Hi all,

An update was given to members on Wednesday the 8th of May at the clubhouse as previously advertised. Here is a brief summary of progress and what we have coming up over the next 6 months or so.

Lucas Michel (the man in the machine doing the actual work in reshaping and filling in the bunkers) gave an update on the current bunker removal. By Friday the 10th of May, 37 bunkers will have been filled in and reshaping taken place. The majority of these have been on holes 1-18. 22 bunkers remain on the current list to be filled in between holes 19-27. 2 bunkers on hole 13 remain but will be done once the bunker renovation plan begins. Lucas also advised they have identified a further 6 bunkers that have been ear-marked for removal of which a second bunker of hole 12 and the left-hand bunker on hole 7 have been removed already. In all, 61 bunkers will be removed leaving 47 bunkers on holes 1-27 and 2 for the short game bunkers. A total of 43 bunkers to be renovated (4 having been done previously on holes 8 and 18).

Lucy Jiang and family have again reconfirmed their commitment to complete these works and are working with Mike Clayton’s group (CPG) and our own course staff to get all the items completed. An estimated cost $300,000 for all bunker works is being invested so the commitment is certainly there.

Tim Vegt, our course superintendent also gave an update on his works and what’s planned in the near future. You have probably seen the work occurring in removing trees, foliage and lomandra around the course which has opened up a lot of areas and certainly looks better. The two workers clearing reeds and grasses from a lot of the waterways is making a huge difference making viewing across water and from tee to green a reality in some cases.

 From a scheduling and ongoing works program here is a rough guide to what is coming up over the next 6 months,

 – A further 15 bunkers will be removed by end of May (weather permitting).

 – Tree lopping and stump removal will occur over the next few months once contractors have been engaged. Many stumps to be removed around the course and quite a few large trees (like those around the 7th green) will be removed to promote grass growth around the green.

 – Quotes are being gathered for the restoration of 2 bridges (3 and 13). Once these are in work will commence and also weather dependent.

 – Greens will go through a major coring process (16mm cores approx. 120mm depth) to help reduce thatching and promote growth. This will occur late September to early October.

 – Bunker restoration process has started in that we are looking at have received a quote from Better Billy Bunker systems. This bunker system is well established in the US but has only recently made Australian shores. It uses a gravel-base sprayed with a polymer product to produce the base then sand can be added. We are also looking at the sand options available and getting some samples in.

 – Fairway scarifying will also be done on approx. 2 fairways to get the sprigs required to complete the seeding around the bunker removal areas. This is also planned for September / October and will rely on contractor availability. Further fairways scarifying will also be looked at and most likely occur in 2025.

 – We will also start to bring the greens back to their original sizes, but this process may take some time and go well into 2025.

Items of note:

 – John Sloan mentioned that the original green preparation and build was done very well so no major green reconstruction will need to be done.

 – Mike Clayton mentioned that vegetation management was by far the most important and time-consuming aspect on any golf course. He mentioned a few private courses which had not managed it well and are now facing an enormous task in getting it under control.

 – GreenSpace Management have been contracted to operate the Golf Operations at the club. Peter Vlahandreas was introduced and gave a short introduction to his organisation and looks forward to working and meeting everyone at Yering.

 – The feedback from all at the meeting about the work already done was all very positive, fairways are looking great, greens getting faster, and patches are disappearing, waterways being cleared, and dead foliage is being removed. Lomandra are being removed around key areas (typically tees).

 – Investment in new equipment is also occurring with recent purchases, John Deere Gator, Dakota Turf Trailer, 2x Electric Rollers, 2x brush cutters, 2x backpack blowers and a hose reel.

Regards,

Andrew Jury

YMMA President