Golf Course Update – 3Q 2022.
Hopefully the worst of the winter is behind us and we will start to see some stunning spring golf weather. As you know winter bought with it several severe storms and a lot of wet weather. I would like to thank Neil and his team for not only the way they have presented the course during this period but for the efforts in cleaning up the course after the storms.
Observant members will have noticed some new trees have been planted on the left-hand side of the 5th fairway. You will probably remember a number of White Gums were removed from this area a few years ago and the new trees have been planted as part of the club’s tree management plan. This is in line with the Master plan. In total 15 Tuarts have been planted and are currently staked so free relief is available. In the near future a local rule will deem these as no play zones meaning that taking relief will be compulsory.
In the coming weeks reeds will be planted around the dam to improve the aesthetics of this area. Initially the penalty area will still be defined by the edge of the dam liner. Under the new local rule (mentioned above) the reed area will be deemed a no play area and free relief must be taken. This rule will be in place until the reeds have become well established.
Coring will be undertaken on the week commencing the 12th September and although this results in some short-term inconvenience it is necessary to ensure the long-term quality of the golf course. The tees, fairways and green surrounds will all be single cored with the greens getting their customary double core. Preferred lies will be available after the coring until the course recovers. Some tree maintenance will take place with some trimming back of encroaching branches but no removal of any trees.
The practice hitting nets have taken a bit longer to complete than anticipated and I thank members for their patience while these have been unavailable. The main factor in the timing was awaiting the delivery of the new hitting mats which will allow users to use their own tees. I am pleased to say these have arrived and so we are hoping to have the upgrade complete within the next couple of weeks dependant on weather and contractor availability. New carpet needs to be laid (old carpet has been removed), the nets hung and then the facility will once again be available.
Just a reminder that whenever possible please enter bunkers at the lowest point. Limiting people walking down the faces gives us the best opportunity of hardening the faces and reduce the possibility of plugged lies. Blue lines have been painted on many of the bunkers so please look-out for them and enter the bunkers between these lines. I personally think the quality of the bunkers has improved since we have been machining them twice a week so ask for everyone’s help in keeping them in the best possible condition.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me when you see me around the club.
Dean Stewart, Greens Chair, Mandurah Country Club
