The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort

Captain's Log

CAPTAIN: James Mcginty Sutherland

Dear Fellow Golf Member, just a few notes on the ending of another golf season. Some of you may remember that golf pro Vinnie's words of wisdom on the first day of the season were about how hot it was going to be, unfortunately he forgot to mention about how wet it was also going to be!

Once again we had a full golf calendar with competitions each weekend throughout the season, and well done to everyone who took part in the support of these events and especially to all the winners and our new club champion Brian Dunlop.

Thanks go to Vinnie, Michael and Mark for the smooth running of the weekly competitions as well as the singles and doubles competitions also.

A special mention has to go to big Tam and his team of green keepers considering the amount of staff he has at his disposal they have done a great job in maintaining the course, greens and fairways, this has been the best condition they have been in for years. Thanks and keep up the good work.

On the social side a big thank you to our quiz master John Quinn on his quiz nights held at the hotel. It is just a pity there are so few members participating as a great night is enjoyed by all who attend.

Thanks also to the bar staff and chefs for their hard work throughout the season. I also cannot forget fellow committee members for committing their time each month for the purpose of serving and improving the golf club.

Finally, a mega big thank you to General Manager Nic Oldham, for all his support to the gents section.

Your captain James McGinty.

Greenkeeper's Log: Thomas Sutherland

Course Work
This year we have worked extremely hard on greens and surrounds which has also added to the increased definition we now have. The greens are probably in the best shape they have been for five years and this work will continue into next season.

Our main focuses over the winter will be drainage and bunker maintenance. Although we have tackled most of the worst areas there are still a few problems we need to rectify. This consists of the 14th and 17th fairways, the 5th greenside bunker, 16th greenside bunkers and the 17th fairway bunker. These are the worst affected areas and will be given priority for the start of the season.

The 3rd and the 6th greens were badly affected by water damage over the summer. This was due to the shaping of these greens as the water gathers in the same areas and struggles to dissipate. We will work on re-shaping these areas so that the water will run off them as opposed to just sitting there.

It won't be long before we start coring the tees and greens. This will probably take place towards the end of October depending on the weather. By the start of November all greens will have been cored and top-dressed. We appreciate this does not help the putting surface, but is a must in ensuring the greens are healthy for the start of the year.

GREENKEEPERS PROFILE – PAUL LIVINGSTONE

Started with the Westerwood on August 2006
Qualifications: SVQ Level 2 & 3. (Amenity Sports Turf)
Other Greenkeeping Jobs: Blairbeth, Cambuslang & Kirkhill

Favourite part of the job for him is during winter when proper renovation work gets done. This enables the team to get jobs done that would take too much time during summer and is not really feasible on man power. This gives a sense of achievement in seeing something built or constructed.

Worst part of the job for him is the early starts at the weekends.

Paul feels the course has improved greatly in his time here due to improvements in machinery, working practices and some good spells of weather during summer which is the key to helping the guys with their work.

In the next couple of years Paul would like to remain here at Westerwood and hopefully take on a more responsible role of First Assistant.