Thankfully this picture is from 2012 when the course was under water. This is the driving range, this water was stood here for around 3 weeks as it had no where to go. This is one of the main reasons for  continued drainage works on the course. 

This week we have started to make the connection to the 17th ditch. To do this we have removed a section of hedge and  marked out the ditch running along the front of the current 20th tee.

We then dug out the existing pipe work. To ensure levels and direction of the ditch as it joins the existing pipe.

Elsewhere on the course we are cutting the long rough down again. This hopefully will be the final cut before the temperature drops and growth reduces. 

Strimming of tree bases continues from last week. These again will be the last time these will be done. 

We have applied some merit turf insecticide where we have found chafer grubs and badgers have been scuffling in the semi rough. This needs to be watered  in so timing is critical. 

When cleared and cut the course is still looking great. 

Dig update

Again the weather has been on our side. A few showers but nothing notable, they brought this cracking rainbow on a beautiful morning. Work progressed nicely on the drainage ditch. 

Reaching the point in front of the 20th tee  on Friday.

The next stage of the ditch comes in front of the 20th tee and joins to the 17th ditch. This will be more disruptive to play but we will work around competitions and players on the course. The soil we remove will also be used to make a new 18th tee which will extend the hole by around 60 yards. I must remind members that this hole is SI 6 and plays down the prevailing wind so plays shorter than it's actual distance the majority of the time. When holes 18 and 20 are changed the old 20th tee will be used as the new yellow tee. This will lengthen the yellows by only 25 yards. In general play members do have the option to play off yellows or whites. Technology is making Malton and norton golf club shorter so these changes not only lengthen the course but have other benefits in that area of the course.

1- waiting on the 18th and 20th tee is reduced

2- safety and waiting from tee shots from the 17th will be improved. 

3- area around the 19th green will improved due to different traffic flow. 

4- the angle of the tee shot will be improved on the 18th, creating better safety on the 27th. Although the tee shot will be going over the back of the 17th green slightly, the sequence of play will not endanger anyone playing on the 17th green. 

5- the 20th tee is virtually unusable due to the unevenness of the surface and the size of the white tee so would need to be rebuilt anyway

6- and the initial reason for changing/ making the tees, drainage. The drainage ditch we are excavating is a massive step forward in keeping the course open, more playable and allowing future drainage work to be completed. 

Else where on the course growth has strong coupled with dewy mornings has made getting clean cuts impossible. Height of cut on the greens has been lifted slightly to improve coverage and density going into the autumn period. This will make them slower in pace but once the anthracnose has grown out should still putt smooth for the time of year. 

Leaves are starting to fall so leaf clearance is a daily task at the moment.

Other wise the course is in good shape and the team are working really hard to still produce good playing conditions whilst work loads are increasing.

Quick update on the winter work

Since my last post we have been very busy. The weather is being kind in terms of rainfall but the humidity and night time temperature causing heavy dews has given very high disease pressure. 

Small areas like this is the first sign of fusarium which is a disease of mainly poa grass but can effect any type. This is found on short cut grass and when active has white mycelium around the outer edge. Unlike anthracnose which I have previously mention this is curable if sprayed early. If left then it becomes more destructive and regrowth can be slow. Given the current conditions and the forecast of much of the same we decided to spray a curative/ preventative fungicide. 

Moles have also been on the increase over the last few weeks. This one working it's way on to the 2 nd surround. Traps are set to deal with any moles on the course. 

Cutting continues, growth still strong although the nights have been slightly cooler. The course looking great still. I'm especially pleased how the approaches are looking after the work done to them. 

 Also fairways are in good shape for the time of year. Unfortunately the dewy mornings are making getting a clean cut difficult. 

The course work started last tues on the end of the range where we are creating a drainage ditch, using the soil to make a new 20th tee and then building a new 18 th tee. We started by removing the turf from where the 20 th tee will be situated( as seen in the first picture). We then marked out the position of the ditch and removed turf from that area. 

The topsoil was then removed to use on the new tees and surrounding areas. Then the sides of the ditch were started to give shape and today we have just started to dig down to get the subsoil and establish depths. 

Start of the winter work

Yes you read the title correctly we are getting started with our winter programme. Some of the work we have to complete this winter involves movement of soil and heavy loads. I think this time of year when the ground is harder makes less mess and subsequent damage to the ground when travelling with loads of soil and other materials. It also allows us to make sure the lengthy programme gets done in time. As mentioned in the last blog drainage is our highest priority still. One of the first jobs is the ditch from the driving range to the 17th green to get rid of water in that area during wet weather.

This involves a lot of soil removal and transportation. As mentioned this is a job for the current firm conditions. 

Before we break ground we finished a small section of ditch clearance on the 22 nd hole. 

This morning with showers forecast we took the opportunity to get an application of fertiliser on to the greens. This should help the lingering anthracnose disease effected turf grow in quicker and boost the health of greens and surrounds turf. 

Initially watered in until the rain arrived. 

We are having a little trouble with roaming badgers looking for food as they have in the past. At the moment there has been minimal damage but here's evidence they are around the course on a regular basis. 

The new approaches are looking great and the stripes are getting more defined. Regular aeration and fertiliser applications certainly are making the difference. 

The darker mornings are drawing in making the start of the day wet with dew and pretty dark. Fortunately we have ways of overcoming these problems. 

We will be applying another application of rescue herbicide on the surrounds to control any emerging ryegrass. 

And finally just to show how effective a root barrier can be. And the effect tree roots can have on turf during summer. 

Winter projects

The fantastic weather continues. Dry days are really helping us get on with the long rough. This task is going really well and should be complete by the end of this week. Most of the in play areas have been collected to thin out the rough where possible. After a week or so it will be topped off again to tidy any bits missed of flattened during the initial process. 

The tees and other selected areas have been sprayed with selective herbicide to control weeds before the weather cools. 

The bunker faces have been cut and sand redistributed. 

Strimming continues around trees

A winter program has been drawn up to address some of the problem areas around the course, drainage as seen above is of high priority, but also renovations and repairs to parts of the course.

Two big projects we will be tackling over the next 7-8 months is drainage of the 10 and 12 greens and a drainage ditch from the driving range to the 17th hole. 

Details of all the winter projects are going to be made availible in the clubhouse. However this is an overview of what the staff are doing on the course this winter. 

Drain 10th green, surrounding area and front of 13th tee. 

Install fairway bunker on 10th fairway. 

Drain 12th green and surrounding area

Install green side bunker at 12th green. 

Install new white tee on 16th

Dig drainage ditch from driving range joining on to 17th ditch. 

Install new 18th white tee

Install new 20th tee in end of driving range 

Plant trees on 10, 16, 18, 19 and 20

Drainage around 27th green

Long rough collection

Well septembers here and the nights are drawing in but there's plenty of golf to be played. This week we have been treated to some warm weather. The warm nights and little wind have given dewy, misty mornings but bursting in to glorious sunshine. The course is still looking great and now we are over 10 days since tining greens 19-27 they are filling in well. 

However with the amount of fertiliser and the warm weather plus irrigation has given plenty of growth. The result is that they are slow and very different paced than 1-18 greens which are now fully recovered.

We have had a lot of good complements and with major renovations over for the year we hope to see good surfaces throughout autumn. The anthracnose disease is slowly growing out. Little and often applications of fertiliser have encouraged new healthy growth.

With good dry weather in the afternoons we have been cutting down the long rough. Areas that have been left throughout the year have to be cut down and collected to ensure we can maintain the course through the winter months.

Another application of compost tea has been applied to the worst greens, by that I mean wetter, higher percentage of Annual meadow grass, higher thatch levels and higher disease potential. Applying the tea is supposed to help add benifical fungi which in turn improves grass health.

Also irrigation has been applied as and when needed.