The short game facility has now entered its 7th week of the construction phase, and it is full steam ahead. The fact that the entire green is almost 1500sqm has meant that an extremely large amount of material has been brought onto the site. MD construction have worked their way through the job in steps. Step 1 putting green. Step 2 chipping green. In the past few weeks, we have had over 20 soil trucks and almost 40 truckloads of clay.
Once the base level of the green was constructed, the drainage lines were then put into place and filled with 7mm gravel. This will allow the green to drain and grow correctly. These drainage line will then be connected to the drain pits that Cherio Civil rectified 3 weeks ago.
After the drainage lines have been installed the sand layer can then be put on top. This layer is very import as this is the growing medium for the turf to thrive. It must be 300mm deep and be consistent across the entire green. Laser levels are used to achieve this to a 0.01 degree.
NeverStop irrigation are the irrigation company that has been contracted to take on the practice facility. They bring with them a wealth of irrigation knowledge and trade experience. The irrigation will be set up the same way that the rest of the course is, with several sprinkler heads placed around the green. These sprinkler heads will water not only the green but the all the surrounds.
In the coming days and weeks, the chipping side of the green’s drainage will be completed and topped with the correct amount of sand. The bunkers will be constructed using the same method that was used on 5A/5b temporary hole bunkers. The sand used in these bunkers will also be the same as the temporary hole. This sand will soon be in all the bunkers on the course. A new cart path will also be constructed running around the perimeter of the new short game facility. This will also coincide with 4 new warm up bays between the pro shop and the first tee.
As we move closer to the completion of the construction phase, I will take the opportunity to thank everyone for taking care around the construction area and for your patience.
As always feel free to ask questions about the new short game area. Any of the club staff or I would be happy to help or point you in the right direction of someone who can answer your questions.
Assistant Superintendent
Jake Smith
Update 18th july
In mid-June the construction of The Coast Golf Club’s brand new short game facility began.
The Club has been working hard for several years now on plans to update this area and provide a space that is suitable and that everyone can be proud of. Course architect James Wilshire provided the club with updated plans that the board then decided on. The 5000sq meter area will consist of a big double green that will provide many holes for putting practice and a significant area for chipping as well as two new bunkers. The current putting green next to the pro shop will still be in use and will remain in use after the construction has completed.
MD Construction has once again been contracted to complete the short game area. MD construction is the same company the club has used in the past, most recently the spare hole construction. MD know the Club site well so we are happy to have them on board again.
In Week 1 the area went from 0 to 100 very fast. The removal of the path from the car park to the 1st tee as well as dozens of Lomandra shrubs, the entire area was rotary hoed, and the safety security fencing was put in place. The green was stripped and the Norfolk Pines have been transplanted to the eastern part of the construction site to provide some cover from the 3rd tee.
The bulk earth works did not take long before we had large piles of soil surrounding the whole area. Cherio Civil Works rediverted the storm water drains and installed large pits to allow the entire area to be drained properly. Cherio will also be completing the paths that surround the short game area.
Please be mindful of this area when moving around the golf course as there may be large machinery or some confusion when teeing off. Please do not attempt to retrieve your golf ball if it happens to land inside the fenced area. The local rules have been posted on the fencing and drop zones have been provided.
As always feel free to ask questions about the new short game area. Any of the Club staff or I would be happy to help or point you in the right direction of someone who can answer your questions.
Assistant Superintendent
Jake Smith
