Grand National Golf Club
Monthly Update
During the winter months, updates will be provided monthly. Any major news will be posted separately.
January
Course/Range Information
The weather hasn't be helpful for January in terms of Golf. We have had to use temporary greens more than we would have liked. However, the fact we've been on full greens when we can is a testament to the greenkeepers and their efforts. The new winter tees on some holes have been very successful and feedback says golfers are liking them. We hope to have more next winter and on every tee block too so there is more variation.
Update from Simon and the green staff:
Preparing for Spring
While we are all glad to see the back of a very wet and cold January, the work behind the scenes hasn't slowed down. To protect the course, we have kept vehicle and tractor movement to a minimum to avoid heavy footprints and turf damage.
Even on the days you didn't see us out on the fairways, the team has been busy in the sheds. A significant amount of time has been dedicated to servicing and sharpening our cutting units, ensuring we are ready to hit the ground running as soon as the warmer, drier weather arrives.
Greens & Maintenance
The greens have received a lot of attention over the last few months:
Aeration: We’ve conducted monthly spiking to a 6-inch depth, followed by solid tining (6mm tines) at 2 inches. Varying these depths helps break up thatch layers and improves water drainage through the profile.
Disease Control: Thanks to the preventative measures put in place, we have weathered the winter with very little disease. We are in a much stronger position heading into this spring compared to previous years.
Course Improvements & Projects
Sunlight & Airflow: We have removed several trees across the course to allow vital winter sunlight to reach the playing surfaces.
Bunkers: We are currently digging out worn areas around greenside bunkers for turfing next week. Additionally, the small, underused bunker on the 9th hole has been filled in.
The 3rd Hole: The pines have been removed. We are planning to re-install a hedge across the hole to replicate a "Grand National" style fence.
New 4th Tee: Work is progressing well, and we are on track to have this open for the upcoming season.
Winter Management & Member Feedback
Tee Mats: Using mats has been a vital "lesson learned" from last year. By resting the grass tees—while still spiking and slitting them throughout the winter—we are ensuring a much higher quality surface for the main playing season.
Temporary Greens: We understand the frustration, but the use of "temps" is a professional necessity. Protecting the root system now prevents long-term damage that would ruin the putting surfaces once the season officially begins.
Looking Ahead
We have a busy few months ahead! We have some exciting new projects to announce soon. We are just finalizing the plans and ideas and will share those details with you in a few weeks.
Thank you for your patience and support. Let’s hope Mother Nature gives us a kind spring!
Any queries or questions as usually ask myself or nick or one of the team.
Thanks again Simon and the Greens Team
Competitions
More competitions were able to be played in January. The first half of the month did provide a shortened course because of the weather and the use of temp greens. However it is the same for every player!!
A big shout out goes to Gaynor Demellweek who had a fabulous January. She won the first 3 competitions of the year which is an extraordinary achievement. Two of the events were 9 stablefords, which was won with an outstanding 29 points and 15 points respectively. And then Gaynor alongside her teammates Monica Boyd and Tracey Pearson won the 9 hole best 2 out of 3 scores events with 46 points.
Tracey and Monica also had a great January, with Tracey winning the 4 club challenge with a nett score of 44 and Monica winning the last event of the month, a 9 hole stableford with a winning score of 14 points.
On the Men's side, it was Ray Owens who had a superb month, winning both individual events. He scored an incredible 46 points to win the monthly stableford and then followed it up a week later with a win in the Monthly Strokeplay, with a great nett score of 66.
The final event of the month was a texas scramble, which was won by Hammud Al-Khatib, Kenny Durkin, Colin Hadwin and Les Marsh, who won a closely fought event with a nett score of 54.
Congratulations to all winners!!
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
