Golf


“


We are recovering the greens from being areas of moss, which were


described to me as being 'unsavable' by some of the members upon my appointment


Stunning views all over the course


The completed 7th tee includes steps made from railway sleepers


moss and draining more efficiently, and we are well on the way to achieving this. The moss problem has been cured and we are encouraging more fescues and bent grasses and, with the regular verticutting - the verticutting units have been a godsend - the poa population is thinning and refining.” “Unfortunately, flooding is a major issue on the 2nd and 5th holes, which run alongside the River Bush. We have been liaising with the Rivers Agency (NI) but, due to budgetary restraints and the fact that we do not have any occupied dwellings on our land, we are fairly low on their list of priorities for help. They have suggested using natural materials to reinforce the banks against flooding, but we do not have the quantities of materials needed for such a task. So, when we encounter flooding, we close the affected holes until such times as they are playable, which is not ideal.” “Additionally, the green on the 5th is


Beautifull maintained by a cast of three


Unfortunately, flooding is a major issue on the 2nd and 5th holes, which run alongside the River Bush


” Mind the tram! 42 I PC APRIL/MAY 2015


basically in shade all winter and can be fairly weak compared to the rest of the greens coming into spring. It is also a bit of a frost pocket and is always the last one to thaw out.”


“Whilst we have to use temporary greens


on occasions, we do so as little as possible.” Richard explains that they have also


carried out major drainage work on the 1st fairway. “This area was basically a swamp when I arrived, so we installed a drainage network, which was dug by hand. We asked the members for their assistance and had a great turnout of volunteers who helped us immensely. Since the drains have been completed, the fairway has been playable all year round.” “I produce a greens report every month or


two to keep the members informed about what work has been done and what is coming up in the near future. I encourage them to ask questions and also conducted a survey of the playing members last year about how they feel the course could improve, which was very insightful. We take all their comments onboard.” Tees and aprons are cut twice a week at 10mm, using a John Deere 2500B fitted with tees units; fairways are cut twice a week at 10mm using a John Deere 3235C and the rough is cut twice a week using a John Deere 8800 at 4 inches. The greens are cut daily to a minimum of 4mm using a John Deere 2500B with QA5


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