Hello golfers,

 

Winter Rules 

Preferred Lies will operate as from Wednesday 26th October 2016. Placing on 'Closely Mown Areas' (Fairways). Dropping in the Rough. See Course Information Board for full details.

Course Bulletin - Woodland Management Plan 

The plan has recently been completed and will shortly be displayed on the Club website, members section, as an appendix to the Course Policy Document. 

A thorough inspection of the location and condition of trees on the course has recently been completed, which has identified the urgent necessity for more Sunlight and Air to be allowed to penetrate to certain Greens, Tees, and Fairways. It must also be recognised that some trees in their present location severely impinge on a golfer's ball flight when playing from the tees in question. 

The second green is a good example of the improvement that can be achieved by allowing more sunlight and air to reach it. 

The Woodland Tree Management plan recommends that for the overall benefit of the course the clearance of some trees and the planting of other trees in better locations should be implemented by an ongoing programme based on an annual survey. 

The forestry commission allows some clearance of woodland to be made, but this must be within a certain tolerance based on a specific maximum volume per annum. The Greens sub-committee considers that the work considered necessary to bring about the required ongoing improvement to the Greens, Tees and Fairways can be implemented without exceeding the limits imposed by the forestry commission regulations. 

It is intended to carry out the work detailed below on a hole by hole basis in the first winter quarter. i.e November, December, January. And if felt necessary further work will be recommended to be carried out in the second winter quarter, i.e February, March, April.

First Winter Quarter

1st - No work required in the first winter quarter.

2nd - Continue to remove the trees located on the bank to the left of the green, to further allow the morning sun to penetrate to the green, which will assist in the continued general improvement to the green which has taken place since other trees to the rear centre and left side of the green have been removed.

4th - Removal of the tall tree located at the right-hand corner of the medal tee, identified by a white cross. It is considered that there is another tree located beyond the tree marked for removal which will continue to provide protection to golfers playing the 3rd green.

5th - The removal of a very Tall tree located just beyond the 'ditch' located to the left of the walkway just over the bridge. Identified by a white X. It is considered that there are a number of other trees located adjoining the out of bounds line, to prevent balls struck towards the railway line from reaching same. Remove two 'dead' trees located between the 5th and 9th fairways.

6th - If possible, without danger to the ground staff, trim a number of high trees whose branches impinge on a golfer's ball flight when playing from the 6th tee. The head greenkeeper to oversee the safety arrangements before carrying out this work. 

7th - Cut air and light 'slots' into the hedge located to the left of the 7th green. 

8th - Removal of 'self-setter' trees located to the left of the tee. The removal of a Tall tree located to the left of the tee, Identified by a white cross. The removal of a large tree located to the right of the pathway between the 8th tee and 10th green. Identified by a white X. Which prevents sunlight from reaching the 10th green for a large part of each day. 

9th - The removal of a 'tall' tree located on the left, midway between the tee and green identified by a white cross. The removal of a large tree located to the right of the line from the Ladies tee to the green, as identified by a white cross, amended to relocate the tee by moving further to the left! 

10th - To remove the damaged tree located to the left of the fairway when approaching the winter green. Identified by a white cross. It is intended to locate a replacement tree on a line nearer the green-keepers compound.' 

11th - To 'prune' a coniferous tree sited on the edge of the tree line when viewed from the tee, 11th tee. It is considered that the removal of 'one' of the tree 'limbs' will assist in curtailing the problem provided by the location of this tree. 

12th - Remove the large tree, indicated by a white X located left side of the green to the right side of the pathway leading to the 13th hole. Also remove birch trees from the bank on the left hand side of the path and left of the green. Remove birch trees behind the rear of the green. The green has benefited greatly from the previous removal of trees but it requires more clearance taking place to allow the early morning sun to penetrate to the green. 

13th - The whole of the area in the 'dip' between the tees and green will be cleared of self-setting saplings and brushwood. Allowing the area to be generally cleared and tidied up. 

14th - There are several 'dead' or 'dying' trees which require removal. 

15th - No planned work required in the first winter quarter. 

16th - No planned work required in the first winter quarter. 

17th - No planned work required in the first winter quarter. 

18th - Remove tree indicated by a white X located at the end of the copse between the Tee and 17th green.

Please note that the work detailed will be carried out in the first winter quarter. Further clearance work to further allow Sunlight penetration to Tees, Greens and fairways will be detailed following a further course inspection for action in the 2nd winter quarter i.e February, March and April. When the planting of further replacement or additional trees will be considered. 

It should be noted that Alistair Beggs the STRI Senior Agronomist is in full accord with the proposed Woodland Management proposals. This the agronomist who has the responsibility for setting up courses Intended to be used for the 'OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP'. 

Head Green-keeper and Greens Sub Committee Information.


 

George Mountford Trophy - Sunday 23rd October (3rd Time Lucky) 

1st Dave Toft Gross 86 Nett 68 
2nd Dave Rostron Gross 80 Nett 70 
3rd John Owen Gross 89 Nett 71

Rushton Trophy 2016 - Ian Curley 

Order of Merit 2016 - Wayne Mills 

Ivor Povey Eclectic 2016 - Karl Blundred 

A reminder to all members and especially prize winners, this year's presentation evening is on Friday 11th November.

Pro's Sunday Winter League 

This year's pro's individual Sunday Winter League will start on Sunday 6th November, players can enter anytime during the day but if you are struggling for a playing partners we will once again be having a 'roll up' at 10am every week.

2nd Team 

Steve Matthews has decided to step down as 2nd Team Captain for the upcoming season, I'm sure everybody will agree Steve has done a fantastic job this year and we would like to thank him for all the effort he has put in. Anybody interested in taking on the role please let the pro-shop know of your intention.