PROVISIONAL MINUTESto be passed by Greens Committee in May 2008

                                                                                                                                    ALLEN PARK/ANTRIM GOLF CLUB

 

Minute of Greens Meeting held at Allen Park on Thursday 28th February 2008 at 6.30 p.m.

 

PRESENT:                   Allen Park  - Marie Agnew (Manager), Clement Beattie (Head Greenkeeper)

         Antrim Golf Club – Gerry Mulholland, David Hamilton,

          Margaret McKay, Jennifer Wallace

                                                                  

1.         APOLOGIES:    

 

Minutes of meeting (27th September 2007) were passed.

 

2.         MATTERS ARISING:

 

a)     Bridge at 17th:  new turf bridge – to be soiled and turfed within the next period

b)     Seats on the course – Seats that were brought in to be painted over the winter period have been positioned back on the golf course.  A new seat in memory of Billy Hanna (provided for by the membership) will, when it arrives, be placed at gents 10th tee box.

c)     Ball washers – These have been placed around the golf course and have been cemented into the ground.

d)     All works relating to the development programme have been completed.  This included the reinstatement of some areas including topsoiling and turfing of lake bank at 9th and the problems that arose with the bunkers on the 9th hole (2 fairway and 1 greenside)

 

3.         HEAD GREENKEEPER’S REPORT

 

Since last meeting in September 2007 the following works have been carried out:

a)                 planting of gorse on numerous holes throughout facility

b)                 mowing of all areas where and when possible as growth dictates

c)                  Staff training

d)                 spraying as and when possible/required

e)                 turfing of holes/bare areas throughout facility

f)                    leaf collection

g)                 reshaping of approaches and fairways

h)                  planting and barking at entrance

i)                    aeration of greens when possible

j)                    edge/define bunkers

k)                  litter picking

l)                    pitch mark repair

m)               seats brought in, painted and put out

n)                  cleaning of pathways

o)                 tree planting programme continuation

p)                 installation of new ball washers

 

 

 

Work to be undertaken for next meeting:

a)     aeration of greens

b)     devoting of fairways

c)      finish the planting schemes

d)     tree maintenance

e)     finish bridge at 17th

f)        continue with bunker work – edging and topping up

g)     preparing bowling green for start of season

h)      dusting of pathways

i)        hollow tining of green surrounds, paths, bridges, seeding and topdressing

j)        verti-cutting of greens, tees and approaches and topdress

k)      topdress roughs and fairways

 

The members were appreciative of the work that has been carried out throughout the winter period and of the period to come.  They recognised the fact that a lot of work other than just grass cutting is carried out.

It was pointed out that the planting programme throughout the winter involved the planting of 4,000 gorse plants and up to 2,000 trees and shrubs.  Members said that this would have a positive impact on the golf course in the years to come.

 

4.         STAFFING ISSUES

     

The vacant position on greens staff has been filled by Stuart Nixon.  Now reached complement of six staff.  A considerable amount of staff training will take place throughout the year.

  

5.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)                 Dates for Greens Committee Meetings 2008: 

Thursday 29th May;  Thursday 31st July;  Thursday 25th September

 

b)                 Hollow tining of Greens:  David Hamilton asked was it planned to do this work again during 2008 and if so when.  Clement Beattie confirmed that this was programmed for first two weeks of September.  David said that as this month was still in the playing season could it not be delayed until October.  Clement explained that it was necessary to do this when there was still growth and when the weather should be more favourable and that really the ideal time to do this would be during the month of August.  However, it is delayed until September due to Club competitions e.g. President’s Day.

Discussion took place on holes not being filled up with sand.  Management confirmed they are looking at ways of overcoming this.

c)                  Disease and moss on greens – the green have been treated for disease and treatment for moss is beginning.

d)         Team Matches – Marie mentioned the importance of all team captains advising Clement of dates of all forthcoming matches.  She asked that the representatives take this back to their Committees to ensure that this is done.    

 

     

This concluded the business and the meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.

 

6.      Date of next meeting  29th May 2008 at 6.30 p.m.