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.