COURSE REPORT 2026

Course Report to Members

Despite some of the most atrocious weather conditions many of us can remember, the Greens Team has completed a number of key tasks over the past eight weeks and continues to push forward in preparation for the upcoming playing season.

Bunker Programme Update

The installation of bunker liners and surrounding turfing is now complete. These areas will be allowed to settle, and Ground Under Repair (GUR) restrictions will remain in place until mid-to-late March. At that point, we will install China Clay sand into the newly constructed bunkers, ensuring they are fully playable for the start of the main season.

The remaining bunkers, which form part of Phase 3, will have the old sand removed. To achieve greater consistency and uniformity across the course, China Clay sand will also be introduced into these bunkers.

Winter Mats & Pathways

The newly introduced winter mats have been well received by members, and we appreciate the positive feedback. To further improve access and course protection, we will be introducing additional pathways to and from tees, finished with crushed brick to provide durability and improved presentation.

Looking Ahead – 6 Month Agronomic Plan

Although this winter has been exceptionally wet, our long-term objectives remain unchanged. Some challenges are quick fixes; others require a more strategic and time-sensitive approach. Below are the key initiatives we will be implementing over the next six months:

Greens Improvement Programme

• Thatch Reduction & Soil Analysis
• Begin reducing thatch levels on the greens.
• Conduct nutrient and organic matter testing.
• Implement a corrective maintenance schedule based on laboratory results.

Overseeding Strategy

Transition primarily to Brown Top Bent grass, maintaining a small percentage of Creeping Bent.

Benefits include:

• Greater climatic suitability
• Reduced disease pressure
• Lower maintenance intensity
• More stable surfaces under shade and moisture

Aeration Programme We will adopt a more routine, non-disruptive aeration schedule using:

• Pencil tining
• Ninja tining
• Star slitting

This approach will penetrate the thatch layer, improve airflow, relieve surface tension and enhance overall surface health.

March Maintenance Week (Corrective Approach)

During March maintenance week we will:

• Extract hollow cores to approximately 50mm depth.
• Use the GKB Sandfiller to 30–40mm depth.
• This process removes larger volumes of unwanted organic matter and replaces it with clean sand in a single operation, targeting a wider surface area with narrow spacing. This will also assist in reducing moss levels on certain greens.

In-Season Surface Refinement

Introduce micro-grooming and verticutting throughout the season (every 4–5 weeks at approximately 0 to -2mm).

Increase cutting frequency across surrounds, semi-rough and rough.

Explore improvements to tee-to-fairway presentation, including the potential addition of semi-rough laps (subject to investment).

Course-Wide Improvements

Tree & Vegetation Management

Ongoing bramble clearing.

Lifting tree canopies to 8–9 feet across the course.

Targeted copse and tree management in key playing areas.

Watercourse & Pond Management

Pond clearance and routine stream/ditch maintenance.

Installation of fountains at the 1st greenside lake and 10th tee lake.

Use of dye and water treatments.

Removal of unwanted self-seeded and unsightly trees from watercourse perimeters.

Tees, Approaches & Collars

We will introduce hand mowing to refine playing surfaces and reduce reliance on ride-on machinery. However, for context, hand mowing tees alone currently requires one staff member for seven hours, which is not practical from both a course set-up and staffing efficiency perspective. We will carefully balance presentation improvements with operational realities.

Course Furniture & Presentation

Clean, straighten and where necessary relocate information boards.

Refurbish all boards and ball washers to a higher specification.

Align yardage boards and discs in accordance with official course measurement.

• Out of Bounds & Hazard Marking
• Clear and tidy unsightly OOB areas.
• Ensure clear white staking in line with local rules.
• Confirm all watercourses and hazards are correctly and consistently marked.
• Practice Facilities
• Construct an elevated astro tee mat.
• Continue development of the chipping green.
• Improve overall presentation and functionality of short game areas.

Course Status & Rainfall Update

I would like to address the ongoing issue of course status during this winter period.

The normal rainfall for the course between November and January is approximately 750mm. During the same period this year, we have recorded just under 1300mm. Looking at the broader October–February window, we are currently showing nearly double the typical rainfall, with more forecast.

The water table is as high as anyone can remember at Drayton Park. While our greens are constructed to disperse water efficiently, the fairways are not currently built to the same specification.

Over the coming years, we will need to address water retention areas across the course and consider how we better utilise stored water during dry spells, such as those experienced last summer and introduce fairway drainage where appropriate,I intend to bring forward proposals to the Board in the near future regarding long-term water management and drainage strategy.

Course Closures & Restrictions

Finally, I want to address course closures and restrictions during this winter.  When the Greens Team closes the course or introduces restrictions, it is never done lightly. Several key factors are considered:

Is the hole fully playable?

Are greens, fairways and walkways safe?

Are access routes between tees and greens secure?

Most importantly — is it safe?

We have recorded four accidents on the course during this winter period. Nobody wants to stop members from playing golf, but safety and long-term course protection must remain our priority.

Your understanding and support during these difficult conditions is greatly appreciated. The work being carried out now is designed to place Drayton Park in a strong position for the upcoming season and for many seasons to come.

Bridge Construction

Gary Moore has generously offered to rebuild two of the bridges that span the ditch across the 13th and 15th fairways.  Due to the weather this work will not commence until early May the Club would like to thank Gary for his generosity.

Thank you for your continued support.

Bob Nason Course Director

Gareth Waite Course Manager 

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