Both Courses - 3rd May 2012

Both Courses are fully open.

The courses are ready for the season and are playing well.

The agronomist report from Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has been received and a hard copy is available for members to read in the lounge. In general the report is very positive with consistent management of the courses giving consistent results. The aim will be to give true surfaces for as long and as often as possible, increasing the pace of the greens by dressing and rolling rather than reducing the height of cut.

Given a window in the weather on 2nd May the courses were given a heavier dressing and rolled which resulted in the practice putting green reading 11 on the stimpmeter.

Every year in May courses throughout UK suffer as the greens surfaces deteriorate for a short while. The numerous species of grass 'come alive' at differant temperatures leading to less smooth surfaces. There is also the problem of grass seeding which tends to reduce the pace of greens. Saunton is blessed with high quality grasses and the effect is less noticeable than most inland courses.

Saunton has very few trees but a couple were seriously damaged in the weeknd storms and have been removed.

The 5th Green East is settling well, it will obviously be bumpy for a short time but regular use should help compact the surface and with dressing and fresh spring growth a good surface should be produced shortly.

The15th green surround is looking good and the bunker has been brought in to play.

Please respect the areas around the greens and keep trolleys and buggies outside of the marked areas.

To assist with the pinchpoint to the RHS of the green on the 18th East, please would buggy users exit to the left of the green.

The ground nesting birds will be breeding shortly and buggy users are required to keep their vehicles on paths or the fairways only.

Peter McMullen
General Manager