The Duke’s Green Keeping

Hi All,

With the recent dry weather we have been able to get some mowing done this week,  using the mornings to get the bunkers raked and the afternoons to get some mowing done.  The greens, approaches, fairways and rough all being cut this week as well as an application of liquid seaweed on the greens. We have also been continuing with flail mowing the long rough where the 7th hole is the most recent area to get a haircut!

We’ve been continuing with some tree work where we have removed and thinned out some trees to the left of the 6th tees. This was mentioned last year in feedback from some of our members (we do listen!). This has really opened up the views to the north which on a sunny day is spectacular. It took around three days to complete but the transformation of the views are worth it.

We have still to complete some work at the 7th where we are planting some gorse in and around the newly planted Scots Pine’s and also have some drainage work to complete on the driving range to take care of some wet areas as well as a wet area in the 10th fairway where we will be extending a drain.

Its only a matter of weeks now before we start to see some of our seasonal staff arrive. We have 8 guys joining our team for the coming season. They are the chosen ones from over 80 applications that we received this year!. As well as 3 locals, they are joining us from Scotland, England, Ireland and Canada this year. We look forward to welcoming them to our team, without them we couldn’t provide the course conditions that are expected.

Last week at the annual staff ball our very own gardener, Steven Harms was recognised for his efforts by being awarded the title of Employee of the year.  Steven single handedly looks after the landscape grounds at The Old Course Hotel, and The Duke’s as well as assisting us on the golf course. The standard of the landscape areas has improved considerably since Steven joined us, he takes great pride in his work and it is not unusual for people to comment on his work especially when he is out there in all weathers. It was great to see one of the unsung heroes being recognised so if you see someone lurking in the heather beds, please pass on your congratulations as they are well deserved.

Check out our YouTube Channel this coming week for Ayden Roberts-Jones next golf lesson – this week, continuing on practice drills, on club to target line.  Ayden will take us through placing a marker ahead of the ball to give the golfer a sense of extending down the target line to promote to feeling of sending the ball to your given target.  Happy practicing!

Derek