11th Green Update

With all the clay gone from the 11th, work has started on filling the void with sand.

 The extent of the clay

The mounded area on the front left of the green has been stripped of turf as this will become a hollow and a bunker eventually.

The material from the old mound is being used to form part of the base of the new green.

The stripped dune turf

The blue line marks the front of the new green

Creating The New 12th Green 2

The images below show the latest work completed on the 12th green complex. The putting green surface has been completed subject to approval from our course architect on Monday. The two left hand bunkers have been shaped so far.

 The three posts show the centre line of the new green

Creating The New 12th Green

The sand base of the new 12th green is now almost all in place. We can start to see the size, shape and some of the contouring of the new green.

Clay Removal

So far this week the contractor has been busy removing the offending clay layer in the 11th and 12th greens.

Turf Stripping 11th Green

With all the turf now lifted from the 12th the course team have moved onto the 11th green complex to begin lifting the turf. The short video below shows Andrew cutting the sod.

Once lifted, the turf is taken to the flat area next to the reservoir where it is laid onto plastic sheeting. The sheeting is used to ensure the turf does not root into the ground beneath before we are ready to lift and relay it.

The 11th & 12th Greens!

 All the greens turf is gone

Project Contractor - MJ Abbott

Our project contractor - MJ Abbott Limited, have arrived on site along with a vast array of plant and equipment. MJ Abbott are one of the UK's leading sports and water engineering contractors. They operate throughout the UK and Europe with a client list featuring both Open Championship and Ryder Cup venues.

Some of the contractors machinery in the compound

They are responsible for carrying out all the earthworks on holes 10, 11 and 12 and for the realignment of the irrigation system. A team of up to 10 staff will be working on the project led by Site Manager Simon Peters. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed in 10 weeks.

Turf Stripping 12th Green

After months of planning we have finally begun the greens reconstruction project on holes 10, 11 & 12. Today we stripped the sod from the 12th green.

Before we starting we gave the surface one final mow. The sod was then cut before the course team began lifting the individual turf strips. The 12th green is 660m2 so we really had our work cut out!

The turf was loaded onto trailers and transported to areas in the valley where it was laid out onto plastic sheeting.

Greens Reconstruction

We are on schedule for the start of the project on October 3^rd. The new rootzone, which is to be used in place of the clay/silt material on holes 10-12 has already started to arrive and is being stored in the grassed area next to the JWGC building. Most of the new material will be here by the time the earth-works contractor arrives on site. Weather permitting; the contractor is scheduled to be on site for 10 weeks. They will be assigned most of the JWGC car park (to be fenced off) as a compound for machinery etc so there will be reduced car parking spaces available to members using the range from 30^th September until just before Christmas. Regular project updates will be communicated to members via email, this blog and on a dedicated notice board which will be situated in the main hall of the clubhouse. Just outside the ranger’s office on the opposite wall a whiteboard will be placed which will have daily details in respect of holes 10 to 13^th and their availability of play. Please note however that as from 3^rd October these four holes will be closed and members should refer to this whiteboard prior to play.   

 The first load of new rootzone arrrives!

Autumn Course Maintenance

Our second and final course maintenance week of 2011 commences on Monday 26th September. Micro solid tining, seeding and top dressing work will be carried out on the greens. To enable the course staff to carry out the work in a timely manner one tee starts will take place on Monday and Tuesday until 0930 each day. Beyond this time, a temporary green will be used on the hole being worked on to further minimise disruption. Whilst it is appreciated that this will cause a measure of inconvenience to members please be assured that this work is entirely necessary to ensure continued, long-term improvement in our putting surfaces.

New Range Sponsor - Brewin Dolphin

Brewin Dolphin  have kindly sponsored the new golf balls on the driving range. Pictured above are La Moye GC Secretary/Manager Alastair Mackenzie, La Moye GC Captain Mike Lotherington, Mark Miles and Nick Browning from Brewin Dolphin and La Moye GC Course and Competition Chairman Peter Garnier during the hand over of the new balls.