The Course
Winter Programme - 20th November 2009
After a good spell of dry weather we have been “flooded” out over the last couple of weeks with a seemingly never ending deluge.
However as you will all be aware three of the “major” winter programme jobs have being taking shape despite the weather. During this time the green staff have been doing an excellent job keeping the course open, playable and still looking great!
4th Hole – all the Rhododendrons behind and to the side of the 4th tee were cleared and now all the stumps have been dug out. We will be putting boulders (similar to behind the 15/17th tee) in the gaps and they will be here on Monday 23rd. The concrete blocks that are there now are temporary and will be removed when the boulders arrive. The pond and the mature trees on the right of the 4th are now visible and once grassed that are will look excellent. The benefits of more airflow in the area by cutting down the Rhododendrons will benefit the 3rd green as well as the 4th fairway and green.
8th Hole – The willows and small self seeding trees have been removed from around the pond and the area tidied up. When the area is seeded, the pond and surroundings will be a very impressive feature. We plan to run a drain from the wet area by the ladies 9th tee into the pond to take away all the excess water which lies there.
12th Hole – the new paths have been cut and the base will go in next week and then the top layer put on. The new drain has been put in front of the tee which will help that area dry out.
We will be building some new steps onto the 12th tee and also replacing all the sleepers on the other tees that have steps.
14th Hole – the re-shaping of the hole has started, the tee is being cut towards the LH bunker as will the fairway. We have planted 5 trees in front of the tee and are still looking into the possibility of a net being erected to stop players trying to drive the green. Two new drains have been put in across the fairway in the wet area and these run into the new pond. Three new trees have also planted past the bunkers on the LH side.
13th/14th/15th Triangle – You will all have seen the work progressing on this area over the last two weeks. We have now finished all the major work, but there is still some “tidying up” and obviously seeding but I’m sure you will all agree it is very impressive. The aspect from all 3 holes has improved no end and the benefits from increased airflow will make a huge difference to all 3 fairways. We now have drains running from all 3 fairways into the new pond with the option of running more in if needed.
From the positive and encouraging comments from many members the work done so far has been very well received and congratulations must go to Terry and all the Green Staff for their hard work and enthusiasm over the first few weeks of the winter programme. We still have a long way to go yet through winter and hopefully the weather will be kind to us as we start to tackle the re-laying of tees and re-shaping of bunkers.
Greens Presentation Evening - Tuesday 25th August 2009
We held our first presentation evening and it was a great success, over 20 members attended and were treated to an excellent presentation by our Head Green Keeper, Terry Wharton and his Assistant, Dave Traynor.
The hour long presentation was very interesting and took in many aspects and procedures associated with our greens. Members got an opportunity to see one of our Toro Greens Machines up close and to see how they worked.
Terry brought out some samples of the top dressing and grass seeds we use and explained how and why we use them. A core was taken from the 3rd Green and members could see what effect top dressing has on the turf and how deep the roots go.
There was also a discussion on various diseases and on the different grass types we have at Haydock Park Golf Club. We have a couple of patches of Toad Rush on the 3rd green, pictured right, it is a very wiry grass and will be treated to eradicate it.
Dave Traynor also gave a demonstration of how a Stimpmeter works, why we use one and what it tells us. Through S.T.R.I we are now keeping a weekly record of how the greens perform which will hopefully prove a valuable tool for the future.
After the success of this presentation the Course Management Committee and Green Staff will look into future presentations on other aspects of the course as we feel it is very important to keep the membership informed of what we are trying to achieve and how we plan to go about it. We value and very much appreciate feedback and comments from members and the Greens Comments Book is always available in Peter’s Shop.
After a good spell of dry weather we have been “flooded” out over the last couple of weeks with a seemingly never ending deluge.
However as you will all be aware three of the “major” winter programme jobs have being taking shape despite the weather. During this time the green staff have been doing an excellent job keeping the course open, playable and still looking great!
4th Hole – all the Rhododendrons behind and to the side of the 4th tee were cleared and now all the stumps have been dug out. We will be putting boulders (similar to behind the 15/17th tee) in the gaps and they will be here on Monday 23rd. The concrete blocks that are there now are temporary and will be removed when the boulders arrive. The pond and the mature trees on the right of the 4th are now visible and once grassed that are will look excellent. The benefits of more airflow in the area by cutting down the Rhododendrons will benefit the 3rd green as well as the 4th fairway and green.
8th Hole – The willows and small self seeding trees have been removed from around the pond and the area tidied up. When the area is seeded, the pond and surroundings will be a very impressive feature. We plan to run a drain from the wet area by the ladies 9th tee into the pond to take away all the excess water which lies there.
12th Hole – the new paths have been cut and the base will go in next week and then the top layer put on. The new drain has been put in front of the tee which will help that area dry out.
We will be building some new steps onto the 12th tee and also replacing all the sleepers on the other tees that have steps.
14th Hole – the re-shaping of the hole has started, the tee is being cut towards the LH bunker as will the fairway. We have planted 5 trees in front of the tee and are still looking into the possibility of a net being erected to stop players trying to drive the green. Two new drains have been put in across the fairway in the wet area and these run into the new pond. Three new trees have also planted past the bunkers on the LH side.
13th/14th/15th Triangle – You will all have seen the work progressing on this area over the last two weeks. We have now finished all the major work, but there is still some “tidying up” and obviously seeding but I’m sure you will all agree it is very impressive. The aspect from all 3 holes has improved no end and the benefits from increased airflow will make a huge difference to all 3 fairways. We now have drains running from all 3 fairways into the new pond with the option of running more in if needed.
From the positive and encouraging comments from many members the work done so far has been very well received and congratulations must go to Terry and all the Green Staff for their hard work and enthusiasm over the first few weeks of the winter programme. We still have a long way to go yet through winter and hopefully the weather will be kind to us as we start to tackle the re-laying of tees and re-shaping of bunkers.
Greens Presentation Evening - Tuesday 25th August 2009
We held our first presentation evening and it was a great success, over 20 members attended and were treated to an excellent presentation by our Head Green Keeper, Terry Wharton and his Assistant, Dave Traynor.
The hour long presentation was very interesting and took in many aspects and procedures associated with our greens. Members got an opportunity to see one of our Toro Greens Machines up close and to see how they worked.
Terry brought out some samples of the top dressing and grass seeds we use and explained how and why we use them. A core was taken from the 3rd Green and members could see what effect top dressing has on the turf and how deep the roots go.
There was also a discussion on various diseases and on the different grass types we have at Haydock Park Golf Club. We have a couple of patches of Toad Rush on the 3rd green, pictured right, it is a very wiry grass and will be treated to eradicate it.
Dave Traynor also gave a demonstration of how a Stimpmeter works, why we use one and what it tells us. Through S.T.R.I we are now keeping a weekly record of how the greens perform which will hopefully prove a valuable tool for the future.
After the success of this presentation the Course Management Committee and Green Staff will look into future presentations on other aspects of the course as we feel it is very important to keep the membership informed of what we are trying to achieve and how we plan to go about it. We value and very much appreciate feedback and comments from members and the Greens Comments Book is always available in Peter’s Shop.
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