27 Oct Course Renovation Explained
Firstly, I would like to thank all staff, volunteers, and members for the cooperation and understanding of our recent course renovation.
Now I am fully aware of the inconvenience that this can cause, so I wanted to take this opportunity to explain and give you all an insight into what has been achieved within this time frame.
A snapshot of the process:
Why we renovate
At MRGC, the ground staff are as proud to present a magnificent playing surface as are the members who play on it! To ensure the course stands up to regular wear and tear, we must reduce the amount of soil compaction by aerating the soil, ensure the turf is thriving and healthy by receiving adequate moisture and nutrients, and by allowing existing core nutrients and organic matter to blend back into the surface area.
Preparing for the renovation
To ensure the maximum result in the shortest possible time, our staff make sure all the equipment, vehicles, tractors etc are ready to ‘go’. All additives, sand etc are in stock, and that each staff members are aware of the timeline to complete the job.
It is worthwhile mentioning that MRGC is fortunate to have a great working relationship with ground staff of the nearby Twin Waters Golf Club – when course renovations are due, each club join forces to provides the machinery and staff to assist the fairway renovations…. This cooperation ensures the fairway renovations are carried out at both courses in double-quick time, meaning players are back playing sooner!
The Process
On the first day, we begin coring the fairways. While this is happening the tees are scarified, cored, and like the fairways, the cores are rubbed in. To further explain how the renovation actually happens, please see the below video.[/vc_column_text] The greens and collars are all scarified in 2 directions, cored, cores removed, surface is blown, 4 products of nutrient requirements applied, top-dressed with over 40 tonnes of sand blended with gypsum, and then finally the sand is brushed into the holes. During these processes we have a team of club volunteers assisting our production work by carrying out various other activities. A question that I hear all the time on nearly every golf course I’ve worked is: ‘The greens were so good why did we have to go and do this to them?’ Well, as indicated above, in order for us to continue year on year to have surfaces that you enjoy to play on and be proud of, it is a necessary practise to renovate. One thing you may or may not realise as a member of the club is that the majority of this work has been undertaken by only 10 ground staff working dawn to dusk over 2.5 days. Again, I thank you for understanding and hope that this has given some clarity into the overall achievements of the team of ground staff and volunteers during the recent renovations.
Photos
