Just a quick update on the winter work, Im sure that many of you that have played have seen a few of the changes already carried out by the Links Team. We started by raising and extending the drain at the rear of the 15th green to try and drain what is one of the wettest areas on the golf course.We also turfed and matted the areas leading up to the 16th tee and leading towards the 16th fairway, this has tidied up this area considerably.
Following on the turfing and matting theme the team have carried out fantastic work on the 9th and 10 th pathways already, with more to do also this winter this will see a huge improvement in the wear and tear and presentation of the walkways.
This winter will see a continuation of the great work of scrub clearance from last year with many more areas to be tackled with many being reduced to bare sand to improve the habitat for the mining bees etc and a much more of a links feel in the golfing environment.
We have also been renovating some of the bunkers, many had become very small and poor visually, this is the before picture of the 2nd right hand bunker,
A similar problem on the 3rd hole, a bunker which had got very small and producing some very unfair positions and hidden from play.
The bunker has been reshaped and being one of the best strategic bunkers on the golf course is now clear to see and has much more visual interest.(the edges are kept firm so the ball runs into the middle of the bunker)
The club have invested in a Toro hand mower for the winter months and this will see a dramatic reduction in wear and tear and compaction over the winter months on the greens and approaches when most damage can be made and we will see the improvements next year.
The greens are currently performing very well with very good smoothness, trueness and have been stimping at around 10!
More updates to come as the winter programme continues.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy new Year from all the Links team.
Rhys Butler, Links Manager, Royal St David's Golf Club.
