We haven’t ‘talked’ for a while but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy !
Despite the searing heat and humidity all project teams (shaper, builders and finishers) have made extraordinary progress through the summer, especially given that other than the greens shaper, we are carrying out the works without any additional labour over and above Lorenzo’s incumbent team.
Of course, there is a cost in terms of quality to this in that the same people are maintaining the course overall (despite the development of the new greens the closed holes still need regular maintenance and cutting) whilst also being the finishing team for the new greens, meaning that ongoing maintenance of both the open holes and closed ones is not as we would want. But this is the only way we afford to complete the project so…….
So, where are we I hear you say ?
I am delighted to tell you that the entire 8 new greens have all been shaped and approved by Architect Scott Macpherson. Of course, that does not mean we are ready as the shaping and approval is the base of the build and drains, irrigation, gravel, root zone material and of course the turfing of the greens complex’s is still required after approval.
To summarise overall progress overall I will run through the greens in the order they were approved and advise on progress.
The 17th
Fully ready except bunker sand (bunkers filled the week before we reopen) and growing in nicely.
The 1st
Fully ready except bunker sand (bunkers filled the week before we reopen) and growing in nicely.
The 18th
Fully ready except bunker sand (bunkers filled the week before we reopen) and growing in nicely.
The 3rd
Fully ready except bunker sand (bunkers filled the week before we reopen) and decent growth experienced.
The 15th
Fully ready except bunker sand (bunkers filled the week before we reopen) and fully finished only this week.
The 4th
Shaped, drains installed, irrigation installed and both gravel and root zone ready. Soon to be handed over to Lorenzo’s team for turfing.
The 2nd
Shaped, drains installed, irrigation installed and the gravel carpet in progress, which will be closely followed by root zone.
14th
Just approved and awaiting drains, irrigation, gravel, root zone material and turfing.
16th
There is a slight addition planned for the front of the new 16th green which has also been shaped and approved. In summary, its a forward extension of the green tilting slightly towards the tees, in order that a good shot can hold the green more easily.
We are still broadly on target to reopen in early October – always subject to any curveballs (and there has thus far been many) that we are thrown between now and then. And, as I pen this note – its raining, heavily !
The scars of war
Of course, with a combination of heavy machinery and extra wear on the bottom 9 holes there will be plenty of ‘scars’ to fix after the greens project is completed. In fact, the 12 months following the project’s completion will be focused on returning the course to 100% grass cover and generally to uplift the course to a standard it/we deserve.
You will hear more about further course embellishment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in late September – but rest
assured all these works can be carried out with the minimum of disruption to our internal and external customers and without hole closures.
Enjoy the rest of your golfing summer, stay hydrated, and be careful out there……..
Yours in golf,
Paul Stoner
Chairman
Royal Malta Golf Club
28th August 2024
