As we move into the winter months, we wanted to provide an update on recent work across the golf courses and share our plans for the remainder of the this year and early 2026.
The recent spell of mild, wet weather has presented a few challenges. At this time of year we would typically expect to cut greens, tees and approaches once a week. However, the continued mild conditions mean the team has still been cutting tees and approaches twice a week and greens three times a week.
Some of the more shaded greens have shown signs of disease pressure so we have applied additional fungicide treatments alongside our existing preventative programme to ensure turf health is maintained.
Most of the trees around the courses have now dropped their leaves, although a few oak trees are still holding on. As ground conditions allow, the team has been working systematically to blow and collect leaves across both courses.
Starting in January we will begin raising canopies along the tree lines of individual fairways. As tree limbs grow they naturally drop lower which can obstruct players and create health and safety risks for staff operating rough-cutting machinery. Canopy lifting helps maintain playability and ensures safer working conditions.
In November we introduced our first robotic mower to the machinery fleet. It is currently programmed to cut specific fairways on the courses. These lightweight machines offer several advantages:
- They can operate when heavier, traditional mowers would risk causing surface damage.
- They deliver far superior results even when worm casts are present.
- They run extremely quietly making them ideal for working near course boundaries and residential areas.
We expect to add more robotic mowers to the fleet in the near future.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all members who have adapted quickly to the new 90-degree trolley rule and who have been following all posts and ropes. It has been particularly pleasing to see so many members carrying their bags and walking the courses. These measures will help ensure the courses come through winter in the best possible condition.
We will continue to keep you updated as winter maintenance progresses. Thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy your time out on the courses this festive season.
Iain Dye
Golf Course Manager
