With the winter maintenance programme complete, it has been fantastic to finally enjoy some much needed dry weather, along with encouraging daytime temperatures. Even better, the forecast suggests more of the same over the coming days.
During the recent Old Course closure, the team has been extremely busy delivering a number of projects designed to enhance the golfing experience for our members, alongside carrying out a full aeration programme on the main playing surfaces. While the course was closed we also took the opportunity to drill seed the 8th fairway. Behind the scenes, our workshop team has been sharpening equipment and preparing machinery for the upcoming season.
As part of our long-term strategy to introduce additional run-off areas around the greens, similar to those already completed on holes 7 and 13, we have constructed our largest one to date at the rear of the 2nd green on the Old Course. This spot has always attracted golf balls but has historically struggled due to heavy shade and tree roots competing with the turf.
Over the closure period, approximately 700 square metres behind the green were stripped out and drained with 230 tonnes of rootzone material applied to create the proper foundations for a high quality run off area. Turf has been ordered and is due to arrive this week. Once the work is complete, the area will be marked as Ground Under Repair with the aim of bringing it into play for the Spring Meeting. New irrigation has also been installed to ensure consistent and uniform coverage across the area.
We look forward to seeing the finished results come together and the different shot options it will offer members who overshoot the green in the future.
In addition to the irrigation installed around the new 2nd run-off area, we are also installing 44 new irrigation heads around the greens on the Old Course. These will allow us to independently water the areas surrounding the greens, which can at times struggle due to the volume of foot traffic they receive. This will also enable us to carry out more targeted seeding, fertilising and aeration, while carefully managing moisture levels to ensure successful recovery.
As part of our forestry management plan, and in line with the felling licence approved by the Forestry Commission, we have carried out thinning works to the left of the 1st hole and within the woodland to the left of the 4th green on the Old Course. Any dead, damaged or diseased trees have been removed, while the best specimen trees have been retained and will now thrive in the improved environment. All felled material has been chipped, with the woodchip being reused elsewhere on the golf course, including on maintenance tracks for course vehicles.
Over the coming weeks, our main focus will return to overall course presentation and overseeding areas that have struggled due to the four droughts experienced in 2025, combined with an extremely wet and challenging winter. Localised areas of Ground Under Repair will be used in the short term to protect these surfaces once work has been completed and to give them the best opportunity to establish successfully.
Rhys Beecher Iain Dye
Director of Golf Golf Course Manager