Course Convener Report
Firstly, I would like to thank Chris and his team of Dan, Sam and Steve, for all the work they have done during the year. To have two major weather events during a year is unprecedented. The course now has a completely different look about it.
Secondly, thanks must be given to all the volunteers that have helped this year, especially helping with the many cleanups the course has required. Without your help the course would at times not have been able to open.
David Howard from the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute was on the course in early December doing a Green Quality Audit. The audit is very comprehensive measuring organic matter, root depth, firmness, smoothness and then giving an overall rating. The report will be available in January.
With the wet spring and warm December has come a lot of grass growth, so the priority for Chris and the team has been mowing fairways and rough and renovating the greens. I can only see major work on further clean-up of downed trees by staff happening if we have a dry period and grass growth subsides. The Autumn and Winter periods next year will be when the majority of the clean-up work by staff will occur.
However, the club has now been able to employ three students for 30 hours per week over a three-week period. Under Chris’s supervision, they have already cleaned up a large area. We have also finally been able to engage a contractor with an excavator to remove debris and slash from around the course.
Damage to greens and fairways takes priority, so the damage 10th fairway will be repaired by next week, weather permitting. We do not have any good quality top soil so this has to be sourced and purchased. If you do see turf repairs slightly proud of the surrounding area, it's because of an allowance for shrinkage of underlying soil. As much as 25% can occur.
We are now into week 7 of the greens being mowed on a Saturday morning, apart from the Women’s Champions of Champions event when they were mowed on the Sunday morning. The team is working on a roster, starting a 5am to make sure all greens are mowed before the start of Saturday play.
There has been some discussion regarding the fairways. Members will be aware that we now have a first cut bordering all fairways. This has in effect widened the area that members aren’t penalised for a poor tee shot or errant shot in the general area. However, a poor tee shot short of the fairway will usually be penalised usually ended up in the rough. Golfers who are unable to reach fairways do have a choice of 4 tee positions Black thru Red. They are all available and officially rated.
If there is an obvious operational issue regarding the positioning of tee markers etc.… that effects normal club play, please let Chris know as soon as possible, so that he can effect a change.
Please remember to give way to our greens staff on the course.
Members can contact me with feedback or questions regarding the course on my dedicated club email address at convenor@stclairgolf.co.nz.
Happy Christmas and New Year.
Play well over the holiday break.
Neil Turner
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