Rapport des Verts
Greens Report May 2025
Following on from recent visits from Alistair Beggs, the R&A agronomist, and Robin Hiseman, the golf course architect, this report summarises the main points of the reports. I will also comment on the need for an ecological survey of wildlife on the course.
Agronomist
The main points of the agronomist's report are summarised below as Alistair reported them.
• The spring review of the golf course took place on a pleasant but cool morning following a period of dry weather. The recent weather pattern has been characterised by warm days cool nights and easterly winds, meaning that meaningful growth and recovery is still slow to come by.
• The winter has been successful with most of the recommendations made during the autumn having been completed. The main focus was on controlling disease which has been achieved very well in a period when pressures were high. Additionally, greater efforts have been made to aerate more regularly and the results of this are beginning to become obvious beneath the surface with better and stronger root growth very noticeable now.
• Laboratory results indicate the persistent presence of too much organic matter in the surface of the greens making them vulnerable to softening during wet weather. Increasing the level of aeration is critical to controlling this and a good start has been made. It will be two or three more seasons before we see the true value of this work. Soil chemistry results are more positive.
• Currently, the greens are showing signs of differential growth between the bent and meadow grass component grasses. The early application of the PGR Attraxor has stressed and limited the growth response of meadow grasses resulting in some weakness where shade and or leatherjacket feeding or both have weakened the turf e.g. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 17th. The product has worked more predictably on stronger greens where the meadow grass has been weakened to a lesser extent and a fuller cover remains. The short-term challenge is to return a strong cover of grass as soon as possible but we will need moisture and warmth to do so. In the interim some patience will be required.
• Wetting agents needs to be applied now to help control moisture delivery to the playing surfaces and application will require prompt repair of irrigation pumps and deployment of the irrigation system. Ash pointed out that the pump issue is being addressed but was never been a problem to the running of the system. The forecast is for it to remain dry.
• The tees (particularly the Par 3 tees) are showing signs of wear and tear already. A good nutritional programme is now needed to help them recover.
• Mowing practices are now being implemented widely and it is good to see the club experimenting with robot automation. The frequency of cut that these units can deliver is likely to more than make up for a rotary rather than reel type finish. Continue to review the use of automation which we think will have a big role to play in the future of golf course management.
• Not as much progress as we would have liked has been made with tree management over the winter. This is not for want of trying. We are very enthused by the teams’ attitude to strategic progression of which environmental management and planning forms a bit part. However, it takes time to put permits and licences in place to remove and thin trees so we must be patient in order to deliver these improvements.
• We understand a machinery forecast plan has been submitted and includes the potential for automation more widely in future. In the short term there is a requirement for a quick and efficient summer aerator for greens to help accelerate organic matter reduction. A sarel roller would be ideal for this. It is not an expensive piece of kit.
Laboratory results show that the level of organic matter in the top 20mm of the greens is too high. On avarage it is around 11.5% when it should be between 4% and 6%. This can be improved by aeration and frequent light top dressing which will continue throughout the season.
Architect
The course architect's report is summarised below in his own words with a section added on the bunkers which are one of his main areas for comment.
• Wychwood Park impressed on this, my first visit to the course. It clearly is a venue developed with high aspirations, which have probably not been met if truth be known. Despite the grandeur of the setting, the thoughtful and well-executed design and the undisputed challenge and attractiveness of the layout, it has not achieved the level of national acclaim it might have expected. Wychwood is currently ranked the 14th best course in Cheshire.
• Some of this is probably due to fashion. At the time of construction, big, modern courses, with an American vibe were all the rage, but this has faded now. One can reference several previously highly acclaimed modern courses that have dropped off the radar in recent years. Think East Sussex National, The Oxfordshire, Westerwood and Collingtree Park. Wychwood bears comparison with these courses and to a degree, fares better than them now, due to a consistent maintenance regime, new ownership and a good masterplan, developed without wasteful excess.
• There is obvious potential for a stylistic refresh, focussing primarily on the bunker patterning, styling and strategy. I think this could have a highly positive impact on the perception of the course if carefully planned and fully executed. I would hesitate to rebuild the greens, unless they are proving to be functionally troublesome. They are, in some respects, an authentic example of the styling of the time and although I know we could make the green complexes look terrific, it is a huge investment. Tee positions are wide ranging and well-conceived. Ash pointed out some size limitations on the par 3’s and that can be addressed where the topography allows it.
Bunkers
This is probably the area I would concentrate on to make a big improvement, both aesthetically and functionally. The original styling looks dated now. Ash is working his way through the course with a rebunkering programme, which has reaped some good results, albeit of a much different look to the ‘jigsaw’ pieces of the Hawtree bunkers.
• The positioning of many of the bunkers has been outstripped by developments in technology, which render some fairway bunkers obsolete now. It’s not always the case that a fairway bunker performs the same function, and it is perfectly legitimate to have a ‘short’ fairway bunker as an aiming line on the crest of a hill, or beyond the dogleg as a ’backdrop’ bunker or ‘saving’ bunker from a worse fate. My view is that the bunkering generally lacks a strong visual appeal and tends to hide below the horizon of the surrounding moundwork. Hole 13 is a good example of this, where only a small percentage of the seven bunkers can be seen. Examples of better presented bunkers would be the approach hazards on 5, or the fairway bunkers on 12, both sets of which do a good job of improving the visual composition. Hole 5's approach bunkers, set into the upslope, are the most visually impressive bunkers on the course.
• The bunkers were built in the way all bunkers were built back then, with just herringbone drains and no liners. Bunker technology has come a long way and it would be a good step to consider the range of modern construction techniques that help both drainage quality, improve sand retention and reduce contamination.
• RH and AO discussed the position of greenside bunkers. Both agreed that they were often too far from the putting surface to be strategically influential. The back left bunker at Green 8 is typical. It is more than 7 metres short of the green. If this was within 2-3 metres then it would nip into the back hole locations and be a strong strategic feature. A review of all the greenside bunker positions is highly recommended.
Robin also had the following comments to make about the difficulty the course presents.
The nature of the design and landscaping makes Wychwood an inherently challenging golf course. From all the tees it is a far more difficult than the average golf course, even though the range of tee lengths offered (excepting the shortest) is close to ideal. Whilst some holes are reasonably forgiving off the tee (1,3,4,5,10,11,12), the remaining eleven holes have elements of a forced carry over either water, deep rough, or both. This is what the challenge is, and golfers either rise to it, or become intimidated by it. Once the maintained areas are reached it is perfectly generous and playable. I find with courses of this genre that they are tremendous fun to play occasionally, but are possibly (in the UK at least), a tougher sell for regular, repeat business. I’m not sure what the best way to get around this is, save to make the welcome and offering as appealing as possible and the course presentation as good as it can be. Beyond that, you can recommend a tee according to ability and trust the golfers heed the advice.
It is clear that he is keen to be involved in the ongoing course changes and hopefully this process will now begin. One interesting comment that he did make was that the shape and size of the greens had been consistent for the last 20 years using evidence from Google Earth.
Ecology
In order to become more involved with the ecological aspects of the course we are conducting a survey to establish what species of wildlife we have on our course. We ask the members to help with this and we are starting with a survey to establish the range of bird species we have. There is a notice to the right of the main entrance to the clubhouse, with further explanation, where you can add your own findings. If like me you are not a budding ornithologist you can use the MerlinBird ID App, which you can download free on the App store. This identifies species by sound and is enjoyable to use during quieter moments on the course.
We hope to extend the survey to other areas of wildlife so please help in making this successfull.
Agronomist
The main points of the agronomist's report are summarised below as Alistair reported them.
• The spring review of the golf course took place on a pleasant but cool morning following a period of dry weather. The recent weather pattern has been characterised by warm days cool nights and easterly winds, meaning that meaningful growth and recovery is still slow to come by.
• The winter has been successful with most of the recommendations made during the autumn having been completed. The main focus was on controlling disease which has been achieved very well in a period when pressures were high. Additionally, greater efforts have been made to aerate more regularly and the results of this are beginning to become obvious beneath the surface with better and stronger root growth very noticeable now.
• Laboratory results indicate the persistent presence of too much organic matter in the surface of the greens making them vulnerable to softening during wet weather. Increasing the level of aeration is critical to controlling this and a good start has been made. It will be two or three more seasons before we see the true value of this work. Soil chemistry results are more positive.
• Currently, the greens are showing signs of differential growth between the bent and meadow grass component grasses. The early application of the PGR Attraxor has stressed and limited the growth response of meadow grasses resulting in some weakness where shade and or leatherjacket feeding or both have weakened the turf e.g. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, 17th. The product has worked more predictably on stronger greens where the meadow grass has been weakened to a lesser extent and a fuller cover remains. The short-term challenge is to return a strong cover of grass as soon as possible but we will need moisture and warmth to do so. In the interim some patience will be required.
• Wetting agents needs to be applied now to help control moisture delivery to the playing surfaces and application will require prompt repair of irrigation pumps and deployment of the irrigation system. Ash pointed out that the pump issue is being addressed but was never been a problem to the running of the system. The forecast is for it to remain dry.
• The tees (particularly the Par 3 tees) are showing signs of wear and tear already. A good nutritional programme is now needed to help them recover.
• Mowing practices are now being implemented widely and it is good to see the club experimenting with robot automation. The frequency of cut that these units can deliver is likely to more than make up for a rotary rather than reel type finish. Continue to review the use of automation which we think will have a big role to play in the future of golf course management.
• Not as much progress as we would have liked has been made with tree management over the winter. This is not for want of trying. We are very enthused by the teams’ attitude to strategic progression of which environmental management and planning forms a bit part. However, it takes time to put permits and licences in place to remove and thin trees so we must be patient in order to deliver these improvements.
• We understand a machinery forecast plan has been submitted and includes the potential for automation more widely in future. In the short term there is a requirement for a quick and efficient summer aerator for greens to help accelerate organic matter reduction. A sarel roller would be ideal for this. It is not an expensive piece of kit.
Laboratory results show that the level of organic matter in the top 20mm of the greens is too high. On avarage it is around 11.5% when it should be between 4% and 6%. This can be improved by aeration and frequent light top dressing which will continue throughout the season.
Architect
The course architect's report is summarised below in his own words with a section added on the bunkers which are one of his main areas for comment.
• Wychwood Park impressed on this, my first visit to the course. It clearly is a venue developed with high aspirations, which have probably not been met if truth be known. Despite the grandeur of the setting, the thoughtful and well-executed design and the undisputed challenge and attractiveness of the layout, it has not achieved the level of national acclaim it might have expected. Wychwood is currently ranked the 14th best course in Cheshire.
• Some of this is probably due to fashion. At the time of construction, big, modern courses, with an American vibe were all the rage, but this has faded now. One can reference several previously highly acclaimed modern courses that have dropped off the radar in recent years. Think East Sussex National, The Oxfordshire, Westerwood and Collingtree Park. Wychwood bears comparison with these courses and to a degree, fares better than them now, due to a consistent maintenance regime, new ownership and a good masterplan, developed without wasteful excess.
• There is obvious potential for a stylistic refresh, focussing primarily on the bunker patterning, styling and strategy. I think this could have a highly positive impact on the perception of the course if carefully planned and fully executed. I would hesitate to rebuild the greens, unless they are proving to be functionally troublesome. They are, in some respects, an authentic example of the styling of the time and although I know we could make the green complexes look terrific, it is a huge investment. Tee positions are wide ranging and well-conceived. Ash pointed out some size limitations on the par 3’s and that can be addressed where the topography allows it.
Bunkers
This is probably the area I would concentrate on to make a big improvement, both aesthetically and functionally. The original styling looks dated now. Ash is working his way through the course with a rebunkering programme, which has reaped some good results, albeit of a much different look to the ‘jigsaw’ pieces of the Hawtree bunkers.
• The positioning of many of the bunkers has been outstripped by developments in technology, which render some fairway bunkers obsolete now. It’s not always the case that a fairway bunker performs the same function, and it is perfectly legitimate to have a ‘short’ fairway bunker as an aiming line on the crest of a hill, or beyond the dogleg as a ’backdrop’ bunker or ‘saving’ bunker from a worse fate. My view is that the bunkering generally lacks a strong visual appeal and tends to hide below the horizon of the surrounding moundwork. Hole 13 is a good example of this, where only a small percentage of the seven bunkers can be seen. Examples of better presented bunkers would be the approach hazards on 5, or the fairway bunkers on 12, both sets of which do a good job of improving the visual composition. Hole 5's approach bunkers, set into the upslope, are the most visually impressive bunkers on the course.
• The bunkers were built in the way all bunkers were built back then, with just herringbone drains and no liners. Bunker technology has come a long way and it would be a good step to consider the range of modern construction techniques that help both drainage quality, improve sand retention and reduce contamination.
• RH and AO discussed the position of greenside bunkers. Both agreed that they were often too far from the putting surface to be strategically influential. The back left bunker at Green 8 is typical. It is more than 7 metres short of the green. If this was within 2-3 metres then it would nip into the back hole locations and be a strong strategic feature. A review of all the greenside bunker positions is highly recommended.
Robin also had the following comments to make about the difficulty the course presents.
The nature of the design and landscaping makes Wychwood an inherently challenging golf course. From all the tees it is a far more difficult than the average golf course, even though the range of tee lengths offered (excepting the shortest) is close to ideal. Whilst some holes are reasonably forgiving off the tee (1,3,4,5,10,11,12), the remaining eleven holes have elements of a forced carry over either water, deep rough, or both. This is what the challenge is, and golfers either rise to it, or become intimidated by it. Once the maintained areas are reached it is perfectly generous and playable. I find with courses of this genre that they are tremendous fun to play occasionally, but are possibly (in the UK at least), a tougher sell for regular, repeat business. I’m not sure what the best way to get around this is, save to make the welcome and offering as appealing as possible and the course presentation as good as it can be. Beyond that, you can recommend a tee according to ability and trust the golfers heed the advice.
It is clear that he is keen to be involved in the ongoing course changes and hopefully this process will now begin. One interesting comment that he did make was that the shape and size of the greens had been consistent for the last 20 years using evidence from Google Earth.
Ecology
In order to become more involved with the ecological aspects of the course we are conducting a survey to establish what species of wildlife we have on our course. We ask the members to help with this and we are starting with a survey to establish the range of bird species we have. There is a notice to the right of the main entrance to the clubhouse, with further explanation, where you can add your own findings. If like me you are not a budding ornithologist you can use the MerlinBird ID App, which you can download free on the App store. This identifies species by sound and is enjoyable to use during quieter moments on the course.
We hope to extend the survey to other areas of wildlife so please help in making this successfull.