Greenkeeper Newsletter

Dear members,

Season start
A warm welcome to all our new and existing members, as I pen my first information newsletter of the year. Although we still have a few weeks before the official start of the season at Easter, I want to give you all an update on what has taken place over the winter period and what to expect in the weeks ahead. We have weathered the winter exceptionally well again this year which is always a challenging period with disease pressure and winter play, this should help again to make the season feel longer.

Course maintenance
We took full advantage of the warm spell at the beginning of the month and managed to mow all areas at least once. This is the earliest in the year that I have ever been able to achieve this, and it is amazing to see how majestic the course can look so early in the season.

Aeration
Some of our late season aeration had to be cut short due to inclement weather, however, with the weather being so unseasonably mild at present, we have taken the opportunity to continue with fairway and pathway aeration. Our greens aeration is scheduled to take place in weeks 17, 18 & 19 as usual, however, should the weather allow it I will move this forward. I will of course keep you all informed over the weeks ahead.

Power lines
Unfortunately, we have been informed that the plan to remove the power lines that run across the course has been postponed for the foreseeable future. This will have an impact this year as the spruce trees between C8 and C9 fairways must be removed, as they are in danger of falling onto and damaging the lines. The trees will be felled, the stumps will be removed, and the area will be marked GUR. We have several options available to us following the felling, however we will have to see how the area looks before making any decisions.

Ladehøj sø
Regarding the water level of Ladehøj Sø (the lake between B1, B8 & B9) a great number of the fields in the surrounding area, along with all the water from the golf course, flows into this lake and drains away next to the large willow at B9 across B8, A3 and out to the motorway. Unfortunately, due to blockages in the drains underneath the motorway B1 is now under water as are the electric cabinets that provide power to the pump that pumps the water to Nybogaard for the stream that runs through A1, A9 & B9. The blockage has now been removed and the water is slowly receding. We plan to replace the electric cabinets at higher ground to protect them should this happen again.

Capillary Flow bunkers
It has been 3 years since we completed the bunker renovation and additional drainage project. Before the project was carried out, Simon’s Golf, like many other courses, suffered immensely during periods of cloudburst and prolonged periods of rainfall, which led to the sand being contaminated with the clay stone base of the bunker causing the existing drains in the bunkers to become blocked and the bunkers would fill with water, below you can see images from before and after the installation. If you would like to read more about our renovation project the information can be found on our website – 2020 Remodel. To date, Simon’s Golf is the only course in Denmark to have ALL bunkers installed with Capillary Flow. Over the past months Denmark has broken all records on rainfall and it is amazing to see how well the bunkers have performed during this period. This has also helped us to present the course to an incredible standard and remain open or to be able to open sooner than other courses in the area.

Robot mowers
Following on from successful trials at the end of last season, we have secured agreements with Husqvarna through Fredensborg Skov og Have and Bell Robotics through Nellerman Machinery. FSH will provide 3 Ceora mowers, these will be placed on 3 holes to cut fairway and rough, the exact holes are yet to be decided, plus 3 550 units that will be used around tee and greens complexes. Bell Robotics will provide 1 unit for A1 to cut the fairway and rough. They will also, later in the season, provide units for the driving range to mow and collect balls, this is so I can assess their capabilities. The purpose of the trial period is so I, as a Course Superintendent, can evaluate the role robots could play in the maintenance of our golf course and also for you as golfers to see the potential benefits of how the course presents itself day to day throughout the season.

Frost delays
Over the weeks ahead we can still expect to see some night frosts. Please ensure to check the website and Golfbox for the latest information.

Trolleys
The trial for allowing trolleys for over 65’s and those with medical dispensation has been very well received. The lifting of the trolley ban for other members along with the change from winter to summer course will not take place until we start seeing more consistent, positive growth in the grass, I will notify all members when this is going to change but would not expect this to be before Easter.

Members questions
I ask that should you have any questions, comments, or praise regarding the golf course that you direct them to the club’s Green’s Chairman, Jesper Zerlang (via: klub@simonsgolf.dk) and if needed we will add them to our agenda for our next Greens Committee Meeting of which our Head Pro, James Petts also sits on. My team, although extremely keen and committed, are not best placed to answer many of your questions.

Seasonal staff
Our seasonal staff return to or join the team on 2nd April, a number of them have not worked on a golf course before so it usually takes some weeks for them to fully understand the intricate details of setting up the course, I ask for your patience while we train the new members of our team.

Kind regards,

Reamonn O’Neill
Golf Course Superintendent