Course Report
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Report from Course Director 29th October 2009 · Presented to the 2009 AGM · 2008 and into 2009 has been a difficult year with regards to financial input towards Golf Club Limited due to the downturn in membership. Combined with these we have had fairly good growing conditions up until late July when rainfall became an issue with regards to turf growth. Up until mid July it would be fair to say that the course had been in good condition with good turf coverage on the fairways and a presentable consistent putting surface. The irrigation system has been fully tested this year and flaws within the system became apparent quite quickly during the drought conditions. Tee and green areas suffered during August with dry patch forming on most areas. We combated this with hand watering to alleviate the turf stress. Putting surfaces were affected during August and into September and it has only started to recover during late September and into this month. The whole site has used a considerable amount of water in comparison to 2007/8. We are currently looking into the possibility of a borehole which will enable us to extract up to 20,000 litres of water per day without an abstraction licence. This of course would help us make a saving on mains water usage. The cost of the borehole is likely to be in the region of £14K. · Staff levels have had to be reduced and a redundancy procedure was instigated. Earlier in the year we made one member of staff redundant and we started the spring period with a reduced green staff level. However a couple of months later we were in a position to re-employ and bring the staff level back up. We continued into the summer period with 5 core staff plus me and two casual summer placements. However in September we once again had to reduce our costs within Golf Club Ltd and this involved making savings on the course budget. The board made a decision once again to go down the redundancy route. It has now been agreed that given our financial position we can only employ 4 full time qualified green keepers plus me. Next April we may consider taking on one or two casual placements on a short summer contract. With staff numbers reduced that will put an extra burden on the current staff with regards to the weekend rota schedule. The green staff work 44 hrs during the spring and summer period and 36 hrs during the autumn and winter. This does not include their scheduled weekend rota hrs which is approximately 104 hrs each per year. This month we have changed the autumn/ winter working week to Monday to Thursday 7am until 3pm and Fridays will be covered by two staff on a week on and off basis from 7am until 2pm. This is different to last year when they all finished on a Friday at 11am. · The budget allowance made available from Country Club to maintain and develop the golf course has covered the essential items for our current financial year. With increased costs for materials and fuel we have noticed that you ‘get less for your money’! · Course aeration has already started with the green and tee areas being targeted first. In late September the green areas were hollow cored with 6mm tines and dressed. We also applied seaweed supplements and artificial dyes to help the greens recover and to improve the aesthetic appearance. Next month we start the verti draining operation on the fairway and green areas with a 19mm solid tine to a depth of 250mm. Green areas will be aerated on a weekly basis with solid and slit tines. · Disease control on the green areas has commenced with a preventative programme of fungicides on the main course greens. As an example one application of fungicide for eighteen greens can cost up to £800. We have applied two systemic fungicides as part of this programme. Fusarium is currently under control and Anthracnose is being treated with cultural and mechanical methods. Applications of low level Nitrogen will help, combined with increased aeration to alleviate compaction. Turf Stress associated with drought conditions and lower fertility was a factor influencing the onset of the Anthracnose. · Lorry movements with approved materials being supplied by CSL and Brocks Haulage have been providing base material for the new teeing area for the 5th, 14th holes along with the chipping green area on the practice area. The tee reconstruction programme will start in early November. |
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