Everything that our greenkeeping staff do during the year sets the course up so that it can withstand the elements when they put us to the test.

In 2012, the elements certainly set us a challenge! But after the wettest April - July for many years, we are extremely happy with how the course has withstood the adverse weather.



Here's our current course plan:

• Since the worst of the rain has gone (for now) we've dropped the cut height on the greens to 2.75mm, and have continued to roll and iron them;
• In the next few days we'll start to hollow core and aerate the tees. This both increases the grass quality, and helps grass roots to grow downwards, becoming more healthy. This will not disrupt play and should heal quite quickly;
• Towards mid-August, as our season temporarily enters a quiet stage, we will pencil tine the greens. Again this is to improve aeration within the green: this improves playing surfaces;
• We will continue our set programme of work on fairways and semi-rough, with the aim of creating the best possible playing surfaces.
A few members have asked when the long rough will be cut. The answer is that we will not cut this until it starts to die off, which will begin to happen during late September. With the rain, the heat and the humidity it has grown exceptionally fast and thick this year and this would be the case at every golf course with fescue rough. It looks gorgeous – see our new photographs – but do try to stay out of it if you want to get your handicap down...