Hi to all members,
As you can all imagine this rain over the past couple of days has put the course back to high saturation levels. We have received over 50mm in those days and its still falling here at Redwood. Year to date and nearing the end of June has pushed our year’s total of rainfall to 1,669mm of rain; 100m short of last year’s annual total. In the last 12 months we have recorded 3 meters of rain.
With all this said and what is obvious for all to see is we aren’t in the best state out there and we are very wet, past saturation capacity and unsafe for golf/work. Talking closely with the club captains and the committee we have made the call to close the course tomorrow (Saturday the 24th). The forecast is not looking great tomorrow afternoon and overnight on Saturday and there is a good chance of a Sunday closure also.
I understand this isn’t pleasant reading, but the figures don’t lie and its what we are all dealing with as a club on a whole. If you were to ask me honestly about my concerns it would be a worry that we are only a month into winter and there is a long road ahead!! Again, I do ask for understanding from you all and appreciate the support shown when making these calls; they are not easy. As a crew we want nothing more than to apply our trade out there for all you to enjoy some golf, but these times are very tough.
As well as this weather causing closures for play its not helping with some important course maintenance; obviously all the grooming but some vital tining, sand topdressing and spraying applications! The weather we have witnessed this year has not only resulted in the overall dampness of the place but bringing lots of defects across the whole course in the sense of more annual weeds and accumulation of thatch build up. Next year's coring in March; we will be renovating the greens with the bigger 5/8 cores and could possibly be done again in October to get on top of the thatch levels.
I am working closely with Brett Dormer (club captain/course conveyor) about putting a strategic plan together with what is needed out there on the course. This will be an open document for all to see once it's complete. The first stage of this will be a hole-by-hole outline on what is urgently needed out on there on the course; the second stage would be an overview on what could be added or constructed out on the course for more serious work/plans. At some point the question will be asked from the members on their views and an indication of going forward.
Regards,
Daniel Godek
Course Superintendent
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