Greenkeeper Newsletter

Dear members,

I wanted to give you all a quick update before the Christmas holidays.

This week we have mown greens and rolled greens. I would not expect us to mow again through the Christmas period but on occasion rolling may be possible. Due to the mild weather, we have also managed to fill soil and lay turf in the stump holes following the tree thinning project.

From a course marking perspective we have placed four blue discs around the robot charging area, this will allow relief should you land in that area whilst the grass recovers from the late Autumn wear.

We have placed the artificial turf mats on the Par 3 tees (we have removed the 2 Par 4 mats). A few members suggested that the ability to be able to place a small tee in the mat would be advantageous, so we have cut 40cm slits through the rubber tee holes on all four sides to accommodate left and right-handed golfers. Obviously, there are many different sizes of tee available, I have found that the one shown in the picture below, which is available from our Pro-Shop works very well.

It is imperative we have an artificial turf solution available especially with our course receiving such vast amounts of winter play and all golfers having the possibility to regulate handicaps as we play to summer greens year-round. We plan to investigate an improved solution for the artificial tee places during January 2026.

From Saturday 20^th December until 5^th January there will be two members of staff scheduled for a few hours each morning to check conditions, clear the greens of dew and pick balls when possible.

On 25^th December and 1^st January one member of staff will inspect the course at 08:30, should there be frost, the course will be closed all day, this will be posted on the splash on the website.

My team and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Kind regards,

Reamonn O’Neill
Golf Course Superintendent