Pre season update

As the season edges closer and the better weather arrives the course is beginning to take shape. With most of our winter projects complete and most others close to being complete the focus over the next few weeks will be to return the course to its full length and start our usual summer procedures. 

Operations such as mowing, topdressing, spraying, spiking and fertilising have all been started on various areas. 

Tees

Tees have been spiked, cut, sprayed and topdressed. These should return to play by this weekend.

Fairways

Fairways are in the process of being cut. We have also been given sand that has recently been lifted from the school AstroTurf. This will allow us to top dress all fairways this year and will be a big help to us. Selected fairways have been sprayed and we will be applying fertiliser to some shortly. Full play on fairways returns this weekend weather dependant.

Greens/approaches

All greens have been cut, sprayed, topdressed and are in the process of getting spiked. Work will continue on these throughout the week in order to hopefully have them in play for this weekend. With the winter drainage works and some other repair jobs on a few greens there will be some on temporary greens although these will be on the approaches rather than fairways where possible. 

Other tasks taking place over the next week or so will include returning all the course furniture after their winter refurb to the course. Finishing off of turfing jobs and repairs to some bunkers. As always general tidying of the course to remove twigs, cones, branches and other debris from playing areas will be ongoing. 

We have added some new machinery to our fleet which include a replacement spiking machine, tractor mounted blower and a topdressing brush. These machines will allow us to finish tasks not only quicker but to a much higher standard than previously possible. The team are looking forward to putting these to use. 

Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we can all enjoy a long and successful season. The team as always will strive to make golfing at Auchterarder the best possible experience it can be for members and visitors at all times. 

Included are some pictures of tasks that have been taking place over the winter period. 

New year update!

After the winter holidays work resumes as normal from Monday 6th January. Our main aim over the next few weeks will be to complete the drainage works on the 2nd, 13th and 18th greens. This work will be carried out by contractors working alongside the green keeping team. 

Some repair work/drainage work has already taken place before the Christmas break most noticeably at the 7th approach. The damaged/worn area directly in front of the green has been lifted and the soil/clay dug out to a depth of 8inches. Three new lateral drains were then installed and connected to an existing main pipe filled with gravel and then root zone in preparation for turfing. Turfing of the area has now also been completed using established turf from the putting which will help with returning the area to playing condition as soon as is possible. A picture is included of this work in progress.

Turf from the putting green will be used throughout the drainage works on the greens as it will give these areas the best/quickest chance of full recovery.

The bunker on the right of the 2nd has recently been given an extensive make over! This was required as the existing bunker had some issues with drainage. We also felt that the contours were leaving some golfers with an unfair shot due to the narrow middle section and took this opportunity to make it more playable. Pictures of the process are included below.

We also had two very large trees fall down beside the 7th green with the strong winds before Christmas. This was a lengthy process to get them cut up and removed from the area safely. Pictures included. 

Other jobs taking place over the early part of the year include general maintenance and tidying of the course for play on a daily basis. Also the furniture maintenance program which takes a consideral amount of time will be carried out mainly when we have poorer weather conditions. There is also a burst in an irrigation pipe which has been located and will be repaired shortly.

Unfortunately with the amount of rain of rain at the start of this year we have been forced to move onto winter greens. This will be assessed regularly and if the weather Improves and the course becomes dryer a return to the 'big greens' will be imminent. 

VANDALISM

Some of our members may be aware that over the holiday period we had an incident occur on the 17th summer green. Unfortunately someone has caused excessive damage to the green using mainly the heel of a boot/shoe and possibly another item that looks like the point of an umbrella. Pictures will be included below. This is type of behaviour is criminal damage and totally unacceptable. It is worrying for both staff and members alike. The golf club would ask if anyone has any information at all then please get in touch to either Archie or David in the office as this will be useful to see what can be done about the situation. The green staff are hopefully that the green can be repaired without too much disruption although it will take time from an already demanding schedule. 

Lastly the green staff would like to wish a Happy and successful New Year to all our members. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us and we will continue to do our best to ensure that the golf course is presented in its best possible condition and is enjoyable for all golfers.