Summer Blog

 

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a quick update on what the greenkeeping team has been working on recently, along with a look ahead at what’s coming up on the course.

 

Irrigation

This year brought a challenging combination of a dry spring followed by a hot, prolonged summer, which really tested the resilience of the fine turf across the course. Under those conditions, we have seen signs of stress on all unirrigated areas, especially during the peak of the heat.

However, the recently installed irrigation system and borehole proved to be a game‑changer. Having the ability to apply accurate, consistent, and targeted watering to the greens meant we could maintain moisture levels exactly where the turf needed it most. Instead of relying on older, less efficient methods, we were able to:

•            Deliver water evenly across all greens

•            Avoid over‑watering or wasting water

•            Keep the turf cool during the hottest spells

•            Maintain smooth, healthy putting surfaces throughout the summer

The system has performed brilliantly, and the difference was noticeable not only to the team but also in the quality and consistency of the playing surfaces. It’s reassuring to see such a major investment paying off so quickly, especially as weather patterns continue to become more unpredictable.

This improved irrigation capability will continue to strengthen the course year after year, giving us far greater control during extreme weather conditions.

Following the successful installation of irrigation on the 18th tee, we’re now moving into the next phase of the project. There are 10 tee boxes still to be fitted with irrigation, and this work will take place over the next few years. The aim this coming winter is to progress with the installation of irrigation to the 6^th, 11^th and 12^th tees, subject to time, resources and other course maintenance requirements.      

This upgrade is an important step in improving playing conditions year‑round. Once complete, we’ll be able to manage moisture levels more accurately, protect the tees during dry spells, and apply products that keep the tees healthy. 

                                                  Fig 1: Irrigated and unirrigated tee  

Why do we hand-water the greens when we have a new irrigation system?

The reason is simple: hand watering allows us to take a much more targeted approach. Our irrigation system provides consistent coverage across the greens, but every green has areas that dry out at different rates. Hand watering allows us to apply water exactly where it is needed, rather than watering the green unnecessarily. This is particularly useful for high spots, dry patches and areas that naturally dry out more quickly. This approach helps us maintain more consistent moisture levels across the greens, while also avoiding unnecessary water use. It is an important part of fine tuning the irrigation system and maintaining healthy, high quality putting surfaces.      

         

                                                        Fig 2: Hand watering 1st green

Winter tee mats

The remaining three tees the 10^th, 14^th and 15^th will be fitted with winter mats. This work has already started and will be completed before the winter.  

                                                 Fig 3: Winter tee base at 14th hole

Tree management work

Last winter, the trees behind the 9th green were removed to help improve growing conditions. The green had been struggling for some time due to heavy shade, which meant it stayed wet for long periods and was more vulnerable to disease.

Since the work was carried out, the difference has been remarkable. The green now receives far more natural light, drains more effectively, and is developing a much healthier, stronger sward with better grasses throughout.

Addressing shade issues is essential for maintaining healthy greens. Excess shade leads to poor drainage, weaker turf, and increased disease pressure. By managing tree growth in key areas, we can ensure our greens receive the sunlight and airflow they need to perform consistently throughout the year.

 

Greens Work

The greens have held up well during the drought. They have been consistently good for long periods and are playable all year. This level of consistency is a direct result of the cultural practices carried out across the year — including regular aeration, topdressing, verticutting, and careful nutrient management.

These ongoing practices strengthen the turf, improve root development, and help the greens cope with the pressures of modern play and changing weather conditions.

This year our greens maintenance programme will be carried out slightly differently, with the introduction of the VGR TopChanger. The TopChanger allows us to incorporate topdressing material more effectively into the surface of the greens. Greens will be back in play with minimal disturbance. Approximately 40 tons of sand will be injected into the top profile of the greens.   

                                                     Fig 4: Video of the VGR TopChanger 

Diseases

Anthracnose is a turf disease that can affect closely mown turf, particularly when the plant is under stress. It is more likely to develop when greens experience heat, drought stress, low fertility, excessive wear or other conditions that weaken the plant. Annual meadow grass (Poa annua) is the grass most susceptible. Symptoms can include yellowing, thinning and small areas of turf deterioration. This summer has provided conditions that have been particularly favourable for anthracnose on the greens. We have seen some anthracnose on the greens this summer, following periods of high heat and dry weather which was favourable for the disease. The good news is that recovery has started and the affected areas will start to improve.

                                                                    Fig 5: Anthracnose  

This is one of the reasons why continuing to introduce and encourage bent grass into the greens is important. Bentgrass generally has good tolerance to anthracnose compared to annual meadow grass, so encouraging a stronger population of bent can help improve the resilience of the greens over time. Our regular overseeding programme, combined with good nutrition, irrigation and aeration helps us gradually improve the grass composition and produce healthier, more resilient putting greens.  

 

We hope you’ve found this update informative and that it gives you a clear picture of the work taking place across the course. The greenkeeping team is committed to continually improving playing conditions and ensuring the course is in the best possible shape throughout the year.

We wish all members an enjoyable end to the 2026 playing season.

David and the Greenkeeping Team. 

Spring Blog

 

The weather this winter has been much drier than last year. Rainfall for 2024 was 866mm compared to 1055mm for 2023. The decent weather has allowed us to complete lots of tasks. The course is in good shape heading into the season. All that is needed now is some consistent growth but its still very early for grass growth, especially coming out of winter. Even though conditions might be improving, soil temperatures are still low, which slows down growth and recovery. The nighttime frosts really hold the growth back at this time of year.   

  

The 13^th bunker was fully rebuilt. The overhang on the old bunker was very severe and becoming a playability problem and a health and safety concern. The turf has now started to establish, and the main green will be reinstated soon.

 

                                                                Fig 1: 13th Bunker 

Three Huxley winter tee mats were installed on the 3rd, 4th and 16th holes. They provide a stable and level hitting area, reducing the impact on wet or frozen ground. They also prevent wear on natural grass tees, which helps maintain course conditions for the main season. We will look to install these mats on the remaining holes over the next few years.  

                                                    Fig 2: Huxley winter tee mat on the 16th 

     

The recent greens maintenance went to plan. The greens were vertidrained, verticut and sanded. Golfers often ask why we have to punch holes in greens and unsettle them. This work is a key part of maintaining healthy, high-quality putting surfaces. The greens are played on year-round, which means consistent aeration and maintenance are even more important. With 12-month play, greens can suffer from compaction especially in winter when the recovery is slower.  With conditions now slowly improving the greens will start to wake up. Mowing and rolling frequency will increase as we progress more into spring.  

A big thank you to members who have followed the winter control measures. Fairway protection mats are a great way to preserve turf quality, especially during winter months on high-traffic areas. With the course been played on year-round, these measures are crucial in preventing divot damage, compaction, and mud buildup. The post and ropes do a great job of preventing excessive wear near greens and help protect the approaches.  As winter comes to an end, the removal of the winter measures over the next few weeks will help the course transition smoothly into the growing season, while keeping the turf strong.

     

This week we had a demo of a robotic mower from Husqvarna. This cut part of the 18^th fairway and it did a great job, even at this time of year. The introduction of a robotic mower to the fleet could be a great way to improve efficiency, consistency, and turf health. The golf industry is moving towards robotics and automation, and it's only going to grow.   

 

                                                  Fig 3: Robotic mower cutting 18th fairway 

Trees are an iconic feature of many golf courses, adding beauty, challenge, and strategy. However, there are times when the presence of certain trees can negatively impact the health of the greens and overall course playability. While we love the aesthetic value trees provide, our priority is always to ensure a course and particularly greens that are in good condition for most of the year. Sometimes, this means strategically removing trees to improve the health of the turf and enhance the playing experience. As a greens committee the decision was made to remove all the Norwegian Spruce at the back of the 9th green over a two-year period. This started in 2023 and was completed over this winter period. In the Northeast of England, managing shade around golf greens is particularly important due to the region’s cool and damp climate. Frequent cloud cover, lower sunlight intensity, and high humidity can make shade-related issues a big problem on golf greens.

Impact of Removing Norwegian Spruce Around the 9th Green

• Improved Turf Health.
• Norwegian Spruce casts heavy shade year-round, limiting sunlight exposure.
• Their dense canopy blocks airflow, leading to damp, disease-prone greens.
• Removal will allow more sunlight and air circulation, helping the turf dry faster and reducing fungal disease risks.
• Better Drainage & Soil Conditions.
• Spruce trees have shallow, spreading roots that compete for moisture and nutrients.
• Their needles acidify the soil, making it harder for certain grasses to thrive.
• Without them, the green’s root zone can recover, improving grass health and drainage.
• Grass needs 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain strong root growth.
• Shade weakens the turf, making it more vulnerable to wear and stress.
• More organic matter (thatch) is created.   
• Weaker playing surfaces.
• Shaded greens tend to have thinner turf and weaker root systems, leading to softer surfaces and inconsistent ball roll.
• Wet greens struggle to be played on for 12 months of the year.

 

 

                                                           Fig 4: 9th green in shade 

 

Fig 5: 9th green in full sun after tree removal

The bank will be grassed over with a fescue mix, helping blend the area back into the landscape. Overseeding with fescue will help create a natural, wispy rough. The bank will be left uncut which will create a more natural look and reduce maintenance. This will encourage wildlife & ecology and increase biodiversity, attracting birds and pollinators.

 

As always, we appreciate your support and patience as we continue to enhance the course. I wish all our members a great golfing season—enjoy your time on the course.

 

David and the Greenkeeping Team.

 

 

                                     Autumn Blog

 

 

The course has been in excellent condition all season. The feedback from members and visitors has been very positive. The wet warm spring really kicked the growth off with an early season flush in May. This allowed quick recovery on the areas that received high levels of play during the winter. I have never seen the course so green in July when normally its brown and burnt off.              

 

The recent greens aeration went well. The processes that were carried out were as follows-

 

• ·      Double scarification (10mm) depth
• ·      19mm solid tine (75mm) depth
• ·      35 tons of sand applied
• ·      Sand brushed and worked into the surface         
• ·      Greens overseeded with a browntop bent mix

Scarification removes lots of material in the top layer and the greens really benefit from this work.    

The recovery has been very good. 

                                Fig 1: 13th green 16 days after renovations 

The greens have been very consistent over the season and performance has been good. This is down to a number of things.

• ·      Good turf health
• ·      Consistent maintenance practices  
• ·      Correct mowing
• ·      Correct Irrigation
• ·      Correct fertilization

 

In early September some of the greens suffered from a big attack of fusarium. This disease thrives in damp, humid conditions. The weather at this time was perfect for the disease to strike. The worst affected greens were the 7^th and 15^th. 

A fungicide was sprayed at the first opportunity and all the affected bits of turf were seeded, speeding up the recovery. Acidifying products are now used at this time of year. This discourages the development of the disease and hardens the grass plant off. As you can see from the photo the recovery from the fusarium has been excellent. The aim now is to keep the greens nice and healthy as we go into the off season. Cutting and rolling will take place when conditions allow. 

       

                           Fig 2: Recovery of the 7th green.   

 

Planned Winter Work

 

• ·      Three fixed winter mats will be installed on the 3^rd, 4^th and 16^th holes. These will be the same design as the one which was installed on the 1^st hole, last winter. The old-style mats become very slippery during the winter and are a health and safety concern. Over the next few years, all of the old ones will be replaced.        
• ·      The 13^th right hand bunker will be remodelled. This work removes the big overhang and will be a much-needed course improvement.
• ·      The 13^th astroturf path will be grassed over.
• ·      Irrigation valves that are leaking to be replaced.
• ·      Tree survey to be performed (late October) and recommended work to be undertaken.         
• ·      Regeneration on areas of scrubland to be cleared. 
• ·      All long roughs to be cut and collected.  
• ·      All machinery to be serviced and units sharpened in house.
• ·      Various turf repairs on damaged areas.
• ·      Leaf clearing.
• ·      As we head into the autumn, controlled measures will be introduced. Post and ropes will be put out protecting the approaches to greens. Fairway protection mats will be introduced. Winter tee positions and mats will be put into play. All of these measures help the course over the winter, which then allows the transition into spring that bit easier.         

Wildlife

 

Lots of deer have been seen on the course this year, including a number of young ones.

                                          Fig 3: Deer on the course 

 

 

More bird boxes will be put up this winter in various locations of woodland. 

Volunteers

 

A big thanks to David Fletcher who volunteered to divot the fairways. This was a great bit of work done, helping the fairways recover after a long season.

A big thanks to David Watson for painting the brown tee markers, ready for the winter.

A big thanks to Avril Rowbotham who has done an amazing job transforming the 15^th garden. Avril has put lots of time and effort into this. We have had lots of great comments from members of the public who walk past and admire the garden. Well done to all the volunteers who help out with jobs, the work is very much appreciated.   

             

                 Fig 4: Before and after photo of the 15th garden

 

Let’s hope for a drier winter than last year.

 

David and the team.

      

 

Summer Blog 2024

 

An update about what's been going on this year. 

This past winter was one for the books, with the wettest record. Despite these harsh conditions the course emerged resilient and stayed open when lots of other clubs around us were shut for long periods. The greens came through the relentless rainfall healthy and ready for the spring. They were played on for the majority of the year, which is testament to the aeration work that has been carried out on the greens.  

The control measures that were in place made a huge difference as we headed into the season. The grass coverage on the fairways was excellent from the use of mats. The post and ropes protected the approaches to greens from high levels of footfall. This ensured that these areas remained healthy and playable and the transition into the golf season was so much easier. As things finally began to dry out in  April the course was quickly turned around and was made presentable. A big thank you to members who followed these measures and looked after our course.    

In March there was a decent spell of weather providing the perfect opportunity to do some maintenance on the greens. The greens were scarified using the graden. This is a specialized bit of equipment that cuts precise grooves in the turf, removing organic matter to a depth of -20mm. This was followed up by a sand dressing. This work helps keep organic matter levels in check and maintains greens firmness. 

 

                                                                                          

                                                               Images of the graden work

The height of cut on the greens is currently at 4mm and cutting frequency increased when the temperatures picked up. Regular sarel rolling is carried out with light topdressings when conditions allow. Sarel rolling is a small spike in the turfs surface, allowing better air, water and nutrient penetration, without causing significant disruption to the playing surface. Nutrition is applied through regular spoon feeding which involves the frequent application of small amounts of liquid fertiliser. This method provides a steady supply of nutrients, promoting consistent growth and preventing growth flushes.  

The outfield areas of the course are really growing hard at the moment. The moisture and heat have created an early growth flush. The team are flat out on the machines keeping on top of things. The biggest challenge is the rough as the machine deposits grass which looks unsightly. To disperse grass the course is blown with the tractor mounted blower, this helps tidy things up.  

All the trees on the course were sprayed with a herbicide. This kills the grass around the base but does not harm the trees. This will last for the 5 months, saving on labour and allowing the team to focus on more important tasks.

  

  

                                                                  Tree based killed off

Golf greens are maintained to a high standard, but acts of vandalism can undo the hard work of greenkeepers. Vandalism can be very demoralizing for the team who work hard to keep the greens in great condition.  Recently a number of greens have experienced damage from a club strike, creating large unsightly divots. The greens require repair work in the form of plugging and seeding.           

                                                                Divot from 16th green

Thanks to all the members that give myself and the team positive feedback over the year, it's very much appreciated. 

Have a great golfing season. 

David and the lads.     

   

 

                               Winter Blog 2023

 

This year and particularly this autumn have been a real challenge with the very high levels of rainfall (985mm to date). This is the highest annual rainfall I have recorded and the wettest year I have experienced as a greenkeeper. The rainfall average on the course over the last 6 years is 715mm. The highest recorded rainfall prior to this year was in 2019 with 889mm. The course however is a very good drainer and has taken the high levels of rainfall well. With wet weather brings more course closures and this year has been the worst since I started tracking this data.      

                                                                         

With the wet weather the leaf clearing has been a little slower this year. The big machinery struggled to travel on the course and areas had to be hand collected which takes more time. Some strong winds a few weeks ago helped bring most of the leaves down. Protection measures (posts and ropes) were put out early. This has helped spread the wear on the approaches and around greens. The introduction of fairway protection mats has also been positive, less divots are now visible. Both these measures will make a difference in the spring, when the course transition occurs for the golf season.  A big thank you to all the members who are following these restrictions.  

Members might have seen some stakes in the ground around the course. These are to identify cable pots and hose points from the irrigation installation, which was done earlier on in the year. These will be trimmed and kept visible at all times.

The new winter 1^st tee was installed in October and is a big improvement from the old raised mat that was in play. When the digger was on hire a catchment drain was installed at the back of the 9th collar. This catches rainwater runoff from the bank and will help keep water away from the green. 

The greens are in good health heading into the winter. Regular slitting takes place when conditions allow. This form of aeration is very beneficial during prolonged wet periods. This week the greens were vertidrained with 12mm tines. This work is essential as it allows the greens to breath after the recent wet weather. The greens are the cleanest I have seen them for disease. Bringing the greens maintenance forward this year to August, allowed the greens to recover quicker and have them healthy heading into the disease pressure season. 

Tees, approaches and fairway aeration will be carried out once weather conditions improve. Slitting, solid tining and raking will be the procedures used.  

The winter servicing of machines is well underway. The grinding of the cutting units has also commenced. This a good time of year to carry out this work and to see what the machinery fleet needs ready for the new season in 2024.    

 

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Donaldson who has been the greens chairman over the last three years. Dave stands down in the new year, as his nine years on the committee comes to an end. Dave has been a great support for myself and the greenkeeping team and will be missed.

 

The team and I thank members for the continued support throughout the year.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

David and the Greenkeeping Team.     

 

Summer Blog

 

Just a little blog about what has been done and is planned over the remainder of the season.

 

The very wet weather that we have been experiencing lately has certainly greened the course up and is making the grass grow. The dry spell earlier in the season burned areas off, however these have now fully recovered. The rain does have its benefits, but I would much rather have warm and dry days this time of year.      

Here is the rainfall stats for July over the last seven years. You can clearly see how wet July this year has been. This brings it challenges on course preparation as more damp cuts are carried out.

 

                  

 

 

The irrigation system was completed and was a success. We have a few areas to seed, but it was a very clean job from TIS. The 90mm mainline pipe that was installed allows the runtime of the irrigation pump to be shortened and more sprinklers can now be operated at the same time. The pressure coming out the sprinklers to the greens is greatly improved, allowing a more evenly distribution of water. The spring feed and borehole water is very good for the greens. They respond so much better to the natural sources, rather than the mains water that was previously used.                 

 

In mid-July the greens were vertidrained with an 8mm tine to a depth of 200mm. They were then verticut creating a more upright growth habit and removing any unwanted material just below the surface. This was then followed up by approximately 10 ton of topdressing. The greens were then brushed and the significant rainfall that we have been experiencing washed the sand into the profile. This work is vital as it vents the greens after lots of play and creates air space for the grass roots to develop below the surface. The greens are getting cut most days at 3.5mm and ironed when the weather allows. The iron is not used during these wet conditions as more damage can be done to the surface.            

 

 

On Tuesday 29^th August the annual greens maintenance will be carried out with  the following procedures:

• ·      Scarification to a depth of approximately 15mm.
• ·      Topdressed (10 ton) and brushed.
• ·      Solid tined (12mm tine).
• ·      Topdressed (20 ton) and brushed.  
• ·      Overseeded with bentgrass.
• ·      Fertilised.

 

Recovery will be good and the greens will benefit massively from this work. The aim is to keep the surfaces at a consistent level as we head into the Autumn/Winter. After a wet summer which we are experiencing, this maintenance is more important than ever.   

Could members please not tee off any earlier than 7.30am and from the 1st tees only. This allows the greenstaff time to prepare the course interrupted, thank you.  

      

Thanks to all the members that give myself and the team positive feedback, its very much appreciated. Hopefully the weather improves and you enjoy the rest of the season.

 

David and the Greenkeeping Team.