The winter has ended up being both long and cold. This means that the season preparation work that the greenkeepers always do in February and March has been postponed and that we will have an explosive start to the season during the Easter holidays. That's how it will be this year. Basically, the course has come through the winter well. There is minimal damage to the greens from fungal attacks, but lots of tracks and scratches from deer. A little top dressing, sun and heat will fix them quickly during April.
Of course, everything is subject to change, but to the extent that the course is ready for operation, the plan is to have all our bunkers ready for the season before Easter. Almost 4 months alone with the deer has its price and it is always a considerable task to get them used to it in the spring. Several of them also need major renovation, but that task is only scheduled for when the grass has really started to grow again. And if possible, the greenkeepers will also have the greens and green surroundings brushed, cut and groomed before Easter. We are doing everything we can to create the best playing conditions for Easter, which hopefully spring will bring with it.
The long winter has brought one sacrifice, however, and that is the planned top dressing of our fairways. It was supposed to be completed in week 12, but has now been postponed to week 15 or 16 in April.
The winter wait has been used to bring the establishment of the new lounge forward. There has been a lot of filling, plastering and painting. Several other rooms have been renovated to make the deal with the closed tournament committee room work. The tournament committee will now reside in the old junior room where Martin has had an office for a few seasons. A storage room next door has been closed to make room for a few new office spaces and a storage room. The basement has been renovated so that it can also be used as a store for the shop and office. Finally, a cold storage room has been established for storing patio furniture, etc. All projects have had the greenkeepers as a central executing party.
Our greens, tees and fairway mowers have undergone a major overhaul this winter. The machines are still in good condition after 6 busy seasons, but the cutting cylinders were worn out. Cylinders and other wearing parts on our machines have therefore been replaced to ensure they continue to perform optimally.
