Important dates:
Friday 10/12: The ball machine at the driving range closes.
Sunday 12/12: Last day with flags on the greens. After that, play for hole and plug.
Monday 13/12: The par 3 course and putting greens close.
Tuesday 21/12: River is collected from bunkers.
December came quickly after a busy November on the course. A small amount of sand still needs to be put out on selected fairways and semi-roughs, but otherwise we reached our autumn goal with approx. 300 tons of sand put out. Greens, foregreens and tees are all now in “winter mode”, i.e. very little growth, but with a healthy starting point before we enter the real winter. Fairways are closer than they usually are at this time and that creates fertile ground for a quiet, but attention-demanding optimism that 22 will at least have a better start than we had in 21. Everyone can see that it helps that we all use mats on the course.
We have already had a bit of winter here in early December and we have tried to keep the course closed due to weather for longer than we have tried before. Closures will happen again. I will try to communicate as well and clearly as possible so that there are not too many disappointments. This is new ground we have moved into, but the course is benefiting from it.
If the conditions are otherwise suitable, the course is open as always. But now that the days are short and significantly fewer rounds are being played, the service level on the course is changing. The last day with flags on the greens will be this Sunday. After that, you will have to manage by playing to the greens, taking the plug out of the hole, putting, and putting the plug in. Onward. To support the game, flag placement charts will be available on the counter in the hall and shop. The chart will be updated every time the greenkeepers have moved holes again.
The par 3 course and putting greens will be closed for play on Monday. Now they must be left alone. The putting green will remain open for the time being, but without flags.
The service at the driving range is also being reduced to winter mode. Starting this Friday, you will have to pick up your own balls at the range. It's not fun, but we lose too many balls during the off-season, which are driven into the ground and disappear.
So now it's winter, but there will still be many good hours ahead on the golf course. Keep an eye on the restaurant's opening hours, remember to use a mat and to line up your tee marks.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Martin Nilsson
Head greenkeeper