There’s only one place to start in this month’s update — the much-anticipated reopening of the Driving Range.
Following the completion of renovation work in early spring, we entered what we hoped would be a straightforward period of growth and recovery. However, nature had other plans. A four-month drought, coupled with record low rainfall, presented unexpected challenges and delayed progress significantly.
Thankfully, relief finally arrived in mid-July with a full week of consistent rain. This timely downpour brought about a surge in growth, allowing the newly seeded grass to establish. As a result, the field is now in good enough condition for use.
We’re delighted to welcome you back and hope you enjoy the Driving Range with its new features. Work completed should also see its availability during the winter increase significantly.
The rain didn’t just help the range either, with the course reaching peak condition for the season as the turf eagerly soaked up the water it had long been waiting for.
Greens
While the greens have performed well overall, the prolonged dry conditions meant many of the blemishes left over from winter had yet to fully recover.
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Our irrigation system has done a solid job keeping the turf alive, but it simply can’t match the consistency or volume of natural rainfall.
Thankfully, within just a few days of steady rain, the greens quickly moved from a good standard to a very high standard.
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This timed perfectly for the club championship weekend, with the course really at its best for competitors.
Tees
The tees have probably suffered the most during the drought. With a very busy course and virtually no growth, divot repair simply couldn’t keep up. Normally, as we rotate tee markers and carry out repairs, the turf has time to recover — but that just hasn’t been the case this season, leaving many tees heavily worn.
Thankfully, following the recent rain, seed is now beginning to take over the repaired areas, and with improved growth, conditions are looking much better overall. That said, a few isolated spots are still struggling and will likely require returfing during the off-season.
Bunkers
Dry conditions can actually make bunkers easier to smooth over, but as the sand continues to dry out, it often begins to bake hard — especially in areas where the sand is older and mixed with finer soil particles. This creates firmer surfaces that make bunker shots more difficult, particularly for less experienced players.
While bunkers are hazards by design and not expected to play perfectly, ideally the sand should be loose enough for a club to slide under the ball, allowing golfers of all abilities a fair chance to get it back into play.
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After the recent rainfall, we were able to dig over the sand and fluff it up again. Although a time-consuming task, it’s made a noticeable difference to both the playability and appearance of the bunkers.
Heavy Trafficked Areas
Similar to the tees, areas with heavy golfer traffic struggle under drought stress, especially at pinch points around the greens.
Here, bare patches combined with clumpy ryegrass become more noticeable and can impact play.
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While these problem spots are isolated, some returfing will be inevitable this winter to restore them properly.
Nature
We haven’t had as much time to appreciate or mention the nature onsite this year with so much work going on.
However, despite the long dry spell I’m sure you have noticed the abundance of wildlife thriving across the course.
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Wildflowers such as bird’s-foot trefoil and marsh orchids are blooming in many of the rougher, undisturbed areas. Butterflies and moths are a common sight, flitting between the flowers, while dragonflies and damselflies patrol the ponds and wetlands.
The birdlife has been particularly impressive. Yellowhammers, Linnets & Stonechats can be seen regularly around the course, and we’ve had a host of birds of prey making the most of the open skies and healthy ecosystem. A pair of Barn Owls successfully reared three chicks in our nest boxes, and we’ve also had Peregrine Falcons, Tawny Owls, and even a Merlin — a less common visitor and a real treat for anyone lucky enough to spot it.
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Amphibians have also made their presence felt. Despite the drought, our ponds — though low in water — remain alive with Great Crested Newts, frogs, toads and more. These habitats are teeming with life and play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the course.
Roe Deer have been seen roaming the fairways, with Brown Hares frequently darting across the open ground. Swans continue to grace our water features, adding a peaceful and elegant presence, with the humorous Moorhens entertaining us as they bob about.
The course has been fantastic to play and with so much to see while on the course, the enjoyment of a round becomes so much greater.
I personally even managed time for a game, in the South Cleveland Heart Fund Charity Day and found it thoroughly enjoyable!
Thanks for reading
As a new member I think you and your team do a fantasticjob mantaining the course i think tje greens are great and love putting on them please keep it up it ia a great place to be.