On the whole April has been a very dry month with many warm sunny days. Grass growth is still slow and patchy but in the coming weeks this should improve.
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A few of the tasks that have been carried out this month together with some other pieces of information can be viewed below.
Because of a lack of growth we have only been cutting and rolling the greens when deemed necessary. Greens can be a bit uneven at this time of year due to the variable growth between the different grass species. The use of the greens iron at this time helps to smooth out the putting surface. On days when cutting and rolling hasn't been carried out any due is removed from the greens with the use of a switch.
Paul rolling the 6th Medal green.
Gary removing the dew from the 9th Medal green.
In addition to the ride on mowers, hand held machines have also been out. We have pedestrian rotary mowers for maintaining mounds and use a strimmer for around tee stones, fences and along the bottom of the burn.
Liam using the strimmer in the burn.
The fairways have recently been treated with an organic fertiliser. Hopefully this will encourage growth and help divot damage that occurred during the winter months to grow in and recover.
Fertilising the 5th Medal fairway.
Rabbits continue to be a problem out on the courses. Shooting is carried out weekly to try and keep numbers down, while staff have spent a lot of time patching the worst of the holes and scrapes.
Ricky patching rabbit holes.
We have also been carrying out remedial work to our wash bay and associated reed bed. We have now relocated the pump inside the old shed and are in the process of burying the pipework that carries the waste water to the reed beds.
Jamie carrying out work at the new pipework between the wash bay and reed bed.
The fence that protects the house at the 13th Medal hole has also been replaced. The old fence was badly damaged during high winds however the new fence was constructed and erected in time for the start of the season.
The new fence at the 13th Medal hole.
Coastal erosion over the winter months has been quite minimal with little ground lost to the sea. Angus council together with their contractors have recently reinstated the fence along the bottom of the dunes at the 2nd and 3rd holes. It is hoped that sand will build up behind this fence and vegetation will get a hold which in turn will help to stabilise the dune edge.
The finished fence.
Finally I would like to remind anyone playing the Broomfield course that as from today ( Friday 24th April ) the new hole configuration is in operation. We have fenced off old routes and white lined areas so as to avoid any confusion. The changes were made to allow the the 9th green and 10th tee to be located close to the clubhouses. This will allow 9 holes competitions to be played over the Course in the future.
The route to the new 4th tee.
Les Rae,
First Assistant,
Montrose Golf Links Limited.
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