Member’s Update

Posted on: 15 July

In this edition of the Member’s Update:

Golf Course Playability Update
Member’s $20 Food & Beverage Specials Saturday & Sunday 1, Burger n Beverage 2. Pizza n Beverage 3. Rump Steak n Beverage

Introducing The Fresh Collective Tuesday 16 July 6pm

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Golf Course Condition & Playability

Members

Thank you to those members that have taken the time to write and offer suggestions regarding potential solutions that they believe may minimise course closures and improve the opportunity to open the course for play. It confirms both your passion for the game and your support of Strathfield Golf Club.

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Common questions and recommended solutions include:

Spread or squeegee the standing water out to increase evaporation on fairways: While this idea seems practical, it isn’t effective due to the layer of clay or impervious soil just below the surface. The water naturally moves to low points instead of soaking through the surface. With the high-water table, spreading surface water might help in the short term, however inevitably it will just find its way back to the low points if there is no pit or drain to divert it to.

Use of pumps to clear bigger puddles and surface water on fairways: This would require pumps to be transported around the course that would be both time consuming and lead to further damage of the sodden playing surfaces. As noted above, if there are no drains, pits or the water can’t be pumped into the Cooks River it is futile.

During a course inspection today, Thursday 11 July with Declan (Assistant Course Superintendent), we found it impossible to not cause more damage despite our best efforts.

Super Soppers or equipment that absorbs water (Like those used at cricket grounds): This would be extremely labor-intensive and might work for small areas like cricket pitches or cricket grounds, but it’s less effective for large acreage without proper sub-surface drainage. The ‘Super Soppers‘ would also have to be towed or pushed by a suitable vehicle that once again would negatively impact the playing surfaces.

As Declan has firsthand experience with these pieces of equipment during his 4-year tenure at the Sydney Cricket Ground he would have recommended the use of this type of equipment to Course Superintendent Sam Neylon if it was practical and a cost-effective solution.

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Therefore

The golf course and practice facilities will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a review of the course conditions and playing surfaces to be conducted first thing Monday morning with a view to getting members back out on the course as soon as possible based on advice from our Golf Course Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding.

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The images of hole 15 demonstrate what happens when buggies (Not Carts) navigate their way over sodden surfaces.

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Golf buggies and foot traffic tracking through the same areas draws the water to the surface creating the black appearance.

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Moving Forward

Complete all drainage work to improve recovery time, allowing us to get golfers and carts back on the course sooner. The Irrigation and Drainage Contractors will be back onsite as soon as it is practical to do so based on advice from the Course Superintendent.
ASAP, get the Verti-Drain back out to work on the impervious layer, improving turf health and allowing water to penetrate the surface.
Invest in a small excavator (pending budget approval) to continue in-house smaller drainage projects in areas inaccessible to contractors with large tractors and equipment.
Continue taking advice from our industry specialists course Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.

The good news is that the process of improving the course’s playing surfaces, irrigation, drainage, turf species, course presentation, and agronomic practices are underway and in time, this will set us apart from other venues.

Drainage work across the front of the 5th green

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Drainage from the 4th fairway across the 5th

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Beer n Burger Saturday and Sunday members will be able to purchase the burger of their choice and receive a beer on the house. Beer selection available: Carlton Dry (4.5%) Balter Eazy Hazy (4%) Strathfield 2135 (4.2%)
\Beverage n Burger Saturday and Sunday members will be able to purchase the burger of their choice and receive a complimentary wine or sparkling. Wine selection available: House Red House White House Sparkling
Rump n Vegies Saturday and Sunday members will be able to purchase a 250gm Rump Steak with vegies and mash cooked to their liking and receive a beer, wine or sparkling compliments of SGC. Please Note: The vegies will be a seasonal selection and may be different to those in the image. The vegie and mash selection can’t be substituted.
Message from The President It is expected that The Fresh Collective team will begin providing catering services at our Bistro, Halfway House and Events Centre from Tuesday 23 July 2024. To formally welcome Peter McCloskey and his team to our Club we have arranged a Member’s gathering on Tuesday 16 July 2024 from 6pm – 7pm in the Events Centre, where Peter will give you an insight into The Fresh Collective story and how they will operate and grow the catering business. Drinks supplied on arrival; I look forward to welcoming you to this event. Rob Poynting President

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