Latest Greens Report

Greens Report July 08

The left bunker on the 5th hole has been filled in as this was not really a significant part of play and the redesign will help the whole area “flow” better than at present. A mound has been put in its place and will be seeded in July. Several hundred tonnes of soil have been placed at the back of the 5th Green. We are intending to raise the level of the back of this green and flute it into a succession of shaped mounds. We shall look to commence this in October. The soil has been placed there whilst the ground is hard enough to take the Lorries weight. This soil will also be used for new mounds at the back of 13th Green, a new enlarged bunker on the front of the 12th and the 13th greens.

The mound at the side and back of the 15th Green has had its shape and design changed slightly. The mound will now extend to meet the 16th Tee. A walk way will be made for traffic to come straight of the back of the 15th Green to the 16th Tee. This will mean trolley users will not have to walk all the way around the bunker. It is intended for this work to be finished by the time I leave The Craythorne at the end of this month.

The trial of the scarifying units was a success and we have now purchased them along with a set of “tournament blades” which will further enhance the playability of the putting surfaces. They will be a valuable asset in years to come, aiding the development of healthy plant on not just the Greens but also the Tees and Approaches if required. Also a new turfcutter has been purchased to replace the old one which had seen better days.

Some would of noticed, that the field adjacent to the practice area has been mown down and is being cut as if it was a fairway. This area will initially become a turf nursery prior to the owners of the land turning this into an additional car park. We will therefore be able to provide turf to be moved on to the course. This will prevent the need to purchase turf in the immediate future.

The putting green extension has been seeded and fertilised. Germination sheets will be placed on it and moved around until there are signs of the grass shoots emerging. The opening time of this area is similar to the 15th Green extension. If everything goes according to plan, it will be ready by October, however a more conservative estimate of April 09 is more likely.