Following an exceptionally wet winter, we’ve experienced a welcome shift to dry conditions, with March shaping up to be one of the driest on record. While this is positive for golfers, it necessitates adjustments to our spring maintenance plans. Traditionally, we leverage the warm, wet spring to address winter damage, including animal disturbances and bare fairways resulting from heavy traffic.

Richmond’s dedicated overseeder will be deployed in early April to revitalise these high-traffic areas.

Our greens renovation program, encompassing solid tining and sand topdressing, was completed in March, ensuring optimal conditions for the start of the new season. The greens have responded well to this treatment.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our 2025 fleet of maintenance equipment, including:

• Toro hybrid greens mowers
• Toro hand mowers for greens and approaches
• Toro semi mower for surrounds and banks
• Trailed blower for debris removal
• Electric powered utility vehicles

Furthermore, our previous greens mowers have been repurposed as tee mowers, enhancing our cutting capacity across the course. These equipment upgrades will significantly improve our maintenance efficiency and overall course quality.

The natural spring on the 5th Princes fairway continues to present challenges. Despite the installation of an underground pipe last year, persistent blockages have resulted in recurring overflows on the left-hand side. The high flow rate necessitates prompt action to mitigate flooding. We are exploring filtration solutions to address this issue permanently.

The new tees on both courses are establishing well. The surrounding areas, currently appearing somewhat rough, are intentionally being developed as long rough areas to create a natural transition and enhance the course’s aesthetic appeal.

New 150-yard markers are scheduled for delivery in early April, replacing the existing inconsistent markers. Additionally, new flags and poles will be installed to provide a fresh look for the season.

Bunkers will be replenished with new sand in April. We are also in the process of obtaining approval from The Royal Parks to fill in redundant bunkers, which will improve overall bunker conditions and allow staff to focus on other essential maintenance tasks.

The driving range has undergone a significant refresh, featuring new color-coded yardage markers for improved accuracy. New mats have also been installed, consistent with our annual spring maintenance. The range, and our staff, endured a challenging winter due to persistent wet conditions. The dry spell in March has resulted in a marked improvement, enabling an early start to the season.