It’s been a short week due to the Bank Holiday, but to compensate the fairways have not needed cutting because it’s been so dry. As of Friday mid-day the week's rainfall was 3 mm, but with more pending over the weekend and into the following week. It will take a lot more to make a difference to the course, but let’s be careful what we might wish for: winter will come soon enough.

The contractor pruned the course hedges this week. He also cuts for the Grosvenor Estate, and does an excellent job. He uses a massive machine, which is fine when the ground is hard but a problem if we’ve had a wet summer.

Next week Gavin has hired a digger and 2 dumper trucks to clear out various ponds - primarily the 2nd and 3rd - and also to remove the island on the 5th pond to deter the Canada geese from setting up home next spring. Time allowing, he will also tackle the problematic pond weed (Crassula) on the 8th pond. We can’t hope to fully eradicate it - even the smallest fragment can re-establish. Left to its own devices it will ultimately choke and kill the pond: as yet there is no permanent cure for it.

Mike (aka ’Spider’), who has been laid up for much of the summer following surgery for a long-term knee issue, is due to restart this week. Outdoor work and greenkeeper hours will be a bit of a shock to the system!

Draft budgets are about to be submitted, including a couple of capital machines and several ongoing course projects (e.g. tee levelling). Details in due course. The irrigation system needs significant maintenance and joint replacement work - it’s showing its age.

Course Committee