Update from Ryan HG
Start of a new ERA
THE START OF THE NEW ERA AT HOLLANDBUSH IS HERE!
It has been a long journey to reach the point where the club has taken back responsibility for the course, and it’s an exciting step forward. While there may be a few teething issues along the way, these are expected and will be worked through as we move ahead. Positive change takes time, and improvements will come gradually, but the direction is clear.
I truly believe that over the next ten years you will see meaningful progress and lasting improvements. There is a long road ahead for the golf club, but it is one filled with opportunity and a very positive future.
Hollandbush Details / Information
The area the club is responsible for covers approximately 44 hectares, with the total greens area measuring around 7,223m².
On Monday 2nd February, my team joined me at the greenkeeper’s shed at 7:30am. The team includes Alan, our Assistant Greenkeeper, and Orrin, who is 16 years old and has joined us as our Apprentice Greenkeeper.
It’s great to have the team in place as we move forward and begin this next chapter for the course.
Dates
30th January 2026 I get the keys to the greenkeeper's shed.
At the end of March, I will pick a date/time and invite members down to our sheds and see where the club has started investing in machinery for the course and over future years add to the fleet and have Q&A with myself (Head Greenkeeper).
Fixture list has been created by Gordon, but I have made a few changes to the fixture list so we can have scheduled maintenance weeks for greens. Allow members to know the dates as soon as possible. The dates will be weather dependant, and tasks are subjected to change:
? Some point in March subject on weather – microcoring and top dressing
? Week of 29th June (roughly two weeks recovery time) – scarification & top dressing and
overseeding.
? Week of 14th September – hollow core and top dressing
? Winter course starts 5th October
Winter course
The winter course will come into operation from 5th October. This will include roping off certain areas to protect them, moving to winter tees, and the use of fairway mats. Our aim is to keep the main greens in play as much as possible throughout the winter, weather permitting.
From 14th September, we will begin our winter maintenance programme on the greens. When conditions allow, winter aeration of fairways, tees, and approaches will start from 21st September. This early work will help us get ahead before temperatures drop and more challenging winter weather arrives.
These measures are all part of protecting and improving the course through the winter and setting it up in the best possible condition for the season ahead.
Projects for the future
I have developed several ideas and potential projects for the future of the course, which are currently set out across several documents. These will be shared with members in due course. With a lot of information being released around the handover, I don’t want to overwhelm everyone at this stage. These ideas have already been shared with the Board of Trustees, but they remain flexible and subject to change. As I continue working on the course and gain a better understanding of the site, and as budgets are considered, plans may evolve.
Most importantly, member feedback will play a key role. Your opinions and ideas on potential changes to the course are valued and will help shape how we move forward together.
Next Information to Members
I will be sending out a monthly report at the end of February, which will include future plans and ideas, an update on the work carried out during February, and details of a date when everyone will be invited down to the sheds.
I will also be sharing regular photos and updates on the Hollandbush Facebook page to keep everyone informed of progress on the course.
Course information on V1 will be kept fully up to date to ensure members always have the correct details.
Mags and I have also ordered a new course information sign, which will clearly display the current course status e.g. course is open or closed etc.
All these steps are aimed at improving communication and keeping members better informed as we move forward.
Ryan Rainsforth - Head Greenkeeper
It has been a long journey to reach the point where the club has taken back responsibility for the course, and it’s an exciting step forward. While there may be a few teething issues along the way, these are expected and will be worked through as we move ahead. Positive change takes time, and improvements will come gradually, but the direction is clear.
I truly believe that over the next ten years you will see meaningful progress and lasting improvements. There is a long road ahead for the golf club, but it is one filled with opportunity and a very positive future.
Hollandbush Details / Information
The area the club is responsible for covers approximately 44 hectares, with the total greens area measuring around 7,223m².
On Monday 2nd February, my team joined me at the greenkeeper’s shed at 7:30am. The team includes Alan, our Assistant Greenkeeper, and Orrin, who is 16 years old and has joined us as our Apprentice Greenkeeper.
It’s great to have the team in place as we move forward and begin this next chapter for the course.
Dates
30th January 2026 I get the keys to the greenkeeper's shed.
At the end of March, I will pick a date/time and invite members down to our sheds and see where the club has started investing in machinery for the course and over future years add to the fleet and have Q&A with myself (Head Greenkeeper).
Fixture list has been created by Gordon, but I have made a few changes to the fixture list so we can have scheduled maintenance weeks for greens. Allow members to know the dates as soon as possible. The dates will be weather dependant, and tasks are subjected to change:
? Some point in March subject on weather – microcoring and top dressing
? Week of 29th June (roughly two weeks recovery time) – scarification & top dressing and
overseeding.
? Week of 14th September – hollow core and top dressing
? Winter course starts 5th October
Winter course
The winter course will come into operation from 5th October. This will include roping off certain areas to protect them, moving to winter tees, and the use of fairway mats. Our aim is to keep the main greens in play as much as possible throughout the winter, weather permitting.
From 14th September, we will begin our winter maintenance programme on the greens. When conditions allow, winter aeration of fairways, tees, and approaches will start from 21st September. This early work will help us get ahead before temperatures drop and more challenging winter weather arrives.
These measures are all part of protecting and improving the course through the winter and setting it up in the best possible condition for the season ahead.
Projects for the future
I have developed several ideas and potential projects for the future of the course, which are currently set out across several documents. These will be shared with members in due course. With a lot of information being released around the handover, I don’t want to overwhelm everyone at this stage. These ideas have already been shared with the Board of Trustees, but they remain flexible and subject to change. As I continue working on the course and gain a better understanding of the site, and as budgets are considered, plans may evolve.
Most importantly, member feedback will play a key role. Your opinions and ideas on potential changes to the course are valued and will help shape how we move forward together.
Next Information to Members
I will be sending out a monthly report at the end of February, which will include future plans and ideas, an update on the work carried out during February, and details of a date when everyone will be invited down to the sheds.
I will also be sharing regular photos and updates on the Hollandbush Facebook page to keep everyone informed of progress on the course.
Course information on V1 will be kept fully up to date to ensure members always have the correct details.
Mags and I have also ordered a new course information sign, which will clearly display the current course status e.g. course is open or closed etc.
All these steps are aimed at improving communication and keeping members better informed as we move forward.
Ryan Rainsforth - Head Greenkeeper