RECENT heavy rainfall combined with hot, steamy conditions have meant the Jamberoo course mowers have had to work overtime dealing with the excess grass growth.
Concern has been expressed from some quarters that there is some new policy about having longer, thicker rough but members can be assured there is no such policy change.
Heavy rain not only interferes with mowing schedules but in hot summer conditions means big growth spurts and in fact the cutting deck gear boxes on both Kubota rough mowers have just had to be reconditioned with bearings and centre shafts mainly due to the extra pressure that has been put on them.
Areas of rough cannot be cut at too low a height (it is “rough” after all”) in anticipation of quicker growth because it can place too much stress on the grass. Large brown patches have already been evident where growth spurt areas have been recently mown.
17th bunker rough reduced
There has been one related course change however and that has been a considerable reduction of the grass bunker rough on the 17th fairway.
This area of rough, centred around the palm tree between the top left of the 17th and the start of the 16th fairway, has been permanently reduced by 5 metres.
New bunker edger
The club has recently purchased a specialised golf bunker edger tool that should significantly aid groundstaff in trimming and maintaining the bunker edges and faces.
Focus on bunker maintenance and improvement will continue