Last week the course was closed on Monday and Tuesday to allow the greens staff to scarify, core and sand the greens. With a little help from the weather, it didn't rain too badly, the programme was completed within time and we were back ready for play on Wednesday - unfortunately the was a scarcity of golfers!!! The greens appear to have survived the ordeal in reasonable order and Mark Lawson is confident they will recover more quickly than last year.
This week sees us move to stage two of the fairway renovations with holes 13 & 14 coming out of play. With the learning's from last year we are confident that the whole process will move through without difficulty and we back "on the grass" for 18 by the 2010 Opening Day in late January.
Since just before the Shirley Open there has been considerable discussion in regards to the state of the rough. The situation has been heightened by a vigorous spring growing season especially in some areas where there has been new seedings. Over the summer months we will be trialing a new system of rough control which will see the second cut extended and a longer third cut but the balance of the rough left longer and mowed on a more infrequent basis (bear in mind during summer a lot of this area is unwatered and will burn off).
The rationale for this move is both as a cost saving in terms mowing and maintenance but also to strengthen the course. Given its Links nature at Shirley you are penalised for a wayward shot by distance only and this new programme seeks to focus and reward the golfer on hitting the fairways rather than hitting and hoping (this will necessarily bring some changes to my game!!!).
The Board will monitor the situation over the next wee while to gauge the effects of the proposed changes. If you have any comments or wish to discuss the matter further please feel free to speak with me.
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