Pitch development - Aghadoe - Update 

What's been done?

Pro Golf have completed the first 2 stages of their works on our main and minis pitches

drainage
new drains have been installed and connected to existing drainage

surface
the new drainage channels have been capped with sand and entire surface of both pitches overlaid with sand (to USPGA standards)

What's remaining?

The last bit is reseeding the pitches.  Due to the spell of hot and dry weather that we experienced in June and July - re-seeding will be held back for another week to allow soils to regain moisture (now that the weather looks to be returning to normal). So, we're likely to do the reseeding towards end of this week (10th August).

The delay to starting the drainage works was ultimately a benefit - had we started earlier (and finished the drainage works earlier) the dry conditions this summer would have meant we would have had to hold back on the final stage of reseeding until about now anyway. Grass seed just wouldn't germinate properly or the growth take off in the near-drought conditions we experienced in June and July, 

When do we get back to Aghadoe?

The exact date when we can return to Aghadoe is going to be a movable feast and will depend on how the new grass grows and thrives in the next 6 to 10 weeks.

We're assuming here that our weather returns to "normal" and pitch undersoil regains moisture.  In that event, we've been advised that the pitches may be playable for minis and U14s in November. But that seniors and older youths should hold off until January.

We will need to review the situation weekly. We emphasise that these projections are our best estimates  (although based on expert advice). A lot will depend on growing conditions from here to the end of the year. 

What's next?

We're asking everyone to get behind the "Sponsor-a-Sod" campaign. All the work needs to be paid for and the SCP grant will only cover 50% of the cost.