Tuross Head ground superintendent Tim Watson and his team have finished the drainage work on the 8th fairway using grant monies from NSW golf.

Andrew Gordon and Steve Swanbury and Mike Birks had successfully applied for the grant of $3000. 

After work on the eighth fairway was completed there were some materials left, and with the golfing and bowling sub club members contributing to a Covid $5 levy per game, funds were available to purchase extra material, enabling the green keeping team to attack the next problem spot.

This volunteer levy highlights the dedication of members in keeping the facilities maintained and operating during these earlier virus threatening times.

The low lying marshy area below the 7th has always been an issue after rain. It has stayed wet and very boggy well after the rain has passed.

The green keeping team rushed to finish the preliminary drainage work between the recent rain events. They did get the drain channels dug before the second wave of rain hit the South Coast.

Whilst there was wide spread flooding around the local area the work  below the 7th green held up quite well.

In the pictures we can see Ben Hewison using the tractor mounted bucket to create the large drains. The apprentices Tyson Hastie and Callan Griefahn are working together to create a drain through the worst of the bog.

When asked what the next project would be, Tim walked us up to the bowling greens to see his team’s progress. In the photo we can see the form work for the concrete, all ready for a fine day.

This will support new shade cloth shade refuges for the bowling greens. Again the club was able to receive a grant under the “Building My Community Partnerships” from the NSW Government.

It was indeed fortunate that Andrew Gordon, Mike Birks, Steve Swanbury and Colin Fletcher put the time and effort required to prepare grant applications. A grant of $71,500 will make a huge difference to our club’s infrastructure.

Approximately $46,000 will be used to provide the shade system and the remainder of just under $25000 will be allocated to a diamond grid path between the Men’s Shed and the greenkeeper’s workshop.

Copy and photos. Courtesy Lance Shadbolt