2022 in review

Happy New Year to those reading this.

We ended 2022 weather-wise, with a less than average rainfall total. 800 millilitres or thereabouts is about 200 ml less than where we should be. That said, it was a pretty decent year for golf as the weather extremes were condensed into the months of February (110ml), September (110), October (124) and November (125). December recorded under these (89). So those months from March to end of August were particularly dry and represented weather conducive to weather-friendly golf.

Coming out of the back of the winter of 21/22, we had undertaken some great construction projects; the 5th/14th tees were amalgamated and extended, whilst the path was rerouted to the right side - an area unutilised previously. Hopefully, this was well received by the members. What is certain is that the usable teeing area is much more futureproof and enables wear to be spread around more easily.

There was a need to lessen the impact of errant tee shots entering the residential properties adjacent to the 4th/13th hole. Hence a forward yellow tee was constructed on the carry. The premise behind it's new location was that any golfers attempting to go left with their tee shots would more likely hit the trees which screen the boundary between the golf course and the residential properties. In effect, it's better for golfers playing from this new yellow tee to aim right towards the fairway and aim their tee shots away from the residential properties. As I have not heard any negative reports, I can only assume that this new forward tee has resolved the problem (or within reason!).

The final project we executed was something that I had wished to do for quite some years. To simplify; we had a back tee (was the 2nd tee, now the 11th tee) that was very small, landlocked and had to accommodate 3 sets of tee markers (white, yellow, red). It couldn't accommodate the seasonal wear. As we couldn't extend backwards, we had to go forwards. But we had to consider the adjacent 1st green and surround. So we incorporated the 1st surround into a new extended tee. All mown at the same height of cut, the 1st surround now segues (in a frictionless manner) into the 11th tee. A new trolley path was added along the boundary  edge. The comments have been very positive. Personally, I am very pleased with the end result. It looks really modern and ties in superbly with the adjacent 1st green complex. A proper win/win!

Another wishlist item was also ticked off in February. The golf club made the decision to purchase a set of Bernhard's grinders. These enable the golf club to sharpen mower reels/blades in-house. The cost/benefit (financial numbers) was a no brainer in the end. 

What the golf club were paying for an external contractor to sharpen mower blades has been replaced by the golf club obtaining the finance to purchase the equipment needed to carry out this work in-house. 

The golf club typically used to budget for around £3k (including VAT) of external contractor sharpening. That expenditure is now redirected into finance repayments. But there is a bonus - we can now use our own grinding equipment as often as necessary. As an example, our tees mower used to be sharpened 2-3 times per year by an external contractor. In 2022, we sharpened the tees mower blades 4-5 times. This makes a huge difference to presentation of playing areas and enables our machinery to use less fuel, minimise parts replacement and reduce inputs of fertiliser & water.

Regarding the figures, the return on investment for this capital purchase is about 7 years. Thereafter, the costs are minimal (time and energy costs) and the equipment is then a true asset on the balance sheet. 

As we moved into the traditional Spring months of March-May, things started to get a little drier. Growth inevitably slows with less rainfall and the golf course took on characteristics more associated with links golf; firm, dry and more aligned with the running game. 

Irrigation comes into its own with these conditions and for greens' staff, the objective is to keep grass alive rather than managing growth. Grass will typically shutdown once soil moisture reserves are depleted and rainfall is not forthcoming. Sun & wind only add to the problem. The issue with tees, in particular, is that wear from divots affects growth & recovery. Since grass needs moisture for growth & recovery, irrigation is then needed in abundance. There is always a compromise in life!

With this in mind, and tied in with our ongoing maintenance/development of the fairways, we continued our program of fairway fertilisation. This has been a long winded process and the aim has been to create slow growth & density rather than encourage quick upright growth. So we have made several applications of fertiliser over the past 2-3 years over most fairways. Longer term, members should have fairways that are more consistent and where the ball sits up more without the greens staff needing enormous inputs of mowing to stay on top of an excess of growth. They are certainly a lot better for it and the feedback has been good.

Greens have continued to provide good results this year. Consistency is key and the work we are carrying out to them now centres around verti-cutting, occasional scarifying and moderate inputs of top dressing. Over the next 2-3 years, they should be extra firm, providing excellent consistency year round. We are nearly there with them and it is pleasing to see the results of our inputs.

As we head into early 2023, we look forward to another challenging year, economically. Whilst membership fees will increase marginally, we feel confident that we can continue to offer members & visitors with a better golf course again. 

Much of our focus revolves around innovation - in effect, streamlining tasks so that they become more effective and efficient. So we must be flexible and open to change in order to meet rising expectations. 

We look forward to seeing you all at the golf club in 2023.

Best wishes

Ben Allen