Well what a year!
10th hole - before and today
Having been at Bearwood Lakes for six years now, I can honestly say this year has been the hardest but most rewarding. We came through the winter very well, with the greens in excellent condition and the dry spring helped us keep the golf course to a high standard. We employed three more summer staff to help further improve the quality and with a dampish summer we were able to keep the golf course consistently in first class condition. I think this has been the best year ever for overall golf course quality.
For those who are members or occasionally read this blog, you will not doubt be aware that the golf course have received substantial investment recently to improve the already excellent course we have at Bearwood Lakes. The golf course, ever since opening, has always in need of a final bit of tweaking to help make it a really first class playing experieince and with the work of the original architect Guy Hockley and investment for Mr Gary Holloway we have put in plans to complete every one of the required improvements over the next few years.
We started in April and decided it would be best to undertake the work in house. With my experience, the excellent skills of Stephen Parker and the employment of a senior constuction tchnician (Jamie Sheeran), we have taken on every project in house. It has mant hat the budget has gone further and the passion and skill of the staff has really enabled us to get the very best finish. For the winter works we retained the summer staff, who by now knew the course well and the standards required. We also employed R&J services, a company Gary has worked with extensively over the years. We have assembled a great team and the quality of the work has shone through.
We should have the new lake work on the 10th completed by the end of January and we are due to start work on the 9th in the new year. By April holes 1-11 will have been completed with only small modifications on these holes still to do. The 10th is really going to look great and with the work on 9 still to do, Bearwood's own "Amen corner" around the turn will really provide a tough but strategic test.
Below is a list of all the work we have done to improve the golf course since April - I am sure you will agree the list is long and the improvements will be enjoyed for years to come. The work is all part of an overall master plan and not sporadic in nature. Unfortunately, some of the work has been undertaken to undo some poor decisions of the past. I think it shows the value in having a clear long term plan written up by a qualified architect.
Hole 1
- New Championship tee
- New lawn and irrigation
- Planting of new herbaceous border by putting green
- New fairway bunker
- Extensively re-shaped greenside bunker
- Fairway reshape
Hole 2
- Tree removal on the right side of hole to improve aesthetics, encourage better shot making and allow oaks to develop
- Installation of new greenside bunker
- Installation of new main drain to allow fairway drainage in the future
- Extensive re-shaping of fairway to improve shot options and strategic value of the hole
- Gorse management at the back of the green - new planting and management of the old gorse
- New path to 3rd tee
Hole 3
- Excavate greenside bunker - install liner and new sand
- Excavate and reshape greenside bunker - install liner and re-sand
Hole 5
- Installation of new fairway bunker
- Reshape fairway at landing zone
- Tree removal to encourage better dogleg characteristics to the hole
Hole 6
- Tree removal to encourage better shotmaking
- Bunker excavation, reshape, line and resand
Hole 7
- Extensive woodland work to the oaks on the left of fairway
Hole 8
- Heathland re-establishment through scrub clearance
Hole 10
- Installation of two lakes, drainage, new approach, irrigation and water control system.
- Installation of heathland area by halfway hut
- New sewage treatment plant by halfway hut and in the maintenance facility
- Fairway reshape by bunker to encourage better driving options
- Extensive driving range improvements
Hole 11
- Extensive fairway reshape and sand dressing
- Installation of two new fairway bunkers
- Woodland management on left of fairway. Heathland establishment and development
- Re-turf greens exit
Hole 12 and 13
- Extensive woodland clearance to improve views of Bearwood and Upper lake and airflow to 12th green
On top of all of this we have resurfaced the car park and have installed a stunning Koi pond outside the clubhouse. This will look exceptional when it is finished.
As you can see we have been very busy. Another year like this and you can see how the golf course is going to improve. We also have a 200k irrigation improvement in the pipeline. The surveys have been done and we are just waiting to go ahead. Phase one which is a new pumps house and main line will go ahead in February.
We understand the frustrations of the members, but please bear with us. The quality of the golf course after this work will be outstanding and a real credit to the members of the club. They can be very proud of the their club and the staff who work on it.
Right back to it lads - loads to do - hope you enjoyed the pics this year - many more to come next year
Daniel Lightfoot MG MSc
