Dear Guest,

Greenkeeper Report September

Bunkers

We continue to increase our resources towards bunker maintenance—not only improving the frequency and consistency of raking but also enhancing aesthetics and playability.

Recently, you may have noticed renovation work being carried out in several bunkers. This process helps restore them to their original shape and height while allowing for adjustments where needed.

It has been over 10 years since some bunkers were last rebuilt, and in that time, they have naturally changed shape. Bunker faces gradually rise as sand is splashed up, in some cases increasing face height by as much as 30 cm. Regular renovation is essential to maintain both playability and appearance.

Attached are some before and after photos of some bunker renovations

Spring Programmes

With spring approaching, we are beginning our seasonal programmes and applications:

• Course Renovations – Scheduled for 13-15 October, including aeration of all playing surfaces.
• Ongoing Greens Maintenance – From coring onwards, we will continue verticutting and sanding every 2–3 weeks to ensure smooth, consistent, and firm putting surfaces.
• Weed & Grass Control – Focus will be placed on removing warm-season grasses such as couch and kikuyu, which play very differently to our desired brown top surfaces and have begun encroaching on tees and fairway edges.

After spraying, some areas may appear bleached or thinned, but this is temporary. Brown top will recover and grow back into these spaces.

Falcons

We continue to monitor falcon activity daily. Three separate nesting attempts have been successfully deterred so far.

We will keep monitoring their movements and provide communication to members as necessary.

Tree Removal – 15th Hole

The removal of 2–3 large old man pines located on the right-hand side of the 15th tees will commence when the course is closed for renovations October.  Also, the possibility of the large macrocarpa on the left side. These trees are growing into the playing corridor and detract from the intended design and integrity of the hole.

The 15th is designed to favour a right-to-left shot shape, but the current pine growth makes it very difficult for right-handed players to play a draw successfully. By removing the outermost trees while retaining the three furthest right pines, the “channel” effect will remain, but the hole will be more playable and fairer.

A photoshopped image has been prepared to show the visual outcome with these trees removed.

9th Hole Bunker before/after

Renovation
The “tongue” of the bunker had accumulated approximately 30 cm of organic material. This area was contaminated with undesirable grasses and had begun to lose structural integrity. The original shape had changed by around 20 cm with line trimming and edging processes.

9^th hole bunker - after renovation

Organic material removed, reshaped. New pure turf laid back to the original line.

9th RHS bunker before (left) and after (right)

18th hole LHS bunker before (left) and after (right)

15th Hole

Left image identifies trees for removal.

Right image provides visual of how the removal of trees could create a wider and fairer playing corridor without compromising the integrity or history of the hole.  The adjustment also allows much more of the fairway to be visible from the tee, enhancing playability.