A bit late but here's the links report from February:
WEATHER
February was another cold month with average noon temperatures barely reaching 4C. Winds were light commonly from a north easterly or north westerly direction. Overnight frosts were common and were experienced on 15 occasions. Total rainfall for the month was 58mm.
WORK ON THE LINKS
With frosty conditions prevailing, winter greens were again in use quite often during the month. A good deal of environmental work was carried out along with bunker rebuilding, minor repairs and bridge work.
BUNKER REVETMENTS
2nd fairway - 3
2nd green right hand side - 1
3rd fairway - 4
3rd greenside - 2
6th green left hand side - 1
7th green/approach - 2
9th green right hand side - 1
12th approach left hand side - 2
SULPHATE OF IRON DRESSING
A light dressing of iron sulphate was applied to greens, Hogan tees and other mossy tees along with certain high spots on fairways.
FAIRWAY TOP DRESSING
Light sand top dressing was carried out on fairways 3, 7, 11, 15, 16, 17, and 18 during the month as weather dictated.
GREENS MOWING
Greens were brushed and cut at 5mm height of cut during the month.
TURF REPAIRS
The hollow to the right of the 18th green beyond the bunker was slightly raised before re-turfing with suitable turf. Several areas where gorse had been removed were turfed over during the month and turf on the high section of the 2nd white tee was undercut. Turf was replaced at the bridge left of the 10th approach.
BRIDGE REPAIR WORK
The vehicle bridge to the left of the island on the 17th hole was raised following decking removal. The supporting burn wall was increased by 2 blocks on the fairway side and one on the roadside before bridge structure replacement. The structural raising will minimise flow restrictions in future flood periods. A certain amount of decking was removed from the bridge to the right of the 18th green to allow for supporting wall repairs to be carried out. The new bridge at South America(10th/11th) has at last been re-established with the pouring of the concrete deck on 1st March. The gabions were recently put in place on the south bank of the burn adjacent to the bridge. Tarring of the service road on either side of the bridge remains for completion along with stonework on either side of the decking.
TAY SAND
Our remaining stock of Tay sand for use in the bunkers was screened during the month.
ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
A good deal of environmental work was carried out in the month, concentrated as usual on gorse/broom management. Gorse cutting back involved work on 1st, 9th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th holes.
Heather turf was laid on the right hand side of the 8th hole.
Sea lyme grass growth was cut well back behind the 1st green, 15th green, around the 2nd green, right of the 5th green and behind the 11th green. This work is continuing in other areas where sea lyme exists i.e. 18th roughs.
HOLE CLOSURES
At the end of the month, play was restricted on certain holes due to the excessive water lying on frozen ground following rain on 24th and 25th.
