Course Committee Update

The Course Committee met last week and the following matters discussed may be of interest to members:

1. The plans for the 2021 course plantings were reviewed and approved. This follows the successful plantings over the last few months and a meeting with our golf landscape architect to plan for 2021. The plants for 2021 will be grown to order by the nursery. A key requirement is that we have a range of colours. This will be a range of whites, reds, blues and yellows, together with the varying shades of green in the native grasses.
2. The areas identified for planting in 2021 will be sprayed out and mulched over the next few months so that the soil can develop and support the new plants. One major area identified for mulching and planting is near the 11^th tee where the path goes from the bag area up to the Men’s tee.
3. The dam water quality and supply were reviewed. Work on improving our water supply had been deferred somewhat with the Covid focus. We have now reengaged with our consultants to progress the options of dam capacity and sewage treatment.
4. The programme for maintaining the greens over the next year was reviewed. A coring will proceed in November as per schedule to help manage the organic matter and thatch in the greens. A spring coring will be built into the 2021 golf programme to control the high level of organic matter that develops with modern bent grasses.
5. We discussed the Lomandra plants that surround the 10^th tee and the crowding impact they can have when not cut back. These plants are used to stabilise the tee and prevent slippage. They will either be moved back to minimise impact on play, or cut back as low as possible without impacting their stabilising effect.
6. The mounds and swales to the left of the 12^th green were put in place two years ago with the intention of protecting against balls running through and into the car park. The grass cover through winter is not sufficient to provide this protection, and a project will be undertaken to raise the height of the area.
7. The need for additional drainage at the front of the 12^th green will also be assessed.
8. The area all along the back side of the 17^th green continues to be damp – particularly given the weather of the last few months. A project will be undertaken to review the soil profile and all of the drainage in this area.
9. Further burns in the bush areas around the course were approved. The major burns over the next few months will be left of the 4^th, 5^th tee and the 8^th hole, and the area between the 15^th tee around to the 16th. Other smaller burns will be undertaken behind the 6^th tee and in the triangle between the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th holes.
10. The impact of the damp conditions and higher level of player traffic over the last 2 months was noted. David and his team have been requested to use ropes and bollards to the extent necessary to protect the course as much as possible from wear and tear. An assessment of returfing requirements will be made in early spring.

Please do not hesitate to talk with any of the Course committee about the above.

Ian Skinner
For the Course Committee

The Bushwhackers
The Bushwhackers were pleased to come out of isolation last Friday and went to work on the area to the left of the entrance road and through the planted areas within the car park. We ventured into the area surrounded by the Gymea lilies outside of the men’s locker room. The photos below show the before and after effect of cleaning up around the retaining wall in this area. 

Great work as usual by the guys and we were delighted to welcome Henry Tsang to the team. Anyone interested in coming along, just contact me.

Ian Skinner

BEFORE

AFTER