Course Update
The Greens Committee 2024
Following the first Greens Committee meeting of the year please see below an update as shared by the Committee. For information the Greens Committee representatives are:
Ian Chambers (Chair) – Neil Johnstone (Vice Captain) – David Calcutt (Secretary) – Roy Sims – Brian Stockton (Head Greenkeeper) – Finlay Clark (PGA Pro) – Gareth Snelgrove (PGA Golf Operations Manager)
1st hole closure
Many of you will have seen, or heard, about the discovery of an old well on the 1st fairway. After investigations following the heavy rain last week it became apparent that the area was potentially unsafe. The location of the well, just a few yards short of the 1st green, is such that it isn’t safe to play around the area. The greenkeepers have been working hard to prepare the ground for all the materials needed to make the area safe. Work has continued this week and the well is now safely capped. The aim is to have the area made safe, although it will remain a No Play Zone, before the Winter Alliance scheduled for this Saturday (20th Jan).
Development and maintenance work progress
Pictured below is the 1st tee nearing completion with root zone laid whilst awaiting conditions appropriate for laying turf. The quality of this tee is that which we expect to see replicated across the course in time.
Pictured below are the shoe cleaner and surrounding areas with root zone awaiting conditions for over seeding. Installing a root barrier, as described in previous posts, mean the grass in this area will be able to survive providing a much tidier surround for the practice green in time for spring/summer.
Tree clearance work continues
Clearance work has continued between 15th/16th holes and 13th/17th holes with Ventracs doing a great job. This work not only keeps these areas looking tidy but will help with light exposure and aeration around the course. The tree clearance program will continue to help with this in the coming months.
Proper course maintenance has begun again thanks to the colder, drier spell of weather and Ventracs plus hand mowers
A full program of rough, fairway, tee and greens mowing will have been completed again this week. The course has recovered very well from the record rain fall in late 2023.
The Greens Committee will continue to meet monthly to inform the planning of course maintenance and development work from the perspective of GC members. There will be regular updates from these meetings as well as the usual Course Updates.
We hope you have a great golfing year,
The Hagley GC Greens Commitee, 2024