This week whilst cutting the 16th green, the mower picked up a stone which severely bent the cutting blades, this halted progress for the day and the week.
A nice early present for Peter on his return from holiday, as you can see above from the picture the cutting blades needed grinding off and sharpening ready for cutting.

This is just one of the many interruptions that can effect the day to day runnings of the preparations of the golf course.

This Sunday, 4th June we have a carvery starting from 13:00. Book early as it is filling up quickly

Pitch Mark Repairing

If you repair a pitch mark badly it can actually do a lot more harm than if you had left it alone, so it's essential you know how to do it correctly

Make sure you can repair a pitch mark correctly

If you repair a pitch mark badly it can actually do a lot more harm than if you had left it alone, so it’s essential you know how to do it correctly.

It’s not just for the sake of the greens either, there is nothing more infuriating for a golfer than to see a perfect putt knocked off line, especially through no fault of their own.

But it is alarming how many golfers seemingly neglect to repair a pitch mark, don’t know how to repair a pitch mark in the correct way, or perhaps think they are not allowed to because of the Rules of Golf.

As you can see below, the end product of a badly repaired pitch mark is an ugly brown scar left on the green that not only looks awful, but that also affects the roll of yours and other peoples’ putts.

A badly repaired pitch mark

Successfully repaired pitch marks however, can heal within twice the time it takes for a half-hearted attempt, and look more like the images below.

A correctly repaired pitch mark

A nice picture of the flowers behind the 15th green. Amazing what increased feed and rainfall does to a area.

15th hole looking fantastic, thankfully we have had some rain recently which has seen major growth. The long lasting fertiliser is kicking in and the whole surroundings of the greens are thickening up, this fertiliser has a five month span which will see through the summer.

After a recent problem with the irrigation, a outside contractor had damaged a leading pipe and it was 1 week without any water on the whole course, thankfully plenty rainfall did not effect the course condition.

 The greenstaff are top dressing and over seeding the greens.

We have laid over 600 meter square of turf from the work over the winter, due to very dry conditions we have had to water these in on a daily basis otherwise the grass would curl and die off. within a week or so this will have been knitted in nicely and cutt.

The new starters hut looks fantastic, landscaped by our very own Chris Hunter from the green staff. A lot of hard work, well done and thanks Chris.

These pictures are areas on the course which we feel have become a bit tatty over time, paths are a big problem on many course that have the footfall of Pike Hills. We have been able to acquire some astro turf a which will dramatically improve these areas from a visual point of view.

There is still plenty of work required to complete these areas but it gives a idea of how they will look. the sides need filling and leveling off and they will be flush with the surrounding area. Then we will order turf and level it up to the edges, all this will be completed before the start of the season along with other path areas of concern which will bring a more consistent look to the paths.

The 8th hedge has now been removed, the fairway will be re shaped as soon as we get grass growth, The pathway will be removed and turfed, which by removing the path it will spread the wear through out the year.

This may also increase speed of play. :)

The boundary to the right of the 8th tee will be planted with a new hawthorn hedge to account for the removal of the original hedge, this will define the boundary of the golf course better and match the right hand side all the way down the hole.

Saturday 18^th February 7pm for 7:30

(A)Thai flavoured smoked salmon, prawn & chive fishcakes, salad greek yoghurt & cucumber dip & paprika 

Or        

                                                                                                                

(B)Brown onion soup with a pastry lid baked with fresh herbs  & red wine                                                                         =================                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 Champagne & Elderflower flavoured water ice                                                       =================                                                                                                                                                         

(C)Rack of English Lamb topped with crust of fresh mint minced chicken served with red current sauce                                                                                                           Or                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

(D)Pan roasted Mahi Mahi on roasted Mediterranean  vegetables, béarnaise sauce                                                                                                                     Or                                                                                 

(E)Vegetable nut and dried fruit roast with tomato Provençale                                                                                          

Market fresh vegetable and potato                                                                     ==================                                                                                                                                                     

Individual mango strawberry orange and kiwi fruit tarte, crème analgise and chocolate sauce

Burns night is coming to Pike Hills Golf Club, Friday 27th January from 7pm. All members and visitors are welcome, the menu looks great.

Come and join us for this fantastic evening of fun and fine dining, we have a piper booked to celebrate the arrival of the haggis, after the meal you can dance the night away to "sound out" disco..

The menu is below:

(A)Traditional Scotch Lamb Broth with Crusty Bread. 

(B)(Vegetable Broth available for Vegetarians.)

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Haggis Neeps & Tatties light Whiskey Cream Sauce(vegetarian available)

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(C)Steak & Ale pie with onion Yorkshire pudding 

 (or) (D)Baked Salmon Escalope Mussels and Prawns Fresh Herbs (or) (E)Stir Fried Vegetables & Halloumi, Chinese Soya and Hoi Sin sauces All served with market fresh vegetables & potatoes

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(F)Cranachan, Traditional Scotch Dessert with Toasted Oats, Malt Whiskey Fresh Raspberries Whipped Cream and Shortbread Biscuits. 

(or) (G)Biscuits and Cheese Grapes Celery and Biscuits

The table plan is up, for anyone attending please could you add your name to the plan and make payment in the office.