Usage of the Course shows as expected that golfing activity is highest during the Summer months with 83% playing at least once or more each week. It is perhaps a little surprising that over 70% continue to play at least once a week during the Winter season although the percentage of ‘more than once per week’ players is considerably down. This is obviously explained by the shorter daylight hours and the more unpredictable weather conditions. 

The low level of usage of the practice facilities points to a clear need for improvement in what is on offer.

Most Fortwilliam golfers do not play a great deal at other courses with 54% of our respondents using other golf courses only infrequently (less than 1-2 times per month).

 

	More than once per week	Once per week	1-2 per month	Less often
Approximately how often do you play golf [April-Sept]	118 69%	24 14%	12 7%	17 10%
Approximately how often do you play golf [Oct-March]	53 31%	68 40%	17 10%	33 19%
Approximately how often do you play golf at other courses	4 2%	10 6%	65 38%	92 54%
Approximately how often do you use the practice facilities	11 6%	25 15%	18 11%	117 68%
Approximately how often do you use the bar	74 43%	50 29%	32 19%	15 9%
Approximately how often do you use the catering services	20 12%	58 34%	60 35%	33 19%

 

In some ways it is surprising to see that more than 75% of respondents rate the golf course  either as good or satisfactory  with the notable exception of the Rough (62%) and Bunkers (34%). However, this is no cause for celebration. Apart from the Greens which has a good rating of 57%, the good rating for other course features range from 33% (Tees) to a low of 7% (Bunkers). The overall presentation good rating is a mere 23%.

Council clearly needs to focus attention on achieving considerable improvement in all areas of the course with urgent attention being paid to bunkers, hazards and overall presentation. 

The Golf Course	Good	Sat	Poor	N/A
General Availability	54%	33%	6%	6%
Tee Areas	33%	44%	17%	6%
Fairways	26%	51%	16%	6%
Rough	17%	45%	32%	6%
Bunkers	7%	27%	60%	6%
Hazards	19%	56%	19%	7%
Greens	57%	28%	9%	6%
Green Surrounds and Approaches	27%	42%	25%	6%
Overall Presentation	23%	48%	22%	7%
Tee Booking Facilities	56%	32%	4%	8%
Number of Society Bookings	7%	56%	7%	30%

 

Council’s Response to the Survey Findings

 The survey was completed by most respondents in Summer 2012 before the departure of Justin Waddell and the arrival of our new Course Manager Jason Podris. Jason brought with him a wealth of experience from his previous appointments at Galway Bay and the K Club.

Council invited Jason very soon after he joined us to present his thoughts about the course and his proposals for remedying the problems he identified. Needless to say all of the problems that have been identified by members in survey responses were addressed by Jason in his first Course Report which was posted on the website for all to read.

Council fully backed Jason on his plans and has undertaken to provide the necessary materials and machinery to make things happen. Jason set about this task with a vengeance and members noted immediate improvements in the speed and consistency of the greens as a result of the aeration and rolling programme. He also started to aerate the fairways and completed a full fairways sanding scheme.

The superabundance of trees on the course has also been tackled and as a result the course is now more open to the drying effects of the wind and grass is starting to grow in areas previously bare because of overshadowing.

We expect to have an opportunity soon to replace the existing tee distance markers on all 18 holes with new signs which carry hole layout graphics, name, par of hole,  distances, and stroke indexes from white, green and red markers and a sponsorship panel. To date we have secured sponsorship for 9 holes and, of course, 9 holes are still available for sponsorship. The signs will appear on the course as soon as the weather allows the Green’s Staff to do the work. We are very grateful to our sponsors who have enabled us to carry out a much needed upgrade that will improve the appearance of the tees considerably.

Jason has also introduced changes to the working practices which have broadly been welcomed by the staff.

Jason is also looking at a drainage programme for Fortwilliam. This is going to be a costly business and before we embark on it Council needs to be sure we can pay for it. That is something being looked into at the present time.

Despite all the efforts of the Green’s staff the weather continues to thwart us. While the Course has remained open the incessant rain continues to saturate the already saturated ground with only very brief periods of respite. This is extremely frustrating for all of us and it is little consolation to know that many other golf courses are closed while Fortwilliam remains available for play.  Because of the amount of water in bunkers they were declared GUR for the Winter season and quite a bit of work need s to be done to bring them up to scratch. However, this work can only take place in drier weather but it will be done when conditions permit.

Nobody likes the present situation, not the members, not the Green’s staff, not the Council and we can but hope that perhaps 2013 will bring some relief from the incessant downpours to allow the improvements Jason and his staff have made to show in the condition and presentation of the Course. This will require patience from all of us but I have no doubt such patience will be amply rewarded in the future with a much better and more attractive golf course.  

  

 

The Golf Course - Members Comments

 

Overall Presentation of the Course

• On Captains Day the course look's magnificent. Surely that should be the benchmark. However, I have noticed that the green's staff are cutting and tidying the course more regularly this year.
• "the course needs to be seriously reviewed and a long term master plan for improvements to the course that are not having to be repeated on an annual basis ie proper tarmac pathways, borders and trimmings properly constructed, strategic planting policy especially round tee boxes to curtail weeds and avoid wasting green staff time so they can focus on priorities.
• The 2 main men's competition days are Wednesday and Saturday and generally on a Wednesday I find greens haven't been cut and course is poorly prepared.
• Finally a comprehensive course management/development plan should be available to all members in order to clarify what exactly is being done to maintain the course and improve its condition."
• At times, I'd suggest more use could be made of GUR."
• the overall presentation of the course is fine but the constant littering by members would be an issue for non members the bins outside the professional box and the first tees should be emptied more often not when they are overflowing,(if each member was to constantly lift any rubbish on the course then there would not be a problem, but then they would say it is not my job to tidy up my mess)"
• "The presentation of the course is generally poor. The course that was turned out for junior cup qualifying is not the course that is regularly presented to the members on a consistent basis for the use of the members.
• Bins and air hose area need to be maintained during the weekend. "
• In recent months I feel the course has generally been extremely untidy. It was well prepared for Junior Cup qualifying but has now deteriorated.  I know we are in transition period to a new head greenkeeper but the problems are not new. There are two courses - summer and winter. I have scored the summer course.
• The course appears untidy possibly as a result of the paths, etc having no defined edges and being in poor shape with holes and at bridges gathering water."
• Love the hedging at the putting green and the flower borders.
• Possibly, the box hedging could be accentuated if surrounded by white or light coloured stones, the stones being placed on  perforated plastic to suppress weeds.  Weeding of flower beds could be reduced if wood chips were laid immediately after weeding.
• Presentation such as trimming grass verges, defining paths etc is poor and rarely done.
• More daffodils planted and low evergreen flowering shrubs on teeing areas."
• "Above applies to summer presentation only which also tends to be inconsistent.
• Grass cutting is very uneven and patchy, particularly just of the fairways and around bunkers and hazards.
• The course in general in not to the standard of the fees that we are paying.  We are paying Malone GC prices while receiving Ballyearl course standard.  The fees in general are over priced regardless if we have a suitably presented golf course and club house.  Myself like many other have recently and in the future will reconsider paying my green fees next year unless there is a dramatic turnaround in course standard throughout the year not just for one day (Captains day) and a revised look at our golfing fees.
• Presentation of the course is sometimes good (captains day) while other times v poor"
• Course needs a signature hole perhaps a shallow lake with fountain fronting the ninth
• 18th tee box is lovely - can we plant more flowering shrubs around the course adding colour and interest in appropriate areas.
• Bunkers 
• "Sand in bunkers needs to loosened up more regularly .
• Hazards banks are not well kept.
• The main areas of concern on the course at present would be the areas around the greens and the bunkers. 
• "There needs to be more regular top-up of sand to bunkers.
• Bunkers are poor and often little sand under the ball.
• Where is the sand - our bunkers are shocking! 
• Bunkers have  poor quality and depth of  sand. Hazards could be tidier
• Please can we have sand in the bunkers?
• There is very little sand in most of the bunkers and the overhang on some of the bunkers is in poor condition. and untidy
• "Recently I've noticed that some bunkers have very little sand particularly 6th, 15th and 17th.
• Some Rough areas are bare, marked with a white line as GUR, but we need the members to stay off that ground until it recovers...a white line may not be enough of a deterent to prevent members from walking over it"
• Our bunkers are very poor, the sand is only racked on about the top centimetre. A good dig down is required in order to give us a chance of a  decent shot.
• Bunkers are a constant disgrace and we have so many trees there is no need for all the rough especially around the greens. This rough just makes the course look like a mess as it is far too patchy with inconsistent growth. So please just cut it and the course will look very well presented.
• Some bunkers are so compacted it feels like playing off a road, these need addressed. Holes like the 6th par 3 Green, could do with more protection, a surrounding bunker all the way around front of green would be an idea.
• "Bunkers can be 'hit and miss'; at times there appears to be little sand in them.
• Several of the bunkers require more sand - notably the 6th, the one on the left of the 15th & the 17th..
• "the lack of sand in the bunkers is an ongoing gripe with members and the maintenance and raking it seems is only done when the relevant green is cut.
• The bunkers have little proper sand and what sand there is is often mixed with mud.
• Some more bunkers should be introduced to the following greens: 3rd: 7th: 8th: 13th: 14th:16th. "Some of the bunkers don't seem to have enough loose sand in them.
• This time of year the tee areas are always excellent but the winter tee areas can be very uneven."
• Work needs done on improving the fairway grass, too many scruffy lies and ""bald"" patches.
• Many of the bunkers need re-sanding.
• 2nd hole would benefit from a bunker on the left side of the fairway along side the trees."
• Bunkers: sand is inconsistent, some bunkers have too much sand while in others you tend to hit solid ground when attempting to play a shot - maybe they are just raked wrong.
• Some sand needed in bunkers.
• The bunkers are a disgrace, either too much sand or practically no sand, half filled with stones.
• Bunkers are not good and should not be in play over the winter.  "  
• Some of the tee boxes have been in bad presentation all season - notably the 2nd & 5th..
• The tee areas aren't quite as bad as the rest of the course but they could do with being leveled and straightened out.
• Tee Boxes
• Tee boxes are uneven.
• The teeing areas could be improved and privacy screening (hedging etc) provided between the following  : 1st &10th: 3rd & 8th: 10th &14th.
• "Where space is available at tee boxes, there should be permanent winter tee boxes.
• Junior members should have proper tee boxes
• Some tee boxes are not level and require improvement.
• "summer tees are satisfactory, but winter tees are poor,
• New tee markers would enhance the appearance of the tee boxes and replacing broken bells with more durable examples is needed.
• Winter tees are dangerous in part."
• "Tee boxes: some need leveling as they are quite uneven, the gravel path to the 2nd tee box is unsuitable for electric trolleys and therefore players tend to use the grass to the right hand-side. Some of the wooden steps to the tee boxes are bordering on dangerous particularly when wet. The home made temporary winter tee boxes are disgraceful and could be categorised as a health and safety hazard.
• "Some tee boxes are untidy - particularly the 3rd/8th - weeds,  Entrance onto 9th uninviting.
• Some of the steps onto the tee boxes need to be replaced/covered to avoid accidents."
• Greens
• "Greens have been an issue for a few years.  Fortwilliam is a short course and the speed of the greens was a defence to high handicappers hitting big scores.  the greens have not been up to scratch.
• Green surrounds are often scrappy, uneven grass length etc
• The main areas of concern on the course at present would be the areas around the greens and the bunkers. 
• The greens should be consistently better than what they are.. There has been the right mix of sun, heat & rain - but as usual they will be excellent for captain's day then allowed to go to waste..
• If it wasn't for the greens being in decent shape at the moment (and hopefully they stay that way for the rest of the season) I would genuinely consider moving clubs next season.  For the money we pay as Class IA members, it simply isn't worth it.
• Some greens and surrounds do suffer during extended dry times and need to be watered.
• greens are generally poor, uncut and underwatered
• No imagination has been shown to preparation of green surrounds and approaches.
• The greens in the last 2 Saturday have  been a disgrace, far too long , in need of a good cut.
• greens are generally satisfactory, but at times are too slow
• Greens: while some greens need replaced due to age the greens are usually some of the best to play on during the summer months.  Unfortunately the issue of consistency arises with 2 different types of green to play on and the new greens tend to dry out to quickly which causes some cracking and having to play pitch and run shots on a parkland golfcourse.
• The greens are in poor condition for most of the year
• Green surrounds / Approaches:  some untidy areas around greens although approaches are generally ok.
• "There are some green surrounds where there are different grasses which leads to clumps of longer grass in the shorter grass.
• our greens are continually of poor quality and are continuously inconsistent both in length and pace. Greens are the lasting memory of visiting golfers we must improve this area of our immediately.
• Rough
• Rough: requires continuous maintenance and clearance of twigs, branches and leaves. Should probably be reduced in height coming into winter time to allow quicker drying and easier maintenance.
• The rough is very rough for the high handicapper and normally does not affect the low handicapper. I can understand some rough for environmental reasons but I think we have too much heavy rough to encourage high handicappers. If only low handicappers played the game it would become unaffordable for low handicappers when the highs left.
• Some areas of rough are very long, although it is good to see some have been cut to a playable length (the fairways are narrow enough to challenge the average player).
• uniformity/consistency of rough needs to be worked on
• The bald patches in the rough and particularly throughout the green surrounds are possibly the most frustrating aspect of the course maintenance.
• Rough has too many bare areas.
• Drainage
• I think members and non-members alike are well aware of the drainage issue at the Fort.
• "There needs to  be more open drains across the course to allow it to drain well throughout the year. Drain lines across the 1st and 18th fairways, 3rd and 8th fairways would need to opened as well as looking to recreate the dam at the 7th.
• Every year when heavy rain occurs the 16th fairway hill resembles a mini waterfall. This needs serious consideration.
• Also, from personal injury experience, the wooden surrounds at tee boxes and wooden bridges across the drains are a health and safety issue and especially dangerous in the winter "
• The course condition is very much seasonal dependent. As with all courses winter and rainy seasons will take its toll, but fortwilliams condition and recovery time is  too long and is costing the club and its reputation dearly. Members are really only getting eight months of playable golf a year, and some of these months are played with lift, clean and place.
• There is actually grass this year - well done to the greens staff.  There should be more given the rain.
• The poor presentation of our course is the main reason why we lost too many of our members to other clubs
• The general state of the course is awful. 
• Keep people of the course in the winter.  There are definitely days the course should be shut.  If some people have to get out send them round an interchangeable 3/4 holes.  Who is responsible for shutting the course.  Tell them to close it whoever it is.  I played gaelic sports for many years and we would not have let people on pitches in the conditions I see members from Fortwilliam out playing.  They are damaging the course which costs money to repair and takes time to recover.  They should have more respect.  Walking on frost kills grass.  Let them complain."
• improve stone ditches , patchy ground, drainage (real solution required) and real sand in the bunkers please."
• "Greens and drainage/irrigation work may allow for a more consistent presentation of the course throughout the year to the benefit of both members and attracting revenue from societies.
• While difficult or impossible in current economic conditions, such work may go some way to justifying annual fees which a number of members seem to be questioning at the moment."
• In general the course is in good condition but in bad weather it suffers more than others
• Drainage is the major problem, whats the point of paying 12 months fees to get 6 months play because the course is so wet.
• At times it is hard to tell whether you are on the fairway or in the rough.
• Fairways
• Fairways vary between good and satisfactory but overall are acceptable.
• Fairways: are generally in good condition when dry
• The areas off the fairways have looked a mess with long tuffs of grass everywhere, around tee boxes and in approaches to fairways, off greens.
• There is an enormous amount of unreplaced divots on the course.
• "I have noticed that there still remains a large number of people playing the course in the late summer evenings who are not members. On average I would estimate approximately 5 -15 people play and practice on the course each evening without paying green fees. This represents over the summer, between 900 - 2,700 people taking lumps out of the course and all for free!!! I realise the problems the club and members face in dealing with this issue in particular the concerns over vandalism to the course or threats to members if these people are confronted. However, in all the evenings that I have played the course I have never seen a single police patrol or any police presence that might persuade these ""golfers"" that they should pay a green fee or stay off the course.
• Notwithstanding the above, it is also self evident that a section of the membership do not care about replacing divots, repairing pitch marks or raking bunkers. Perhaps the club should be more proactive in educating all members as to the importance of good golf etiquette in maintaining the golf course.
• Many of the replaced divots are removed by the numerous course magpies looking for grubs. Perhaps a cull of these birds might help reduce the number of replaced divots being ""flipped over"" which reduces the chances of the fairways repairing themselves.
• lifting ball off fairways in winter  to  place in nearest rough would save a lot of wear and tear and allow for faster recovery in spring.
• Paving or 'bridges' at the waterlogged areas of the 9th & 11th fairways may help improve the approach to the fairways. 
• "The Presentation of the course is totally unsatisfactory ,it lacks tidiness and presentation
• They may as well be cutting a municipal  park for presentation"
• Hazards
• Hazards are supposed to be what they are called hazards! not somewhere you hit a ball and lose it.  Overgrown with grass, leaves and twigs and during winter drains used as a gathering place for the fallen leaves.  Silt in the 9th drain tends to cover the ball which cannot then be located.  Rough stones on the edge of the 13th drain approaching the green make shots not quite in the drain unplayable.
• There are some areas in the rough which are bare. I understand that this is because of the bad weather we have had over the last 18 months"
• Practice Area
• As for the practice area, we would be better off not having one because the current area is terrible, you can hit nothing bigger than a 5 iron and finding your practice balls is a small miracle because they either plug or get lost amongst the daisies. 
• "With the practice green being so close to the club house it should be in tip top condition all the time.
• There is a need for a practice net.
• Trees
• "Too many trees on the course.
• Course too tight with narrow fairways and small greens. We already have natural difficulty with hilly terrain and over abundance of trees which have and are continuing to grow
• Course Maintenance
• The green staff do a poor job and seem more interested in fleecing overtime rates than working hard
• The husbandry of the course should be finished when a job is started and not left unfinished e.g. 8th tee box--- this has been left unfinished for several years--we are still playing off eroding concrete base when not playing off summer tees
• This can only happen if staff are available to prepare and do the work. I think there needs to be more supervision and I hope the new "start" will bring a fresh brush and some new ideas.
• I cannot understand the working patterns of the green staff. In my opinion the course should be well prepared for key times ie Wednesdays & especially Saturdays.
• Other comments
• "A member should be allowed to reserve more than 1 tee time on any given day, if inviting friends etc would need say 3 times and to do this requires you to visit or contact the shop or office.
• I feel that ladies should be able to play on Tuesday and Thursday after 4 pm
• ALL members need to use the booking facilities
• Allowing internal club societies to control tee times on both Saturdays and Sundays makes it impossible for newer members to get a game especially during the shorter hours in the winter.
• The club does not make best use of the time sheet and availability to societies. We need to be more competitive and aggressive to taking bookings. It's better to get footfall on the course and take a few pounds less than not take any money!!
• Not enough is done to bring in societies and provide open days etc to other potential members."
• "Even though I am an associate member and I recognise that some restrictions might be required, but as a working person I think the 4.15 cut off point on non competition days is very unfair.  As someone who represents the club in many competitions, I would like to have been able to get more practice. It also annoys  me that when my son was a junior member, he was able to go out with my husband in the evening and I could not join them.
• "General Availability - Associate membership does not offer satisfactory tee times in the evenings
• "Need to move with the times and allow members to book their weekly tee time online.
• " The tee booking system should be used to maximum."
• Need more to generate income. Linking to special deals with Kevin would help.