Course Update
Well, what a start to 2024 and what an end to 2023! As unpredictable weather patterns become more prevalent for us, we find ourselves grappling with the challenges posed by either that of heavy rainfall, or lack of rainfall. From our previous dry fairways to recently waterlogged parts of the golf course, the transformation from dry to wet conditions can significantly impact the game and overall experience for golfers, same can also be said for the ground staff.
Liv it up Patrick
Patrick Killen, our 2nd Year Apprentice Greenkeeper has had the time of his life at the recent LIV tournament. “It was an incredible experience to help prepare the course for the first LIV tournament hosted in Australia. I met amazing people, gained invaluable knowledge, and witnessed golf like I had never seen before. I would also like to thank Stuart and MRGC for the opportunity.”
Renovations
With renovations coming up we have a couple of additional projects in place to do over these days. We have a contractor scheduled to clean out the silt build up, weeds, and grass in some of the wastelands on the 10th. This will aid with the drainage into the areas of our playing surfaces. Also, we have a plan to replace the sand on one bunker on the 15th as a trial to see how it performs in our conditions. There has been a lot of success with the use of this sand and I’m sure you will all notice the difference.
Drone Spraying
We used a relatively new technology to spray some of the water weeds that have started to appear. Some of you might have seen the large Drone flying low over our lakes. The job is completed with more speed and accuracy. We can utilise staff much more by not requiring 2 guys spray lakes from a boat which sometimes only stirs the weeds and spreads them from lake to lake.
Blue Lines and Traffic
As much as the blue lines and cart direction works for improved surfaces around the greens, can we all be aware of the concentrated wear that is starting to appear at the blue lines. It is good to see the information sent out by Andy Meldrum being followed however, you still need to be mindful in spreading this wear.
QGI AWARDS – Apprentice of the Year
MRGC was up for a number of awards and our Graduating Apprentice Daniel Fulcher took out the Queensland Turf Management Apprentice of the year.
Driving Range Etiquette
With our driving range being so busy with members, visitors and the general public it is important we all do some things to make everyone’s experience of our range more enjoyable which will in turn help organise the chaos.
Snakes are on the move again
Our course superintendent Stu tells us that snakes are on the move again. As the season when they are most active is fast approaching us, it is a reminder that golf courses provide a perfect habitat. Here is the latest info on what to do and don’t do. DO NOT try to catch, kill, or identify the snake!!! This is important. In hospital we NO LONGER NEED to know the type of snake; it doesn’t change treatment.
Driving Range Etiquette
A number of people have been observed hitting from the grass area directly in front of the synthetic hitting mats when the synthetic hitting mats are in use. We’d like to remind members & guests that this is not permitted. For those who are perhaps unaware – per the picture, the synthetic hitting mats that we have installed are specifically designed to accommodate the use of driver tees simply by inserting your tee into the mat.
Winter Course Maintenance
During the winter ‘non-growing’ season it’s more important than ever for Members to help our Grounds staff to maintain the course. Because divots take longer to ‘grow in’ at this time, it’s crucial that divots are filled in with sand. Similarly, please take the time to repair your pitch marks on the greens. And for that extra dose of good karma, when you have your sand bucket and pitch repair tool in hand, take the time to repair another divot/pitch mark or two that are nearby.