New rough cutting machine for Reay golf course
As part of an ongoing programme of improvements both on and off the course, led by captain Carol Paterson, Reay Golf Club has purchased a new rough cutting machine.
The purchase was made possible by grant aid covering 50 per cent of the cost from the West Caithness Community Fund, with committee members from the club working hard to secure the funding.
The machine cuts and collects the grass in a single pass, and with continued use this will result in a thinning out of the rough – which will be good news for golfers hunting for any errant shots.
Head greenkeeper Jason Norwood explained: “By collecting the grass, we are taking away a source of nutrition from the soil that feeds the growth of the rough.
“The process will also give the native grasses and wildflowers a better chance to thrive as they will have less competition from coarser grass species and weeds.”
Having ownership of their own machine will give the Reay greenkeeping team the flexibility to cut the rough during periods of optimal weather, rather than having to hire or borrow a machine from elsewhere leading to delays in their ongoing work to improve the course.
Frank Mackie (Tain) came out on top in the North Golf Winter Alliance fixture at Reay earlier this month. He claimed victory by three shots with a 69.
Graeme Mellis (Invergordon) was second on 72, thanks to a better inward half from Tain’s Billy Ferries.
John Nicolson (Reay) took the category one section with a nett score of 67. Roy Page (Lybster) won category two with a nett 63.
Brora’s Angela Grant won the women’s competition on nett 66.
