Director of Course Update for Autumn/Winter of 2023

28 OCTOBER 2023 11:45

As the nights draw in and the temperatures begin to drop the “greens team” are now busily preparing their autumn/winter programme of works to further enhance our course 

Before i give you any update on the course i would like to express my dissatisfaction in the number of pitchmarks being found on our greens especially over the last weekend

Please please repair your pitchmarks and others if found, this is our course and if we don’t protect it no one will – especially now with less visitors on the course these pitchmarks are made by us the membership – please be vigilant. 

Hope you all had a great summer of golf this year at Southerndown and there has been some incredible scoring in the boarded competitions – well done to all winners.

 

the course in general

Currently we are over-seeding the fairways having completed the teeing grounds, greens and pathways, more seed has been ordered for areas that may require further over-seeding.

Grass is currently growing everywhere on the course and several fairways needs more regular cutting.

More attention is now being paid to the general appearance around the 1^st tee and entrance/exits as well as the general peripheral areas of the course.

Green staff are also more aware of wear and tear in the playing areas especially close to the greens and marking off as GUR (ground under repair) until repaired.

 

Autumn/Winter programme of works

• Gorse clearance is continuing in the playing area which also includes the removal of the stumps.
• Review of pathways to create more options and roping off areas for recovery work.
• Filling of rabbit holes
• Academy tees to be relocated onto the fairways using discs with mounds being removed (except 5^th and 7^th)
• New steps into deep bunkers to be installed especially on 2^nd and 13^th
• Bunkers edges and surrounds to be renewed where broken away due to weather and usage
• Two bunkers earmarked for winter alterations are the 13th greenside left and the 9^th cross bunker short of green which still has capillary concrete overlaid with rubber crumb.
• Old sprinkler head renewals to continue where deemed necessary.
• Top dressing for tees and greens with greater emphasis on our tees to produce a flatter smoother playing surface.

 

Trial Bunkers

The 6 selected bunkers have been under trial since February 2023 and it is now becoming clear many of the R&A’s recommendations are proving successful namely :-

The enhanced turf used for the bunker bases is proving resilient against sheep damage.

The reduction in the interface angle between bunker face and base to below 22 degrees is retaining the sand far better.

The flatter bunker base as opposed to bowl shape reducing to face height and downward lies.

It is vitally important that when setting up the bunkers prior to the day play that the sand is between 75 – 100 mm as recommended.

However due to animals, winds and poor raking techniques this depth may vary throughout the day.

 

Conclusions

The course at present is attracting very positive comments from members and visitors alike but that said there is still a lot of work required to bring the course up to meet its full potential and to that end is my goal.

I would like to take all my regular contributors for their help and support throughout the season their comments and photographs are invaluable – thanks again and keep them coming.

 

Kind Regards

David

David G Shuttleworth

Director of Course

Southerndown Golf Club

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