Week Commencing: 27-02-06

A Week of Two Halves!

At 6.30 on Monday morning the temperature had raised enough for an application of fertilizer to the greens; however, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all saw temperatures fall below –2 C.

Work has been concentrated in two areas this week, the 1st hole fairway bunker on the Woodland course and the embankment on the right of the path parallel to the 13^th green.

Before work commenced:

• The bunker on the 1^st fairway (Woodland) has undergone a facelift. The front edge has been re-instated, the base re-shaped to provide a bowl shape; this will eradicate much of the sand migration that has occurred in the past. The chalk fragments have been removed and a ‘wacca’ plate used to compact the soil/chalk base prior to new sand being added. Turf has been laid up to the edge of the bunker. Unfortunately, the change in weather has left the project unfinished until next week.

• The worst of the worn areas around bunkers on the Woodland course have been repaired and re-turfed. The Village bunkers will be tackled next.
• The greens had an application of 13-0-46 fertilizer along with turf hardener and a liquid iron.
• We are still suffering a lot of badger damage and seem to move the problem to new areas. However, we are trying different (legal) ways to discourage our striped friends/foe!
• The marker posts for the Village have been painted and are ready for Captains Drive-in. The cold weather enables much of the course furniture to be renovated.

• The embankment and gully to the right of the path at the 13^th Green has been cleared of scrub and leaves. Some tree pruning has also taken place. This has taken the majority of the team two full days of hard work and there are many areas on the Woodland course that require this type of attention. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until next winter to start in earnest.

On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon Pope for his support during my short time at Oak Park. Jon’s positive attitude toward my team and the environment that we are trying to create has been most appreciated.

Spencer Hawkins

(Course Manager)