Ditching work continues on the course with the digger now clearing the 7th, 4th, 16th and then 18th on the Abbotts.  New T signs are going out on the course as you will have seen.  Although it will take a while to move the ballwashers and other furniture. 

The 1st Tee is having sleepers added to the scrub bed and planting will be increased if we ever see the sun in spring.

Crow damage on certain parts of the course has reached an unacceptable level.  The pecking is caused by the birds eating grubs within the turf.  There are 2 types of grub in the sward 1 is called leatherjackets and will be sprayed as soon as conditions allow.  The other are called Chafer Grubs an these cannot be treated until late spring.  With the milder wetter weather the grubs have moved closer to the surface to feed and left them open to attack from the crows. At the moment we are cutting, brushing and divoting these areas on a regular basis which will hopefully keep these areas clearer.  As we move towards spring we will spray for leatherjackets and then treat for chafers later in the season.

Lifecycle of a chafer grub

The courses are going through a good deal of pain at the moment with the Priors now having trolleys suspended.  Weather for the weekend looks poor but hopefully after we may see a colder more seasonal feeling return.

The picture below are key to improving drainage on the courses.  The first is a before of a ditch located to the left of the 12th fairway Abbotts and the second is the area cleared.  This ditch connects with the 11th T and 10th green both of which are very wet.

Before, What ditch!

There it is