Latest News

200 Club

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

200 Club Draw - April

Jim Strang £50

David Anderson £30

Gordon Landsburgh £20

February 2012 Council Meeting

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

COUNCIL MEETING

Held in the clubhouse on Monday 20^th February 2012

1. BDL reported that there are currently 500 Full Members after recent resignations and intake.

2. BDL to send reminder to all members in March advising them that they can now pay next years annual subscriptions in advance on to their Loyalty Card.

3. BDL confirmed that the Auditors have confirmed that the cost of the matting on the course can be Capitalised.

4. List of competitions for consecutive Saturdays and Sundays has been passed to the Course Manager. This is to ensure that pin positions will be changed for the Sunday competition.

5. Volunteers to be requested for a course tidying up exercise on 17^th April.

6. Moss on greens to be treated. The Course Manager advised that the surfaces may be slightly bumpy for a short period.

7. A Hoteliers Day has been arranged for Friday 23^rd March and a New Members Day for Sunday 25^th March.

8. Agreement that Scotscraig should be represented at this years Scottish Golf Show from 30^th March – 1^st April at a cost of £250.

9. BDL to arrange for Wifi to be installed in the clubhouse.

10. Invitation for representative of Scotscraig to attend centenary celebration of Race Brook Country Club, Connetticut, USA on Saturday 11^th August.

11. Agreement that Scotscraig Golf Club should join the Association of James Braid Courses. This entitles members to play other members’ courses at heavily discounted green fees.

Association of James Braid Courses

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

TO ALL MEMBERS OF SCOTSCRAIG GOLF CLUB

ASSOCIATION OF JAMES BRAID COURSES

Scotscraig Golf Club has recently joined the above Association which entitles members of Scotscraig Golf Club to play other member clubs for a discounted green fee. Tee reservations must be made in advance. Members must provide proof of Home Club on arrival and bookings will be accepted based on the club’s tee availability and not in conjunction with any other offer.

There are over 200 member clubs from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England and one in New York.

Any Scotscraig member who is interested in taking advantage of this excellent offer can check the list of clubs and contact details at the Pro Shop or Office.

Roadway at 14th

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

ROADWAY AT THE 14^TH

Members and visitors are advised that work on the road across the 14^th fairway will commence on Monday 12^thMarch. This work will take approximately 5 days. In view of this, the 14^th hole will be played as a Par 3 from a tee near the ditch. Play will be to the normal green. Players will therefore have to walk from the 13^th green to the temporary tee near the ditch.

The new surface will be tarmac. The dirt track which was there previously caused machinery damage and a collar of semi rough was created which was deemed unfair for the golfer.

Since turfing this area, there has been problems in maintaining a suitable playing surface in view of the traffic volume.

In accordance with Local Rule 3. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24-2), golfers will still be entitled to a free lift and drop to the "Nearest Point of Relief".

Barrie D Liddle

Managing Secretary                                                                                                          5^th March 2012.

Members' Incentive Scheme

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

TO ALL MEMBERS OF SCOTSCRAIG GOLF CLUB

MEMBERS’ INCENTIVE SCHEME

In the current climate, golf clubs are finding it very difficult to retain their membership and most clubs now have no Waiting List. Scotscraig is no different. Scotscraig has no Waiting List and the Full Membership is currently 80 Membersshort of the maximum permitted in accordance with Clause 3. of the Club’s Constitution. Members are reminded that there is an Incentive Scheme currently in place and Council would like to encourage members to participate.

With effect from Friday 1^st April 2011 any Member (i.e. The Proposer), who introduces a new Member to Scotscraig Golf Club will receive the amount of £25.00 credited to his/her Loyalty Card.

MEMBERS SHOULD NOTE THAT PROPOSERS AND SECONDERS FOR MEMBERSHIP MUST BE A MEMBER OF SCOTSCRAIG FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE 9. OF THE CLUB’S CONSTITUTION.

Members should also note that there is a section on the Club’s Web Site relating to Membership, and Application forms can also be downloaded from the Web Site.

There is currently still an Entry Fee of £500 but Council have approved that this can now be paid up over a period of 10 years at a minimum of £50 per annum.

January Council Meeting

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

COUNCIL MEETING

Held in the clubhouse on Monday 16^th January 2012

Membership

Council to discuss prior to AGM, the maximum number of Full Members (607) and consider reducing this number. BDL reported that Full Membership is currently 512.

Sub Committee of Captain, Vice Captain, Ladies Captain and Managing Secretary set up to review the Club’s Constitution, Rules and Bye Laws.

Marketing

Marketing Committee to discuss categories of membership.

Marketing Committee to arrange an Open Day for potential new members.

Car Park Space raffle being arranged by A Herd.

New images for Web Site being arranged.

Greens

Members to be informed of works at road on 14^th hole once quotations are arranged.

House

Bad smell in Members/Guest Bar being investigated.

BDL reported that the double glazing has been re-sealed.

Match

Match Committee to discuss future expenditure of Gents Annual Dinner.

Bicentenary

Bicentenary Committee to arrange meeting as soon as possible.

Gents Seniors - Seasons 2011/12

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Gents Seniors - Seasons 2011/12

Season 2011 was a most successful one for the senior gents section with 16 fixtures all completed despite the occasional shower or two!! With fourteen wins over the period it certainly was one of our best in terms of results. However more importantly it was most enjoyable with many old friendships renewed with colleagues in our sister clubs with some very close and keen matches.

The experiment to start all home matches using the first four holes proved a great success with all clubs agreeing it was much more acceptable to have our post match meal at a reasonable time and the arrangement to have first tee priority for the three matches at the end of their round worked very well thanks to the cooperation of Craig, Cammy and Paul in the pro shop. The arrangement also benefited the catering ladies and my thanks go to them for all their efforts during the season.

A further change for 2012 will see most home matches move off a Wednesday to enable those who wish to take part in mid-week medals to do so and still be eligible to play in the “seniors” team. This has been a thorn in the flesh for some members and thanks to help from Barrie we have been able to move a significant number of home fixtures to other week days.

It has been put to me that some seniors do not consider our fixtures to be competitive enough – being “friendlies”. All I can say is that these games are as competitive as you wish to make them within the real spirit of the game and I would encourage all seniors eligible for our team to add their names to the schedule on the board and experience for themselves how competitive these matches can be.

John Rankin’s input throughout the season was invaluable both in helping run the matches and in leading the team on many occasions. To all those who took part in our matches during 2011 go my thanks and I hope 2012 will be as enjoyable and successful as last year, with a little better weather!

Malcolm Murray

Senior Match Convenor

2nd Hole Winter Works Update

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Scotscraig 2^nd Hole Winter Works Update

Introduction

Members will be aware that the area around the 2^nd tee and 4^th green has been subject to major works this winter as planned and progress is going well so far. The changes to the 2^nd hole are intended to improve the visibility, improve playability and therefore speed up play at the start of the round. The changes are being carried out and managed in a manner that will make the hole maintainable and sustainable in the future.

The area to the right of the tee was completely overgrown with trees and shrubs, which was starting to encroach significantly onto the area around the tee. This also caused shade problems affecting the management of the turf on and around the tee.

Progress so far:

1. The area to the right of the tee was cleared of bushes and trees to remove the shade over the tee.

2. The area was reshaped to ensure current equipment could travel over the ground allowing maintenance practices to be carried out in the future. The ground is almost ready to be returned to grassland and will be managed in line with the current course management plan.

3. The area to the front of the tee has been almost completely cleared of bushes to reduce the number of lost balls in this area.

4. The clearance so far has achieved the desired visibility of the hole from the main play tee. Balls played to the right of the fairway and right semi-rough will now be visible through to the fall of shot.

Ongoing work:

1. The clearance will continue along the right hand side of the 2^nd to further improve playability and reduce the number of lost balls in this area.

2. Bare areas will be returned to grassland and managed to prevent grass becoming too dense.

3. Hopefully there will be enough time to remove the blaise path and install a supported rubber/turf path. This will improve maintainability and prevent blaise damage to fine turf areas.

The Greens Committee and Greenstaff hope this will enhance the enjoyment of the course from next season onwards.

4th Hole Development Plan

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Scotscraig 4^th Hole Development Plan

The second half of the 4^th hole has some areas that cause problems to both golf and course management, which are outlined below:

1. The walkways at the end of the fairway are poorly defined and range from thin turf to being totally overgrown.

2. The walkway to the left of the green is constantly worn and impossible to maintain turf in desirable condition.

3. The area to the right of the green was severely penal with bushes growing up to and over the semi-rough. This left little or no option to drop within the rules of golf other than, at times to go to the second tee.

4. The left edge of the green is dominated by poa annua and permanently stressed due to heavy traffic as it is virtually the only route taken onto the green.

5. The turf on the rear tier of the green is dominated by poa annua and weak due to tree root invasion.

Actions that would alleviate these issues:

1. Clearing the gorse and broom at the end of the fairway and create 3 or 4 defined walkways to the approach.

2. Widen the walkway to the left of the green to allow improved traffic and turf management.

3. Clear the area between the 4^th green and the 2^nd tee and maintain it as grassland.

4. Create a walkable route to the right of the green to enable improved traffic management and allow for more traffic to enter the green from the right.

5. Carry out a root prune to the rear of the green to prevent the trees from drawing important moisture and nutrients and causing turf stress.

Summary

The 4^th is a feature hole at Scotscraig Golf Club and, like others here, has become overgrown with a lot of the attraction being lost. The 4 actions above will enhance the playing of the hole without detracting from the challenge in playing it. The changes will also improve the ability to manage it and allow staff to raise the quality of turf surfaces in this area of the course.

Changes implemented so far:

During 2009/11 the actions detailed below were carried out with varying success.

1. The area to the left of the green has had several attempts to re-turf it and plug gaps in the turf. Although slight improvement has been made it still remains an area of weak turf due to traffic stress.

2. The main route to the approach has been re-turfed but remains weak as there are few options to use an alternative route.

3. The area to the right of the 4^th green has been cleared prior to reinstating the area and maintaining it as grassland.

4. The area to the right of the approach has had bushes cleared and this will continue across the area at the end of the fairway.

5. A root prune was carried out, cutting the roots of all trees to the rear of the green. This will ensure over-seeding is more successful in establishing stronger turf to the rear of the green.

Future work to be completed 2012/13:

1. The area to the right will be reshaped with a walkable route onto the right hand side of the green and round the rear of the green. The whole area will as much as possible be reshaped to allow a tractor/rough mower combination to travel across the ground, enabling rough grass management in line with other areas of the course.

2. The routes from the fairway to the approach will be shaped and turfed to provide better walkways.

3. The bank to the left of the green will have the bushes removed and the ground moved into the hollow to the left of the approach. This will have the effect of widening the walkway to the left of the green and enable improved turf and traffic management.

As with the 16^th hole this work will be done on a staged basis to enable other work to be done across the course and allow one area to recover before another is opened up. Following the main work this winter the area to the right of the green will take most of 2012 to re-establish as grassland.

We look forward to returning this golf hole to its former glory and ensuring it is sustainable into the future.

George Pendrich

Course Manager

Winter Programme Update 2011/2012

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Winter Works 2011/12

Winter Preparation

Greens                                                                                                Action             No. of jobs

Verticut                                                                                    X

Solid Tine                                                                                 X

Overseed                                                                                 X                     5

Apply Fertiliser – potassium and Seaweed                                X

Top Dress                                                                                X

Tees

Apply Fertiliser                                                             X

Solid Tine                                                                                 X                     3

Lay Tee Mats   on holes 14       & 16                                        X

Fairways

Verti-drain                                                                                Ongoing

Over-seed high spots                                                                X                     3

Slit Tine

Approaches

Solid Tine                                                                                 X

Top Dress                                                                                X                     2

Aeration

Aeration work will be conducted through out winter period when conditions are correct and staff are available. Priority order is Greens, Tee Walk-offs, Approaches and surrounds, Tees, Fairways.

Traffic Management

Build management plan for protection of intensive wear areas.

Patch GUR areas

Cover with netting for recovery

Renovation

Bunkers                                                                                  Action             No. of jobs

Redesign & rebuild       11^th Greenside bunker



Rebuild bunkers            2^nd Rear Green

3^rd RHS Greenside

4^th LHS

8^th LHS Fairway

9^th 1 x LHS Fairway

15^th Greenside

Hole 1

Reduce path                                                                                                     1

Hole 2

Clear gorse and Broom RHS of Hole                                                                2

Rebuild Rear bunker

Hole 3

Install mat path at 3^rd tee                                                                                   2

Rebuild RHS bunker

Hole 4

Rebuild LHS bunker                                                                  X

Install path to 4^th tee

Clear gorse and Broom RHS of Green                                       X                     4

Carry out root prune rear of green                                             X

Hole 6

Level turf at end of path                                                                                    1

Hole 7

Clear Gorse and Broom LHS fairway   over bank                                            2

Widen Tee to the right

Hole 8

Turf/renovate worn area start of fairway

Rebuild LHS fairway bunker                                                                             2

Hole 9

Rebuild LHS fairway bunker                                                     X                     1

Hole 10

Re-surface top LHS fairway bunker                                                                  1

Hole 11

Rebuild LHS greenside bunker                                                              1

Hole 12

Clear re-growth from mound RHS of green                                                       1

Hole 13

Clear gorse and broom left of winter tee                                    Ongoing           1

Hole 14

Install winter tee                                                                        X                     1

Hole 15

Rebuild greenside bunker                                                                                  1

Hole 16

Remove week scrub off tee RHS                                              X                     2

Hole 17

Turf over path from 16^th                                                                                    2

Prune gorse and Clear broom LHS fairway

Hole 18

Remove Ornamental trees RHS of fairway?                                                       2

Clear weak broom LHS approach

Clubhouse

Improve paths                                                                                                  1

Practice Area

Clear scrub around perimeter                                                    Ongoing           2

Clear trees at end of chipping area                                            X

Drainage

Level settled drains on 11^th and 15^th holes                                                         2

Install drains around 16^th green                                      X

Bothy Area

Pave end of Lock-ups

Dig sump at sand bays                                                                          2

Total                                                                                       8                      34

The tasks listed above are those identified as priority for this winter. The progress through this list will be governed by the weather and tasks will be undertaken accordingly, therefore all tasks will not necessarily be completed during this period.

Review of 2011 Works

The area around the bothy is now maintainable and progress was maintained with minor clearing work in particular tree limbs and gorse around the whole area.

Aeration work has started early this year to try and prevent disruption by weather.

Overseeding of greens was hampered by wet conditions with only one overseed of bent during the summer. Autumn seeding work has gone well with dry conditions prevailing.

Turf renovations have been carried out to worn patches around greens, some fertiliser applied and netting used to maintain coverage. Worn walkways around greens continue to be plugged to improve coverage and promote better results with overseeding.

Irrigation work continues to improve the effectiveness of the system.

Rabbit scrapes remain a significant problem across the course and are still the primary pests to control.

The extended surrounds have improved well throughout the year and we will look to further increase turf density and fine grass content in order to improve playability.

Scrub clearing continued in small areas to carry on with progress with dead and ugly patches. The over-grown area at the fence line with Scott and Fyfe has been cleared and the area in front of the clubhouse cleared to improve conditions for Gerty’s tree.

The wet areas on 11^th and 17^th greens monitor and progress when possible.

The area around the 16^th green and 17^th tee continues to cause problems when wet with flooding occurring more regularly, requiring pumping out.

Fairway turf coverage continues to improve but thin areas now stand out more as a weakness.

Items for Further Investigation

1. Shaded Greens – 1,3,4,5,6,8,10,15 (monitoring effect of tree limbing)

2. Reshaping Burn (ongoing)

3. Squirrel friendly trees & environmental planning (ongoing)

4. Wet areas on 11^th and 17^th greens – the 11^th and 17^th greens have been greatly improved, only saturating during heavy rain and clearing quicker than before. Monitoring continues.

5. Bracken control on 12^th and 14^th – effect appears to have been limited. In 2012 crushing will be carried out earlier on young growth and again later in the year.

6. The path at 14^th tee appears to be hard wearing but an uneven edge has formed and the surface has again become solid and very hard. We will now look to install 1 or 2 paths with turf and rubber mat support. 2^nd and 4^th?

7. Resurface road to bothy

2012 Green Fees

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

GREEN FEES FROZEN FOR 2012

PAY 2012 VISITORS GREEN FEES AT 2011 PRICES

Bicentenary Whisky

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

SCOTSCRAIG BICENTENARY WHISKY

Members are advised that orders are now being accepted for the Club’s Bicentenary Whisky.

1)     15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

2)     25 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Orders are now being accepted at the Bar –

15 Year Old (£35 per bottle)

25 Year Old (£65 per bottle)

Members purchasing by Loyalty Card will receive the normal Loyalty Bonus of 10% discount on the above prices.

B D Liddle

Managing Secretary                                               16^th December 2011

200 Club Christmas Draw

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

200 Club Christmas Draw

1st Gerard Muscat                               £500

2nd Robert Arbuckle                           £200

3rd George Matheson                      £100

Members/Visitors Survey No 2

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

MEMBERS/VISITORS SURVEY

September – November 2011

SCOTSCRAIG GOLF CLUB

                                                Average                         Average (%)

Arrival (Pro Shop)

Welcome and friendly service                                                 4.61                                92.16

Efficient and informative staff                                                 4.55                                90.98

Overall impression of Pro Shop                                                4.49                                89.80

Golf Course

Condition                                                                                 4.51                                90.20

Would you recommend the course                                            5.00                              100.00

Will you return                                                                          5.00                              100.00

Clubhouse

Welcome received from staff                                                      4.65                                93.08

Overall service by staff                                                             4.71                                94.23

Quality of food on offer                                                              4.64                                92.89

Value of food on offer                                                                 4.52                                90.43

Choice of drinks on offer                                                             4.53                                90.59

Did you eat or drink on this visit                                                 4.54                                90.77

Would you recommend Scotscraig                                              5.00                              100.00

Please note: Each category is marked 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent.

This survey was taken from 50 Visitors’ Survey forms received between mid September and mid November 2011.

Members/Visitors Survey

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The results of our latest members/visitor survey.

         Average                         Average (%)

Arrival (Pro Shop)

Welcome and friendly service                              4.61                                92.22

Efficient and informative staff                              4.57                                91.32

Overall impression of Pro Shop                            4.44                                88.85

Golf Course

Condition                                                           4.47                                89.43

Would you recommend the course                     5.00                              100.00

Will you return                                                   5.00                               100.00

Clubhouse

Welcome received from staff                              4.70                              94.07

Overall service by staff                                       4.80                                95.93

Quality of food on offer                                      4.69                                93.75

Value of food on offer                                        4.77                                95.32

Choice of drinks on offer                                   4.54                                90.74

Did you eat or drink on this visit                      4.48                                89.63

Would you recommend Scotscraig                     5.00                              100.00

Please note: Each category is marked 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent.

This survey was taken from 60 Visitors’ Survey forms received between May and September 2011.

Trolley & Buggy Usage

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

White lines have been painted by some greenside approaches to direct golfers using trolleys and buggies away from certain key playing areas. This measure has been put in place to minimise the damage to greenside approaches during the winter months when ground conditions are softer than normal.

Please follow the directions indicated by the white lines as this will assist the greens staff in maintaining favourable playing conditions during the winter months and shall aid the recovery of the greenside approaches for next season.

Martin Ritchie
Greens Convenor

Course Update

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

End of Season Progress Report 2011

Introduction

Winter renovation work has already begun so this is now time to reflect on the summer and advise what the off season holds in store for the course.

Greens

Greens remain liable to change with weather conditions and for the second half of the season have remained soft with significant moss content. The introduction of Fescue and Bent grasses, along with the ongoing top dressing programme will improve these conditions in the long term. For now, significant work on greens will cease until spring.

Tees Fairways and Greens Surrounds

These turf areas have fared well this season as there has been little environmental stress to deal with for most of the season. Grass coverage is good with small areas that are thin usually due to traffic pressure. Over-seeding was carried out on the collars and approaches using new seeding units this year with good results. Over-seeding of thin areas on the fairways will be carried out during the next 2/3 weeks to improve coverage. Some of these areas will be covered to prevent traffic having an impact on grass establishment.

Rough Grasses

The rough once again grew up thick through the second half of the season this year but there are indications that the mowing and scarifying are having an impact and this will continue in the coming years to improve playability. The thick rough is currently being cut back with most areas on the last six holes now completed. This will continue alongside other works until the whole course has been covered

Other Works

The drainage work at the 16th and 17th went very smoothly as ground conditions were very suitable for track movement. Disruption was minimal and we hope to have most of this ground back in play soon. While carrying out the work we found the water table was only 60cm below the surface and evidence of a clay layer. The installed drains should get over these issues preventing further flooding.

A four hole course is being laid out on the practice area primarily aimed at the juniors. The greens have been marked out and progress will continue through the winter as time and manpower permits.

The primary clearing work this winter will start shortly concentrating on the 2nd and 4th holes. This work is being done not only to improve the course but also assist in maintaining pace of play, particularly for those golfers hitting the ball shorter distances. Other smaller areas will be cleared to control re-growth in an ongoing programme to keep the rough clear of scrub.

Preferred Lies

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Members and visitors are advised that Preferred Lies will come into operation on Monday 7th November 2011. Members are also advised that Fairway Mats are optional.

Bicentenary Whisky

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Members are advised that orders are now being accepted for the Club's Bicentenary Whisky. There are two blends available for sale: 1. 15 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and 2. 25 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Orders are now being accepted at the Bar - 15 Year Old (£35 per bottle) and 25 Year Old (£65 per bottle). Members purchasing by Loyalty Card will receive the normal Loyalty Bonus of 10% discount on the above prices.

Scotscraig Christmas Menu

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Click on this link to view the menu for Christmas 2011

CHARITY DAY

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Ian MacMillan (Charity Day Convenor) would like to pass on his thanks to all the Charity Day Committee, Sponsors, Members and competitors for their help and hard work which went towards making the Charity Day so successful. The total sum of £8,400 was raised and the Charities who benefited, Maggies's Centre and the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation are delighted with the effort put in by everyone associated with Scotscraig Golf Club.

As this event was so successful the Committee have agreed to hold a similar event in 2012. The date for your diary is Friday 7th September 2012.

Charity Day

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Ian MacMillan (Charity Day Convenor) would like to pass on his thanks to all the Charity Day Committee, Sponsors, Members and competitors for their help and hard work which went towards making the Charity Day so successful. The total sum of £8,400 was raised and the Charities who benefited, Maggies's Centre and the Eizabeth Mongomerie Foundation are delighted with the effort put in by everyone associated with Scotscraig Golf Club.

As this event was so successful the Committee have agreed to hold a similar event in 2012. The date for your diary is Friday 7th September 2012.

200 Club Draw

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The October 200 Club Draw is as follows:

Mr Jim Strang               £50

Mr Stewart Brymer       £30

Mr Arthur Danskin        £20

Rough Management

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Rough Management Report

Scrub Management

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Scrub Management Report

Scotscraig Golf Club on Facebook

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Scotscraig Golf Club is now on Facebook. Keep Up-To-Date with all thats going on in and around the golf club by 'likeing' our Facebook page. Feel free to comment on the page, interact with other members and visitors and post your own experiences and pictures of your time at Scotscraig.

To take yourself to the golf clubs page, simply click here.

Green Speed at Scotscraig

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As I sit and write this note on another wet summer day, it is worth reflecting on how wet this summer has been. Using Met Office statistics from the last 81 years, the mean rainfall for May, June and July for this part of the country is, 55 mm, 53 mm, and 70 mm. Our rainfall has been 69 mm, 75 mm and 90 mm. April on the other hand was a relatively dry month.   That said we have already had August’s normal rainfall with more to come.

Our greens are a combination of grasses, Poa, Yorkshire Fog , Fescue and Bent. Ideally we would like a mixture of Fescue and Bent with little or no Poa and Yorkshire Fog which are essentially meadow grasses.   Successive course managers from George Paterson until the present have been overseeding with Fescue and Bent, and doing everything in their power to improve the grass composition. Unfortunately, the warm wet weather encourages the growth of the less desirable meadow grasses. These meadow grasses have a significant effect on green speeds and their predominance in wet and warm weather is particularly noticeable. Of course in dry weather, as we probably last had a few years ago, the speed of the greens will remain high.

Up until the early part of July the greens were 8.5 to 9 on the stimpmeter. Last Thursday when it was once again raining the first green measured 7 on the Stimpmeter. Although, it has to be said, that the greens were running smoothly and were relatively firm.

While in the short term much will depend on the weather, there are actions that will be taken. The greens have been recently treated for moss which is a measure of the recent wet spell. The lush and healthy swarth of grass is too dense, even the Bent grass has become very dense. Therefore, the greens will be aggressively verticut which will remove the dead moss and thin the density of the grass. In addition the turf iron which makes a temporary difference to the speed of the greens will continue to be used on competition days and whenever resources permit. The aim will be to get the greens back to 8.5 to 9 on the stimpmeter.

The longer term solution is to continue to try to change the composition of the grass on our greens to particularly increase the amount of Fescue. We will be investigating what we can do to accelerate the increase in the proportion of Fescue.

Graham Watson
Captain

New Website Launched

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Your feedback on our new web site would be very much appreciated.

Please e-mail us.

Have you changed your e-mail address recently?

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

If so please contact the office on E-mail
or alternatively phone 01382 552515 in order that we may amend our records.

Annual Accounts 2010/2011

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Download Annual Accounts 2010/2011

Discounted Green Fees

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Discounted Green Fees Information

Rough Management

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Rough management is an ongoing and long term process with the aim to have fine, slow growing grasses in the rough that define the course. The rough should hamper a poorly struck shot without unduly slowing down play and as a consequence reward a shot that is played to the fairway.

The rough at Scotscraig has been the subject of much discussion between myself, council and the STRI including a course walk during the last STRI visit. Currently there is a broad variation in the density of rough from fine through thick to very thick in places and this must be addressed to provide more consistent conditions across the course.

Simply cutting the rough is not the answer as this may have the reverse effect and make the rough thicker in the long term. The grasses that we do mow on a regular basis such as greens and fairways are short but very dense. This demonstrates one of the traits of turfgrass that it naturally becomes thicker when mowed which is desirable in some locations.

The current position is that we have mowed and collected clippings from some of the thickest areas of the course. At the end of the season more extensive mowing and collecting will be carried out to further thin out the rough. At the beginning of next season the denser areas will be scarified and overseeded to replace undesirable grasses with preferred species. All of these tasks are time consuming and must be scheduled for maximum effect and at times of reduced work load.

Finally this is a long term process and will take a number of years to achieve the desired result.

Thank you

STRI Report

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

STI Report June 2010

June Course Report

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction
As the cold spring seemed to be going on forever it seemed that summer would perhaps never arrive however as we moved into June then temperatures duly came with it and growth was eventually upon us. Intensive work had to be maintained to keep surfaces in good condition and we were caught out by a deluge on the 1^st round of the Club Championship. We have however progressed well as we approach Open Qualifying.

April/May
Mowing
Sporadic growth meant that mowing requirements were variable throughout this period.
Greens were brushed and cut to aid mowing of longer shoots.
Rolling further improved pace and smoothness.

Fertiliser application
Folia applications were applied to greens whilst soil temperatures remained low.
Routine applications of fertiliser and wetting agents commenced through May.
Application of Compost tea on greens commenced at the end of May
Fairways and tees and approaches had fertiliser and wetting agent applied.

Irrigation
Once the system was commissioned a few control problems had to be resolved.
Water has been applied sparingly in line with weather and growing conditions

Bunker works
The last bunkers were finally completed after another harsh winter.
Some turf around bunkers has been slow to establish and settle.
Bunkers were sprayed off to remove all growth

Other works
Paths at 4^th and 7^th were turfed
Top dressing has been very effective in smoothing greens and approaches
Greens have been brushed and verticut to control density.
The greens have had one overseed with bent grass
Surrounds have been shaped and this has improved conditions around greens.
Seed has been sown over cleared areas and surrounds with mixed success
Tees, fairways and approaches were treated with selective herbicide
Greens were spot treated with selective herbicide
Worn paths beside greens were plugged to fill in bare areas.

June
Mowing
All areas mowed intensively to control growth and provide definition
Greens cut morning and afternoon throughout Championship week
Continued verticut to control density, some areas double cut to provide even pace.
Bunkers and hazards mowed and strimmed to identify and mark.

Fertiliser application
No more required until after Open Qualifying
Compost tea applied to continue to improve soil condition.

Irrigation
Minimal water required through wet and warm conditions.
Turf has been hand watered to maintain establishment

Other Works
Tee plates have been installed on stones
Rabbit damage continues and all efforts are being made to control it
Machines have been sharpened to maintain optimum cut through the summer.
Plugging worn areas continues.
Double bay practice net is being installed on the practice area.

Accounts 2009 - 2010

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

View Accounts 2009 - 2010

STRI Report

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

STRI Report April 2010

200 Club Application Form

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Download the 200 Club Application Form

New NewsArticle

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:21:18 +0000

ROADWAY AT THE 14^TH

Members and visitors are advised that work on the road across the 14^th fairway will commence on Monday 12^th March. This work will take approximately 5 days. In view of this, the 14^th hole will be played as a Par 3 from a tee on the far side of the ditch. Play will be to the normal green. Players will therefore have to walk from the 13^th green to the temporary tee past the ditch.

WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE.

Barrie D Liddle

Managing Secretary                                                                                                                         5^th March 2012.