There seems to be no end to the wet and cold weather. However a couple of sunny days at the end of last week reminded us how quickly things can change, with the course having a run of days open despite further rain on Saturday. Unfortunately persistent rain Sunday night into Monday has led to the course being closed again and all we can do is wait for an improvement.
On the course the team have continued to clear scrub up by the green on Rawcliffe and this work is reaching completion. This will allow gorse and grassland to rejuvenate and create both a better environment for wildlife as well as a more attractive backdrop to the new green due to be constructed.
My time was mostly taken up in 2 areas. Firstly we were conducting interviews for a new greenkeeper. After some consideration we decided on a new addition to our team and are very happy to announce that David Bickerstaff will be soon joining us. David is originally from Marske and has worked in and around the area for most of his life. His Greenkeeping career has seen him employed at both Teeside GC and Ingleby Barwick GC and his ambition to join a top class venue was a stand out reason for his appointment. Please make him feel welcome as I’m sure we all will.
I have also being looking to source an additional tractor to help us improve upon our operations and have been to view some possible options. Once a suitable machine is found this will allow us to better cope with any periods of strong growth where the rough is concerned and also in our attempts to reduce Clover on the course.
The week ahead should see the first tee area on Pennington’s almost completed. Turfing will be carried out to the remaining areas and the path will be topped off with clean material to finish off. Steps will be installed in due course and once the temperatures pick up, wildflower seeds will be sown on the remaining areas of bare soil.
Thanks for reading.