I would like to bring you up to date on the progress on the Golf Course Remodelling Project and to explain the priorities and reasoning for the current work being undertaken.
The outstanding works are listed below for the golf course, and for many of you playing regularly, will be more than apparent.
New 1st White Tee
Reinstatement of removed old 10th green on 1st fairway
Approach Bunkers on 3rd
Buggy Path at 4th
Pond Surrounds at 4th
Fairway bunkers on 5th
Roughs between 3rd & 5th
15th Tees & Green
There is significant work being carried out on the driving range, and you are entitled to ask why this is being tackled ahead of the work on the course. The main reasons for this are;
- The course main route is playable despite the outstanding works
- Weather conditions have been challenging and we need to ensure the seeding work on the course is undertaken under the correct conditions. Autumn seeding is always the best time for a quick and efficient establishment
- The work on the range needs to be carried out during the summer to enable us to sow the grass this autumn, and enable opening at the earliest opportunity in 2009
- The course has been very busy and carrying out the work on the course would have been disruptive to our golfers
- Working on the course during the peak golfing period does not make efficient use of the resources available to us, due to having to work around golfers and carries an increased risk of injury to those carrying out the work. We try to carry out the most disruptive course maintenance practices ahead of the golf each day, with staff then moving on to construction or less disruptive work
It is our intention to complete the outstanding works on the course this Autumn, We will start to undertake this work over the coming weeks, as the course becomes less busy and during the correct soil and weather conditions.
During this period, I can assure you that we will not reduce to 9 holes as we did over the last two winters. I would however ask you to take extra care when playing near staff and always ensure it is safe to do so.
The Driving Range
It will not have gone un-noticed the amount of earth-works being undertaken in the range area. Most of the range area would not have been visible from the teeing grounds due to the shape of the land. We have removed all the top soil, to allow us to shape the subsoil and create visible landing areas. We are also creating large elevated grass teeing grounds to help with this. Once the correct profile has been established the top soil will be re-spread to allow seeding. We shall release updated plans shortly giving more detailed information on the layout of the range, which will provide excellent practise facilities for all standards of golfer.
I would like to thank everyone for the positive feedback we have received and for your patience throughout this challenging period.
If there are any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I am always willing to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you have.
Andrew Mellon - amellon@elmwood.ac.uk
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