Greenkeeper's report Well, it has been a year unlike no other, we have all had to endure the global pandemic and it’s wide ranging effects. The Government mandated lockdown, and the speed of the decision making regarding its implementation had a significant effect on the world of golf. What this meant for us at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club and how we managed the course during that time will have some lasting effects. Once Golf Courses had to close, both B.I.G.G.A (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association) and the E.G.U (English Golf Union) were very quick to draw up guidelines in order to keep staff safe and to ensure courses could be maintained with the minimum of inputs. The guidelines during this period required cutting heights to be raised, fertiliser and other chemical inputs to be stopped and the areas of grass to be maintained, reduced. These guidelines were followed here at C.S.T along with the halting of all aeration work and any other course maintenance. This period lasted until mid-May, where we were given 2 days’ notice before the course was due to open. We reopened with the greens at 7mm (usually cut at 4mm) and with little residual fertility. The greens were very slow initially, and until we could apply some fertiliser and soil amendments, then slowly reduce cutting heights, could we start to produce a reasonable putting surface. We also had to change the way we presented the course, in order to cope with reduced staffing levels, but, by and large we managed to create a playable course that members could enjoy while keeping costs under control. There have been some obvious changes to the way the game is played, flags remaining in, upside down cups and no rakes in bunkers, so we have all had to adapt, but it has been gratifying to see so many golfers returning and enjoying playing golf, and also to welcome all our new members who have joined us. So, what does all this mean for the course going forward? Due to the reduced aeration of the greens and all playing surfaces during the closure, we will need to increase this during the late autumn and winter months in order to produce quality surfaces next year. We will also increase the amount of top dressing applied to the greens before next season as their thatch layer has increased and we need to control this. Our autumn renovation on the 23rd to the 25th of September, will be reduced slightly as we will be solid tining and applying top dressing to the greens, as opposed to hollow tining them. Some temporary greens will be employed during the renovation but they will not be all on temporary, as is usual. We will be doing other work to ensure that the course is in the best shape going into the winter months and then into next year, so there may be increased activity on some areas of the course in order for this to happen. We ask for your patience while we return the course to its best shape and ensure you have a course to be proud of. If you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me on: dave@cricketstthomasgolfclub.co.uk Stay safe and enjoy your golf, Dave, Gareth, Jamie and Callum |