Winter work and St David's meeting

We are rapidly approaching the end of the winter work programme and we have made tremendous strides in the conditioning of the golf course, from scrub clearance being transformed to sandy waste areas  to turfing and matting pathways and walkways to some drainage work to reduce surface moisture and of course the continuous improvent in the putting surfaces and other fine turf areas.

The sandy waste area we created last year on the 18th replacing the thick scrub has settled nicely and has added great visual interest to the hole.

The new sandy waste area in front of the 5th tee.

The new 2nd bunker blending into the sandy waste area which replaced the trees and brambles.

The new sandy waste areas behind the 18th green,they might look fierce but they have replaced the very thick almost unplayable rough and you could actually putt out of these areas!

The 18th green looking great,greens are running beautifully and are firm,true and fast!

The new turf and matt pathway on the 18th,a great improvement whilst retaining the natural topography.

A few pictures of the greens below,hand mowing and sand dressings and rolling have improved the greens and they were stimping at 11 last week on 6mm!

We will soon be applying our first application of lawn sand followed through the year by use of amonia,urea,dried blood hoof and horn and biostimulants as and when required alongside our wetting agent and aeration programme.

This weekend sees the first meeting of the year with the St David's meeting,the course is looking fantasic with the course fully divotted,all areas cut and the links playing beautifully.

We also have re 'chunked ' the 17th fairway bunker following damage by badgers and rabbits

The overgrown bramble to the right of the 6th tee has been removed and has been replaced with turf from the rear of the 4th greens new sandy waste areas and some heather,a vast improvement!

Work has also been carried out to enlarge and reshape the ladies 16th tee and widening the pathway to improve access for machinery to make tee maintenance easier.

As you can see there has been lots of great work carried out on the Links.

Have a great weekend's golfing.

Rhys Butler.Links Manager,Royal St David's Golf Club.

P.s apologies for random pictures etc,still having computer gremlins!:(