Golf Industry Central Spring 2014 | Page 32

Course Updates profiling of the fairways on the new nine but, importantly for the length of the rough we can provide, the grow in is crucial over the next three to four months as that will ensure consistency of cover and length of rough. “The other thing we have to be mindful of is that for 50 weeks of the year we are a business that depends on the support of the hotel guest, the casual player and the member here at Royal Pines so we can’t have thick rough all year round. I would love to have the rough growing at 4 inches in height now so we have the luxury of being able to cut it back but that process will not appeal to the other players who will use the course in the years ahead.” While the project’s second nine holes will be completed in Stage 2 over a similar time frame next year, all involved in the work are delighted as to how things have come together thus far. Aaron Flavell, RACV’s Manager of Capital Works, is delighted with what he is seeing come out of the ground. “The project took a while to build momentum but once it began to flow then we were able to make up time and with all involved working closely together we achieved that critical date of mid-August for the completion of grassing to allow sufficient time for the grow in prior to the tournament in December. especially given that there was absolutely no margin for any delays and so that too has been yet another pleasing aspect of the overall project. the 8th green play at the 3rd, 7th, 8th and 9th can be witnessed. It should offer quite a gathering point for those looking to attend the event. “The