Quick update

Just a quick update to show how things are progressing on the course and the work that has gone on over the last week or so. Firstly the weather has been very mixed, we have had a spell of very Autumnal weather. Cool winds from the north dropped temperatures dramatically, almost to the point of a couple of frosty mornings. Temperatures dipped to around 5 degrees C. That has slowed grass growth down and given us a chance to catch up on a few jobs. With paternity leave for a couple of our staff over August and September, we have struggled to get on top of cutting until the growth slowed, thankfully now all areas are under control.

We have had chance to start a few of the winter type tasks, the first being clearing some vegetation from the 11th storage area to make room for leaf disposal. We will aim to clear a couple more areas in the next couple of weeks. All gutters on buildings around the car park have been checked and cleaned. The bridges across the 10th have been tidied and weeded. Also we have started to sharpen the back up greens mower units.

The cool nights have brought some dewy conditions which makes an ideal environment for disease. With this in mind we have sprayed a preventative fungicide which should reduce the risk of fusarium on the putting surfaces over the next month. should conditions prevail and we think disease pressure is high then a follow up application will be made in October

We have applied a slow release fertiliser to the tees which has now taken effect and are looking good.

The worn areas on 10-18 holes have been vertidrained before the machine was taken off in preparation for the leaf/grass collector to start work.

We are continuing to trial the worm suppressants which are on the market, with no real winners so far. Worm casts are still going to be the most damaging problem we will face this winter. Please be understanding, as there is very little we can do to prevent the smearing and mud that will build up in high wear areas.

Generally the course is playing well for the time of year, the staff are working hard to present the course in the best possible condition for the busy end of season period.

We are starting to mark trees which are for removal this winter, dying, dead or dangerous trees are 'ringed' before the leaves fall. This makes it easy to see which trees are for felling and which are to be pruned come the middle of the winter when we will start this type of work. We are also in the process of creating a tree management plan, this will involve analysing all tree areas and suggesting a plan to ensure that all woodland is managed correctly long term. We do not want to see the trees become over crowded, lose turf quality or lose the play-ability of the course we have.