Welcome to the first track status of the year. We have reached the first month of spring and winter has hit us for the first time. January was record wet (highest rainfall in Dyrehaven in 17 years), February mostly normal and now March is starting with morning frost and possibly snow. But that is very normal. Always when we think we are going to start cutting or trimming or dressing, winter comes and teases.
But the winter weather gives time to catch up on all the indoor tasks and to get to the bottom of saved time off and vacation. The greenkeepers who have been at work in January and February have prepared course equipment and machinery, but they have also been diligent in helping with minor repairs and cleaning up in the clubhouse and clubhouse surroundings. The trackman room has been repaired by the greenkeepers, the kitchen and office have been helped with tasks and the renovation of the restaurant is also getting a hand.
The club has hired Rasmus Broch Pedersen as a full-time greenkeeper as of March 1.
Rasmus has just turned 31, has a girlfriend and 2 children and comes from Hillerød GK. He has been a greenkeeper his entire working life. First in Mølleåen, a short visit to Ledreborg and then in Hillerød where he was first man. He is a very skilled golfer and plays on Hillerød's 1st team and has won the Royal Trophy twice, so if you already know his name it is perhaps because you have seen his name on the board in the restaurant. He has chosen to switch to Copenhagen to learn new things and because he thinks it is a fantastic course. Of course when you have won twice. Give Rasmus a warm welcome when you meet him one day on the course.
With Rasmus's employment, the greenkeeper farm is now fully staffed again. Janus Nielsen manages the workshop, Nicolai Larsen is the first man, Hilmar Sveinsson and now Rasmus Broch are greenkeepers and with the undersigned as manager. Louis Jakobsen manages the house and driving range with good help from Emil Stougaard, who helps several days a week. This summer the butterflies will return, but probably in a new lineup.
The weather conditions will determine what we achieve in March, although we are very eager to get started. We have a lot of work ahead of us to repair our bunkers after the winter. In addition to this work, we will focus on aerating, dressing and reseeding our tees and then giving the same treatment to the greens and green surroundings. Then we will also start to get close to April when the season starts.
You will see the frequency of flagged greens days increase as the days get longer and the course takes shape and can handle the increased wear and tear from players and greenkeepers. I don't have a set date for when the greens will be flagged permanently, when the bunkers will be back in the river, and when all tees will be in play. But it will come. Until then, be happy that the greens and fairways have made it through this part of the winter and that the starting point for the season looks good.
As always:
Remember to use mats
Straighten your impact mark
Keep your cart away from the green surroundings.
Enjoy!
Martin Nilsson, Chief Greenkeeper