during this
awful period of weather. The days start to get lighter from now and spring will
be here before we know it.
The dream team
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
S
Matt
Matt Plested
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