05/10/2026
Greens Newsletter October 2026
Welcome all to October’s newsletter.
After the hot and dry summer at last we have had some rain over the late August and September period, figures are down in 2025 with 40mm less rainfall over this period, but the course is a little greener and slowly recovering from this year’s drought.
However, drought damaged turf is still evident on numerous areas about the course and these areas will be having some overseeding shortly to aid recovery but with our ever changing climate dedicated overseeding equipment will be sourced in the future as we are currently limited on what we can achieve to aid recovery to larger fairway areas.
A big thank you to all for your patience at the recent disturbances with temporary greens to achieve our annual Autumn Greens Maintenance and the closure of the holes over the road for drainage works and alterations to the 10th green surround. All projects went extremely well with greens now returning to standard, drainage complete and ground works at the 10th done. New drain lines have been seeded and those directly in play will be turfed shortly. The new bunker and run off area at the 10th will also be turfed and completed by October’s end so in the meantime please avoid walking on these areas if possible.
Those of you who have voiced your concerns about having to play on a temporary greens and their condition I can only point out that we rarely use temporary greens and only as a necessity due to course maintenance for staff to safely achieve works or in extreme cases of winter weather. To achieve a temporary putting surface to mimic our greens would be impractical in both cost and staff resources for the limited time they are used. So, if you play when we have temporary greens, please be understanding during these limited periods as we are using them to improve and protect the course for your future enjoyment.
Along with a new bunker at the 10th hole the remaining bunkers on holes 11, 12, & 13 are planned for improvements before the winter sets in these will be renovated using the same methods used at the new bunkers at the 2nd and 5th holes with improved drainage a bunker liner installed and new sand. Plans are in place to achieve this process to all our bunkers over the next 3 years and will be major improvement to the course.
Due to the occasional golf ball straying into properties to the left of the 1st hole and the concerns that we will lose the current hole if this continues a trial is planned for a new tee position to stop balls entering houses. A temporary tee will be constructed shortly and the trial will begin, it will be interesting to see if this is effective and your views at playing this hole from a different starting point.
Miner bees are currently active in our bunker faces please do not be disturbed they do not sting.
To all autumn berry pickers, we will shortly be cutting hedgerows back about the course with a tractor and flail so it will be your last chance to harvest any fruit and please be aware when you come across the tractor and flail do not go too near as debris can fly in your direction and allow time for the tractor to achieve its task.
As always please try to look after your course whilst playing by repairing pitch marks to greens, replacing divots, repairing your divot on tees with soil and seed provided, raking footprints in bunkers, using litter bins provided and trolley and buggy users please do not stray too close to greens and tees.
Enjoy your golf.
Rob Mabb
Head Greenkeeper
