Upcoming work

In the September Greens Newsletter I informed you that contractual drainage work would go ahead on the course during the second half of October. Having spoken to our contractor, I can now confirm that he will be on site week commencing Monday 28th October.

His side of the work will involve the laying of the pipe only. This is done using a piece of kit working at slow speed. Ground conditions will determine where the contractor will work on any specific day. He has informed me that it will take three to four days to complete the installation.

Prior to his arrival onsite, we have to prepare the working areas enabling him to crack on with pipe laying. This will involve turf cutting and placing the cut turf to one side away from the heavy plant machinery laying the pipe, to commence Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October.

Peter Coughlan has kindly offered his and the volunteers assistance to help us move the turf out of the way on Wednesday 23 October, the optimum day for volunteer availability. On these three days, we will be looking to move several hundred metres of turf.

To be able to do it swiftly, and safely, there will be restrictions on the course. I'll run through the holes, planned work and restrictions involved.....

1st hole
- Installation of two lines of pipe at the bottom of the slope halfway down the fairway.
- One line of pipe in front of the green.
- A temporary green will be in place before the slope.

3rd hole
- Four pipes laid in the low areas.
- Hole closure is needed as no alternatives to play the hole are available.

6th hole
- Three pipes laid in front of the 6th tees and across to Three Pools via the front of
5th green.
- A temporary green will be in play just short of the semi rough that splits the fairway.
- Temporary tees will be in use at the start of the 6th fairway.

There will be traffic management required for each hole to keep golfers away from working areas. The dates will impact on Ladies and Gents competitions, I'll liaise with both sections regarding these matters.

Contract verti-draining of the greens has had to be put back until November, partly due heavy workloads during October.

Within the next two weeks I will confirm the new date and pass it onto the membership along with the plans for our course development work and the use of mats for this winter.