FROM THE COURSERainfall for the week 0.0mm
Rainfall for the year 1090.0mm Another busy week for the course team this week with some repair work being performed to collars, spray applications continued on fairways, roughs, and green surrounds, and positive signs regarding the 14th pond. Returfing of larger bare areas on collars around the 1st, 14th, 16th and 18th greens has been performed this week using turf from the former 12th ladies tee pad. Course staff firstly cut out and removed all material from the bare areas using our manual turf cutter. The same machine is then used to cut out strips of turf from the old 12th tee, with staff using a depth gauge on the machine to match up the two areas to reduce the amount of preparation work in the areas on the collars. While the colour of the turf that we have transplanted onto the collars isn’t lush green, the team is keeping the water up to this turf in the warm weather, and it should settle in fine in a week or two. Growth regulator, insecticide, and pre-emergent herbicide applications have continued across fairways, roughs, and green surrounds this week, with only the 5th, 7th and 10th holes left to be done. Growth regulation is now evident in areas treated last week, and insect control has been effective—Billbug activity and associated damage have been observed in untreated rough areas between trees, while no signs or symptoms are present in treated zones. The 14th pond has improved this week following advice from our turtle expert Professor Ricky Spencer, suggesting that turning the aerator back on would help introduce oxygen back into the waterway. We have also added beneficial bacteria and enzymes which consume excess nutrients and reduce organic matter. These remedies have improved the smell and colour of the water, with the ducks and Water Hens returning this week. We are still awaiting information from the local council regarding any further water testing requirements. While course staff weren’t graced with the glow of the Aurora Australis this week, we were gifted an epiphany of our own on Thursday morning — as if from the heavens, a group of angels appeared out of nowhere to grace the course for the Ladies’ Closing Day festivities (see photo above). Our volunteers were on course this week installing the rejuvenated bronze tee plates back onto the tees. This week the green, yellow and white plates were installed on tees 1 thru to 9, except for the new 7th tee. Instead of the small black tombstone, the plates are now attached to a paver and set down into the ground. This has been done for mowing maintenance and for a less cluttered appearance of the tee complexes. Drainage pits were also trimmed and cleaned, and David was on course Thursday morning divotting fairways. Thank you to everyone that volunteered their time this week. Greens will be cut and rolled on Saturday morning, with Joel setting pins. Greens will be cut on Sunday morning and I will be setting pins. Happy Golfing
The Course Team. | 
