Greetham Valley members’ feedback required!

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on May 23, 2012

Hello again all – it’s been a while since my last blog and quite a lot has happened in between, so I will do my best to keep it brief.
 
The feedback I received after the Anniversary weekend was all good. The courses were in excellent condition and I would like to thank all my staff for their hard work in the lead up.

But boy! Did we get a shock afterwards! It rained and rained and then rained some more! In April alone Greetham Valley had 172mm of rain, which is more than was reported on the national news as the max that they had recorded. Rutland rain rules! This obviously triggered tremendous grass growth and we did our best to keep the course cut and presentable when it was almost too wet to be on the courses. I had to introduce a buggy ban on the Valley course, which is a first for April - apologies to all whom this inconvenienced, but it really was necessary. We evaluated the situation on a daily basis and lifted the ban at the earliest opportunity.
 
May has been a bit kinder in the resepct that the rain eased a bit and allowed us to get a good dry cut on everything, which always looks better, although we could have done with a bit more sunshine! However, as I write this the forecast is indeed for some warmer weather this week.
 
The new sprayer which we purchased earlier in the year has been out on several occasions and what a difference it makes. It has speeded the job up and also enables us to be 100% accurate with volume rates etc. Unfortunately, the time we save in the actual spraying operation is taken up in the meticulous cleaning of the machine, as I am determined to keep it in showroom condition for as long as possible - (you could say “I love it”).
 
Your feedback please! I have currently got a trial going on on some of the fairways on the Lakes course.  The 1st  has been fertilised with the usual slow release, which is on the majority of our fairways;  the 5th  has been fed with an organic fertiliser and the 9th is being fed with liquids. Feedback from members would be extremely valuable – do you see any difference in the three fairways? There is quite a difference in cost and as long as we don’t compromise on the quality, there could be quite a cost saving if rolled out on to all the fairways, which could go towards, say…… a greenkeepers’ party!!!!!
 
Hopefully that’s brought you all up to date, I will try not to leave it as long for my next report from the greens.

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Greetham Valley golf course maintenance update March 2012

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on March 12, 2012

Screening the 'homemade' compost ready for the coursesWith the snow well and truly gone, the greenkeeping team has been able to cut many areas of the courses to get a bit of definition back. The slow release fertiliser is now being applied to all areas to encourage some growth and I am starting to slowly lower the heights of cut.
 
The composting that we started last year has been a success; we are now screening all of last year’s decomposed leaves and kitchen waste, and will be spreading it on to some of the weaker fairways to improve the organic matter content, which will help to produce a thicker and heathier sward.
 
We have planted some 300 new trees (to be named Den’s Spinney in honour of the sterling voluntary work Dennis Millington performs on behalf of Greetham Valley and the members) on the right of the 9th fairway on the Lakes course; this will tighten up the hole and provide some protection between the 9th and 5th. They are very small at present but with some feeding and spraying of the bases and of course some wettish Rutland summers, they will soon grow into good size standards to create a hazard. In the meantime, all the trees should be treated as staked trees and relief taken to avoid damaging them.
 
I have now started to prepare the courses for
Enlarged 7th bunker Lakes course - beware!Greetham Valley’s 20th Anniversary in order to get them in the best possible condition that the climate will allow – please, no more snow! I will be topdressing the greens as soon as I can see a settled couple of days, this will only be a light dressing so will not disrupt golf in any way, but will improve the smoothness of the surface. The bunkers have been edged and banks will be mown in the next couple of weeks. The final tweaking will be the last week in March when everything will be cut to the regular summer heights, and I can assure you all that the courses will be presented in the best possible condition that mother nature will allow us to do.

Enjoy your golf this month! Adi

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SNOW UPDATE

Posted by Dee Hinch, Business & Marketing Director on February 14, 2012

Tuesday 14th February 8.30am. COURSES ARE OPEN!!! Lakes,Valley and Academy are all open, on temporary greens as the main greens are still frozen. Adi will inspect Wednesday morning and will change to main greens if possible. If not, it’ll be main greens on Thursday. Get your tee time booked, get in the car and we’ll see you at Greetham Valley very soon!

Monday 13th February 9am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. But Robert and Adi are convinced that, if the Rutland weather forecast  remains accurate (well, reasonably…),the courses will become playable on TUESDAY morning!!!  The greenkeepers have started work today to get the Academy course and Lakes front 9 open first thing tomorrow morning, followed by the rest of the complex as soon as poss. In the meantime, the Driving Range is open - who is getting underfoot at home?

Sunday 12th February 6pm. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Because it’s night time again. But before it got dark, Robert and I went for a 4×4 trek across the golf courses to check out how the thaw is coming along. Snow bunkers galore still; the fairways are now showing patches of green but what really surprised me was how the greens and tees are holding onto a pristine duvet of snow at least 2 inches thick. Apparantly the sand mix retains the lower temperature for longer. OK. Robert and Adi the course manager will have a good prowl at dawn tomorrow and I will  post my next update as soon as I know the situation.

Sunday 12th February 8am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Oh joy – a burst pipe over at the Driving Range. Robert’s been up there since 7am with PJ Plumbing on speed dial! Warmer overnight last night (well, warmer than -15c anyway) and the weather forecast for Rutland is for a thaw to set in. So – how long to melt the 4 inches of snow lying on the courses? We’ll keep you posted!

Saturday 11th February 4pm. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Been well below freezing all day and had our first burst pipe, quickly sorted by PJ Plumbing – thank you! Hopefully warmer tomorrow. Access fine for tonight’s Valentine’s Party Night – guests are arriving to check into the Hotel now. Have a great time everyone!

Saturday 11th February 9am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. And at -15c this morning I suspect they’ll stay closed for a few more days….Bright but very cold for the rest of the day, but weather forecast is for warmer temps Sunday and into next week, with no more snow for Rutland. A few frozen pipes about and I’ve seen the first icicles of this cold snap – pretty but I’d prefer to see them dripping with a thaw. The lakes are covered in thin ice, with the ducks skating on Meg’s Lake. Have to keep an eye on Jazz as she’d like to join them. Are there any Golf Clubs in the Golf Club Network open? Some of our members are going stir crazy….

Friday 10th February 4.30pm. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Although a thaw did set in this morning and it’s been slightly above freezing all day. No more snow forecast and it looks as though the thaw will continue during tomorrow and Sunday. No access problems for Freddie’s birthday party tonight or the Valentines Party tomorrow night!

Friday 10th February 9.30am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Because last night we had another 2 inches of snow dumped on top of the last lot. So the only sign of life on Greetham Valley golf courses this morning was Jazz, who thoroughly enjoyed herself dashing through the snow like Rudolph. Robert’s snowplough and the greenkeepers have been hard at work since 6am, the driveway and carpark are clear. The roads were also clear doing the school run from GV to Stamford and back this morning, the gritters have definitely been out and about. And yes, the log burner is glowing merrily away in the Lounge Bar at Greetham Valley - there’s a guest curled up next to it on a sofa with a hot chocolate and a book – might go and join her!

Thursday 9th February 8pm. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Well of course they are, it’s night time. But on top of it being dark – it’s darned well snowing and has been since 5pm.  Robert has just started up the snowplough and has trundled off to clear GV’s drive. When he comes back it’s also his turn to walk Jazz – again.  I haven’t told him yet that the forecast is for the snow to continue for the next 36 hours. Yay. We’ll keep the lane, drive and car parks clear for easy access on Saturday night for the Valentine’s Party Night, though – fret ye not! And RCC will keep the main road gritted too.

Thursday 9th February 11.30am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. We’ve been waiting to see how much thaw would occur today – but are now glum – not enough to make playing viable. And the forecast is a 52% probability of snow/sleet overnight tonight, with temps around or below freezing for the next 48 hours. Not good news for golfers or people who have to walk the dog at 6am. But it’s nice and cosy in the Lounge Bar at Greetham Valley!

Wednesday 8th February 7am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF.  Bizarre – crispy, crunchy refrozen snow and ice underfoot when Robert was walking Jazz, but no air frost. Completely clear windscreens for the school run this morning. So still no golf I’m afraid; forecast is for a slight thaw again this afternoon but then below freezing temps again overnight, followed by possible sprinkling of snow Thursday and Friday. Bleh. Still, it was nice and busy at lunch yesterday – who says you have to stay bundled up at home? Roads etc still clear to get to Greetham Valley for a ‘Turkey Balls’ winter meal deal!

Tuesday 7th February 12noon. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. Yesterday’s slight thaw helped clear the roads but then the freezing temperatures overnight froze all the meltwater again – now it’s even slippier out there! The roads nearby, Wood Lane, driveway and carparks are all still clear thanks to Robert and his trusty snowplough and the greenkeepers gritting and we’ve got some visitors for lunch - I just saw the ‘Turkey Balls’ hat being passed around! Currently we have a slight thaw again today – but the forecast is for temps of -8 overnight. Great. Not.

Monday 6th February 8am. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF. It rained in the night at GV then froze on top of the lying snow. Black ice about on minor roads but our carparks, lane and beyond are all clear. Unlike the golf courses sadly, which are still covered, although a thaw has set in this afternoon. Forecast is for freezing conditions again tonight, then a thaw again tomorrow. Watch this space! We’ll open the courses as soon as we can. Meanwhile, a number of golfers have been in the Lounge Bar today, drinking coffee and gazing longingly across the valley…..

Sunday 5th February 7.30am. The B668 through Greetham village and to the A1 has been gritted, Wood Lane from the crossroads, Greetham Valley drive and the carparks have all been snowploughed this morning – access no problem for Sunday lunch. COURSES ARE CLOSED FOR GOLF unsurprisingly.

Saturday 4th February 11.30pm. Started snowing at Greetham Valley at 5pm and it hasn’t stopped. Currently about four inches deep – and it’s still coming down but slowing. Check back here for an update Sunday morning – but don’t expect to play golf!Robert is out on the snowplough right now clearing the drive and Wood Lane up to the crossroads for the 3rd time tonight. We have a party of 200 tonight in the Rutland Suite, so we’re aiming to get them all home. But some have booked into the Hotel last minute instead!

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Winter golf course maintenance continues at Greetham Valley

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on January 30, 2012

Well, Christmas has come and gone without any of the white stuff falling, which has given everyone a chance to get out and enjoy the golf courses when in previous years it has not been possible.

The weather conditions have been favourable to allow us to continue to present the courses in good order, which will give us an excellent platform to start the new season. I am already planning the purchase of the fairway fertiliser and if these conditions continue I will be fertilising towards the end of February.
 
The benches are now back out on the courses after my staff have repaired and treated them; the tee markers have been painted and are ready for the start of the season; we just have the flag poles to do when the next inclement weather arrives.
 
We have started to replenish the sand in the bunkers, and still have a few more of the bunker faces to repair, which will be done throughout February along with bunker edging.
 
I have spoken to Robert about brightening up the car park, and we are looking at some sort of planting that will define the parking lines a bit better along with improving the aesthetics.
 
We are at present extending the 10th medal tee on the Lakes, which was made possible when we moved the path last year. This should be completed within the next two weeks. 
 
I was hoping to block pave some more paths this winter but we haven’t had time; maybe in March I will be able to finish around the putting green, and then we will plan to carry on with the remainder at the end of the year.

Enjoy your golf! Regards, Adi

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Sexy new equipment for Greetham Valley’s golf courses!

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on December 15, 2011

New Toro fairway mower - Adi's latest pride and joyJust a quick update before the festive period begins…..
 
This has been the first year in my 17 years at Greetham Valley that we have had to cut the fairways in December. The only problem is that we sold the fairway mower last week and we had to cut the fairways with the tees mowers! Luckily, today we have taken delivery of a brand spanking new very good looking Toro fairway mower.
 
Sexy new Toro sprayerAt the same time we took delivery of a new dedicated Toro sprayer as well, so when you see it out on the course please take a minute to have a look at it, and I will happily explain the the all-singing, all-dancing, state of the art features on it. It is truly amazing! Although Robert tells me that it has only replicated what was available on his and Frank’s agricultural sprayers many years ago….
 
The greens are looking and playing well at the moment and I see no reason why this can’t continue throughout December and into January. We are, however, getting to the period when the preventative fungicide programme that I follow is coming to an end, so if the mild weather continues the greens will be vulnerable to an attack. So we will be carrying out all the usual cultural practices to try to prevent it. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a frosty Xmas period!!
 
 I will be back with another update in January when I will explain about some of the changes and improvements to the course that we will be doing for 2012.

 I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Adi

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Maintenance on the golf courses in November

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on November 18, 2011

Autumn trees on the golf coursesIt is absolutely amazing how mild and dry it still is for the middle of November!

We are still cutting greens 3 times a week – the grass is so healthy,  it’s really enjoying the mild conditions and simply won’t stop growing! Hopefully the fairways have now had their last cut and we will soon be starting the aeration work on them.

Placing on fairways is now in operation and soon I will be moving the yellow tees forward onto the grass winter teeing areas. There are still only 4 mats that will be used this winter and they are on the 3rd, 13th, 18th on the Valley and the 10th on the lakes.
 
We are doing our best to clear up the leaves as quickly as we can – the joys of so many deciduous trees all over the golf courses! –  so please be patient as I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to be looking for your ball among the leaf fall.
 
We are continuing with some re-turfing work around the course and will start on the bunker banks shortly.
 
I am in the process of planning further changes and improvements to the courses eg extra or larger bunkers, tee improvements etc. Greetham Valley members often have excellent and sensible suggestions regarding increasing enjoyment of play so please do jot them down and hand them to Frank or Robert, who will filter out the possibilities (cheapest) and pass them on to me.
 
Regards for now, enjoy this unseasonal weather while it lasts!

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Maintenance work on Greetham Valley’s golf course

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on November 3, 2011

Aerating the 7th greenI would like to explain the reason for the work on the 7th green on the Valley course.
 
We have aerated the front half of the green with 25mm tines to a depth of 300mm, and filled the holes using 1-2mm grit. This has been done using large funnels as seen here. The reason for this work is to improve the infiltration rate, (the rate at which water moves through the profile). You may have previously noticed the front half of the green had become a bit yellow compared to the back, and this is due to the air space in the rootzone being taken up by water that can’t move through the profile quick enough. If not corrected this would lead to anaerobic conditions resulting in weak growth and thin sward.
 
Drainage work on 11th fairwayThe drainage work on the 11th fairway on the Valley course will commence on Monday31st October and hopefully be completed by Wednesday 2nd November, during which time the 10th and 11th holes will be closed. Thankyou in advance for your understanding of the requirement for this essential golf course maintenance work.

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September at Greetham Valley

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on October 16, 2011

September officially sees the start of Autumn, but in my opinion it seems to be getting later and later. With the air temp and soil temp above average at present, I believe we will see continued grass growth well into November. Good! This will enable us to continue to present the courses in the condition they are at present.

I am in the process of planning the drainage to the 11th fairway on the Valley course. I would love to get it all complete by the end of this month or the first week in November. It may be necessary to close the hole for a few short periods, but this will be kept to an absolute minimum, and we will give plenty of notice so you can plan your golf around it.

I will be fertilising the tees this week along with the surrounds. Heights of cut will be raised in order to help the grass tolerate the wear and tear during periods of low growth.

Fairways raised to 17mm
Tees raised to 14mm
Greens raised to 4.5mm and then to 5mm in November for the duration of the winter.

We will shortly be carrying out renovation work to some of the bunker banks that have erroded, and as time permits, continue with the block paved pathways.

I entered a pairs competition in the summer with the course manager from Glenn Gorse Golf Club (just greenkeepers from the East Midlands) and we have got through to the final, which is to be played at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club in Berkshire. We are playing a pair from Market Harborough GC. The final is the third week of October, so I will let you know how we got on in my next blog.

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I like the rain!

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on September 16, 2011

The bit of rain during August was very much needed and has promoted a little growth throughout all areas of the course. The greens have now fully recovered from the renovation work we carried out recently. The Bent seed has all germinated, the vertidrain holes are covered over, but are still open under the surface, which will encourage deep rooting through a well aerated rootzone and so put the greens in the best of health leading into the Autumn/Winter.

Over the next few weeks we will be demonstrating some new pieces of equiptment to start our machine replacement programme. This will start in Spring 2012 and continue through to 2014 during which time we will have replaced all our major mowing and spraying equipment.

I have started to plan some course improvement work for the winter, and one area I would like to improve is the drainage on some of the Valley fairways. We will probably just do one fairway this Autumn and then assess the improvements through the Winter before we commit to doing any more.
We will hire in a chain trencher and carry out the work ourselves to keep the costs to a minimum. There will be many more projects that we will undertake throughout the course of the winter but I will explain about those as and when they happen.

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August on The Green ..

Posted by Adi Porter, Course Manager on July 15, 2011

I have just returned from a 2 week cruise around the med and just about got my land legs back in time to start work on Monday. Stuart, my deputy, took charge during one of our busiest fortnights and I would like to thank him for maintaining our high standards through Captains’ Weekend and also the Pro-Am with limited staff.

You may have noticed this week that we have been carrying out some severe maintenance work on the Valley greens. It may seem more disruptive than you are used to seeing, and the reason for this is that I now carry out all the major renovation work at the same time, whereas in the past this has been split up, previously creating 2-3 periods of disruption as opposed to just one.

The work that we have carried out is…. vertidraining (deep aeration), hollowtining (thatch removal), scarifying, overseeding and then topdressing. And now with all this work out of the way, you can enjoy good quality putting surfaces for the remainder of the year and into 2012.

I will shortly be fertilizing the tees surround and fairways with a liquid feed in order to keep the growth ticking over as we head towards the Autumn.

I thought I would list some rainfall figures so you can see just how dry this spring/summer has been.

                  2010          2011
March        39mm        4mm
April           15mm        2mm
May            19mm        33mm
June           45mm       40mm
July            47mm       67mm

Total         165mm      146mm

Last year was one of the driest on record and this year has been even dryer. As a comparison, for the same period in 2009, we had 238mm!!!!!

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