Course Developments The good weather these past two weeks have been a blessing with the final phase of the Course Development Plan work being carried out. This is the 5th and final year of the plan and it has been fantastic hearing from both members and visitors how well received the work has been. The final three holes for the work are 14,15,16. - 14th - The cross bunker has been reshaped and from a distance will look like two bunkers, but is actually still only one. The mound to the left has been re-shaped to allow the fairway to run to the side of the bunker rather than have an area of rough and bare patches due to the severity of the previous slopes. As for the greenside bunker this has been moved slightly nearer the green and been reshaped too. On either side of the green the mounding has been reshaped and incorporates run off areas which will help with drainage and avoid collection areas of water.
- 15th - The fairway bunker has been filled in with some gentle shaping in its place. To the right of this two new trees will be planted which will give a great tree line all the way along the hole rather than the gap at that area. Just over the road the fairway is being widened to the left and a silver birch has been removed. Having a hole near a road can sometimes be an issue and these measures not only improve the hole but will be seen as helping to reduce the risk of balls being hit onto the road. There is also a new bunker over the road too. Both greenside bunkers are being reshaped with the left one being brought further forwards and made visible too. The right one is being brought forward too and in towards the fairway too in addition to being made deeper.
- 16th - The fairway bunker is being reduced in size losing the left side in addition to being reshaped and twisted slightly. By the green the bunker is being reshaped and twisted too. At the right hand side the huge ash tree will have some work done as not only does it have disease it has a huge effect on shadowing the green , a fact also highlighted in the STRI report about our greens. At the back of the green the mounding will be reshaped to allow a run off area to help with the drainage as this green struggles with heavy downpours and subsequent collections of water.
Very exciting changes indeed which not only enhance our course, but also help with drainage and maintenance too. Please note that over the weekend all holes will be in play, but all bunkers on 14,15,16 will be GUR. As always thank you for your understanding during the work taking place.
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