A September Update from our Golf Course and Estates Manager, Derrick

As summer draws to a close, our focus over the coming six weeks will shift to restoring surfaces that have faced the toughest of conditions through the summer.

You will see light scarifying, overseeding with a fescue, rye mix, then topdressing and fertilising in bare areas to recover the damaged turf before the temperatures start to drop. In some instances round bunker edges re-turfing will be carried out.

From the 19^th October, the team will carry out fairway maintenance (2.5 days per course), which will include:

Greens: Air2G2 all greens which is an non-invasive aeration to pump air 6-8”into the soil profile to relieve compaction

Tees: Core to 3” in depth to remove organic matter and topdress

Fairways: Topdress each course with 300 tonne of sand,  then solid tine to a depth of 4”. Sand will be then brushed into the holes

Rough and Walkways: Topdress and solid tine, using approx. 150 tonne per course to take the total sand to 900 tonne

For transparency, we expect sand to take up to 10 days to fully wash into the surfaces. During this time, we recommend against bringing guests for a special occasion. A reduced rate will be charged.

We are confirmed to work again with trusted supplier Southwest Greens, to install over 100m2 of artificial turf to our championship courses and practice facilities. Similar to the specification of install on the 6^th tee of LX, we will have a 5-8m strip on all the par 3 tees, on either the blue or gold tees. This is to be used during wetter spells in deep winter when recovery is slow. Artificial mats and pods at the Practice Den to be replaced and a 2 metre strip round the bunker will be added to stop the sun scorching the nose of the hazard.

Finally, as conditions soften, please focus on pitchmarks and divot repair.

Best wishes,

Derrick