Background to the Course Enhancement Plan (CEP)
In July 2023, Green Acres received an assessment of greens from John Neylan (a Turfgrass Agronomist) recommending that, because of the various ages of the greens at Green Acres, the various sand types, the deep layers of organic matter, different bentgrass cultivars, shaded locations and high golfing traffic, a program of greens replacement must be considered a priority.
Following this advice, a brief for the preparation of a CEP was prepared in October 2023. The core elements of the brief were:
· Reconstruct all greens to the drainage level
· Raise the level of all greens above flood level
· Convert all greens to a single cultivar; Pure Distinction Bentgrass
· Address traffic management issues leading to excessive wear
· Improve the maintenance efficiency of the course
· Design for all levels of golfing ability
The brief was sent to a selection of course architects and in April 2024 Michael Clayton and Harley Kruse were selected to prepare the CEP. The final draft of the CEP was received in November 2024 and approved by the Board for member consultation in January 2025.
Course Enhancement Plan
The Board considers that the CEP, prepared by Clayton and Kruse, meets the brief provided to the architects by Green Acres. It seeks to maintain the integrity of the existing course while having some movement in tees and greens, where growing conditions are not adequate and to raise greens above flood level. The agronomic issues affecting some greens result from tree growth since the course was designed and built. The original design for the course by Gordon Oliver is praised by the architects and would be appropriate today if it weren’t for the encroachment of trees on the course. The Board does not necessarily endorse all aspects of the CEP provided by the architects but does consider that it is appropriate for submission to members for consultation.
Consultation Process
The consultation process has been designed to provide a long period for members to consider the CEP and have a good opportunity to ask the architects questions about the plan.
The key phases are:
Release of the CEP document to members (please click the link at the bottom of this summary to view the CEP)
Place drawings/plans of the design of each hole, included within the CEP document, in the Clubhouse for viewing. This will occur in the coming weeks.
An email address GAGC.CEPfeedback@gmail.com has been established for members to lodge any comments they have on the CEP. Please send all CEP feedback and correspondence to this email address. Only written comments to the email address will be accepted to ensure that feedback is consistently captured.
Information sessions will be conducted in early March 2025 with Mike Clayton and Harley Kruse providing their rationale for the changes to the course proposed in the CEP. There will be two information sessions; one in the afternoon and one in the evening, to provide an opportunity for members to attend. The dates and times are being confirmed with the architects and will be advised to members as soon as known.
Another set of information sessions will follow in early April 2025 with Mike Clayton and Harley Kruse providing a further opportunity for members to understand the reasons behind the plan, once they have had an opportunity to consider it. There will again be two information sessions; one in the afternoon and one in the evening to provide an opportunity for members to attend. Dates and times TBA.
The close of member feedback will occur at the end of April 2025.
The Course Sub-Committee will collate the member feedback and prepare a list of preferred changes for consideration by the architects. A list of preferred changes will then be presented and sent to the Board at its May meeting for approval to provide to the architects.
Architects will receive the preferred changes/feedback in early June with a revision of the CEP to be provided by July.
The finalised CEP will then be considered by the Course Sub-Committee and presented to the Board at the July meeting for approval.
Implementation Program and Expected Cost
The implementation program has not been defined at this point, although there is an expectation that no work will commence before Spring 2026. During the consultation period, members will be asked about their preference for implementation in either a single year, two years, three years, four years or over a longer period. The plan has not been costed in detail at this stage, but based on the cost of the current construction of the 16th hole at Kew, it is likely to be in the order of $300,000 per hole or $5.4 million overall.
Click here to view the CEP
Captain – Chris Bate
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