Winter Work Review - Tees

Two tee refurbs took place over the winter months. The 5th tee was extended and slightly reshaped. More space was added to the rear of the tee to provide extra spots for the white markers. This job took much longer than expected as we had to remove a fairly large quaitity of granite from beneath the surface before the new rootzone and turf could be added. We took the opportunity to replace the irrigation pipework and heads while the work was going on as this tee was not done with the rest of the system installation in 2007/8 The finished result made all the effort worthwhile.

The 10th tee also has a new surface. We levelled the existing teeing ground and slightly extended the red tee portion in order to improve this area.

The new turf on both surfaces is being maintained with longer grass than other tees while the new turf settles in. The grass length will gradually be mown shorter as the new turf matures.

Winter Work Review - New 11th Path

Following comments received at the Open Forum meeting held in the Clubhouse last year, a new path has been built from the 11th green to the 12th tees. To preserve the quality of the turf around the 11th green, golf trolley users are requested to always use the path, and no other route, to get to the 12th tee.

Buggies should use the same route as last year - break off right before the first of the three bunkers - before merging with the new path. Adhereance to this guidance will ensure the best possible playing conditions are achieved in this area.

Driving Range Open

The driving range has re-opened after the enforced closure following the storms last week. We have 10 bays in use down from the previous 14. As there are no dividers between some of the bays the mats have been spaced out to ensure the safety of all users.

Maintenance Week

Despite the recent snow our 2013 spring maintenance week will still run from 18th - 22nd March. We plan to undertake scarification and top dressing operations to all greens. Our original plan to also solid tine and overseed has been modified due to the huge clean up work still required following the snow and gale force winds.
Only 9 holes will be open throughout maintenance week to enable work to be carried out in a timely manner.

Snow Update

The big thaw is on with temperatures reaching a positively balmy 5 degrees C. Lots of grass is now visible on the course but large areas of deep snow remain in the places where the snow accumulated in the wind. All bunkers and grass hollows remain full of snow and a number of pathways are still completely impassable.

Tree Damage

The large pine tree situated in the corner of the property next to the 2nd green sustained considerable damage in the recent storm. A tree surgeon is required to remove the broken limbs but access is currently difficult due to the depth of the snow in this area of the golf course.

Storm Damage

The driving range enclosure has collapsed following the force 9 gales overnight on Monday and Tuesday this week.

 

Work will begin this week on dismantling the old building. The range will remain closed until further notice.

Snow

Following the severe weather the course is closed. Lots of areas have drifting snow up to 5ft deep. Course staff are busy clearing the access road and car park of the clubhouse.

Follow Us On Twitter

Twitter users can now keep up to date with goings on out on the course by following @LaMoyeGCgreens

Anyone wishing to get onto the twitter bandwagon need only go to www.twitter.com then follow the instructions to set up an account. It's really simple to get started and is a great place for news and content sharing.

Maintenance Week Update

All scheduled tasks were completed successfully during the recent maintenance week. Hollow coring, scarification, seeding and top dressing took place on each of the putting surfaces. A significant amount of organic matter has been removed from the greens, helping to improve air and water movement through the soil profile and also improve ball bounce characteristics and surface firmness.
50 tonnes of sand top dressing has been applied to the greens to fill the void following the aeration operations. The recent rain has been of real benefit in helping wash the top dressing into the base of the sward. A further 20 tonnes of material will be applied over the next few days. 
Greens mowing frequency has been relaxed slightly to help the grass in the greens recover from the rather intensive operations. Weather conditions will determine just how quickly full recovery takes but I would expect around another fortnight at least.