Spring Golf - Golf Course Maintenance: Lewes Golf Club.

Awakening from Winter

Spring is finally peeking around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited to see the course come alive again! We're all eagerly anticipating some sunny, drier weather to kickstart the season.

Snow-covered hills with scattered trees at sunset, golden sky with clouds, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. — A breathtaking sunset heralds the end of winter, as the last remnants of snow linger on a tranquil landscape looking down the course. Winter should now be all but a memory...

Ash Tree Removal and Replacements

As you've likely noticed, we've had to remove a significant number of Ash trees due to Ash dieback disease. It's truly disheartening to see so many trees succumb to this illness, with many being completely rotten.

Mandy and I have been actively researching and planning to replace these trees with diverse, native species that align with the surrounding South Downs environment. We're committed to maintaining the natural beauty and ecological balance of our course.

Tree stumps in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees and ivy. Sunlight filters through, creating a serene, natural atmosphere. — Stumps of Ash trees cut down in many of the wooded areas around the course, cleared because of Ash dieback disease.

Golf Course Maintenance - Improving the 17th Tee

We've also undertaken tree clearance to the right of the 17th tee. Over winter, tracking the sun revealed that these trees were casting a shadow over the tee by 11 am, hindering its recovery from winter wear. This also created a sheltered, wet area on a windy day.

The 17th Green at Lewes Golf course with a red flag on a sunny day. Bare trees line the horizon under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Serene mood. — Tree removal and shrub clearance at the 17th has helped let light in and created shelter

To address this, we've cleared the trees and strategically stacked the branches in front of the irrigation pump house for protection. The logs have been piled to create habitats for insects, supporting local biodiversity.

Felled logs covered in green ivy lie in a field under a cloudy blue sky, creating a natural, rustic scene. — Logs are thoughtfully arranged and covered with greenery, creating a thriving habitat for insects and enhancing local biodiversity in a natural setting.

Essential Maintenance Completed

On Monday, February 18th, we closed the course for vital maintenance. We verti-drained the greens at 9.5 inches, slit tined to 2 inches, and rolled them to aid recovery. Tees were verti-drained to 10 inches and then cut to tidy them up.

Close-up of green grass with aeration holes in a lawn. The soil is visible beneath the sparse grass, creating a textured pattern. — Golf course tees across the course have been freshly verti-drained to 10 inches, enhancing aeration, hydration and maintaining a neat appearance.

Upcoming Treatments

Weather permitting, we'll be spraying the tees and greens in the coming days with a spring fertiliser, seaweed, and root enhancer. We're also starting our wetting agent program to address any lingering issues from last year's weather and enhance water uptake throughout the spring and summer.

Green Keeper Welfare and Thanks

Large corrugated metal roof in a wooded area overlooking a distant town. Overcast sky, with muted greens and greys in the landscape. — A grateful view of the newly replaced roof on our shed, thanks to the club's generous investment, ensuring a leak-free space for Colin, James, Simon, and all.

The club has generously invested in our welfare by replacing the leaking roof on our shed. On behalf of Colin, James, Simon, and myself, thank you!

Ground Nesting Birds and Wildlife

Now that we are well into March, please be mindful of ground nesting birds in the long rough. We'll be using designated paths to minimise disturbance. Please do the same when searching for your ball.

Following the winter storms, we lost two owl boxes. Thankfully, James's neighbour, a National Trust box builder, has provided us with two new ones, now located near the 13th and 18th tees.

Wooden Owl Box on a tree trunk against a blue sky with clouds. Bare branches surround the scene, creating a tranquil, natural setting. — A new owl box installed on a sturdy tree branch, courtesy of a National Trust box builder, replaces those lost in the recent winter storms, now situated near the 13th and 18th tees.

We've also purchased four swift boxes for installation around the clubhouse and four starling boxes for the course. We've noticed two flocks of starlings feeding on the fairways, and encouraging their population will help control leather jackets, reducing damage caused by crows and badgers.

P.S. Pitch Marks

Green grass field with a small patch of dirt in the centre caused by golf balls hitting the turf. Sunlight casts a warm glow, highlighting the grass blades. — Please continue to repair pitch marks like this one on the 17th fairway to ensure a smooth and enjoyable play for everyone. Your help is essential!

Please continue to repair pitch marks. They remain a significant issue. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

And Finally - Team Appreciation

A huge thank you to the entire green keeping team for their hard work throughout the long winter.

Golf course landscape with a "18" tee sign in the foreground, against a dramatic sunset with clouds. Grass in the foreground, hills in the back. — Early spring sunset casting golden rays over the 18th tee at Lewes Golf Course, beautifully captured by Jonathan Watt on March 14, 2025.

Tags: Lewes Golf Club, Green Keepers, Spring Maintenance, Ash Dieback, Tree Removal, Wildlife Conservation, Course Management, Verti-draining, Fertiliser, Wetting Agent, Ground Nesting Birds, Owl Boxes, Swift Boxes, Starling Boxes, Pitch Marks, South Downs, Golf Course, Ecology, Biodiversity.

Keywords: Spring Golf, Golf Course Maintenance, Green Keeping, Tree Disease, Wildlife Habitat, Course Recovery, Golf Course Treatment, Bird Conservation, Insect Habitat, Golf Course Health.

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