Course Chair Report
I’m pleased to provide you with this Course report which includes a summary of the Course conditions, current and upcoming projects and highlights several general Course matters.
Course Conditions
As we are now into late Summer, the recent hot and humid conditions have seen a significant increase in the growth rates of grass and frequency of required mowing throughout the Course. Amongst a wide range of ongoing Course maintenance activities, investigation and testing, the current focus is on continued improvement of the mown playing surfaces, and strategies to control and remediate off-type grasses throughout the playing surfaces. There have been many positive comments about the great work being done by David Mason, and its pleasing and exciting to see the improvement to Course presentation and conditioning as his vision is starting to be revealed.
Greens and their Surrounds
These ares have been maintained more tightly and have played well through the summer period, and the more intensive close mowing regimes. The shorter cut to a wider extent of green surrounds has enabled a marked improvement in appearance and presentation, as well as increased enjoyment and playability through the range of shot options that are now on offer. Tighter mowing over the last few weeks in preparation for Opening Days has the greens rolling faster and true. Last week unfortunately saw some drying out damage in the practice putting and chipping greens. This was due to lack of irrigation which is now adjusted within the central control system. The greens on course fared much better through these hot conditions, and it is encouraging to see the damaged areas already showing signs of repair and improvement.
Green Renovations
Green renovations were carried out in early October and again in early January, to optimise the opportunity of the Spring and Summer growing season conditions and ensure rapid recovery of the surfaces back to their best presentation and playability. As has been outlined in previous updates and videos to Members these works have resulted in the much-needed substantial reduction in the amount of grain and had a positive impact on thatch that had accumulated in our greens. Whilst the October renovation required the expected full 6-8 weeks to fully mend, the January renovation recovery period was only about 2 weeks. These necessary works have achieved their intent and place the greens in much better condition for the year ahead, and we again thank Members for their patience during this process.
Tees
Our tee were not overseeded last year and as they have held up well in both playability and appearance, and therefore overseeding is not planned in the immediate future. Renovation of tees was completed with the Greens renovations, and their surface condition is all generally good.
Re-levelling of tees generally remains a high priority and will be carried out progressively where scheduling permits. The project to re-level tees will also see an increase in teeing ground widths and lengths to spread the wear, especially during the cooler months.
Fairways
The fairways have remained in good condition throughout Spring and Summer. Growth rates and mowing frequency have increased, and watering levels have been monitored closely to ensure fairways are consistent and playing fairly firm and fast. The ongoing adjustments and improvements to fairway edge shaping will continue.
Roughs
The roughs are now being mown again after the December-January period of allowing herbicide applications to take effect in an attempt to reduce the amount of off-type and weed species grasses. This process was effective to some extent, however some of the higher problem areas will require a dedicated ongoing program over a number of seasons.
The action plan to address the off type/weed species grasses throughout the fairways and roughs will be an ongoing program that will take several years to complete and achieve an acceptably managed level of control.
A new more powerful blower has recently been purchased to improve the clearing of leaf litter on Course.
Bunkers
The bunkers have recently been getting a high level of attention to maintain them in as good condition as possible. The levelling of bunker floors and work to ensure consistent sand depth is an ongoing priority for the team. Exposed matting (from flood scouring) has been largely remedied, and several of the bunkers with drainage issues; on Hole 1, 6 and 16, are now repaired. An ongoing overall bunker remediation program will be part of the Course Enhancement Plan currently being prepared. As the previous bunker sand supplier is no longer in operation, David Mason is currently investigating and testing a range of new sand source options to consider best composition for playability, colour/appearance, cost and reliability of future supply.
New timber bunker rakes have been installed throughout, and Members are reminded to please respect each other by leaving bunkers well raked after playing your shot and return the rake to the floor of the bunker with the handle in the direction of play.
Weeding
In the current climate, the weeds in non-playing areas of the Course are presenting a significant challenge for our Course team. Chemicals are being applied on a regular basis but unfortunately, the almost daily showers, are impacting their penetration. As always, the ongoing weed removal will remain a focus for David Mason.
Course Enhancement Plan
Course Architect Paul Mogford, of Crafter + Mogford Golf Strategies, has been working with David Mason and the Club to finalise his course enhancement plan. This document will recommend, hole by hole, a number of enhancements to improve our current course layout including a solution for Hole 3 flooding and improved practice facilities as per the 2022 Member Survey.
Paul’s planning is well advanced and will be presented to the Committee in coming weeks. Following that Member feedback will be sort before the Committee commences the process of prioritising and costing out each project.
Current and Upcoming Projects
Turf Grass Investigations and Trials
Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has recently carried out detailed investigations and analysis of all 21 greens, both practice greens and selected sampling across fairways and tees, and has prepared a Benchmarking Audit Report which provides David Mason with a comprehensive understanding of the current composition and condition of our playing surfaces. The high levels of off-type and foreign grasses in our greens, fairways and roughs is an ongoing issue of concern, and in the context of the Club wanting to continually ensure improved standards in presentation and overall levels of conditioning, these investigations form an important basis for our future Course enhancement strategies.
Turf Nursery
Preparation works on the right side of Hole 8 are currently on hold while the Committee seeks Expressions of Interest on the potential sale for the Fairfield Road parcel of land. The establishment of a new nursery for both Greens and Fairways turf remains a high priority to ensure adequate supplies are readily available for future works, and alternative locations are currently being considered.
Hole 5 Tee Precinct Enhancements
Please click here to see video update on the project from David Mason
The bank area between the 21st tee and 11th tee is currently being prepared for rejuvenation as part of the broader enhancement strategy for this entire core part of the Course along the creek line. Selective clearing of mainly weed tree species is already starting to reveal again some nice longer internal view lines that had become overgrown and that were previously obscured.
Practice Facility
Some interim upgrades were carried late 2022 including the levelling of the driving range surface to improve appearance and ball collection, and the cleaning up of the mounding at the southern end. The concrete base slab for the new coaching and fitting shed on the forward range tee area was laid in January and we are now awaiting the shed construction which is scheduled for late March. Planning is currently underway for more comprehensive enhancements and improvements to meet the Clubs priority need for Members and Guests to have expanded and higher-quality practice facilities.
Club Entrance
Upgrade works to enhance the arrival experience of the front street entrance and approach to the Clubhouse area are also currently being planned, and the first stage including new turfing and plantings will be carried out in the coming months.
Volunteers
The 2023 program of works by the Vollies’ team is underway, with works to include ongoing weed management and assisting to deliver some of the planned Landscape Masterplan works scheduled for this year. Members will have noticed a tidier appearance in the plantation areas near Hole 1, 9 and 17 greens; Hole 9 and 20 tees; the back of the green on Hole 6 and up the right side of the fairway on Hole 14 and Hole 15 – done in recent sessions.
Throughout 2023 Volunteers working sessions are generally held at 7.30am on the first Monday morning of each month, and we thank Lloyd Cotterell for his ongoing co-ordination. We would encourage and welcome any Members who are interested in joining and bolstering the team in their greatly valued work.
General Course Matters
Course Tour
Following the success of our inaugural course tour last October, I’m pleased to announce that David Mason will be conducting another Course Tour on Sunday, 2 April from 3pm.
Members are again invited to join David as he personally escorts you on a course tour to highlight the current works underway and to explain the recent changes to our course. He will also discuss future maintenance and capital expenditure projects and conduct a Q&A session.
Only 28 places are available for the Course Tour but a waitlist will be in place. Those attending are asked to meet outside of the Garden Room just before 3pm and allow time for a drink and nibbles in the Clubhouse afterwards.
To secure a spot on the Course Tour with David Mason please click here.
Flood Mitigation
As outlined in last years Annual Report, the Club was fortunate to have insurance for the flood impacts to Course, however as we no longer have that level of cover we are very mindful of the future risk and costs. Consideration and planning for relocation of the maintenance facility remains a high priority, and in the interim procedures and protection measures are being implemented. An evacuation training session involving the full course team was carried out in late December to monitor and review plans, and as a result the procedures were refined and updated and additional resources put in place.
As always if you have any feedback, please contact our CEO, Geoff Kuehner on 0411 412 666 or via geoff@brisbanegolfclub.com.au. All feedback will be tabled at our monthly Course Sub-Committee meeting.
Regards
Richard Garnham, Course Chair
