GOLF COURSE INFORMATION BULLETIN

REF: TREE CLEARING & THINNING

During the course of this winter we have undertaken a fair amount of tree work around the golf course. This has ranged from complete removal, thinning to basic branch trimming. All of the work undertaken has been carefully considered and is all part of an ongoing tree management plan, something the club has never had. This management plan has been put together to ensure that the trees that will remain on our site have the best chance of development into the future.

Over the years a large amount of tree planting has been done on the course using a wide range of tree species, some good some bad. In preparation for this winter (09) I highlighted areas of the course that would required tree management during the winter. These areas where chosen for the following reasons:

• Agronomic: Trees that effect turf quality by blocking out light & not allowing air circulation. This encompassed greens, tees, approaches and walkways.

• Playability: Trees that had grown to the point of effecting the way in which the golf hole could be played i.e.: blocking the line from the tee or trees that had become penal to a well placed shot.

• Landscape & Heritage: Although it could be argued that there should be no trees on this golf course, trees will always be a feature of the golfing landscape here at Neath. We must, however make sure that the trees that remain do not over run or interfere with the natural heathland aspects of the golf course, but enhance it. We must also ensure that only trees that could be classed as indigenous to the site (pines, spruce, oak & larch) remain into the future.

• Safety: Trees that have reached their life expectancy and could therefore become unsafe to golfers or staff. Trees that have become weak through disease or overcrowding.

Work on the highlighted areas has been ongoing through the winter. These areas are:

• 1^st carry: Trees removed along the fence line to open up the tee shot from the first tee which will make the opening tee shot for many less daunting. This will also bring the out of bounds very much into play.

• 2^nd: The old tree behind the tee had died and was removed. This has opened up the amazing view from the teeing and waiting area. The large pine trees on the left side of the hole have been removed to allow for the whole of the main tee to be used during the summer.

• 3^rd tee: Trees removed from the left side of the carry to open up the left side of the fairway from the tee. These trees will be replaced by gorse.

• 3^rd green: Trees removed from rear of green to open up old heather bank and restore open heathland aspect. Will also allow for better traffic management during the winter.

• 6^th tees: Trees removed from rear of medal tee and side of ladies tee to reduce tree litter on the tees, increase light and air circulation and improve views from the medal tee over to the Black mountains.

• 7^th tee: Trees removed to open up right side of tee.   This will not only open up to more air and light, it also opens up the views into neath and the Mumbles. The side of this tee has collapsed and will be rebuilt during next winter.

• 8^th tee: trees removed to the side and rear of the tee to open up for light, air and reduce tree litter on the tee.

• 9^th tee: trees removed from rear and side to open up for light and air. The 2 pines at the rear of the tee will stay and develop. The tree at the front right has been removed.

• 14^th tee: Trees removed to allow for scrub clearing to expose natural stone walling and enable shelter to be used.

The scale of works undertaken, as shown above, may seem extreme to some but the long term benefits far out way the short term lose. It has been very interesting to hear the comments coming back from the membership regarding both the tree work and the heathland regeneration and whilst there has been some negative feedback, 80% has been very positive. As mentioned earlier we have no intention of removing all the trees from the golf course, far from it we will be, however continuing to manage the trees on the golf course well into the future to ensure that they do remain as an enhancement to our golfing landscape and not a hindrance.