A note from Course Manager Chris regarding Temporary Greens

Due to the recent cold and wet weather, some greens are struggling to move water through the profile. This is largely because the majority of our greens do not have drainage installed. Those greens that were drained three years ago are showing a significant improvement in performance during wetter periods, which highlights the benefits of this work.

Although greens have traditionally been played on throughout the winter, the past three winters have resulted in considerable damage to playing surfaces and slower recovery into the main playing season. We are carrying out additional aeration and cultural practices on the wetter greens throughout the year; however, without drainage, these measures only provide marginal gains.

We continue to take great pride in presenting high-quality playing surfaces. The use of temporary greens on certain holes is very much intended as short-term inconvenience for long-term improvement. The alternative would be far more disruptive, such as extended course closures, and the aim is to allow the course to remain playable year-round, with sensible provisions in place when conditions demand it. Frost damage is an obvious concern, but damage caused by playing on excessively wet greens is equally significant. While our preference is to have the full course open throughout the year, the exceptionally challenging weather conditions recently occasionally require us to implement necessary provisions.

Should members have any further questions, they are welcome to contact myself Chris at chris@hgc1894.co.uk or Nigel at nigel@hgc1894.co.uk.

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