Out of the Rough 29th January 2016

MATCH UPDATE – DID YOU KNOW…???

You can be kept up to date on all match events by checking the “Match” tab on the website – located next to the “Club News” tab on the member home page.

 Designated Gardens

The match committee has recently made some changes across the course with Designated Gardens.

If you happen to hit your ball in the garden make sure you check for a sign before taking a “Drop”.

David Higgins Trophy Entries Opened

We have opened the entry sheet for the David Higgins Trophy. Get a partner and place your names on the sheet located on the Men’s Locker Room Notice Board. A copy of Conditions of Play can be found in the Match tab. Entries close 9th March @ 7.00pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS –

AMITEE 2016 – Registrations Closing this weekend!!

The next annual inter-club Amitee event is being held at Amstel in Victoria from Friday 11th March to Sunday 13th March 2016.

Registration forms and payment are due to the Muirfield office by Saturday 30th January 2016.

HOUSE and SOCIAL 

GOLF & DINE – Sunday 7th February

The first Golf & Dine event for 2016 takes place on Sunday 7th February. 18 holes of golf followed by dinner, dessert, tea & coffee. Partners & Non-golfers are welcome to join you for both golf and dinner. (Dinner only is $25) Bookings essential via the Pro Shop or the Office. The sheet is open now so call soon to avoid disappointment.

MEMBERS HANDBOOK (Fixture Book) – are now available for collection                      PLEASE COLLECT AT THE BAR

JUNIORS –

Due to the recent rains, last Friday was the only day we could hold a Junior 9 hole competition this school holidays. The winner on the day was Lyle Keith who carded a nett 29 for his 9 holes and took out the Prio Shop voucher prize.

COURSE REPORT – The Seasons and Course Maintenance – Peter Watts

Each of the following statements cross my desk on an annual basis, the comments whilst repetitive to a Golf Course Manager, they are relevant to the questioner.

As recent as December there was a thought that the rough may have been a little short. With the January rains imminent, my response was “be careful what you wish for”. The grass is literally growing behind us at present.

Likewise the greens are historically slow through December January whilst they negotiate the weather rollercoaster and summer decline. The Autumn renovation generally signifies the seasonal turnaround for greens. Post renovation the greens enter the late Summer, Autumn, early Winter period, if there are no lingering issues from the summer this is a settled consistent time for the greens. The firmest greens are generally appear around August, a combination of tight pre renovation greens, cool days and / or westerly winds.

Quality of fairways is directly aligned to weather. Let’s allow for moderate to good rainfall. Summer fairway can provide a great lie with not a lot of run, conversely winter fairways provide run, but the lies are questionable, particularly if wet weather prevails. Shade also is a major issue for winter fairway turf quality.

The teeing complexes make for interesting comment. It has been noted previously that the couch tees do not start growing until the 11TH November. Through December / January we have rapid recovery in tees. Whilst members’ observations suggest the tees with a straw- like appearance are struggling in July, contrary it is my belief that the level straw-like tee decks in fact provide the best playing surface. The straw-like appearance is the tee surface bound by the rhizomes of dormant couch. The surface is in fact level, tight and firm although not ideal ascetically.

When is the ideal month for golf course conditioning? May is definitely the time when the rough is thick but regulated, tees are well grassed, fairways provide good lies and rewarding run and greens are between summer decline and winter decline. Golfers will sense all the above dynamics as we move into February, March and April.

GREENS REPORT  –   Maintaining our Course

All members enjoy their game of golf. You can assist by doing the following;

  • Repair all divots by filling with sand. Please do not overfill as this will damage    mower blades
  • Rake out bunkers after playing your shot. Please rake sand towards the centre of the bunker, not to the side. Replace the rake at the middle of the bunker in the direction of play
  • Repair pitch marks on the green

Printable Copy Here