Course Chair Report

There is a lot happening on the course at the moment with the irrigation close to completion and the Summer maintenance plan well underway. Here is a quick reminder of what is happening and planned for the coming months.

The Irrigation Project

Key points to note for members are:

• Hole 10 has just been completed and the project will now move to Hole 18, Hole 1 and Hole 9 in that order. It will then finish with the driving range. Keep an eye out for course routings over these weeks.
• The irrigation project is expected to be completed by late November, subject to weather interruption.
• The driving range will be closed for its irrigation works, expected to be the last week in November. Golf tuition will still be available, using Hole 11 and Hole 21, so an option to tune up your short game skills.
• While Hole 1 is out, we will check and clear the drain in the low area at the foot of the green, which will help clear this area quicker after heavy rains.
• Hopefully you will have noticed a significant amount of turfing and topdressing on the course to repair effected areas. This will continue over the coming months to help get to full recovery.
• While Hole 12 and Hole 13 were out of play, the rock wall was installed and bridge guard rails improved. These jobs have been in the planning for some time, so it was great to get them signed off.
• We are pleased to advise that the irrigation project is forecast to come in under budget.
• Our volunteer group has been actively involved in measuring up for the distance markers, which are now with the supplier for manufacture.

We hope you have already noticed some improvements on the course, and once completed and commissioned we are certain we will begin to enjoy the benefits of this very significant project.

Maintenance Plan

• The green renovations were completed in early October and early indications are that they are recovering quite well, with less than the normal inconvenience to putting.
• While the course was closed for the renovations, rock walls were placed along the culvert crossing on the 4th, which has strengthened and cleaned up this area. A significant amount of turfing has also been done in this area.
• The Hole 10 green resurfacing has commenced so this hole will be out of play for approximately 4 months.
• Capital expenditure has been approved to lengthen the concrete path on Hole 10 while it’s out of play. It will be extended by around 100 metres. With the help of Member Reg Hutchinson, we will be using surplus concrete; i.e. concrete remaining in trucks at the end of a job. This will help reduce cost and will give us experience to see if we can replicate the concept on other paths.
• Patching and collar replacement will be less than in previous years and will be carried out by course staff in coming months on selected holes. These holes will not be taken out of play for these works.
• In December, after irrigation works are complete, we will be carrying out fairway aerification works. Because of the irrigation, we haven’t done this at all this year so it’s needed before Christmas. With Hole 10 out of play, the routing will be different to past aerification works, so keep an eye out for the daily course routings while this is on.

As you can see it is a busy period leading up to Christmas. In fact it’s been a busy year with a lot of distruption. We are extremely grateful for how Members have accepted the changes and respected the course staff and contractors throughout the year. We are sure we will start to see the benefits in the new year.

Other Updates

The process is underway to fill the position of Course Superintendent. The position has been advertised for some weeks and closes at the end of October. From the applicants a short list will be prepared for subsequent interviews and finally site visits. Given COVID-19 restrictions, this may take us into the new year.

In line with the recently released Strategic Plan, a five year Course Improvement Plan is now in the final stages of development. This will provide planning guidelines for current and future Committees on how to manage capital expenditure on the course for the medium term. Once approved by the Committee, it will be available to all Members for your information.

Thank you again for your cooperation and please forward any questions or comments to Geoff Kuehner, CEO for consideration. All emails are tabled for discussion at our monthly Course Sub-Committee meeting and a reply with be sent accordingly.

Thanks again

Paul O’Callaghan, Course Chair