WGC NEWS 04-18

UPDATE ON THE COURSES
Self set pine trees growing in the woodland margins on the Duchess course
The end to 2017 and the beginning of March proved to be particularly
challenging from a weather standpoint with a mix of snow, ground frost and
heavy rain. Our elevation above sea level, vast areas of shade and short day
lengths means it always takes longer to thaw at the Club than in the majority
of local villages.
The greens staff work hard to get the courses playable again as soon as
possible during these periods and I’m pleased to say the vast majority of the
membership understand and are very supportive.
Throughout the winter the greens staff have been busy with on course
project work such as pathway renovations, bunker reconstructions, woodland
management and drainage works. Aeration to greens and tees has continued
to remove organic matter, Weidenmann work to relieve compaction on all
fairways, rough and walkways and the Air2G2 has been hard at work on
the Duchess course as part of a plan to increase percolation of the greens
profiles.
The planned winter closures have again been hugely productive, with both
physical improvements across all three courses and agronomic strides being
made. These closures and our summer aerification are the cornerstones of
our year round course playability and the support of the membership across
these periods is always much appreciated.
I am pleased to report the Duchess forestry harvesting work last year is
already bearing fruit, the photographs show self set pine trees in the margins
between holes already establishing to become the next generation of trees to
define our course. The goal for the work last year was to conserve the
integrity of the course for future generations and with careful management
and protection, these new specimens will be the foundation
for this plan.
With daylight hours on the increase again, we now start
the long march through spring. We have our fingers
crossed for a good start to the year growth-wise and
we wish all our members and guests a successful 2018
season.
As always please do not hesitate to contact me on site
with any questions you may have.
John Clarke
Courses Manager
WOBURN GOLF CLUB AND THE ENVIRONMENT
GEO Update
The past couple of month’s have seen all areas of the business
within Woburn Enterprises change their waste contractors.
We have all been encouraged to minimise our waste and improve
recycling methods.
Each golf course has a Course Attendant whose responsibilities
include managing the litter disposed in bins across their course.
All litter is sorted into plastics, paper, cans and general waste and it is then
disposed into the designated bins. We continue to minimise the amount of
waste we produce and many of our suppliers have reduced packaging which
is assisting our disposed material.
Monolith
With the recent storms encountered
over the past 3 months, a small
number of our trees across the three
courses have been damaged. Rather
than removing them by felling as
in previous years, we have been
removing any remaining upper
branches so the trees have less weight
to support, and can remain standing
for as long as possible, not causing a
safety concern. This process is also
used to manage any trees that have
died; the standing remains are known
as Monolith trees.
A Monolith can provide a wonderful
habitat for wildlife - it is almost like a
tower block for insects, birds and
bats, and it is an important growing
place for many kinds of fungi and
lichen. A Monolith tree can provide a
different environment to fallen trunks
and deadwood piles, which are
managed across our woodlands by the
green keeping team.
7