Thanks to Margaret Hair and all our 17 ladies who competed in our 'Ladies Away Day' to Duddingston GC last week. It was a great fun day from my perspective, especially so, in getting the opportunity to play with everyone. It was also nice to receive some good feedback on the day from several of the ladies who played.
Our winner was Anne Wilson and runner up Myrtle Gilbert, with Linda McDonald finishing third. Joan Prentice scooped the NTP and twos money. Thanks must go to Ann Wheeldon for donating a prize.
On a visit to Moray Golf Club
Brian Turner, Brian McSkimming and
Roy MacGregor tied the best score of the day in the McDonald Trophy.
In very windy conditions they scored a respectable score of 61, however they lost on count back on best last 6 holes.
St. Andrews Students sweep the board at Ladybank
Last Tuesday, 4 October we held a student tournament here at Ladybank. There was some fantastic golf played with St. Andrews being very successful in both the Men's and Ladies competition.
For more information on the event,
click here.
Gents October Medal - Saturday, 1 October
Cat 1 + 2
1st -
CD Owen - 81 (11) = 70
2nd -
B McSkimming - 82 (11)= 71
3rd -
DG Gatherum - 74 (3) = 71
Cat 3 + 4
1st -
DG Cuthbert - 80 (16) = 64
2nd -
JX Anderson - 85 (13) = 72
3rd -
GR Lennie - 89 (17) = 72
Alex Armstrong flask 5 Club
JD Dryburgh(20) - 38pts,
IR Wilson(16) - 37pts,
C Macintosh(21) - 36pts.
Ladybank Ladies - October Medal
L Bennett (4) - 74,
M Campbell (14) - 75 bih,
M Gilbert (11) - 75
NEW Titleist 917 product Our demo kit for the Titleist 917 driver and fairway woods has now finally arrived.
Please pop in to try the product and see what all the amazing 'Tour reviews' are all about for yourself.
Head Greenkeepers Blog
The Ryder cup came to a close this week and it was yet another fantastic advert for our sport. The standard of golf on show was amongst the best I've ever seen; granted they did have the course set up to encourage plenty birdies with some accessible pins and pretty receptive greens, but that's what the Ryder cup is all about and it made for some great viewing.
The transition into autumn before the clocks go back is always a difficult period for us greenkeepers, especially when we still have tournaments with early starts. It means us heading out in the pitch dark with lights on to try and get one step ahead to assure we are not caught up. Regardless of the conditions we are out there doing our best to prepare the course for the golfers.
The last 2 weeks have brought some unsettled weather with gale force winds giving us plenty of tidying up to do.
Again it's a job most golfers won't see us doing as it has to be done first thing prior to mowing. Blowing debris is a time consuming task which is done pretty much all year round on all surfaces.
This time of year is the worst when the deciduous trees are shedding leaves, and the old pine needles are being blown everywhere.
Work has been done in the past to remove some problematic trees that cause debris issues, but in high winds the needles just seem to travel and stick to the greens like velcro!
Last Tuesday we had our autumn visit from the STRI and yet again we make more progress to enhancing our heathland character. Trueness, Smoothness, Firmness, Moisture levels, Green Speed, are all well within or exceeding our targets. The most important one for us Organic Matter levels have yet again reduced by 0.5% bringing us within our target for the first time. This tells us that our dilution strategy is working perfectly without causing lengthy surface disruptions. The fescue overseeding has also been a success with a greater population visible within our sward.
Our autumn maintenance this year will mirror last years with us applying a heavy top dressing followed by a solid tine. Graden work is not required now that we have the OM at such a level and this will continue to be monitored. The date we will be commencing maintenance will be Monday 17th October where we will utilise temporary greens to speed the operation up and allow main greens back in play as quickly as possible.
Weather outlook is settled for next week with high pressure dominating. There's some uncertainty towards the end of next week with a battle between high/low pressure expected to bring strengthening winds and whichever wins the will determine our fate!!
David Gray Head Greenkeeper
Please note: Club Prize Giving has been moved to the Friday, 18 November!!