Golf Course News
New shareholder at Riviera on Vaal Country Club
The Riviera on Vaal Country Club has “hit an eagle” in announcing a partnership with a familiar face at the Club, Marthinus van Staden. Van Staden is now one of three partners involved in the management of the Country Club, the others being David Smith and Melanie van der Merwe.
“Van” as he is affectionately known at the Club, will be assisting in the operations side and general management of this Golf Club. Marthinus brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him as he boasts a long and illustrious career in the Golfing World. The Country Club is excited about the new partner, and welcomes Marthinus aboard!
Spring fever hits Riviera…. sort of…
So we have had Spring Day, Casual Day and even “Bra” day in the past week or two. Pity the wind didn’t get the memo! The August winds didn’t materialize in August, but it seems they are making a comeback during September. Having chatted to our course consultant who knows a thing or two (He is doing all the soccer fields for next year’s World Cup), he informed me that we won’t have much rain before December…
Even some of the trees are uncertain, with no buds yet, while others are in full “bloom”. Irrespective, we have begun our usual Spring rituals on the golf course. Scarifying of fairways and tees has begun in earnest, hollow tining of greens happens on the 21st and 22nd of September and the fertilizer for the fairways, to be applied following the first rains, has been ordered. On that note, you may have heard rumours about us going a bit “green”. I have to admit that this is true. The future of our world should concern us all and this influenced our decision to buy organic fertilizer, making us one of an elite few to go this “radical” route. I say this tongue in cheek, because not only has the price of fertilizer halved since last year’s price hikes, but using fertilizer that is organically suited to our golf course means less toxins in our soil and therefore a healthier golf course in the long run.
We have some exciting projects lined up for the course in the next few weeks. You will see the small culverts which will become bridges over the newly renovated drainage ditch across 11, 3 and 17, have been put in place. The hideous pile of rubble alongside 18 is being moved to the side of the 1st hole as I write this. The idea is to fill in the smaller of the 2 “streams” that bring tons of waste from town and deposit them on the course every time there is heavy rain. This will force the water to move out into the Vaal River, which will enable us to landscape the 2nd hole properly and finally do this potentially stunning Par 3 justice!
All the bunkers on the Pitch & Putt have been emptied, the drainage cleaned out and new sand put in. The benefit of this is that after a heavy downpour, we won’t have mudbaths for bunkers for a week afterwards and of course clean, “fluffy” bunkers outside our clubhouse do look rather nice too.
It IS Spring and we are busy with a much needed spring clean. The benefits will mean our lovely golf course has that elusive WOW factor this summer.
Happy golfing and don’t forget the member’s evening! See you at the club.
Best wishes
David |
