In May we received many cold blasts and 127mm of rainfall with 106mm falling during the week of the 4th. That amount of rain was not ideal leading into the Golf Victoria Senior Amateur event but I was happy with the way the course was presented under these circumstances. A big thank you must go to Andy Bassett for hand blowing the debris off the tees and greens prior to the midday shotgun. .

Working bees continue to be well supported with volunteers completing many tasks. This month we concentrated on cleaning up dangerous and fallen limbs and we cleaned up the right hand side of the 1st and 17th fairways. John King continues to mow rough and Peter Waters just keeps on going.

Bunker lips and faces on the right hand side of the 7th and 2nd bunkers have also been altered. Turf was also laid at the back of the 2nd bunker with the help of Leon Collier.

The bunker drain from the 14th bunker has been extended to reduce damage from traffic.

The recent heavy rainfall has caused the greens to become soft and thin in growth. Once they firmed enough they were verti drained with 8mm solid tines on Monday 25th to increase airflow and drainage. Greens heights have also been raised to 3.5mm for winter to encourage growth.

Irrigation sprinklers on the practice putter have been moved off the putting surface. This will allow renovation practices to take place much easier and with better results.

With winter now here ropes and signs are now up in place. Please take notice and care as they are there to prevent further damage to the course.

Please remember to fill your divots and fix your pitch marks.

Dylan McMeekin
Course Superintendent

The course is in excellent condition heading into the cooler months. The Santa Ana fairways and tees have now been sprayed with iron and magnesium to help keep their colour during dormancy.

The greens have responded well to the recent coring with excellent growth and health. Frequent verti draining with mini tines and sand dusting will continue over the cooler months to allow further aeration and drainage. This will be completed when the weather allows and will cause minimal disruption.

The 15th bunker work has been completed. Turf sods have been laid around the left hand edge to reduce erosion of the poor soils and contamination. More sand has also been added.

The Monday volunteers are regular and continue to be a great help. Most recent jobs completed have been the removal of selected trees on the 6th to allow sunlight on the men’s tee, removal of dangerous limbs in the rough, filling holes on the cart tracks, clearing next to the practice fairway in preparation for a turf nursery, whipper snipping, rough mowing and getting firewood for the clubhouse. Thank you to all involved and keep up the great work.

Thank you to Keith Godridge who has been spraying the paspalum around the course. This has been a massive task and has taken many days complete. It will be ongoing so thank you Keith.

Please remember to fix your own pitch mark and any others you may see.

Good golfing

Dylan McMeekin
Course Superintendent