Rhuddlan Golf Club

Greens Report  March 2013

Update on the winter work:

John Morris explained that he is happy the way that the course is progressing following the wet conditions that we have experienced. He and his staff have re-designed the right hand bunker on the 15th hole and are waiting for the newly laid turf to knit before completion.

Numerous existing bunkers around the course have been edged out and tidying up work is being carried out throughout. For example, tees have been aerated and patched with new turf, the pathways have been resurfaced e.g. the 4th and 14th tee areas and the path from the 9th and 11th tees. We have run out of material for the path to the ladies 8th tee and donations are required for more material.

The Captain/Chairman had requested for a wooden fence to be built to surround the newly constructed 2nd tee and this has now been completed. More work has been carried out on cutting low hanging branches which will help the access to the rough cutting machinery to keep these areas closely mown.

The fairways are being reshaped and defined with the carry to a number of fairways for the ladies tees being shortened.

The drainage problems on the 1st fairway is definitely improving with the new pond although we are still experiencing standing water when we have heavy rain. The long term solution looks as if it will be an open ditch across the 1st and 2nd fairways but we will still keep our options open.

The reeds have been reduced in the 10th pond which makes the pond look so much bigger and attractive, but still allowing for the needs of our wildlife .

The Greens:

The temperature of the soil is still cold therefore the cutting height of the grass is still up until the warmer weather arrives!! Fertiliser has been applied to greens and tees so we should see a vast improvement over the coming weeks. The Procore machine has come into its own during the last few weeks and is an invaluable piece of equipment to aerate the greens and tees. 

 

 

 Buggies:

The Captain and myself visited a company on the outskirts of Caernarfon on Friday 15th  March to discuss a quote for four two year old buggies, and we were impressed with the way that the company refurbish the units and the flexibility of the owner (past captain of Abersoch). He is willing to allow us to try the buggies on a one season period rather than two to see if it is an economical proposition for the club.

Plans are in place to have the container moved from the side of the pro-shop and have an open but secure buggy park to house eight buggies. Our thanks go to Mark Gowing for constructing a container for the compressor.

3-4 hole practice course.

There are grants available from Golf Development Wales and one suggestion is that we develop the practice ground into a small course for juniors and beginners which would include a quality chipping area, greens, mounds, bunkers etc. We need to find out whether the cost is down to the club initially and then claimed back. This will be investigated further.

Miles Todd:

At the time of our meeting John Morris and myself were aware that Miles had applied for the vacant position of manager of Greens at Maesdu Golf Club and he has been successful. We wish Miles all the very best in the future and we will be sorry to see him leave.

Next Meeting (date to be arranged):

We will be having a “walk the course meeting” all Council members are invited.

T Glyn Jones.

 Chairman of Greens.