Course Committee Update

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

1. The remediation of the green surrounds has commenced with the use of a heavy roller. These areas will be fertilised and scarifying and top dressing will be undertaken in November. We will also trial methods to remove the bent grass that has migrated into the collars. The grass will be pulled out around the 18^th green and a herbicide approach will be undertaken at another green. The bent grass will recede through spring as the couch becomes active. This time next year we will apply the preferred solution to the remaining greens.
2. We are currently discussing three projects with our contractor and are expecting them to be completed over the next month. The projects are the work on the damp area behind the 17^th green, the mounds and swales to the left of the 12^th green and a watercourse between the two back tees on the 16^th. Storm water flows through this area have badly damaged the “Blue” tee on a number of occasions and the work will divert the water flow between the two tee boxes. GUR and drop zones will be used in these areas when the work is done.
3. The scheduling of minor remediation works was also discussed. The area in the front of the 16^th tee requires smoothing and returfing. The drain line across the 9^th has been raised and returfed. This area has been problematic for some time and will be closely monitored.
4. A fairway bunker project will be undertaken over the next few weeks to improve drainage. This entails replacing a small section of sand in the middle of the bunker.
5. Bunker preparation after periods of rain was discussed. We have asked David’s team to rake compacted sand in the flat areas of the bunkers so that the sole of the sand wedge can be used by those players who prefer to use the bounce of the club. A raking depth of approximately 3-4cm is what we are seeking and we will continue to monitor this.
6. The persistent wet weather through the last 3 months has shown us where future drainage may be beneficial to get the course playable and minimise traffic damage. A list is being developed for costing work in these areas at a future date.
7. The management of planted native grasses was discussed. Some of the grasses planted between the 12^th tee and the 13^th green are now at a height and bulk where management is needed. This will give members a good indication how these grasses will be managed in other areas of the course.
8. The extent that balls that fall short of the 8^th green are rolling down the hill was noted. This area was transitioned from rough to fairway height last spring. It was agreed that lifting the height to 40mm (second cut height on the fairways) will be more appropriate as we move into this spring.
9. Planned burns in the bush areas around the course are subject to weather and are currently expected to take place on Wednesdays through September. The major burns over the next few months will be left of the 4^th, left of 11A and left of the 15^th tee around to the 16^th 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 Committee complimented David and his team for the presentation of the Course over winter given the wet weather and traffic through the period. The greens are in excellent condition coming into the Club Championships.

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

Ian Skinner
For the Course Committee

Bushwhacker Update
The Bushwhackers meet every second Friday. Last week we had 13 willing workers report for duty – a record number. We split into two groups and worked on completing the hillside along the path on 11A and another team went down to the 16^th tee to remove a large amount of Poa grass from the tees.

The guys worked very hard, and with the size of the team we achieved what I think was our most impactful day since we started 15 months ago.

A few pictures below courtesy of Richard Whiteside show what we got up to. You may notice a number of rocks in the bush have been uncovered and brushed off. The Bushwhackers like rocks – and keenly polish them up so they can be seen.

We will be back out in a couple of weeks and welcome any other members who would like to join us.

A new use for the GUR acronym – this rock was completely covered with debris and has been dubbed “Greg’s Uncovered Rock”

One of the many piles before loading into the truck and off to the chipping pile. All he wants for Christmas is a chainsaw!

Some workers require extra supervision and direction. The Kookaburra had Milton under control and fed happily after he moved on.