Date Posted: 14th November 2024
Dear Members,
We can certainly feel the temperature drop this week - Winter has finally arrived. Time to get the winter wardrobe out!
We would like to wish Captain Lelia all the very best tomorrow evening for her Farewell Dinner. I'm sure the Ladies Committee have a great night in store! Enjoy Ladies!
Congratulations to John Power our incoming Vice-Captain for 2025. We would like to wish John all the very best for the next couple of years.
Congratulations also to our very own Brandon St. John who comfortably qualified through 1st stage Alps Tour Q-School and will compete in the final stage the next coming weekend.
For further information from Irishgolfer.ie please Click Here.
We were delighted to support The National Maternity Hospital Foundation - Amount raised: €3,120
Baby Leo Dunne (Son of Assistant Bar Manager Neil Dunne) born at 29 weeks, weighing 3lbs, was in the wonderful care of the NICU for 60 days (17th October - 17th December 2021).
L-R: Captain Lelia Jennings, Hazel Dunne, Baby Leo Dunne, Assistant Bar Manager Neil Dunne & Captain Gary Ryan
COURSE UPDATE
As many of you are aware there has been a lot of work taking place on the course over the past couple of weeks (Drainage, Greens Aeration and Tree Cutting). I would like to thank all golfers for their patience and understanding over this time.
Drainage
The drainage team will be back in a couple of weeks time to review the work undertaken, fix any issues that arise and take care of snagging and seed the trenches. There will hopefully be very little disruption to play.
Greens
This year in consultation with our agronomist we have decided to move away from the traditional Slit Aerating method of aerating the greens. Since the beginning of June we have been pencil tining the greens. This has involved using 8mm spikes every three weeks. On Monday we followed this up with a DRYJECT program on all greens (excluding 6&7). This involved using water to blast 12mm holes in the green and simultaneously fill the holes to the surface with high volumes of sand mix thus relieving compaction, increase water infiltration, whilst adding oxygen to the root zone and fertilising the soil with high volumes of material all at the same time. This will need to be followed up most likely the week commencing 25th November with a solid tining ~ (12mm holes similar to the recent work on the 6th and 7th green completed last week). The greens will then be brushed and rolled. We are expecting recovery to be weeks rather than months (weather depending) unlike the slit aerating which has been taking up to 5 months to recover.
Why do we do it?
Putting greens receive more traffic than any other playing surface. The aeration process helps relieve the compaction caused by all that traffic. It also helps create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots.
Thatch is a layer of old plant material that accumulates at the soil surface. If thatch on putting greens is not diluted by aeration and topdressing, it will act like a sponge, holding water near the surface. Excessive thatch creates soft playing conditions, inconsistent green speeds and increases the risk of disease. Timing is also important. Do you ever wonder why aeration is commonly performed when putting greens are playing their best? Aerating when grass is healthy and actively growing minimizes damage and allows for a quick return to optimal playing conditions.
Trees
Our tree contractor has also been busy. In addition to clearing up the area near the underground locker area and clearing some large storm damaged branches, we have had to remove some trees close to the new 7th Green. This was on the advice of the agronomist and the course architect due to the root system threatening the bunker and the right hand side of the green not developing as well as the left hand side. We will also be removing some of the dead trees to the left hand side of the 4th fairway. These are part of the Ash family and have suffered from the ash die back disease. We will be replanting a different indigenous species here. We also plan to plant some extra trees on the left hand side of the 6th fairway. A major piece of tree work is also planned for the trees lining the second fairway. They have grown out very significantly over the past number of years. The plan here is to take away the lower branches (crown raise) and to trim back the upper branches. This may require the hole to be closed for a number of days but plenty of notice will be given.
Pitch Marks
As the wet weather and soft ground has returned there has been a huge increase in the number of unrepaired pitch marks. (On Monday the number of unrepaired pitchmarks were commented on by the dryject contractors. In particular the 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 9th which had double figures on each. It is your golf course. Please try and take care of it.
Fairways
Remember it is mandatory to carry and use a sandbag whilst playing on the course. As above now the ground is softer, larger divots are being taken. These need to be repaired and/or sanded as they are taken. If you are unsure of the correct procedure please review the video which was circulated in the weekly digest two weeks ago on 31st October.
Practice Area
The grass teeing area is now closed for the winter. All play to the target greens MUST be from the mats.
General
Some other projects worth mentioning the course staff will be taking on over the next couple of months include (but are not limited to) sodding worn areas around the course, hedge cutting, tees and green collar aeration program including over-seeding of tees, collars and approaches. There is also a bunker repair and weed program. In conjunction with the garden committee they will be building a new flower bed back of 9th green and extending the flower bed at 7th tee. We will be looking at ways to enhance the first tee as well as staining steps/borders 1, 11, 12 & 4. Re-painting and replacing missing out of bounds poles. It is also planned to repoint the original bridge on the 3rd fairway. The two evergreen trees that have sprung between 5th green and 6th tee will also be removed. The upgrading of the 5th/14th tee complex is currently being worked on and further information on this will be forthcoming once design and pricing has been obtained.
Regards
Brendan Seaver
Course Convenor
CHRISTMAS DINING AT KGC!
Dinner on Saturday 7th December is now full with a Waiting List in operation.
We currently have 8 places left for our Dinner on Saturday 14th December (Opera in Killiney).
For further details on Christmas Lunches please Click Here.
LADIES SECTION
MEN'S SECTION
Winner of this year’s Plummers Hamper prize John Waldron with 20 points, held on Sunday 10th November 2024, with Jason Ballard Plummers Captain for 2025
PRO SHOP NEWS
If you’re serious about elevating your golf game, we invite you to join The Golf Improvement Pathway, an exclusive year-long program starting November 18 with our PGA Professional, Sergio Bartolini. This program is designed to deliver consistent, measurable progress in all areas of your game through dedicated, small-group training.
Why Join the Golf Improvement Pathway?
Personalized, Year-Long Curriculum:
Get comprehensive coaching every Monday (11am or 12pm) with a maximum of 4 players per session. Each session will target key fundamentals and track performance across the year.
Seasonal Focused Phases:
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Build foundational skills in putting, chipping, iron play, and driving technique, plus start tracking critical stats.
• Spring (Mar-May): Shift focus to competitive strategy, mental resilience, and course management to build confidence for the season.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Maintain consistency with precision drills, shot shaping, and pressure simulations to enhance your competitive edge.
• Fall (Sep-Nov): Review and refine your game with data-backed adjustments and year-end goal setting for sustained improvement.
Exclusive Inclusions:
• Swing Tests & Stats Tracking: Through structured evaluations in putting, long game, and short game, we’ll establish clear progress metrics and individualized improvement targets.
• On-Course Play & Strategy: Develop scoring techniques, shot planning, and effective club selection for real-life course applications.
Program Details:
• Cost: €120/month (12-month commitment) or €140/month (6-month option)
• Start Date: November 18, with weekly 1-hour sessions led by Sergio Bartolini
• Limited Availability: Only 2 classes, with 4 spots per group
Spaces are limited to ensure focused attention for each player. Reserve your spot now by contacting the Pro Shop and commit to a year of steady, measurable progress in every area of your game.
Thank you!
Kind regards,
Sergio Bartolini
USEFUL LINKS
Fixture List 2024
Guidelines for Timesheets
Pace of Play Guidelines 2024
Rules for Use of the Practice Area
Clubnet Golf App - Download Instructions & Details
Golfsure - Summary of Cover
What'sApp Guidelines for KGC
Photograph Archive
Bridge Section
KGC Organisation Chart
LATEST RESULTS
For the latest Competitions Results please Click Here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Captain Lelia's Farewell Dinner 2024 - Friday 15th November
Ladies Tuesday Glass Hamper & Tea Party @ 3pm - Tuesday 19th November
Men's AGM - Wednesday 4th December @ 7.30pm
Ladies AGM - Thursday 5th December @ 7.30pm
Mixed 9 Hole Christmas Hamper - Saturday 7th December (Limited Availability)
1st Christmas Dinner (Pre Dinner Carol Singing with Par Three Ensemble) - Saturday 7th December (FULL)
Ladies 9 Hole Golf, Christmas Market, Lunch & Hamper Presentation - Thursday 12th December (Timesheet Opens Wednesday 20th November @ 7pm)
2nd Christmas Dinner (Opera at Christmas in Killiney) - Saturday 14th December (8 Places available)
