News & events detail
Date added : 04 August 2010
Greens Sub Committee Meeting Thursday 6th May 2010
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Present:
J Brodie (JB)
P Hamilton (PH)
B Scott (BS)
D Douglas (DD)
C Dernie (CD)
B Wesencraft (BW)
M McPherson (MM)
Managing Secretary (MS)
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Apologies: D Moncur (DM)
JB welcomed those in attendance and set out purpose of this sub committee
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Greenkeepers report – BS gave an update on the current status of the course and planned work. The following points were highlighted/discussed from the report:
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Greens are to be verti-drained (solid ‘pencil width’ cores) and top dressed.
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Summer coring of Lansdowne Greens in 2009 has resulted in a better putting surface in Spring 2010.
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Though coring is planned for Rosemount greens in summer 2010, there may have to be some flexibility dependant on weather conditions at the time of the planned work.
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A drill and fill option of coring is cost prohibitive at £1000 per green as a pose to the £100 per green using the current practice.
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BS confirmed it is unlikely that both courses need cored every year and commented that Lansdowne greens need only be cored once every 2 years. STRI are visiting on 1st June 2010, where their comments on all greens will be welcomed.
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The surface of the practice putting green was criticised. BS explained this was cored in November but not filled. Consideration is to be given to coring half of the putting green in summer allowing half to remain in use whilst the cored half recovers.
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Dog Fouling – MS will research Countryside Act to establish exactly what control dogs must be under when roaming on a golf course. Dependant on the outcome appropriate signs advising owners of their responsibilities may be erected at ‘walking areas’.
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Greens are to be verti-drained (solid ‘pencil width’ cores) and top dressed.
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Staff Update – BS advised that the club were short of 2 seasonal staff at this time, but that this was not a cause for concern due to slow growth. Applications for seasonal staff had been invited. Brian Simpson has resigned from full time employment, and a current seasonal member of staff, Colin McLaren (ex Craigie Hill GC) is to replace him, subject to a succesful monitoring period by head greenkeepers.
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Budget – There are no budget concerns at this time, though there is likely to be a reasonably high outlay for sand in the near future. Fertiliser stock is sufficient and is unlikely to require further expenditure at this time. JB confirmed that the club continue to purchase machinery instead of leasing it.
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Summer work programme – MS circulated a template of current work programme schedule for Greens staff which was well received by all. BS will, with the assistance of other head greenkeepers, amend the circulated schedule template so that is accurate for the BGC and resubmit it for consideration.
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18th tee Rosemount – There was unanimous support to move the 18th tee on Rosemount to a position to the right of its current position (facing the green) for H&S reasons, which had also been recommended by STRI. Both white and yellow tees would be moved to the new tee, whilst Ladies would remain on the present tee. There would be a requirement to remove approximately 10 trees, mostly silver birch. The newly planted trees to the right of the fairway will all be uprooted and replanted elsewhere on the courses. The proposed site of the new tee is at the area of burnt grass within the trees to the right of the current tee position. If approved by Committee this would be a winter project undertaken by
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18th tee Lansdowne – A request to use the medal tee to the extreme right of the teeing areas, which has been out of use for some time was supported unanimously. In support of this request it was felt that the trees and foliage to the right of the 18th fairway had grown sufficiently to prevent a reasonable barrier to prevent misdirected shots landing in adjacent gardens.The use of this tee would be for medal and match play only, and for winter league golf.
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AOCB – the following points were discussed:
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DD gave an input into the logic and purpose of ongoing tree maintenance on the courses which was well received by all. DD will prepare an explanation for inclusion in the next e-mail circular, which will also be uploaded to the website.
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Beech tree seedlings on the courses are to be removed by greenstaff.
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Trees with broken stakes are to be re-staked as there is no need to replant them.
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Removal of broken branches and twigs on all the courses should be removed timeously.
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Removal of low growing foliage in the middle of tree plantations is to be reviewed as this can be detrimental to wildlife habitation.
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Martini tee – the wording in the recent e-mail regarding the Martini tee was considered ambiguous. MS clarified that the wording may have been clearer had it stated that it would be used for ‘non counting ‘ competitions/events only. Consideration is to be given to having permanent tee markers on this tee, which cannot be confused with any other tee markers on the course, and apply only to the Martini tee.
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PH asked that consideration be given to extending the current ‘white’ 16th tee to a position nearer to the loch.
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CD asked that consideration be given to delaying coring on Rosemount greens this year. Coring is planned for 21st June which could impact on the condition and subsequently opinion of the course around the time of the Open (at st Andrews), which may attract a larger than normal visitor interest.
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BS confirmed that bunker sand was being reviewed to offer a consistent and good quality in all weather conditions.
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Consideration is to be given, budget dependant, to top dressing teeing grounds on the courses on more regular basis. BS/JB to present estimatedcost of this work and determine if within budget.
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MS will contact Eagle for delivery date of new tee markers.
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DD gave an input into the logic and purpose of ongoing tree maintenance on the courses which was well received by all. DD will prepare an explanation for inclusion in the next e-mail circular, which will also be uploaded to the website.
Next meeting is at 1000 on 10th June 2010.