Recently there has been discontent from some members regarding the current condition of the golf course.
Issues causing concern are,
 
- rough and semi rough.
- amount of weeds.
- state of bunkers.
- general untidiness of the course.
 
May I offer an explanation for these complaints.
 
The rough is currently being cut at a height of 2" which is normal. However we are using the old inefficient rough mower to cut the grass because the delivery of a new rough mower was delayed by a month because it was being imported. It finally arrived on Friday 2nd May and started to be used on Tuesday 6th May. This machine will give a better and more consistent cut and should improve this area of the course. Jason will monitor the rough and if he feels it is necessary he will reduce the height but only by a small amount. It is felt rough is essential for definition as well as being a challenge.
 
The semi rough (aprons and dividing fairway and rough) is presently not being maintained. This is because the semi rough cutter which is 7 years
old with 2,547 working hours (178,290 miles) on the clock is presently not operational. It will be too costly to repair and finance for a replacement is being consider as a matter of urgently. Using the old machine as a trade-in and purchasing an ex demo model should make it affordable. John Deere
loaned the club a mower to cut the aprons but it was evident from the uneven cut it provided that it wasn't fit for purpose and it has since been
returned.
 
The bunkers continue to give problems. Jason feels they are in better order now than a year ago but as he has highlighted before they require a
major investment to put them right. Currently they are badly drained and constructed and they will continue to be problematic until money is made available for their total reconstruction.
 
Due to financial restraints the weeds about the course can only be sprayed once a year. This is done only when the plant is fully developed which
is usually mid to late May. Ideally they should be sprayed three times a year but the greens budget restricts us to one treatment.
 
When the weeds are sprayed, the new rough cutter has been used for a while and a new semi rough cutter is purchased there should be a vast improvement with the presentation of the golf course.
 
With Easter being so late this year, greens staff had holidays to take leaving the greens under staffed during a very busy time of year. But they are back to full power now and hoping for good weather over the next few months.
 
Jason and I always welcome members' constructed views regarding the golf course and we can be approached at any time.
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Tony Campbell
                                                                                                                                                                                                             Greens Convenor