Following on from the recently completed extension to the 3rd tee, the course committee and course staff have recently started a new project. The extension of the practice green is a most ambitious one, involving the almost doubling in size of the present practice green.
The amount of work involved in this is enormous.  First of all the turf surrounding the green has to be lifted.  This involves using a machine to cut it in strips, then rolling it up in approximately 4 foot long strips and transporting it to its “new home” beside the 9th tee.  Then almost 40% of the practice green turf itself had to be lifted.  Given that the turf grows from almost all sand it is not possible to roll this in 4 foot lengths, instead it had to be lifted in 1 foot squares and again transported to its temporary resting site.
The green turf was removed to facilitate the removal of the big hump on the road side of the practice green, this hump will be removed, leaving a gentle incline.  Furthermore, the soil and sand under has to be removed to a depth of approximately 8 inches.  Into this will be layed a gravel bed, and on this a bed of pea gravel and then a final bedding of sand.  The sand and gravel is what gives the complete drainage ability.  When this is all laid then new green turf will be layed on it and rolled.  Then it is just a matter of time and some decent weather for the turf to knit and start rooting and growing again.  Stephen is confident, that all going well the new extended practice green will be ready by April this year.