Weel 18 - 24
I knew it has been a while since I updated but it wasn’t till
it was pointed out to me that I realised it has been so long, 7 weeks, just
proves the old saying – Time flies when you’re having fun busy working.
So what’s been keeping me away from the blog and on the job these past 7 weeks ?
Firstly we welcome Sarah to the team as our new 1st
year apprentice, Sarah was by far the standout candidate for the position and
we wish her well for the coming years learning the trade, please make her feel welcome
and understand she is very much in the learning stage of her new position.
The first 4 weeks can be overwhelming for any young new
apprentice, learning the various safe work practices and procedures along with
the operation of plant to a satisfactory standard, this doesn’t happen
overnight, some tasks initially take a while longer to complete till the new
worker gains the experience and confidence that only time and training can
achieve. During the time it takes to achieve this other staff and I must take
up extra duties to fill the shortfall thus providing a continuality of quality
we have come to expect.
For me, generally the first 6 months is a very demanding
period which takes up extra time, introducing new staff to work routines and
practices they have never experienced before, training and developing new
skills to a standard of quality we expect and most importantly ensuring the new
workers safety.
The Last 7 weeks have also coincided with many of our Major
events , The Pro-Am, Capel Cup, Work Clobber Invitation Day, Cathie Rice
Ladies Open Day Pennants and this past weekend’s Holden Scramble. These events all
demand that extra attention to detail to peak the course in condition and
present in the best it can which we strive to achieve for our major events.
The rain fell finally in the last few weeks of May recording over 170mm on course, as welcome
as it was after a very dry summer and first 2 months of April where only 20mm
was recorded for the entire 5 month period, we could have done without the 50mm
or so that fell within a few hours causing washouts on the paths and bunker
faces only a few days out from the Pro Am.
Speaking of washouts and it is this time of year we do
receive more comments than other times regarding localised/ isolated soft bunker faces, main
causes are like the above washouts, we do modify bunker faces and surrounds to
prevent this happening under normal conditions however under intense heavy rain
periods even the best designed bunker faces suffer. Another cause are kangaroo
damage in localised areas which loosens the structure of the bunker and the
least expected of the group is the below picture, yes you better believe it,
golfers walking up or down the steep faces of the bunkers, like the Roos it
loosens the structure of the subsurface, once done there is no quick fix to
regain that solid consolidated face, Kangaroos don’t know any better all
players should!!!!
New tee signs have
been installed, Jetline have constructed the 12th tee retaining
wall, Graham is doing a great job with the path and the staff will shortly
commence levelling the extra width of tee area before turfing. The completed
job will look fantastic and allow us a further 3m in tee width on a par 3 hole
that receives its fair share of divots.
