Getting the Balcomie course set up for the medal, we are now having to team up staff to complete tasks in front of play with the darker mornings and the early tee times

 This week is the start of our mid week winter course closures, which allows the staff to carry out aeration and winter work plans safely and productively. The Craighead course is closed first, so we have solid tined our tees to a depth of 6" to relieve compaction plus walkways

 The Craighead fairways were all slit tined to a depth of 5"to relieve compaction and help drainage

 When the weather permits we have been cutting and collecting deep rough areas to help thin and make these areas more playable

 We have been clearing and lifting the leaves at the roadsides and the 3rd green area on the Craighead course most mornings

 We have had a real success this year with our over seeding of the Balcomie greens which was done late September

 Last week we held a familiarisation day with our local guests houses, B&B's owners and tour operators which send theirs guests to us over the years, partly to thank them and give them an insight to how we operate, what we offer and a tour of the facilities

 The Craighead course greens were lightly scarified to a depth of 7mm to take out thatch to help produce firmer surfaces

 The amount of material out per 2 greens

 Greens after verti-cut and cut, very little disturbance to the playing surfaces

 Another 18tons of sand applied to the greens & surrounds to help smooth the surfaces, fill the scarifying lines and dilute thatch

 We have trimmed back all the bushes and weeded the flower bed at the Clubhouse so not to restrict the views from the Clubhouse

 The 13th fence on the Balcomie course has been painted to protect the wood and freshen up the look of the fence

We have cut and trimmed back about 50% of the gorse right of the 8th fairway on the Balcomie course as the gorse was getting far too tall and leggy, we will wait a couple of year to allow this area to regenerate then we will cut back the other half , so not to make this area look to unsightly or baron