General Course Update
The many key features of our courses and the surrounding vegetation areas continue to mature and present very well. The summer months showcase those extremely well. The striking contrasts between the fine turf, straw coloured native grass roughs and heathland plant vegetation diversity remains evident to showcase our picturesque elite golfing facility. We continue to ensure and measure our key vision to have the playability and presentation levels of our courses truly reflect the synonymous conditions and playability of the Melbourne Sandbelt.
It is pleasing to report that water reserves are at high levels. The most important greens water dam is at full capacity in the mid point of summer. Excellent capture levels of storm water has taken place with the recent summer rainfall events.
The PK Foundation Pro-Am will be run on the South Course next week (Monday 20 January). The Course Team are looking forward to presenting the course at a very high level once again for this event. These events provide very good focus and discipline for the Course Team, but also benefit the courses with the stronger foundations and high standards set from this for all members/guests to enjoy for all club events for the 2025 golfing season.
Fairway Scarifying Update
We have been able to achieve a strong and rapid recovery from the North Course Fairway Scarifying Program undertaken in December 2024. It is approaching four weeks from the end of the program completion, and we expect that the presentation of the fairways in the coming weeks will further elevate to our expected high levels. Importantly, this program enables an improved environment to support turf health and wear recovery, together with an ability to lessen impacts on pest/disease incidence, climate and other environmental factors. The images below show the very strong recovery of the fairways post the renovation program.
Extreme Weather Damage Update – Bunkers & Wasteland Maintenance and Repairs
The extreme weather events of wind, and particularly rain storms, experienced several times from September 2024 impacted many normal programs (e.g. property weed control, prevention and general maintenance tasks). Frustratingly, this created very high levels of extra work in our exposed sand areas of bunkers and wastelands, along with our vegetation areas that remain with reactive programs in place to rectify damages and to catch up on all impacted programs. The vegetation area damage has all been completed with 40% of the bunkers and wastelands repairs and maintenance remaining, but are progressing well. All the repairs are expected to be completed in the coming weeks with selected north course bunkers/wastelands and south wastelands the centre of focus. Local rules remain in place throughout the bunker and wasteland areas whilst the repairs are completed.
Detailed Course Maintenance Work Programs
The images below (creeks, bunkers and wastelands) illustrate some of the detailed work programs that are currently in place and being completed by the Course Team.
Apprentice of the Year
We would like to congratulate Tyler Steed on receiving ”2024 Outstanding 1st Year (Turf Management) Apprentice” award at Holmesglen Tafe. Tyler will receive this award at the Glen Waverley Campus at their awards ceremony in early March. Congratulations Tyler.
Current and Future Course Maintenance Programs
- North Course fairway scarifying renovation recovery maintenance continuation. (January 2025)
- Bunker and wasteland repairs and general maintenance renovation program completion. Focus on North Course bunkers/wasteland and South Course wastelands. (In-progress and to remain ongoing)
- Greens scanning and selective hand-weeding program. (February)
- Couch grass encroachment program on green collars. (Next annual program commencing March)
- Rough density reduction and mowing line extension program. (In-progress and ongoing)
- Wintergrass control/prevention program with-in warm season grass areas. (New programs to commence from March through October)
- Vegetation maintenance programs that include selected slashing, dead/hazardous tree and woody weed removal, blackberry eradication treatment, non indigenous tree suckers and woody weed removal 12/16 South. (In progress and ongoing).
- Additional security fence improvement installation (RHS 17S and sections on Skye Road).
- Annual Drainage Program continuation. Target areas 9N fairway, 2S teeing complex and other selected smaller areas (Timings to be confirmed).
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses