Course Manager's Fortnightly Course Update (30/12/2022)

Course Manager's Fortnightly Course Update (30/12/2022)

Introduction

I hope this message finds you well and you have had a nice Christmas. The course has held up well during the changeable weather and I feel we are entering 2023 in a favourable position. There is still lots to do before the Season kicks off but the improvements already made over the last 2 months will raise the enjoyment of those that play the course. The removal of red shale paths, improvement of landing areas and the tree work carried out up until now, will all have a positive effect on the way the course is played for years to come.

Winter Weather

The night of December 9th produced the worst possible weather we could ask for i.e rain and sleet falling on frozen ground, this meant that the water falling had nowhere to go and every part of the course was flooded. The picture below shows the 1st white tee at 06:07. Following this, we received some very positive weather with temperatures in the teens and the course reopened on the 19th December, Playing to temps. With the temps rising, the ground began to thaw but only to a certain depth each day, with a layer of frozen rootzone it was felt that the best treatment was to allow the greens to thaw completely before allowing play on the surfaces once again. When the frost cleared it did highlight a number of things, firstly in the positive, we applied a tonic to the greens at exactly the right time and they have benefitted from the zinc, copper, magnesium and iron that was applied. Secondly the frost highlighted how poor the etiquette of some of those that play the course is. Trolley wheel marks very close to and even in a couple of instances on greens. Please refrain from doing this, follow the white lines around the course and if you are able to carry, please do so.

Winter Work

The Winter work has continued over the last 2 weeks and the transformation on holes 8 and 10 has been excellent. By removing a number of trees, both holes have “opened up”, the 8th around the green and pond and the 10th off the tee and will improve playability and aesthetics no end. The 18th gap has been completed and we now have a “lay  up” area that can also act as an alternative path to the fairway, the left side of the gap will also be mown shorter and the gorse bushes currently in situ removed. Work also continued towards the end of the 14th hole, with lots of scrub and weed trees removed, this has now opened up a vista from the clubhouse to look over towards the 8th green.

Work in Early 2023

2023 sees us continue with tree work around the course, this will include the removal of stumps from 8,10 and 14. Some more gorse is to be removed on 14 to open up vistas towards the green . A system of auguring holes on the 14th green was successful last year and will be carried out again this year, with greens 16,17 and 18 added to 14 for this process. This removes a core and breaks through the pan of clay some 12-14 inches below the surface that was placed there during construction to act as a “dew pond”. This was to conserve water during the Summer months as very little golf was played during the Winter.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read these messages throughout the year and on behalf of the green team, I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.

The Green Team

Contact: coursemanager@heskethgolfclub.co.uk

07506940432

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