Committee Meeting December 2016

TRETHORNE GOLF CLUB COMMITTEE MEETING   Minutes of Committee Meeting held on Monday 5th December 2016   PRESENT S Saunders, J Austin, H Gushlow .J Vidler, L Jewell , C Brewer, C Edmonds, D Shovell, C Eyles, D Gibbard APOLOGIES G Saunders, J Grainger, G Marquand   Meeting Started at 1900hrs.   Acceptance Minutes of Committee Meeting 3rd October 2016   Matters arising.   See AOB   COURSE REPORT   Weather – October Rainfall 64mm, December rainfall 114.5mm. Significantly down on last year for these two months. November’s rainfall mostly came in a five day period mid month. With a dry frosty week leading in to December with morning temperatures -4 to -6 some of the greens have stayed frozen all week.   Greens – Greens are being cut at 5.5mm. We have gradually decreased cutting frequency down to two cuts a week maximum to preserve the sward density throughout winter. The greens have had two topdressings of sand, the first a light one before rain, the second heavier after we had aerated the greens with 12mm solid tines to a depth of 6 inches. These were power brushed in. The greens/surrounds have also had an application of preventative fungicide to keep fusarium at bay. Also applied to the greens have been applications of penetrant wetting  agent, a light cool temp soluble potassium nitrate feed, ferrrusol 10 (a liquid iron) and lawn sand. All these designed to harden the grass plant against cold winter temperatures and disease attack.   Tees/Surrounds/Approaches – Being cut once a week now where possible. Tee positions are starting to be rotated a little to spread wear, the tees have had an application of penetrant wetter to try and keep the water moving. Surrounds/Approaches had a granular application of 15 0 22 to feed them over the coming months and fend off disease.   Fairways/Rough – Fairways are being cut once a week and have been shrunk in areas not possible to cut in winter. Fairway heights have been raised to 20mm to try and keep sward density and prevent moss taking over. To feed them through this cold spell an application of Soluble Iron Sulphate, Ammonia Sulphate and Potassium Nitrate has been applied. Rough is being cut when necessary. Both areas have been slit twice to try and keep the playing surfaces drier.   Second Green – The new hole design has been shaped, raked out, seeded and fertilised. The digger tracks have also been raked and seeded. All the construction areas have been clearly marked as GUR. We have the germination sheets on to encourage and protect the seedlings as best as we can from the cold. We were unlucky to get the heavy rainfall before it settled which resulted in some wash out from the bank.   Other Work – The never ending battle to keep the leaves away continues as does the battle to keep the drains clear and flowing. We have started the winter tree work around the ninth and tenth fairways. The hedge by the ninth tees are being cleared to help light to the eighth tees, the difference to the blue tee is noticeable already. The right hand side to the tenth hole has been thinned out and the remaining trees lifted up to open up the tee shot and let in light to the fairway. Ongoing work will continue between these two holes to thin the trees.  The bunkers have all been edged again to try and remove the double lip that had started in places. All the summer tee markers/150 posts have been bought in to be repainted over the winter. We have also painted the floor and outside wall of the driving range, as well as putting new gravel down outside. Winter ropes and posts are out and although annoying are helping to protect the heavy traffic areas of the course. We have also built a number of mobile Hole Closed signs which can be used if the weather turns terrible like last years. CAPTAINS REPORT It has been a busy few months within County participation, including the start of the Cornwall Golf Union winter league season.   To date, the Frank Wills squad have had wins over Bowood GC 3-2 and Falmouth GC 3.5- 1.5; securely booking their place into the Q final against Whitsand Bay in January (22nd);   With a bye into the first-round quarter final, the Presidents squad unfortunately lost to Lanhydrock GC 5 matches to 4 at Carlyon Bay last Sunday (November 29th). In a very tight game, it came down to the last game on the last hole.   The Cornish Bowl were unfortunate, being beaten by The Point at Lanhydrock 3-2. The main purpose I believe for this was that absent of significant pairings (Wilson and Hardy) and individuals (Brooks and Jewell). I am confident that next year will bring some form back to this squad of players (including that of Jon Grainger maybe?).   November 15th seen the annual Cornwall Golf Union take place at Newquay. With 18 holes on the links and evening dinner and presentations at the Bristol hotel. My thanks to Jon, Justin, and Andrew (Trethorne management), Richard Hayday and Nigel Musslewhite (Senior section), Darrel and Les (Committee) for joining the celebration. With the withdrawal of myself from the golf of the day, a space was given for the youth to bring the treasures home. On this, I would like to take this opportunity to present Les with second place and young Jon Grainger as the winner of the day. A great day, thank you Gents.   With the winter weather showing its head and teasing the course, may I say thank you to Justin, Dom, and the team for upholding their statement at the last AGM, in that the course was closed due to some adverse weather in November, in a bid to try to preserve. I am sure never easy to make such decisions, but from a member’s perspective, your actions are

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