Here is brief update on how this years winter programme has been progressing. We have been carrying out these tasks alongside our more routine maintenance duties such as raking bunkers, moving holes, rolling greens etc.
BUNKERS
Fairway bunker - 2nd Medal, before refurbishment.
Fairway bunker - 2nd Medal, nearing completion.
Right hand greenside bunker - 14th Medal.
The bunker work being carried out over the 2 courses has been progressing well with only 5 out of the planned 25 still to be started. The weather up to now has been kind, however hard frost set in and we had to move on to other work but will carry on with the bunkers as the weather allows.
AERATION
working on the 13th Medal green.
An example of the tine hole pattern, There is a 2 inch spacing between holes.
All the greens on both courses have been aerated down to a depth of 8 - 9 inches using our new Wiedenmann Terra Spike. In the coming weeks all of the tees will receive the treatment.
VANDALISM
As many of you are probably aware we recently suffered vandalism to the Medal course and in particular to the 4th green.
Quite significant damage to the 4th Medal green.
Repair Work underway.
Re-turfing complete.
Because of the extent of the damage we had to use a turf cutter and remove all the affected turf. To try and get as good a match as possible we decided to use turf from the perimeter of the green and then reinstate this with turf from the large putting green. Although this involved extra work hopefully it will mean the repair work will be less noticeable. We will still need to give this area extra topdressings in the weeks to come to try and smooth out the surface.
AREA BETWEEN 13TH AND14TH MEDAL HOLES
Because this area was unmanageable and full of rank lush grass it was decided to remove this uneven mound. The dark top soil was removed off site
Turf stripped from the perimeter of the mound.
Gary using our digger to remove the mound.
The old mound nearly cleared.
The area will be re-contoured into a more natural and manageable state. Once this is complete turf from the old driving range will be used which is more in keeping with this area of ground.
GORSE MANAGEMENT
Because the weather had been fairly kind we hadn't undertaken a great deal of gorse work, however with the onset of the hard frost last week we made a start on several areas around the courses.
Andy cutting out young gorse growth behind the 2nd Medal green.
Steve using the hedge trimmer alongside the 5th Medal path.
13th Medal hole.
It was decided that to increase visibility from the 13th tee towards the fairway that all of the gorse to the right of the path would be removed. In doing so it will also be a less intimidating tee shot for the high handicap golfer. Our aim is to maintain this area as natural rough grassland.
This was the view of the 13th Medal hole prior to work being carried out. As you can see because of the gorse very little of the fairway or bunkers are visible from the tee.
Paul carrying out chainsaw work at the carry to the 13th fairway.
The view from the back of the 13th tee after all of the gorse was removed.
STEPS
12th Medal tee.
The set of steps at the 12th Medal tee were removed and full length sleepers installed. Hopefully this will help spread the wear leading onto the tee surface.
PAINTING WORK
The painting of all the course furniture is well underway. All the tee markers , benches etc all get stained or painted during days of bad weather. A winter task that is never a favourite of the staff, although Liam and Jamie look happy enough in this picture!
16th MEDAL - PATH
In the coming weeks we hope to make a start to work on the gravel path leading from the 16th Medal tees, extending it to the service road. This area has always been uneven and unsightly. I will post before, during and after photos of this on completion.
Les Rae,
First Assistant,
Montrose Golf Links Limited.
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