Aeration is so important to make sure that the greens remain healthy.

Still some work to do. Even on sand greens you can see areas of poor rootzone which needs aeration . Picture from front of the third. Not all the greens are like this!


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Vertidraining greens

Started this week. Once nine are completed and recovered we will start the other nine.


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Lake Drain down

As many of you will have noticed over the last couple of days the upper lake is being drained down. There is a lack of oxygen in the lake water and we are working on a long term program to improve it. This problem is not beneficial for the fish and other aquatic life which use the lake, the golfer whose ball goes in it or for the general appearance of the water. We have been taking regular readings to ensure oxygen depletion is consistent over time and not sporadic and work is necessary. We have also undertaken chemical testing as well at great expense to ensure we are dealing with the problem correctly.

To improve the problem of low oxygen we have thinned out the trees around the lake to improve the airflow which will in turn improve the quality of the water and the health of the lake and the biology it supports. Now we have done this we will be draining down the lake to inspect the health and numbers of the fish in the lake. Some fish may be removed to ensure the lake is not overstocked, causing the oxygen problems. We will also take the opportunity to tidy the edge of the lake behind the 12th as a large degree of silt, leaves and decaying trees have built up over time. This massively contributes to the poor lake condition and will be improved. We have discovered another island which is similar the one behind the 5th and we will be reinstating it also which should look excellent.

The lake will then be left to fill up. When this is done we will then decide whether to install a permanent aerator on the water to maintain the lake quality season round. It is a very important water body on the golf course and we have a responsibility to maintain it correctly. We have taken all the appropriate steps to do so and I hope you understand why this work is important.

Twelfth drainage

Drain to improve turf quality through the back of the twelfth hole is nearly finished.




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Water level today
Looks like were ok to dig so far


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The hole is filling up. This is the test hole for the potential new lake on nine. It is now only and few inches from the top and at the same level as the current lake. Image to follow.




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Location:Ninth hole

Not bad for January


greens




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hole cups

These frost cups covers just don't do what they should

lake management

We have undertaken quite a lot of lake management over the winter on upper lake and it looks great, but will also have benefit to the water. The tree work will improve the air flow helping to oxygenate the lake and keep it healthy and improve the aquatic life. Also views around the golf course have been greatly improved.

worth a look - thanks matt

http://www.youtube.com/user/skmccue#p/u/10/qEWxknn5A7E