Previous Questions

Re- the "Powell" bench at rear old 7th green; this Bench is surrounded by high grass and while I could question the location, given no tees are currently being used nearby, don’t you agree that the area looks neglected which does not enhance the overall appearance of the course? (Jun 2007)

As we are removing/ cutting down a lot of trees, would it not be possible to relocate a couple of 'established' trees back on the left of the 8th? (Jun 2007)

We have gone to much expense installing the astro turf paths, but look like we are about to lose some to weeds, especially to the rear of the 4th tee, can we not keep these weed free fairly easily? (Mar 2007)

Can you please tell me why the trees and growth have been cut out on the left of the 8th fairway, are there plans to alter the hole or is it just a mass clearing? (Feb 2007)

Is it possible to remove two or three small trees by the side of the Ladies 10th tee as they impair vision of the 7th fairway and players cannot see when it is clear to drive off the 7th? (Nov 2006)

Can the path down to the first tee be covered in ‘astroturf’ to kill the noise of trolleys when players are teeing off? (Oct 2006)

Question:
Re- the "Powell" bench at rear old 7th green; this Bench is surrounded by high grass and while I could question the location, given no tees are currently being used nearby, don’t you agree that the area looks neglected which does not enhance the overall appearance of the course? (Jun 2007)

Answer:
I agree that the area around the 8th tee and path is becoming overgrown and needs attention. Although we cut the tee banks every fortnight, the path edges and surrounding areas can only be maintained when manpower is available.

We have attempted to incorporate areas around benches as part of the tee work but with the ladies tee on the 8th having been moved back up the hill, the Powell bench is no longer in a regularly managed area and has been missed.

I agree that this area does not present the best image for the course and the work required to rectify this is in our work plans. I will ensure that this bench gets regular attention in the future.

Question:
As we are removing/ cutting down a lot of trees, would it not be possible to relocate a couple of 'established' trees back on the left of the 8th? (Jun 2007)

Answer:
One of the main reasons for removing the trees from the left hand side of the 8th and cutting back the rough was to re-establish the upland heath/moorland character of the course. This is an ongoing process which includes the removal of trees from other areas as well, to encourage the establishment of heather and heathland scrub. There are no plans to replace the trees taken from the 8th last year.

The only other tree removal which took place last winter was on the 5th and 7th and this was due to wind damage. These areas will be re-planted at the end of this year using native tree saplings from around the course.

The majority of tree work carried out last winter involved planting new trees amongst existing tree copses to regenerate these areas e.g. 1st/18th and 16th/17th.

The largest established trees we have managed to relocate in the past have been around 12ft tall and this has proved to be a massive job for us with the equipment we have available. Consequently this prevents us from re-locating large established trees when areas are being cleared.

The new Greens Committee fully support our plans for tree work and heather establishment and are also keen to see gorse established on the course.

Question:
We have gone to much expense installing the astro turf paths, but look like we are about to lose some to weeds, especially to the rear of the 4th tee, can we not keep these weed free fairly easily? (Mar 2007)

Answer:
We are aware that when tee placement moves during winter and the paths aren't in use that weeds do tend to grow through the astroturf. At the moment at the back of the 3rd green most traffic is cutting through the trees with no traffic at all going to the back of the main 4th tee.

Since November all our attention has been focused on completing the winter construction work. But for the start of the golf season (Captains drive in) I intend to clean and weed all the paths.

For some time it has been a policy of the Greens Committee to use as as few chemicals as possible on the course including weed killer. However, we will be using weed killer on these areas and as the traffic builds up over the summer months normal foot traffic will help to reduce any new growth of weeds.

I will be suggesting to the new Greens Committee that in future the winter construction work is restricted to the months before Christmas. This will leave from January until the start of the season to work on course preparation and tidying areas around the course including paths.

Question:
Can you please tell me why the trees and growth have been cut out on the left of the 8th fairway, are there plans to alter the hole or is it just a mass clearing? (Feb 2007)

Answer:
The work being carried out on the 8th has been split into two phases.

Phase 1 is almost complete and includes the installation of a drainage system starting at the green and working back to the landing area. This entails utilising the open trench that ran down the left hand side of the fairway on the edge of the rough ground as a take away drain for 10 lateral drains running across the fairway at 10 metre intervals. As part of this work the open drain will be filled in and will no longer be a hazard as before.

Phase 2, which includes cutting back the rough grassland and removal of a small number of trees, will improve the quality of the rough down the left hand side to make it more suitable for golf. This type of work is being carried out all around the golf course and includes maintaining the heather to a suitable height making it possible to locate a ball more easily and also to play a shot from the heather. We are also trying to improve the quality of the roughland grasses across the course and this is seen as essential on this hole which has some of the roughest unsuitable grasses on the course.

In spring the rough on the bottom side of the 8th fairway will be cleared and overseeded with finer grasses which should make the hole more attractive and playable for all levels of golfer.

In addition we have an ongoing grassland and tree management programme that we are carrying out on the course and this includes clearing trees that are considered to be offering little value to playability or the visual appearance of the course. A maintenance programme will also be set up for the 8th and other areas of rough to create a more managed hazard.

There are currently no plans to dramatically change the shape of the hole although the addition of bunkers has been discussed for future consideration. It may be worth noting that this is one of the few holes that from the tee you have a clear view of the full hole in front of you and would give the club an ideal opportunity with the use of bunkers to have a "strategic" golf hole.

We hope that after this work has been completed the 8th and 9th fairway areas will become safer as golfers on the 8th will be less inclined to play their shot towards the right hand side of the 8th fairway.

Question:
Is it possible to remove two or three small trees by the side of the Ladies 10th tee as they impair vision of the 7th fairway and players cannot see when it is clear to drive off the 7th? (Nov 2006)

Answer:
The problem with the poor vision from the 7th tee to the 7th landing area is already known to the Greens Committee. Over the last few years at least a dozen mature trees have been removed, including 3 last year whilst the ladies new 10th tee was being built.

There is a problem because of the way the group of holes from the 7th to the 10th have been designed, with the trees coming into play and being part of the 9th hole just as much as the 7th, otherwise we could remove as many as we wanted.

This winter efforts will be made to improve the view of the 7th fairway by up-pruning and thining of the tree crowns and if deemed suitable the removal of a number of trees.

A second option for the members to consider and raise with the Greens Committee if felt sensible, is to move the 7th tee to the left of the existing tee giving a clearer view of the landing area, reducing dangers on the 9th green and 10th tee and emphasising the dog leg features of the new 7th hole.

Question:
Can the path down to the first tee be covered in ‘astroturf’ to kill the noise of trolleys when players are teeing off? (Oct 2006)

Answer:
Just the type of question that we are looking for on Askagreenkeeper; the simple answer is Yes

When we started the programme of path building 12 years ago, our main objective was to ensure that all the areas on the course that needed paths, and there were many, got paths. The red shale material had been used previously and in general was well liked. A decision was made to use the same material throughout the course to ensure uniformity and this was done.

We are now in the process of replacing all the red shale paths with astroturf which requires less maintenance, blends in better and is also quieter to walk on.

Priority for replacement has been given to paths that have required high amounts of maintenance, i.e. the 3rd and the 8th, with future plans for the 2nd and 10th. Now that the problem of the 1st tee path has been brought to our attention, plans can be put in place to bring this onto our list.