MEMBER NEWS
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 In this Edition | GM, Course, and Club Update
AN UPDATE FROM... Stephen Norton General Manager Since my last newsletter, the greenkeeping team have been focussed on improving the consistency of bunker raking and we are very grateful for the positive feedback we have received on this. This is an ongoing process, and we will continue to work on consistency of sand depth etc. If I may ask for a little patience, the recent extreme downpours have made this a much longer and more difficult task. However, the team are committed to maintaining the standards they have recently achieved. In my last newsletter, I advised you that we were finalising the winter bunker project, and I am pleased to say this has started. Apologies for the lack of prior warning, we had an opportunity to start the work quicker than we expected, so we took it. We are now confident of having the bunkers blinded by the end of December, meaning we will have plenty of time for the turf in the surrounding areas to establish itself ahead of the season.
our land and produced an action plan for the work that we need to undertake. Some of the work is small remedial work which the greenkeepers will complete, whilst other work will involve rope climbing and, therefore, contractors will be brought in to complete the work. Some of the more significant work will involve the two trees to the right of the 6th green. The survey has stated we need to Monolith the Ash to 4m due to its condition and then reduce the lopsided crown of the oak tree. To “Monolith” the tree, means to reduce the tree to its main stem. The aim of leaving the stem of the Ash will ensure we maintain a habitat for the various wildlife which will use the decaying wood and the cavities. Another area of work which will be noticeable will be the group of Poplar trees inbetween the 15th fairway and the 17th fairway. These trees need to be reduced from 20m to 10m whilst reducing the crown and shaping them. All the work we will be undertaking is essential to either proactively preserve the life of the tree, improve the condition of the tree or for the safety of our staff and our members/golfers. Please read Neil’s report to see the work we are about to undertake with the Woodland Trust to increase trees on our site. See you around the club soon! Stephen
As we are now back in winter, I want to remind you of our course status page on the main club website. This page will provide daily updates on any course closures, buggy restrictions etc. In times of inclement weather, please check this page before coming to play.
TREE SURVEY The club recently employed a company, Ground Control Professional Services, to come and complete a tree survey on the site. The company spent several days onsite assessing the health of all the trees on
2
COURSE UPDATE Neil Crittenden Course Manager We have been experiencing very heavy downpours towards the end of October and storm Ciaran right at the beginning of November, which doesn’t do the course any good at all. It flattens bunkers, washes out pathways, and is generally not pleasant to work or play in. We do our best to keep the condition of the course as good as possible, but struggle sometimes with these constant downpours. Post and rope have been put out to protect the course as much as we can through the winter months, so please keep to the routes that we provide - they are out there for a reason!
As you have probably seen, we have started our project work with the bunkers on 11 and 2, we will be using the same technique as previous years with the rubber liner. The 15th medal tee is also being reconstructed making it larger and above all level. In December we are taking delivery of 900 trees and 300 shrubs. We are working with the Woodland Trust and their Morewoods Scheme to create two small woodland areas on the 12th/ 13th holes.
The greens are holding up well to the adverse weather conditions and, going through the autumn and winter, we will be regularly aerating at different depths to promote air, root growth, surface drainage and general plant health. The tees have been good all year with great grass cover on most. As the winter draws in, growth and recovery slow right down meaning the tees take a hit, especially the par-3s. We will be introducing winter tee mats on the par-3s to protect them during the winter months which will mean that going into the playing season, they will be a lot better. These will be very good sites with a 36mm non-infill tee mat which can support a tee peg anywhere with great ball striking straight off the surface. They will be similar to this picture (see top right).
Creating woodland helps with a naturally functioning ecosystem, rich in native trees, and wildlife, providing the essential natural capital from which numerous benefits to people are derived. This includes mitigating climate change, managing water and air quality, enhancing landscapes, and supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
Continued on the next page
3
Newly created woodland has the potential to exist for many centuries, often well beyond the lifetime of the individual trees. Establishing new woods and trees is a longterm process. Many of the benefits of native woods and trees, for people and wildlife, may take years or decades to be realised. It’s just one part of the club’s long-term goals of sustainability. We have been advised that tree species are to be planted in groups of five to ten at an average 2.5m spacing (1600 stems per hectare), within staggered wavy lines. Shrub species have been located on the edges where they are not adjacent to woodland. Planting will be a 75:25 ratio of trees to shrubs. The ‘apex’ trees of Oak, Beech, and Hornbeam will go in first, then the mediumtier trees including Cherry, Alder, Birch, and Willow, and then finally the shrubs, concentrating these around the edges. The aim is to try to create a tiered canopy with the tallest further into the wood. With the club’s association with Birch trees, we are planting a double row alongside the road and scattering within the main block.
CLUB UPDATE Stephen Lee Head Pro WINTER WHEEL POLICY With the winter wheel policy now in place, below are examples of which types of winter wheels are allowed and which are not.
Acceptable Winter Wheels
Not Classed as Winter Wheels
Tree Species
GOLF BUGGY BOOKINGS Shrub Species
It’s going to be a busy period for us with all the project work and course upkeep. Were hoping for a good autumn to complete most of the work with as little disruption as possible. Neil
As you may have already noticed, we have removed the option to book golf buggies in advance. This is due to the unpredictable nature of the weather during the winter months and us not deciding as to whether they will be allowed onto the course until the morning of each day.
UPCOMING DEMO DAYS Friday 1st December – YONEX Monday 11th December - PING
4
Thank you for reading the latest Members News. Please feel free to contact us on 01322 662038
BIRCHWOOD PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Birchwood Rd, Dartford DA2 7HJ