Text Box: From the Facilities Director Greens ‘D’ green was closed after play on 25th July. All greens have now been top dressed and are being prepared for pennant. ‘B’ & ‘C’ will be ready for September practice with ‘D’ coming into play nearer to the start of October. Water pressure remains a significant problem and the club has sought the advice of an Irrigation Consultant. After much discussion and digging we have found piping to the sprinkler heads, but yet to locate the main pipeline supplying these smaller leaders. The consultant has provided advice to the Board and now that the club is out of contract with Water Dynamics, the installers of the tank and pump system, we are in a position to consider alternatives. As a result of this investigation the club has agreed to: · Purchase a larger, more appropriate 3 phase pump · Test the system with the larger pump and see if it will do the job with out replacing the piping around the greens · If the pump is restricted by the existing piping, new piping will need to be laid around the greens · Finally in order to ensure water supply in case of power or pump failure, we will reconnect our irrigation system to mains water at the meter and fit a one way valve. 3 phase wiring was installed on Monday 3rd August, the pump has been ordered and will be at the club early w/c 10/8 and be installed during that week. It has been recommended by the Greens Director that the club commence buying water from November to mix with Barwon water in order to prevent the over-supply of poorer quality water later in the season. It is hoped by doing this that we will avoid the salinity problem which we are presently facing. The Greenkeeper has assessed all of the club machinery and concluded that much of it is getting old and near the end of its operative use, other equipment is surplus to our needs and or not the best for the needs of the club. He has prepared a report setting out recommendations to the Board. Surrounds Under the leadership of Noel O’Connor, maintenance of the surrounds is going well. The main emphasis has recently been on the surrounds of ‘C’ green. The roses have been pruned and some banks have been top dressed and leveled.