Yelverton Golf Club

Greens Department - Autumn Newsletter

After a very successful Summer and early Autumn, the course is in good shape leading into the Winter months. The Autumn maintenance work on both the Greens and Tees has recovered well with good germination from over-seeding. The greens in particular have responded well from Autumn maintenance, and remained relatively firm through recent wet periods. We still experience surface water at times of severe rain, but the recovery time has greatly improved along with the surfaces remaining firm.

The animals on the course have kept us very busy this Summer and keeping the course tidy has been challenging at times. Now things have slowed down on that front and we are busy catching up with many projects around the course. The 7th fairway bunker has been re-constructed with the bank re-instated and the bunker itself re-shaped and drained to improve its performance. We will be adding drainage to the worst of the bunkers soon to improve consistency throughout the course. You will also see that all the sleeper steps have been covered with matting to improve safety and the appearance of the steps. We are now concentrating on the bridge crossings on the Devonport Leat, passing through holes 8, 9 and 10. Again this will improve access, safety and the appearance of these areas. Other projects include, draining hollows, a viewing platform on the 3rd, various sleeper steps installed and the upgrade of paths and path-ends.

As we get into the darkest depths of Winter, the “Gorse Management Plan” will resume. This year there will be general selective removal of degenerate Gorse from around the course. This will allow better access, encourage Gorse and Heather regeneration and improve the ecology of these areas.

The planned upgrade of the Practice facilities, to include a Short / Academy Course and a new Chipping Green / Bunker area, has been put back to the Spring. Details of the proposed plans will be posted in the New Year.

The Winter Trolley Ban is now in place with “exemptions”! There is a balance to be met between ensuring that we limit the amount of damage and erosion the course suffers against giving ALL the opportunity to play golf at Yelverton Golf Club. A “Total Trolley Ban” may be enforced from time to time during periods of severe weather conditions. This will be communicated to members and visitors via the website, notice boards and the Pro-shop. Please understand that these decisions will be made with little notice!

We have also put together a “Frost Greens Policy”. This Policy has been put in place to ensure the long term health and performance of the main greens at Yelverton Golf Club. It has also been put in place to ensure that the Greens are checked regularly and therefore maximise the amount of time the main Greens are in use. Research and studies have been used to back this Policy. The Club appreciates the understanding, patience and co-operation of both members and visitors during these periods.

Finally, we have been receiving some very positive comments about the condition of the course this year, from both members and visitors, and I would like to say thank you to the team, Adam, Mike, Neville and Mark for all their hard work.

George Pitts
Course Manager
Email: gpitts@yelvertongolf.co.uk