We recently hosted the Essex section of BIGGA's educational seminar on Golf Course Ecology with various course managers  from local clubs in attendance.The talk was given by James Hutchinson who was very knowledgable and  passionate about his subject.South Essex being chosen due to our involvement in and success in the environmental awards in past years.

 

    Planting around the clubhouse beneficial to pollinating insects

 

      The value of dead standing trees as habitat for many species

The way forward in mowing ?

The recent heavy downpours and temperature changes  caused some rather large fungi to suddenly appear  on areas were we have fairy rings

     The mats that we put in place in selected areas of the course are now established and grown into there surroundings and will prove valuable in terms of traffic management through the winter months

While in London recently I came across this exhibit of which there are many  with Roald Dahl BFG and the new film soon to be in cinemas with various celebrates giving examples of there dreams. In this one Justin Rose dreams of winning the Open but didn't say when ,we all have many dreams,some dream of a hole in one,a score below 100,or getting to single figure handicap,my personal dream has been to make South Essex the best club in Essex but probably I'll never get my hands on that or the claret jug but no harm in dreaming.

 We have hosted the VIP Golf tour with a ProAm with our resident pro shop staff and members involved

On the course we have commenced spraying  the fairways and roughs to control the weeds  and also  out with the total weed control on paths and ditches etc .

Matt Dunne one of my Assistants will be leaving South Essex soon to take up a position  out side of Green Keeping.He has been with us a year and has learnt many tasks and been a valuable member of the team especially as he was a not a golfer and it was his first time in green keeping.We wish him success in his new role

 

Below are 11species of wild flowers that can be seen in the wildflower area by the 8th hawk left of the green .This doesn't include the spring flowers and grasses that also make up the species lists to over 20 species.