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Newsletter
Autumn Renovation
Everyone who has played golf recently will have noticed the hollow tine holes on the Medal greens. “Just when the greens get good, the greenkeepers dig them up” is often heard on the links but it must not be forgotten how crucial this type of aeration is to the future health of the turf. This job is carried out for two main reasons; it removes dead organic matter from the base of the turf, helping to keep surfaces firm and reduces the chance of disease. It also helps provide us with a suitable space to sow grass seed into. Seed is applied to improve the quality of the grass in the greens and top dressing will help to level the surface again. Given favourable conditions the putting surfaces should be back to normal in about two weeks. If we had waited until October to carry out this work then recovery time would have been much slower.
Heather Regeneration
Small pockets of Ling heather can be found in various areas on the links and these provide us with a nice splash of colour late in the golfing season as well as adding to the species diversity of the rough. The recently adopted Integrated Management Plan indicates a desire to increase the amount and variety of heather on the links so to this end a number of trial plots will be set up to try to establish the best method of growing heather from seed. Three different methods will be used and two applications will be made, one this autumn and one next spring. The seed has been harvested from Ling heather plants on site and from Bell heather plants from neighbouring land. Managing wear in the areas planted out will be crucial if we are to have any success, so some restrictions will be in place to ensure the seedlings have the best possible chance of survival.
Winter Construction Projects
New tees on the 13th Medal and 7th Broomfield and an extended tee on the 15th Medal will form an important part of the work schedule this winter. A deep hollow will also be created near the green on the right side of the 5th Medal. As usual a number of bunkers will be refurbished. A review of the fairway bunkering on Medal holes 1 and 10 will take place in consultation with Golf Course Architect Martin Hawtree.
Winter Rules
As from the 5th November astro-turf squares must be used for all shots from fairways, from all cut rough and when playing an iron from a grassed tee. Winter tees will again be used on both courses. These measures are taken to preserve the quality of the playing surfaces as much as possible during the winter months when there is no growth to aid recovery from wear. This winter all bunkers will be in play apart from those being refurbished which will be clearly marked as ground under repair and classified as through the green, [Rule25-1b(i)] until the start of the 2008 summer season.
Course Closure Procedure
To protect the courses in the winter months the Medal will be closed and the Broomfield will be on temporary greens if the following conditions prevail - snow, surface frost, hard penetrated frost, frost beneath the playing surface while soft on top, frozen standing water and certain greens frozen while others soft. It is the responsibility of the greenkeeper on duty to make the decision regarding closure. He will notify the Pro-shop of his decision and the time of the next inspection.
Gorse Management
More work will be carried out this winter as per the Whin Management Plan. A forestry mulcher machine will be hired again to tackle the largest areas and chainsaws will be used in smaller areas. The gorse on the left hand side of the 2nd Medal fairway will be cut back by around 4 meters. With future realignment of this fairway seemingly inevitable, it makes sense to remove this part of the gorse now so that preparations can begin on the ground underneath as early as 2008. Other work on the whins will take place on Medal holes 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Environmental Planning
The Integrated Management Plan for Montrose Golf Courses has now been finalised and adopted by MGLL. Copies of the plan should now be available in all Clubs along with Species Lists, a collation of surveys of plants, birds and mammals which have been undertaken on our behalf by local experts.
Copies of the Plan and Species lists are available from MGLL office for home loan to any season ticket holder. It is hoped that they will shortly be on MGLL website.
A Working Group has been set up to carry on the Future Actions detailed in the Integrated Management Plan.
If you notice any plant, bird etc anywhere on the golf courses that is not included in our Species Lists, please let us know when and where so that we can update our Lists for reference.
Jason's Pro-Shop Blog
Another season come and gone, with I am sure you will agree, many highlights - Open Final Qualifying, The Open at Carnoustie and our own very successful Open Week.. Final Qualifying for me was my first experience of such an event and the work MGLL, the three Clubs and the R and A put in just goes to show what a massive event the Open is. I for one hope it's not too long before the Open returns to Carnoustie - the added bonus of free shoes from Hi-Tec because of Padraig's win was another highlight for the customers who purchased these shoes….
However, now on to the next big event - Christmas. Arriving from September onwards we will have a great range of Autumn/Winter products, These range from Gore-Tex rainwear, to quality cashmere ranges which will suit gents and ladies. There will also be some exciting new junior products too… just in time for the new Tiger amongst us!
And remember we always endeavour to give the best service and all our stock is keenly competitive, so come along have a look, I've no doubt you'll like it!!
Chairman's Message
Open Championship 2007
LFQ - Montrose
The R & A were fulsome in their praise for the condition of the course and the other essential facilities made available to them, their officials and the players and caddies involved. Thanks are due to all the volunteers - starters, recorders, marshalls, ball spotters, practice ground staff and scoreboard operators for their efforts. Margaret and Wendy in the office and Jason and his staff did their normal excellent job. It is always difficult with such a disparate group of competitors how best to cater for their off-course needs - I am delighted that many positive comments were made on the service provided by all 3 Clubs. Thank you all.
Erosion
At the recent meeting of the Stakeholders Group the following information became available. Two specific studies have been completed into the transfer of sand within Montrose Bay.
The first study into longshore drift has differed from similar studies in 1998 in that the previously prevalent northerly drift at 30m offshore is subject to variation at inshore locations. This complexity of sand movement has led to the need for further studies being necessary before options such as beach recharge can be contemplated.
The second study into the use of Geotextiles in the form of Geotubes was illustrated but the Dutch company involved in such projects worldwide had little experience of the potential wave/tidal patterns experienced in Montrose Bay. This study again needs further development and funding for such has support from the Scottish Executive. Much work has still to be done but positive steps will be taken to decelerate the current cycle of erosion.
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