Auchterader Golf Club

Golf Course Update - in order to keep members fully updated of developments on the golf course, we will be distributing a course update following every Committee Meeting.

Course Update - JANUARY 2026

The last 3-month winter period has seen the weather turn after a fairly good summer, with above average rainfall figures showing most months. January has continued on that trend, and the short-term forecast shows no sign of change.

In the last report we were halfway through October and recovering from storm Amy and we finished the month with 84mm. November then turned for the worst and rainfall increased with a mixture of long sustained wet spells and heavy downpours.

December and January have continued the same way and along with a very cold period causing saturated then frozen and icy ground conditions this has resulted in more closure days than we would expect unfortunately.

January’s rainfall total stands at 62mm currently but again this looks like it will be above average by the end of the month. We have also had some light snow coverage for a short period in January.

Winter Works

Winter works have been well underway with some completed and some ongoing, here’s a summary of where we are so far

• Drainage added to the right-hand side of #8 green and surround. This has been a wet problematic area for a number of years even during drier spells and we are already seeing the benefits of the work carried out.
• Similar work carried out at the right-hand side of #12 green and surround due to the same reasons. Again, we have seen significant improvement already.
• A section of the main drainage exit pipe from the front of #7 green has been dug out and replaced due to blockage from tree roots. Further work was planned in this area but we are currently assessing whether this has solved the issues.
• Extensive work has been carried out on #10 greenside bunker. Good progress has been made with the sleepers removed, material added to build up the front section and reshaping work carried out to extend the bunker out to the right-hand side utilising space created from the fallen tree. Drainage has been added and is performing well and we have managed to incorporate a new drainage pipe from the rear of the green right down the side to take care of an area that that struggles to drain in wetter weather. Remaining rootzone will be added in the coming week with final shaping then carried out ready for turfing works.
• All of the thick rough ‘in play’ areas have been cut down with a rotary tractor deck and picked up with a flail collector as part of the rough management program.
• Gorse removal started last week on some areas at the 6th, 11th and 7th and will be ongoing over the coming weeks.
• As mentioned previously, storm Amy caused some damage and cutting and clearance was carried out swiftly on in play areas. Some work still remains to tidy the out of play areas and this will be done shortly.
• New mats were purchased for all par 3 tees and have been in use since the start of the winter course setup giving a much-improved surface for playing from. We will look at introducing more new mats to the other holes, par 4’s and 5’s that use mats in the winter.
• Ongoing regular clearance of drainage outlets and ditches to allow free flowing water movement.
• Many more winter projects have still to be carried out and these will be discussed in the next report.

Greens

• Mowing heights gradually increased to 6.5mm with pedestrian mowers in use due to softer conditions.
• Rolling frequency reduced and carried out only if conditions allow.
• Spraying has now switched over to a winter program with a winter defence package sprayed to help reduce the chances of disease and stress.
• Fungicide sprayed as and when required.
• Fertiliser (3-0-14 +8FE) applied early November to strengthen the grass plant and aid us through the winter months.
• Aerated once with the Procore, 10mm solid tines approx. 5–6-inch depth.
• Verti-cutting has stopped for the winter period due the lack of growth and recovery.
• Regular dew removal carried out to reduce disease pressure.
• Greens will receive another solid tine in the coming weeks with larger tines (19mm) and a deeper depth (10inches) to help aid drainage.
• Topdressing will also be applied when conditions allow.
• Due to the poor weather and wet underfoot conditions play has been limited on the main greens more than we would have liked. When conditions allow we will return to these but most play will continue on the winter greens for the time being.

Winter Greens

• Mowing fairly regularly as required at 8mm height.
• A light topdressing was added, and another application will be applied if weather conditions improve to help smooth out the surfaces.
• Another spray application will also be applied in the coming weeks.
• Regular re-painting of the white lines.
• Holes changed as required.
• Daily blowing and clearing.

Tees & Approaches

• Mowing frequency reduced, height remains @ 8mm with triple mower.
• Tees and approaches have been aerated and due to be done again with 19mm solid tines.
• With the limited play we have continued with tee markers on most of the normal tees but with poor conditions we may have to switch to the usual winter tee setup shortly.
• Topdressing applications on both areas will be applied as soon as the conditions improve.
• The lower height of cut on green collars has stopped for the winter but will return again when growth improves.

Fairways, Intermediate & Semi-Rough

• Very little mowing carried out on any of these areas as growth has slowed right down.
• All areas blowed regularly over the period to remove leaves and debris.
• A contractor was in to carry out deep Verti-draining work in November helping to aid drainage and playability over the winter months.

Bunkers & Paths

• Bunker raking has been reduced right back due to very wet or frozen conditions most days. With our course set up time restricted due to ongoing winter projects the winter bunker rule is in-play allowing golfers to rake before playing their shot.  As conditions improve, we will carry out some work to improve these.
• Washouts repaired as required.
• Paths have been blown and tidied daily.
• As always in the winter there are a lot of potholes on the blaize paths, and we will fix the worst of them as best we can until the weather improves.

Course conditions have been tough particularly over the last two months and we are doing what we can to try and keep the course open as much as possible but protecting some areas just now will go a long way in making sure that we come out of the winter in a strong position ready for a busy season. Hopefully the weather improves in the coming weeks and we can return to the main greens more frequently.
Working conditions have also been tough and credit must be given to all of the green staff who have done an amazing job with the work carried out so far this winter and through the whole playing season to help get us to where we are. Improvements have been made year on year and we hope to continue that in 2026.

Included are a couple of pictures, the start of the 10th bunker project and where we are with it just now.

Shaun McNaughton

 No More Sleepers Anymore!

Work in Progress