Greens Report - 7 October 09

  A visit to the course took place on Wednesday 30th September last by our consultant agronomist, Mr. E. Connoughton during which a full examination of the course took place.   The results were that he was very pleased with the overall condition of the course and the playing surfaces and that the bedding in of the new greens was going very well.   He stated that the overseeding  of the greens was increasing the amount of links grasses (fescues) on the surfaces and the texture of the surfaces was gradually improving.   It would be a number of years however, before these finer grasses would be dominant in the greens and the overseeding would need to continue for the foreseeable future.

It was pointed out to him by the grounds staff and committee that although the surfaces may be improving technically, the general feeling among the members was that the pace on the greens during the season was too slow and furthermore that the pace, as one goes from green to green was also very inconsistent.

 His answer was that currently we have three types of grasses growing on most of our greens, all of which have different characteristics and rates of growth,   which would account  for these complaints.   The overseeding of the greens and links management program which we follow would eventually rectify this situation but it would take time.   However, he recommended that as an interim solution that the greens be rolled as well as cut for the major competition day (Sunday) and that this would improve the playing surfaces for the members.

A meeting of the greens committee, at which members of the competition committee, the Captain, Vice Captain, Treasurer and Office Manager were also present, took place Wednesday  night and this suggestion was agreed to.   Following the meeting it was agreed that an extra person be brought in on Sunday morning to roll the greens after being cut in an effort to answer these criticisms.   This will continue until the 2 tee start commences at the end of October and will recommence in 2010 as the light improves and produces a bigger time window to allow the work to be done.   It is hoped that this solution will  help to alleviate the concerns of the members but if not we are always open to new and constructive suggestions and the members of the committee can be contacted either directly or through the office, anytime.   We would thank the members for their support and cooperation and wish everyone the best of luck for the coming Winter season.

J. Tancred (Chairman)   Greens Committee.