Why Now? 2026 Water & Tree Management Plan
- admin966621
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
To all Members
Many of you will have noticed the significant transformation currently taking place across the course, particularly within the scrub areas and along the main water causeways. A number of members have quite reasonably asked why these works are being undertaken.
The Board and Management would like to take this opportunity to provide a clear explanation behind the 2026 Tree and Water Management Strategy.
Following last year’s extended period of wet weather, which resulted in approximately 100 days of course closures, it became clear that a more proactive and strategic approach was required to improve the course’s resilience.
In response, the Board, together with the Club Manager, Head Greenskeeper, and greens staff, undertook a comprehensive review to identify ways to minimise closures and improve playability during and after prolonged rainfall.
As part of this process, Golf NSW was engaged to provide expert guidance. Their agronomist assessed the course and provided recommendations on improving water management and overall course conditioning. For transparency, this report has been made available to members and is attached at the bottom of this post.
Using this advice, the Greens Committee and course staff developed a structured plan to address key issues. The primary objectives of the strategy are to:
Improve water movement across the course during heavy rainfall
Increase airflow to assist in drying surfaces more quickly
Reduce prolonged wet areas that make the course unplayable
Ensure scrub and out-of-play areas are manageable and maintainable
To achieve these outcomes, a number of targeted actions have been implemented, including:
Clearing blocked stormwater creeks and drainage lines to allow excess water to exit the course more efficiently
Retaining dense vegetation behind the 8th green to act as a defined stormwater break, helping to slow water flow through the course reducing damage to the front 9
Improving drainage around known problem areas, such as the 4th, 13th& 16th holes, to reduce waterlogging
Undertaking hazard reduction burning and selective clearing to improve airflow across the course
Restructuring scrub areas between holes so they can be maintained through regular slashing, rather than becoming overgrown and unmanageable
The focus of all these works is simple: to significantly improve the course’s ability to recover after heavy rainfall and reduce the likelihood of extended closures in the future.
Encouragingly, we are already seeing positive results. Following the recent rain event three weeks ago, the course dried out considerably faster than it would have in previous years, allowing players to return to the course sooner. This demonstrates that the strategy is delivering real improvements.
In addition to these functional benefits, there has also been a noticeable visual enhancement. The course has opened up considerably, allowing members and visitors to better appreciate the natural beauty of Grafton District Golf Club and its surroundings.
The Board understands that change of this scale can raise questions and appreciates the support and patience of members as these improvements are carried out. These works are an important investment in the long-term sustainability, playability, and presentation of our course.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Club Manager Michael Kinahan on 0266422255 or Via Email admin@graftongolf.com.au .
Yours sincerely,
2025/26 The Greens Committee & Board of Directors
Grafton District Golf Club
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