9th Progress

The 9th is beginning to take shape now with the bunkers moved, reshaped and having the drainage installed, we will putting the rubber crumb in the base within the next 4 weeks.

The Extension is also taking shape and will be completed this week.

 The Mounding and drainage around the hole are complete with the final topsoil and shaping taking place this week before we look at getting the turf in when we have a good weather window.

Surfaces Mid October

Looking great for October and after 3 inches of rain in 7 days.  (Please no more rain this week)!

Greens 3mm Hand Mown with JD 220SL

 

 

 Fairways 15mm with JD 8000A

Great Team

Congratulations to my team for last weeks efforts.  Working there Butts off as always in some terrible weather.

The Midlands Golf Union V South West Counties was a huge success and the Midlands team won.

We managed to get the greens smooth and running at 12.3 by the afternoon singles.( Not bad for Mid October!!!)

The Officials from both sides were full of praise about the condition of the course and the Midlands Captain tweeted

David Gibson‏@DavidGibson36 Oct 17

@RobinHoodGC and a BIG shout out to the best green keeper and green staff this side of the moon #thebest

 

 

The 2nd Hole

The biggest change to the 3 holes reconstructed this winter.  The 2nd has had a new pond built in place of an old cross bunker at the front of the green.  The bunker to the right of the hole has been lifted and reshaped so it is visable from the fairway and we have extended the green out to the right and rear of the original green to add interest and give us further pin positions.  The sleeper wall has been installed to add interest around the pond and a fountain to aerate the water.

New 4th Hole

 

 The 4th has had 2 new bunkers installed with a rubber crumb base as well as a further 100 metres of additional drainage around the green surround.   The Bunkers have been raised and completely reshaped to be able to see them from further down the fairway.  The green surrounds have had many 100's of tonnes tipped and shaped to add definition to the hole.

New 5th Hole

  

 

New 5th Hole 

 

5th Hole Prior to opening on Good Friday.  3 new bunkers with a rubber crumb base, over 400metres of drainage added and a green extension

 

New Banking to ease maintenance and health and safety concerns as well as creating added interest and a fairer result for the golfer who misses the green slightly.

New tee Installed combining a path and the winter tee mat.

Better Bunkers

We are constantly trying to find ways of improving the way our bunkers play.  The biggest issues for us over the past few years has been stones in bunkers and washouts which makes getting consistant bunkers difficult.  We have trialed a method last summer and this year we have enhanced the method and rolled it out to the 6 Bunkers we have reconstructed this winter.

Step 1
Take one hideous bunker that does not drain and start all over again

 

Step 2 

Reshape the bunker improving aesthetics making it add to the make up of the hole

Step 3 

Install Drainage to a positive outlet and then stone the base follow this with a compactor

 

Step 4

Install a Mix of permeable Resin and rubber mix that will prevent stones from coming through the surface but will also prevent washdown and sand contamination helping to keep sand levels consistent. 

 Rubber troweled to a uniform depth then it is tampered down to give a smooth finish

 

Finished product all ready for final shaping & Turfing.  Sand installation will be in early April.