Dear Members,

There are areas across the golf course that are currently works in progress in alignment with the Vegetation Management Plan.

Contained below is an updated Plan with notations on areas completed and intended end outcome of areas under progress.

In an ideal world the full body of works would be undertaken as a whole however we are not blessed with infinite resources so are undertaking the works in a staged approach. This financial year we have added a second Horticulturist (Caleb) to assist the Head Horticulturist (Tom) in supervising and delivering the required works. The two leads are supported by groundstaff as available and in recent months casual labour to address hot spots of weed growth under high humidity seasonal growth.

As each vegetation area is cleared, it undergoes a process of light exposure, germination, and regrowth, usually involving weeds and undesired plants. This cycle requires approximately 12-16 weeks of diligent weeding, spraying, and regrowth management. The ultimate goal is to reach a stage where the area can be reseeded and planted with the desired species, as detailed on page 14 of the plan – either as a Landscape Zone 1 (fescue based), 2 (riparian) or 3 (light mulch, treed).

 

 

Short term this leads to unsightly areas with weeds and cleared open areas out of character with the balance of the course. Long term the areas will be re-established consistent with indicated landscape zones contained within the VMP. Within the VMP every hole on the golf course has areas marked with indicated end plantings – simply look up the hole, read the description and you will be informed of what a section of the course is planned to be revegetated to.

The works in the last 24 months have included progressing over 11,000m2 (1.1 hectares) of vegetation regeneration, each requiring periods to be cleared, prepared for replanting and then establishment. Naturally this takes time, it is nature! 

Each of these areas are at various stages of progress with the most prevalent noted below:

  • 15th RHS: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period completed, reseed completed as Zone 1 style, now at trim & maintain stage.
  • 5th RHS / 6th LHS: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period completed, reseed completed as Zone 1 with interspersed plants, now at trim & maintain stage
  • 12th LHS green and rear: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period completed, reseed completed as Zone 1 with interspersed plants, now at trim & maintain stage
  • 12th RHS: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period in progress, (to be planted as Zone 1 – fescue with interspersed trees)
  • 11th RHS Tee: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period in progress, (to be planted as Zone 1 – fescue with interspersed trees)
  • LHS 9th Tee: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period in progress, (to be planted as Zone 1 – fescue with interspersed trees)
  • Rear 9th Green: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period completed, reseed and planting due
  • 1st RHS/10th LHS: Area cleared, 3-5 months clearance period completed, reseed completed as Zone 3 (light mulched, edged, trees),  now at maintain stage

The Club’s Horticulturalist Tom will be hosting a small group walk and talk on Monday 12th February to visit on site areas and inform members of process and site challenges. Bookings to attend are to be made via reception@manlygolf.com.au. The session will commence at 10:00am and be followed by a Clubhouse refreshment. For any member wishing to understand what is happening, learn about or vegetation or what is planned for the vegetation areas this session would be ideal to attend.

Hort. Team: Caleb & Tom

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: The area at the 11th tee, what is happening?

A: The area has been cleared as per the Vegetation Management Plan and will evolve into a vegetated area with characteristics consistent with the rear of the 18th. Fescue grasses with interspersed trees will enhance course vistas and airflow, promoting an improved tee playing surface and easier maintenance long term.

Q: The area between the 2nd and 9th, what is happening?

A: Cleared in line with the VMP, this area will become a vegetated area with Fescue grasses and interspersed trees, improving maintenance capacity.

Q: The area right-hand side of the 12th, what is happening?

A: Cleared as per the VMP, this area will transform into a vegetated area with Fescue grasses and interspersed trees, enhancing maintenance capabilities and vista across holes.

Q: Why don’t we just mulch all these cleared areas?

A: Given the golf course’s susceptibility to flooding and frequent closures, using Fescue areas (Zone 1 style) allows for faster resumption post-flooding, as mulch tends to move onto playing surfaces, causing delays.

Q: Is there any way I can help?

A: Yes:

  • We have a volunteer program running on Monday and Thursday mornings 7am – 9am to assist with vegetation and garden areas. 
  • Seeking EOI for a single volunteer 2 hrs once a week each Monday 7am-9am or Friday evening to drive a cart with tray to collect large branches/sticks assisting in presentation and freeing regular staff to attend to other regeneration duties(EOI to reception@manlygolfclub.com.au)
  • A member to co-ordinate an adopt a patch programme is sought. This would entail assigning a small section to willing members (i.e. a mulched tree area between fairways) where each game they played they would very quickly remove or pile for collection in their “patch” any large sticks or larger weeds. Every section adopted freeing staff for alternative areas. (EOI to reception@manlygolfclub.com.au)
  • Additionally, tax-deductible donations to the Club’s Foundation can accelerate the pace of improvements.

Q: We have no idea what is happening, why doesn’t the Club tell us?

A: The Vegetation Management Plan has been published since 2022 and has been largely unchanged. The online version had 47 clicks on last check (end Dec 2023) and the website article in March 2023 had 27 clicks on the plan itself.  There has been printed copies in the Members Bar. From queries received it’s clear the published plans are not being read by a large number of members. To assist we will publish to the front page of the members news more frequent updates and host a series of on course walk and talks with the Horticulturists Tom and Caleb. 

 

Sincerely

D. Constable 
GENERAL MANAGER

 

 

 

 

UPDATE 2023:

Dear Members,

The VMP aims to address three primary objectives:

OBJECTIVE 1: To maintain and enhance the desired landscape character and visual amenity of the course.

The vegetation management plan aims to conserve and enhance the existing landscape character of Manly golf club.  A more cohesive and attractive landscape will be created by conserving and reinforcing the high-quality landscape character elements and replacing or improving poor quality elements.

OBJECTIVE 2: To develop a sustainable landscape that lends itself to maintenance practices relevant to turf culture.

The landscape areas frame the golf course and therefore must be designed with golf playability and turf cultural practices in mind. This means that landscape areas and playing areas shouldn’t impede the maintenance efforts of each other and should be managed cohesively.

OBJECTIVE 3: To preserve and maintain the natural biodiversity.

The greatest risk to the vegetation is the loss of biological diversity. To ensure biodiversity remains on course, a wide range of suitable native species have been selected for the revegetation of certain areas. This will ensure that the course has a range of native plants that will attract native fauna to the site.

 VMP FOREWORD

“This area was low-lying, a few feet above sea level, a land of marshes and bogs, covered with rank vegetation and occasional patches of evil-looking water”. “In times of heavy rainfall, the area was flooded and became an extension of the Manly Lagoon”

Charles Henry Bertie 1946.

 

It is important to recognise that we have at Manly some of the most significant and environmentally sensitive urban green space on the Northern Beaches. When playing the course it’s easy to forget how much the vegetation ties the golf course together, offering corridors for our fairways, tees and greens. Since the re-development of the course, the landscape has become so dense in places, that it dominates the golf course and detracts from the golf experience by contributing to ball loss and slow play.

A long history of well intentioned “over planting” compounded by the onerous re-vegetation requirements placed upon the club by council during the course re-development, have created a situation where the landscape encroaches the playing corridor, altering playing lines and resulting in the loss of golf course vistas as well as negatively impacting turf health and limiting accessibility to perform general maintenance.

The correct trees and understorey, appropriately spaced and in the right locations can enhance the landscape and the golfing experience. It is also important that the vegetation contributes to a resilient and sustainable landscape – by using plants and natural plant groupings that are in balance with the local climate and environment, resource inputs can be minimised.

The purpose of the Vegetation Management Plan is to provide the Club Committee and Management with clear strategies and actions for sustainable vegetation management that can be readily integrated with other course management systems and processes. The desired outcome is a visually pleasing and maintainable course landscape that enhances the golfer’s experience.

Leon Blacker
COURSE SUPERINTENDENT