The Board is currently preparing a detailed outline of plans and construction schedules for presentation to Members. We expect to be able to do this this in April when Members will be provided with a more detailed explanation of why the project to renew greens, bunkers and tees is critical to the longer-term survival and retention of our “A Grade” course. I outlined much of this in my note to Members in December 2023. This will also include the proposed changes in more detail.
In the interim and as previously informed, our course refresh project is programmed to commence in March-April while the soil is warm. In preparation for that, we are commencing early works in the form of suitable temporary greens including the full reconstruction of 16A.
You will notice new works on the 1st and 5th fairways, including 250-300m 2 of new (temporary) greens, roughly the size of the current 7th green and 150m 2 of new teeing surface. This will be followed in June/July with works on the 10th fairway bunkers which will be reduced to one bunker and the inclusion of a new (temporary) green and the full reconstruction of 16A. This will allow a full 18 holes of golf to be played throughout the construction period over various configurations of old, new and temporary holes.
It is important to be ready for the scheduled program as both contractors and resources need to be booked and ordered 6-12 months ahead in some cases.
Starting on the temporary greens and tees over the next six (6) months or so, will give them adequate time to grow in and be in top condition before they come into play.
In terms of an update on the detailed designs:
– All 18 greens have been designed and specifications provided by the architect.
– Costings have been undertaken and will be presented to the Board in March/April before being provided to Members.
We have also been asked the question by some Members as to why we need new greens, I note:
– The rebuild has been on Board discussions for over 30yrs.
– The greens don’t drain well and are often unplayable in rain periods.
– A number of reports have been commissioned over the years. The first was by “Turf-Force” an independent turf consulting group, that undertook soil testing, root penetration, drainage analysis etc. for the Board in 1992. Their report concluded at this time that our greens be reconstructed. The need to reconstruct our greens was again noted in February 1998 when the Long Term Course Plan was published. It noted:
“With the exception of the recently constructed 5th green, all greens at Pennant Hills are in need of rebuilding to modern standards. This fact was highlighted by the Turforce Report done on the 5 greens closest to Devlins Creek in May 1992 and has been confirmed by later technical advice. The decision to rebuild the greens is partly economic, in that maintaining the greens with problems of grass type, poor surface drainage and soil profiles is not cost effective. New greens not only cost less to maintain they also require less renovation and are therefore not out of play to Members as often.”
– Most recently after an extreme heat event when the Club nearly lost a number of greens, Turf Consultant John Neylan found that the prime causative reason was the lack of drainage on the affected greens leading to general poor health and inadequate root penetration.
– The reduction in length of Holes 2 and 3 are to address, in some form and without too much drastic change to the layout, golf balls leaving the course and the potential harm they could do to the public.
The need to rebuild our bunkers, greens and surrounds has been evident for many years and has now become acute both to improve playability for Members and to keep pace with developments at our peer clubs.
Members are reminded that a successful Subordinated Note issue will underpin the construction timeline and cost of the course renewal project. The Board is deeply appreciative of those Members who have been early subscribers and lodged their applications and funds. The Board, also encourages those who qualify as investors to consider the opportunity and respond appropriately.
Damian Maguire
Captain
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