Members, visit this page for updates on course works and course developments!
APRIL 2019 – NEW STEPS INSTALLED AT MGC
New Turf laid on 14th Tee – week beginning 11 February 2019
3 February 2019
14th Tee (Par 3) stripped of old turf and leveled in readiness for laying new turf.
17th green area, relived of invasive trees and vegitation, which restricts airflow and light.
28 January 2019
Drainage works on 11th Green and Tee repairs 12th and 14th Tees.
Monday 14th January 2019 – Drainge works on Par 4 17th completed.
Drainage works on Par 4 17th Hole completed and the commencement of new drainage on Par 3 (short) 17th
January 2019
Drainage works at Par 4 17th. Mark, Luke & Clem tending to business.
JANUARY 2019
Further drainage works.
Commencing Monday 7 January 2019, further drainage works will commence on the 17th Green (immediately in front of the green) and to the right-hand side of the short 17th Green. Such works will set out to address drainage issues currently evident in these two areas.
Additionally, an extension of the path at the 9th tee will also commence, thus providing access to the new 9th tee.
Trusting this will not cause too much inconvenience.
John McNeill
Greens Convener
Update – 28th NOVEMBER 2018
Root Breaking
Root breaking has commenced at the 13th & 10th holes along the tree line to the right hand side of greens. Similar work will also be undertaken around the periphery of the 9th hole.
NOVEMBER 2018
8/11/18 – Update – Drill & Fill works have now been completed on all 6 greens. i.e. 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 12th & 17th.
OCTOBER 2018
DRILL & FILL (October/November 2018) – continuation of on course Development works.
Member Notice:
Greens staff will be commencing a Drill & Fill Process on Monday 29 October 2018.
The following greens will be affected: 2, 3, 5 , 7, 12, & 17. These 6 greens are notably our 6 wettest greens which have persistently posed issues in terms of playability as a result of rain and flooding. Please click on the link below which will demonstrate a Drill and Fill machine in operation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt8mXM7-1FY
The benefit of undertaking the Drill & Fill process will further enhance the palyability, firmness of 6 troublesome greens and compliment the graden works and the introduction of new bent seed which, has been undertaken throughout September 2018.
The Drill & Fill process will essentially improve drainage on these 6 greens by opening channels directly through to the stone carpet beneath the playing surface. Filling the channel with sand ensures the profile remains open to the stone carpet, thereby ensuring water flows away unimpeded.
The residual sand will then be brushed away.
Also, from Monday 29 October ’18, official play will commence at the 10th Hole – i.e. back 9 First, then 2nd 9 if appropriate.
Thank you
OCTOBER 2018
Water Outlets cleared at 17th Hole
Our thanks to Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council for this assistance and co-operation in this work.
SEPTEMBER 2018
7th, 8th & 9th Greens – Graden work commenced Tuesday 4 September 2018
AUGUST 2018
Current News:
Thatch removal continues on all greens throughout the course. Some of the more troublesome greens have undergone two passes, e.g. 7th and 17th greens, probably the two wettest greens on the course as a result of significant thatch layer beneath the surfaces. New bent seed has been introduced to all greens as part of the Graden process.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT WORKS – September 2018
Course works – Phase 1 Sept 2018 – Massereene Golf Club
Greens Staff
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Mark Cassidy (Head Greenkeeper)
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Mark Shannon (Deputy Head Greenkeeper)
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Peter McMullan
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Luke McCoy
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Clem Beattie
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Jane Beattie
Course Development Plan 2018/19
(Members will be updated on course developments works and when scheduled)
Key developments planned for Autumn/Winter 2018/19
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Aggressive removal of thatch layer from all greens (commenced Tuesday 4th September 2018)
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Drainage works at 1st & 9th Holes
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Replacing sand type in all course bunkers (traps)
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New steps constructed at various holes
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Drill & Fill works on our wettest greens (e.g 2, 3, 5, 7, 12 & 17)
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Creation and extension of new winter tees (Commenced July 2018)
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Removal of non-native trees allowing improved air movement and light penetration around tees & greens
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Reshaping bunkers (e.g Holes 12 & 15 initially) (already commenced – July 2018)
New fairway, rough mowers and Graden machines – purchased April 2018.
Sluice Gate installed at 16th Hole water outlet:
ANYONE CAN CUT GRASS CAN’T THEY?
“Most people can cut grass, but getting the correct grasses to grow in the required manner 365 days of the year takes a blend of experience, craftsmanship and a good base of scientific research and knowledge”
Greenkeeping Magazine , Oct. ’18
We would request that all members:
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rake bunkers
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replace divots
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repair pitch marks
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refrain from retrieving their ball from the hole with putters
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do not bring their trolleys and /or buggies onto the teeing areas
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avoid driving buggies and trolleys over G.U.R
The Problem with trees on golf courses!
http://www.golfgreen.at/uploads/service/Recommendationsshademanagement.pdf
Click on the above link for information relating to tree canopy shade on golf greens. Yes, its nice to have trees, but they do present their own problems for greens and green-keepers!
