Course Update

• The course has dried significantly in the past week and staff have been able to get the bulk of the rough mown. The height of cut of the rough has been lowered slightly since the heavy rain in an attempt to get it down to a controllable level. Once the growth has slowed we will look at putting the mower back up a little so the rough provides some penalty. The bulk of the rough cut prior to the weekend. Bunkers are also receiving some work with removal of weeds, edging and additional raking.
• Greens – greens have recovered well after the renovations. They have been groomed a number of times in the past week and a half in an attempt to smooth out the surface and increase the speed slightly. They will be double cut Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week for the Men’s Open at 3mm. The championship flags and pin sheets will be used for both the Men’s and Women’s Opens. Des and Cam selected the pin positions today for the weekend. Hopefully not too many tricky ones.
• Paths – white dots have been put out on all the paths and roads where players can get relief. Des completed the job placing further dots to mark the end of the paths. The new rule is now in place allowing relief from the paths and road marked with the dots along with the concrete paths on the course.
• Bunker – work will recommence on the bunker on the 8th immediately after the Men’s Open. Poor weather and short work weeks have delayed this further. The staff will then continue with more bunker renovations over the winter months.
• Fairways – reels on the newer of the 2 fairway mowers have been ground and new bed knives installed which has improved the cut. We are currently cutting fairways twice per week at 14 mm. This will be cut back to once per week once the growth has slowed down.
• 13th tee – the white plate on this tee has been moved back to 172 metres to have the hole measured to more accurately reflect where the markers are often place and to reduce the wear at the front of the tee where the ladies markers are.
• Paspalum – spot spraying of this on the fairways has continued and help reduce this weed. This is done each year to reduce the spread from the rough. This will cease shortly as the cold weather approaches and the chemical is less effective. The staff have been cutting any remaining stalks on the fairways and tees to improve the playability and presentation of the surface.