RSS15TH GREENSIDE GARDEN
Oct 27
COURSE UPDATE
Oct 27
Springs has certainly provided some great weather which has enabled a rapid Winter recovery with all surfaces providing good conditions. This growing season we are introducing and implementing a new nutrient program which has shown very encouraging signs within its early stages. The greens have continued to improve and provide good conditions considering renovations haven't been carried out in two years.
COURSE UPDATE
Apr 12
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
There is a definate crispness to the mornings at the moment with temps on the decrease and winter just around the corner. Traditionally we have one last heat wave before or around Easter and the the temps drop consistently for the next couple of months. The greens have recieved an application of gypsum to reduce sodium deposits within the soil profile. The accumulation of sodium in the soil profile has a pronounced effect on the management of quality turfgrass. Sodium causes compaction, poor soil structure and lack of growth and poor water filtration within the profile. Our use of effluent water on the course means sodium will be delivered to the soil profile on a regular basis. As a result the management of sodium and its negative effects are on-going. The first application of herbicide on the rough has been completed with a second application to be completed next week. Greens, tees and fairways will be liquid fertilised including the final application of growth regulator for growing season. All gardens are being sprayed for weeds and red hazard poles are being re-painted and aligned.
AUGUSTA FACTS
Apr 12
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
Here is some information you might not know about the world's most famous golf club.
Name: Augusta National Golf Club
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Founders: Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts (1931)
Designer: Alister MacKenzie
Opened: January, 1933
Par: 72
How do you get tickets to the US Masters?
Previously, tournament or "Series" Badges (Thursday through Sunday) were only available to those on the patron list, which was closed due to demand in 1972. A waiting list began in 1972, and was closed in 1978. It re-opened in 2000, and it too is now closed. No applications for "Series" Badges are currently being accepted.
In 2012, however, for the first time in 47 years a very limited supply of daily tournament tickets will be made available to the general public.
Practice Rounds tickets were limited and sold in advance by application only. Applicants are allocated tickets on a random selection basis. Those people who applied in 2009 and/or 2010 automatically received an application for 2011 tickets. Successful applicants were notified in September.
If you are going, what can't you take?
Any of the following – mobile phones, beepers (or any electronic devices), bags no larger than 10"W x 5"H x 5"D, cameras (on tournament days), weapons of any kind, alcoholic beverages, beverage containers or coolers, flags, banners or signs, folding chairs or stools, ladders, radios, TVs, tape recorders, strollers, walkie-talkies and periscopes – just in case you happened to have a submarine handy.
Fancy a bite on course?
What meat pies are to Australians at the footy, the Pimento Cheese sandwich is to the Masters. There are eight types of sandwiches sold at the Masters but the Pimento Cheese is the one to get. The exact recipe is kept a closely-guarded secret.
Thinking of becoming a member?
Think again. Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time, and they are a who's who of corporate power and old money. Augusta is a private club, and its most controversial aspect has long been the fact it has no female members.
Membership is strictly by invitation; there is no application process.
It is believed that annual dues are low (less than $10,000 per year) given that the Masters broadcast on earns the club millions in revenue each year. Perhaps its most-notable current member is Bill Gates, co-founder and chairman of Microsoft. So in conclusion, 300 members, one major tournament, no public rounds, $6 million budget and 100 staff????
Can you play a round at Augusta National or simply go visit the course?
No. Augusta is a private club and is only accessible to members and their guests.
What's that music they always play on the Masters coverage?
Dave Loggins wrote the original score for CBS's coverage of the Masters in 1981. It was re-released in 1996 by Don Cherry. The name of the work is "Augusta".
What's with the green jacket?
It's a nice look, isn't it? Good for 80s parties and things like that.
But every member of Augusta National receives a green sports coat with the club's logo on the left breast. The idea of the green jacket originated with club co-founder Clifford Roberts. Many thought it was because he wanted patrons visiting during the tournament to be able to readily identify members. However the real reason was supposedly because Roberts had grown tired of men wearing flashy clothing which he considered inappropriate for a golf club (Caddyshack, anyone?) and decided a uniform jacket would be the best solution.
Since Sam Snead's victory in 1949, the winner of each year's Masters has received a green jacket. The jacket is presented to the new winner by the winner of the previous tournament.
The Champions Dinner
Officially known as the Masters Club, the tradition of the Masters Champions dinner was instituted in 1952 by Ben Hogan. Each year since, the previous Masters winner has hosted a dinner for past champions. The event is usually held on the Tuesday prior to the tournament. The winner chooses the menu, and pays for the meal. The menu has been interesting.
In 1998, Tiger Woods raised eyebrows when he opted for cheeseburgers and milkshakes.
Sandy Lyle is another to have gone a little alternative, going for haggis. We're not yet sure what Phil Mickelson has whipped up this year. Some golfers say "humble pie" should be on his plate!!!!
US Masters Sweeps
Apr 07
From the course, Newsletters, Pro Shop No Comments
A big thank you to all members who participated in this years US Masters sweeps. A remarkable 198 tickets were sold with 2 seperate sweeps being sold. The overall pool for both sweeps were $198 giving the winner of each pool $100, 2nd- $60 & 3rd $40. Good Luck!!!
Click here to see who you will be cheering for in sweep 1.
Click here to see who was drawn in sweep 2.
COURSE UPDATE
Mar 11
The rain has stayed away for now but now the bunkers are back in play, who knows! generally it brings more rain. The team have done a fantastic job over the last 6 weeks to bring the course back to pre-flood conditions. We are currently trialing putting cup collars (which is the plastic band around the top of the cups) to eliminate painting and paint build up that generally occurs.
MORE RAIN
Mar 08
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
Another 9mm of overnight rain has kept the course wet and ultimeatly kept carts on paths. The decision to keep carts on paths is not made lightly as we know it effects the overall experience but it is carried out to protect the course from damage that takes weeks to recover. Last month Scott Wilkinson who has been a member of the maintenance team for almost 8 years has been promoted to Head Horticulturalist and oversees all course and clubhouse landscaping. Scott has previously undertaken a mixed role as greenkeeper/gardener but we feel the course gardens need to be improved to complement the turf surfaces and all his time is now spent maintaining landscaped areas. Below you will see some great improvements in his short period of his new role with big plans scheduled for the course in the next 12 months. If the below photo's are an indication of what is to come, than we can't wait
OVERNIGHT RAIN
Mar 03
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
To our surprise this morning, the rain gauge reported 60mm. The course has held up well but carts are on paths. Below is a photo of the 18th bunker having its sand washed away from the rain. Generally it takes between 32-40 man hours to repair all 77 bunkers on course after a rain event like this.
FLOODED AGAIN
Jan 14
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
Yes, thats right, flooded again. The team has worked tirelessly to have the course ready to open on Saturday morning. It has been a difficult time for the maintenance team during the last 13 weeks with the course flooding 3 times. Their repeated efforts during this time has been amazing and they are a very special group of individuals which we are very lucky to have looking after the course
Below is a example of their clean-up effort
COURSE UPDATE
Dec 23
Course Maintenance, From the course No Comments
Well, the weather forecasters have been spot on predicting this weeks sunny/windy/rainy periods. So far, 45mm fell on Sunday and another 22mm on Wednesday afternoon, with a total of 338mm for the month and more rain predicted to finish the month, so who knows what we might end up with! The course is continuing to recover from the flood with height of cut on fairways, rough and tees being returned to their pre-flood height. During these times of consistent rainfall and flooding, mowing frequency is effected and can have an impact on surfaces and playability. For this reason growth regulators are a greenkeepers best friend. Primo or Trinex as we call it, targets a specific enzyme in the plant which controls stem and leaf length growth by up to 50% and with the rest of the plant essentially unaffected, water and fertility can be used in other ways by promoting root growth, turf density, retention of carbohydrates reserves and general plant health. Cart directional signage has been on-going with the last six signs due for installation next week and bunkers on the 9th and 15th have been placed under GUR with re-sanding needed due to flood damage.
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