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 - MARCH 2026

Course report for March covering the last 2 months and detailing some of the winter project work that has been completed along with other ongoing tasks.

As always, we will start with the weather and as everyone is aware the winter period has been pretty poor to say the least. Excessive rain each month has caused more closure days due to flooding and saturated ground conditions than we all would like, on top of that we have had several days with hard frosts and occasional snow coverings also contributing to some closures. This has made working conditions extremely tough and caused delays with some of the winter works being carried out and one or two things now deferred until next winter.
The following graph shows above average rainfall each month (March ongoing) and along with November which was 69mm above average has caused the course to remain very wet for quite a sustained period. The last week or so has improved dramatically and has really helped push some things along as the start of the season approaches. Some rain is forecast this coming week with temperatures dropping again slightly but fingers crossed it remains reasonably kind medium to long term.

Winter Works

• The main focus during this last period has been the completion of the extensive work on the bunker at the 10th green. Since the last report more rootzone was added to grade out and complete the final shaping. The whole area including behind the bunker where extra drainage was added was then turfed and a bunker liner installed. Some stand-up drains were reconfigured on the approach to tie-in with the ongoing work and then finally sand was then added to the bunker to complete the project. The turf has started to knit in nicely and has now received its first mow. Overall, we are delighted with the finished article and believe the new bunker allows for a fairer shot into the green with visibility increased and the chance of a ricochet decreased. At the same time, with the shaping of the bunker covering a bigger portion of the greenside it hasn’t taken away from the difficulty of the hole.
• While working on the 10th bunker area we had a pile of poor material that was removed and stored in the rough at the rear of the green. This has been shaped and made into a little seating area utilising some recycled materials from the course. A tree that had fallen at the 17th the previous year has been used as the bench. Stone that came from underneath the 3rd green when we carried out the drainage work in 2024 has been used for a rockery and to create steps. Some heather has been transplanted from other areas of the course and used on the banking and turf that was lifted to to allow the bunker work to be carried out has been used to finish off the area. Some plants or wildflowers will be added to the remaining banking in the near future. A fun little project.
• Bunker faces at 4 and 14 have been re-turfed to reinstate worn and high edges
• The bunker on the right-hand side of the 6th green has had the edges returfed along with the back banking which had deteriorated badly. Initially this bunker wasn’t due to be addressed this winter but we came across some issues with the old geotextile liner being exposed and damaged so took the opportunity to carry out work in this area. We removed the liner completely and as some of you may have seen, we have turfed right through the bunker to create a turf liner. Unfortunately for some, once the turf has established there will be sand added and it won’t remain a grass bunker! This has worked well on the fairway bunker on the 11th and with the bunker possibly subject to future change is a much cheaper option than the liner we have had installed on other greenside bunkers over the last 3 years.
• A contractor has been in to help solve an issue with a key section of drainage pipe at the 9th. Some further work will be carried out in house to help rectify this
• The bridge at the 10th bridge which had rotted and become unsafe has been replaced using sleepers removed from the 10th greenside bunker.
• All ditches have been regularly monitored and cleared to allow better water flow with the excessive rainfall.
• A number of the thick rough areas have still to be cut and collected. This will continue into the start of the season when time allows
• With permission from Gleneagles, we jumped the fence at the 7th tee and removed the gorse bushes which were blocking light and air movement into the teeing area. The medal tee had become increasing wet and thin and this will help massively to dry out and reestablish some finer turf. A big chunk of it has been removed and depending on timing and weather we may get a chance to remove some more. Thanks to Gleneagles for allowing us to carry out the work.
• Work on the flower beds is ongoing. Some have been cleaned out and new mulch added with others still to be done.
• Our compound area at the 9th tee has had some base material added and relevelled to tidy and keep the area cleaner and easier to work from.
• Astroturf has now arrived and the path from the 13th green towards the 14th tee which had become worn and slippy, particularly in wet weather, will be replaced this coming week.

Greens

• Mowing heights have started to be reduced from 6.5mm with the pedestrian mowers to 5.75mm as the drier, firmer conditions return.
• They have also had their first cut with the triple machine at 5mm (equivalent to approx. 6mm with pedestrian).
• Rolling frequency has slightly increased over the last week or so and will continue on that trend.
• Spraying has remained on a winter defence package to help reduce the chances of disease, stress and keep the plant strong through the tough conditions. Wetting agent was switched to a straight penetrant to help move water off of the surface and through the profile quicker.
• Nutrition over this period has been in the form of liquid fertiliser with a granular spring starter (10-4-4) due to kick us off at the start of the season.
• Lawn sand application applied to help with moss control.
• All greens were aerated with 20mm Verti-drain tines approx. 8-9 inches deep the third week in February to aid drainage.
• We have run our PlanetAir machine over the greens this past week and this will allow us to aerate twice each month throughout the season with no disruption to the playing surfaces.
• One heavy application of topdressing has been applied so far totalling approximately 12tonnes of sand and another heavy application is due to be put out this coming week. Regular dressings will be carried out over the coming weeks.
• Verti-cutting will return this week also if conditions allow to help us refine the sward.
• Putting surfaces have remained strong with good coverage and very little to no disease outbreaks putting us in a good position nearing the start of the season.
• The drier conditions have allowed us to return more frequently to the main greens and this will continue as long as the weather stays in our favour.

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 will slowly increase, height was increased to 9mm but will be reduced shortly to 8mm with triple mower.
• Tees and approaches have both been aerated with 20mm solid tines at approx. 7-8 inches.
• Lawn sand applied to both areas to help with moss control.
• Spray applications have been applied over the winter period – ferrous sulphate, urea, ammonium sulphate and a liquid fertiliser.
• Granular fertiliser due in the coming weeks (10-4-4 spring starter).
• Topdressing applications have started and will continue through the next few weeks.
• The lower height of cut on green collars had stopped for the winter but will be reintroduced in the coming weeks as growth improves.

Fairways, Intermediate, Tee Banks & Semi-Rough

• Mowing of these areas has commenced over the last week and frequency of cut will increase as temperatures and growth increase.
• All areas blown regularly over the period to remove leaves and debris.
• Wetter fairways have been slit tined and Verti-drained regularly to improve drainage.
• A spray application was applied to fairways 2 weeks ago of urea, ferrous sulphate and ammonium sulphate to help reduce moss and improve appearance.

Bunkers & Paths

• Bunkers have been edged, flymowed and cleaned out in the last week.
• Washouts will be repaired, bases rotovated or hard raked and sand levels checked and added as required.
• Bunker banks will be sprayed with ferrous sulphate to reduce moss.
• Paths have been blown and tidied regularly.
• With the worst of the weather hopefully beyond us we have started with work on the paths, repairing potholes and relevelling areas.
• The winter bunker rule remains in place.

Over the winter period we have also carried out some storm cleanup work with a number of trees fallen along with debris and some large branches. A few areas have still to be tidied and tree canopies raised.

Things are starting to take shape ahead of the start of the season. Over the next few weeks we will finish off remaining winter works and start increasing mowing operations.

The toilet block is currently awaiting the contractor to empty the holding tank and will be re-opened asap.

As mentioned above, the greens are in a very strong position at this time of year with very little disease scarring and a good strong healthy sward. That said, unrepaired pitch marks are our biggest enemy just now. This last week since we returned to the main greens on a more full-time basis has been exceptionally bad. Conditions are still soft with slow growth rates and recovery, so it is vital to repair these straight away and keep your greens in good condition on the lead up to the start of the season.

Here’s hoping the weather continues to trend in the right direction and everyone has an enjoyable golfing season. We will continue to strive to achieve gains in any areas possible and produce the best product we can for both members and visiting golfers.

Attached are some pictures taken over the last few weeks, including a completed picture of the completed 10th bunker.

Shaun McNaughton