News and Updates from BHPGC

Here you'll see posts from our Club Captains, Green keeping and Events Teams, along with lots of other news!
Graham Careford

Course Update

Greens Maintenance Week Good progress has been made with all the greens being spiked to a depth of 200 mm using 19 mm width tine, followed by 50 tonnes of sand dressing to fill the holes. Aeration is essential to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition.Primarily aeration helps to control organic matter "thatch", relieve compaction and t...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  After many months of work and hundreds of man hours the new short game area is now ready to open. The grow-in period has gone extremely well with all surfaces displaying excellent grass coverage. This new practice area will open on Friday 9 th August after the greenkeepers take on the committees in a nearest the pin competition to formally o...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

After the very dry month of May that saw only 35 mm of rainfall, summer rain has finally arrived with over 50 mm falling in the last 7 days. This rain is much needed to help the repair process on the fairways that have not recovered from the heatwave last summer. Now we have sufficient moisture in the soil, work will start in helping the very worst...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Tree transplanting work was successfully carried out on Monday with 5 trees being moved using a large tree spade. The trees that were chosen for transplantation were 3 Pines, Conifer and a Lime tree, all located on the fringes of the rough. With the expertise of "Civic Trees" and aided by the greenstaff the trees were moved to more prominent positi...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Greens renovations which involved hollow coring and over 30 tons of sand dressing being applied was successfully completed and the greens are now returning to some normality, thank you for your patience during this essential maintenance work. Height of cut on the greens has been lowered to 4mm and will be reduced further in the coming weeks ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

​ As we get closer to the golfing season, our winter work starts drawing to a close and we now look forward to, and plan our maintenance programmes for the summer. The winter has been kind compared to other years with only five course closures, three of which were due to snow. In February we saw temperatures reach 20 degrees with very little rain, ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

​ The weather has been kind in recent weeks with higher seasonal temperatures and more importantly very little rain. This window of opportunity has allowed us to cut most of the course to restore definition and for other projects to be completed. Clearance projects Area adjacent to the 12 th green has been cleared removing dead trees, holly and bra...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Course maintenance Greens Greens are in very good condition with no outbreaks of disease over the Christmas period, which is normally a hotspot for Fusarium to appear. Preventive fungicide applications continue to be applied monthly to combat further threats, this will enable the greens to remain in good condition for the coming season. Greens cont...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

After a particularly mild autumn temperatures recently have dropped slowing up grass growth and helping the last of the Oaks to shed their leaves. Many believe grass stops growing in the winter, but actually grass growth slows but never stops growing. This does mean surfaces will need light cuts throughout the winter which does prove difficult ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

This week the temperatures have dropped rapidly and it's beginning to feel like winter has arrived after a very mild autumn. Most of our time this week has been spent clearing leaves, especially the Oaks that are always the last to drop. Thankfully we have the equipment at our disposal to make this time consuming job much quicker and more effective...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Practice Ground I am extremely pleased with the progress that has been made to the new short game area on the practice ground. Our initial aim was to carry out the work in two phases over a period of 18 months, but due to the good weather and the hard work of the greenstaff all ground works should be completed this winter. The turfing of the areas ...
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Mark Kermode
Excellent work as always Graham, I love your course updates and I'm learning something new every week! Now I won't complain about ... Read More
Friday, 09 November 2018 17:59
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Greens Greens have recently been aerated and a liquid feed applied containing Iron to harden the turf and improve colour. At present greens are cut daily at a cutting height of 4 mm.  As growth slows and the greens get softer we will raise the cutting height to  5 mm and begin cutting with pedestrian mowers. Tees Tees are cut twice...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The dry weather has continued with only 15mm of rain falling in September and so far just 10mm in October. We do rely on increased rain fall in the autumn to help the fairways recover after the very hot summer. Irrigation lines that have recently been topped up and seeded also need adequate rain for the seed to germinate. Fairways will be aerated t...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The pond clearance project has now been completed resulting in the 13 th pond looking much tidier and healthier because of this work. The long reach excavator was ideal in reaching the middle of the pond removing in excess of 150 tons of silt that had built up over many years. Last week we started the long filling programme replenishing the water t...
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PORTER, MR Henry
GRAHAM, suggestion. Why not use the silt from the pond to fill drainage lines and unsightly parts of the course. The end of the pa... Read More
Monday, 24 September 2018 16:58
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Clearance work to the 13 th pond was planned to start on Monday of this week but was hampered by the dumper trucks not arriving until Tuesday, due to transporting issues. Finally though on Tuesday morning work started clearing the silt and thick vegetation that has choked up the pond for many years.     The only machine capable of doing t...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Renovation week The second round of renovation works to the greens will commence on Tuesday 28 th August and will take 4 days to complete. This work is disruptive to the surfaces but is essential for the long term health of the greens. The first process is to aerate with a machine called a verti-drainer that uses metal tines to punch holes into the...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The cooler wet conditions of late has been a welcome change to the very hot weather we have experienced over the last eight weeks. 21mm of rain fell in the last week with 10mm alone falling in two hours on Monday morning. The irrigation system has worked very well in keeping surfaces alive and in a healthy condition, but nothing can beat natural ra...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

This long period of hot dry weather continues and the new irrigation system is doing a fine job in keeping primary surfaces green and healthy. Some members have commented on the speed of the greens and why they are slower than usual. Maintaining the greens during this dry period is very difficult and my sole aim is to keep the greens healthy and fr...
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Recent Comments
BANIM, DR Shay
Hi Graham Great to see the benefits of irrigation on the greens and tees. You’re right to preserve the green grass. The wild flo... Read More
Saturday, 21 July 2018 09:19
Mark Kermode
Thanks for you excellent and informative posts, Graham. And we do notice the nice additions like the meadow grass behind the 5th t... Read More
Saturday, 21 July 2018 18:38
WATERMAN, MR Bryan
Great work Graham. The greens are excellent - to my standard - and the practice putting green is excellent - probably one of the b... Read More
Wednesday, 25 July 2018 11:23
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Graham Careford

Course Update

It has been one of driest Junes since records began with temperatures reaching 30 degrees for long periods and only 1mm of rain for the entire month. It has been a real test for the new irrigation system and generally its coped admirably, although there has been a few teething problems along the way. The 3 rd , 17 th and 18 th tees were showing sig...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The new irrigation system is now fully operational and is active every night during this dry period watering greens, tees and approaches Even after this short period surfaces have greatly improved especially the tees and approaches that did suffer during dry periods. Greens are also in very good condition with very little visible signs of dry patch...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation The irrigation contractors were at the club for two days last week finishing off the snagging list and reinstatement works. Victor Jamieson (designer) will now have one final visit to check and sign off the works. Although wet of late the system has been up and running during dry periods in May and I have been very impressed with coverag...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation update The first phase of the snagging has now been completed, work involved repairing any leaks and setting arcs on the sprinkler heads. Reinstatement works have now begun in making good the trench lines and valve boxes with seed and soil. Once this final phase has been completed Victor Jamieson our consultant will make his final inspec...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The weather this spring has comprised of extremes; snow in March very wet in April and only recently temperatures reaching 20 degrees. April rainfall reached 101mm compared 31mm in 2017, maintaining the course with this amount of rain has been extremely difficult as it limits machinery usage on the golf course. Charity day, the clubs firs...
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MILLARD, MR Paul
The course is looking great Graham. Sterling work by the lads. Good luck on Monday.
Saturday, 05 May 2018 07:49
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The warm weather last week combined with high moisture levels in the soil created a grass factory of growth that pushed our machinery to the limits. Fairways, approaches and tee were cut three times to keep growth in check, whilst the rough was cut continually throughout the week. All the cutting did create wonderful definition as the course starts...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Taking advantage of the dry weather this week our priority was to get as much of the golf course cut as possible, after what has been a very wet spring. As predicted the course is very lush and grass growth is vigorous so it is critical that all areas are kept in check to keep the course looking its best. There are still pockets that are still not ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Only thirteen days into April and rainfall is already up to 53mm, average rainfall for April is usually 43mm for the entire month. This amount of rain has caused disruption to golf with more course closures on Monday and Tuesday. The forecast for next week is better with temperatures peaking at a barmy 22 degrees, this will help dry the course and ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

​ Over 35mm of rain fell over the Easter bank holiday, leaving the course saturated and leaving surfaces across the whole course flooded. The heavy rain forced us to close on Bank holiday Monday and Tuesday to enable the course to dry out, but it's a slow process. Further light showers on Tuesday night allowed only 10 holes to be open on Wednesday,...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  The greens are slowly getting back to some normality after the intensive aeration and sanding programme of last week. They have been cut by hand this week to give them a light trim and roll. Cutting of the greens will now intensify in cuts per week and height of cut reduced to 4mm as day time temperatures rise. Work has already started ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The snow at the weekend was not ideal preparation for the up and coming renovation week, and starting work on Monday morning the course still had a thick covering of snow and ice. But we persevered and by the end of the first day the greens had received their first spike using the 19mm tines to a depth of 200mm. Day two saw over 20 tons of sand app...
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Graham Careford

Course Update - 16/03/18

Our main focus this week was the maintenance of bunkers, work consisted of edging to redefine the edges and the movement of sand to ensure the bases are more consistent. We did experience a large build-up of sand to the backs of many bunkers we worked on, this is due to incorrect raking. I do encourage every golfer when raking their footmarks to ra...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

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The golf course recovered very well after the arctic weather and snow of last week. Conditions were so good we managed to cut fairways, tees and approaches improving the definition that can be missing at this time of year. We have erected a small wooden fence on the 7 th path to encourage golfers to use the path and to avoid grassed areas beco...
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BANIM, DR Shay
Hi Graham The new 16th bunker looks fantastic. As does the pathway to the 7th tee. Well done. Shows great initiative. Sé Bani... Read More
Friday, 09 March 2018 22:12
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Graham Careford

Course Update

A very cold and snowy week on the course, but the arctic weather did not hamper progress and completion of the 7th path extension.  This week we finished the bottom section of the path which connects to the men's tees, this now enables players to enter and exit the teeing ground without walking through the muddy area that exists in the winter....
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation - The system is now live and was fully tested last week with a full programme being carried out overnight and into the early hours of the morning. There are still a few minor problems to iron out, but in general the system has been installed to a very high standard. Victor Jamieson our consultant will visit the site shortly and appraise ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Irrigation Contractors were back at the club this week for possibly their last week of works prior to the snagging. Works have concentrated on fitting nozzles and setting the arcs on the sprinkler heads on both tees and greens. Insulation and low level heating were also fitted in the pump house to protect the pumps from freezing during perio...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation - The contractors have returned this week for just one day to repair paths and roadways that were damaged during the installation. It has been agreed to wait for the course to dry a little before they return to complete the final few tasks to avoid further damage to the course. Some of the remaining works involve wiring in the valve boxe...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation update This week the last of the sprinklers heads were finally fitted on the 5 th tee, drawing a close to this part of the installation. On Wednesday the system was filled with water for the first time and flushed through removing any debris and stones in the pipework that could potentially damage and block the sprinklers. While the syst...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation We are now drawing close to the completion of what has been a very successful installation by Irrigation and water with only minor disruption to play and minimal damage to the course. All the pipe work has now been installed leaving only the installation of the sprinkler heads and valve boxes on the last remaining greens and tees. Remain...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The golf course has been very wet this week which has restricted movement around the course, but we have been busy servicing our machinery and making a start on painting the tee markers.  One task we did carry out was to close and fill in the two small grass bunkers on the 2 nd fairway. Many complaints have been made about these bunkers becaus...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

It has been a busy week on the course taking advantage of the dry weather to get some important tasks underway. Monday we sprayed the greens with a winter feed containing Potassium, Calcium and Iron, all three nutrients will help with the greens overall condition and improve colour. Drainage lines on the 12 th green were top dressed again to help r...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Irrigation - The bad weather earlier in December halted work for 3 days due to the snow, but the contractors were back before Christmas to continue to install sprinkler heads to the 1 st , 7 th and 11 th tees. Progress on the installation is as follows. 1 st Hole completed 2 nd Hole completed. 3 rd Green completed. 4 th Hole completed 5 th N...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  After the snow disruption of last week the course was fully open on Monday after the long drawn out thaw of the 5 th and 10 th greens. Many local golf clubs were closed for the duration of last weekend including Hadley Wood, Old fold manor and Crews Hill, so we did well to open as many holes as we did. The irrigation contractors are now back...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

The irrigation works were halted for three days this week due to the heavy snow. They returned on Thursday to make good the road crossings, fit more sprinkler heads and install the system controller and PC. The course is now extremely wet and consideration will have to be given on what further work can be achieved to avoid damaging the course. Cour...
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Mark Kermode
Thanks Graham, good to know what's going on at the club when I'm hibernating - keep up the good work!
Sunday, 17 December 2017 11:49
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Irrigation - As reported last week the contractors have been concentrating on installing the valves and valve boxes which makes good all the open holes around the course, this work should be completed very soon. Work will then turn to installing the sprinkler heads on the 1 st , 7 th , 11 th 12 th tees and the 6 th green. Next phase will be ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation - Ground conditions have been challenging which has made mole ploughing difficult in some areas of the course. Tree roots have also been a problem adjacent to tees which did slow up progress. In the last ten days the pace has picked up with the 1 st 3 rd 6 th and 7 th greens and the 1 st 2 nd 4 th 7 th and 11 th tees having pipework and ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation contractors are currently working on the 3 rd green having completed all tees and greens in the far field including the 7 th green and 4 th tees. Next stage will be the 2 nd tees followed by the green and tees on the 1 st . Once this stage of the works has been completed all installed pipe work thus far will be flushed through with water...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Irrigation The first of the sprinklers heads are now installed with the 9 th green and 10 th tees fully fitted with heads and valves. Work has now moved onto the 8 th green followed by the 9 th tees and 10 th green. 12 th green After many weeks of dressing and rolling the 12 th green will be back in play for the weekend. Their will be a few ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

 Irrigation - This week irrigation works have concentrated on the three holes in the far field (8th, 9th and 10 th ) Work included digging out the locations of the valve boxes and installing the pipework ready for green and tee installations. From these boxes irrigation pipe will be mole ploughed around the greens and tees ready for sprinkler ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

  Irrigation Weather has been favourable allowing the installation all the 90mm and 63mm pipe work (ring main) to be completed ahead of schedule. Work will now start in the installation of the irrigation heads and pipework on the greens and tees. Taking advantage of the dry conditions and as the far field can be the wettest field, the contract...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Strong winds last weekend took out another large bough, this time on one of the Willow trees behind the 6 th green. Willow trees can be prone to loosing limbs in strong winds as they become top heavy when they mature. Unfortunately the break has left a gaping hole when viewed from the green, but in time the Willow will regenerate and plug the gap. ...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Last Sunday afternoon two very large limbs broke off the beautiful Horse Chestnut tree on the 9 th hole. The limbs fell during the day with no obvious reasons why, but thankfully no one was hurt when they fell. The greenstaff got to work first thing Monday morning and had the limbs cut up and removed from site within a few hours. I have reviewed th...
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Graham Careford

Course Update

Irrigation Irrigation works has continued well this week with all the 90mm mains pipe installed. The spoil on top of the trenches will be cleared and areas made good.  Work will now turn to mole ploughing the smaller 63mm pipes which will connect to the greens, tees and approach valve boxes.  Mole ploughing is achieved by pulling the pipe...
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Graham Careford

Irrigation Update

The irrigation project is progressing very well with over 1500 metres of mains pipework installed already. The 90mm pipe that members can see laying around the course will be trenched into the ground, this process does create more spoil but is a much quicker process. Later in the installation a smaller 63mm pipe will be mole ploughed which should m...
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Graham Careford

Irrigation

As reported last week the new irrigation ring main was marked out on Tuesday, including the location of the valve boxes. Victor Jamieson (designer) and Ashley Proctor (contractor) were both present to plot a route around the course avoiding major obstacles such as large tree roots and major services. Phase one will be the mole ploughing of the ring...
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Graham Careford

Course News

Levelling of the 1 st medal tee is now complete taking just over one day to complete. The tee will now be regularly top dressed and watered to help the turf establish so we can get it back into play as soon as possible. ​ Removing the turf  Once levelled the turf is laid Job completed This time of year disease is rife due to drop in night time...
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