New greens are being seeded, tees widened, fairways extended, drainage fixed and irrigation installed: Stage one of the Blackheath golf course makeover is well in hand.
World renowned designers Ross Watson and Harley Kruse have prepared a master plan covering all 18 holes.
Work is being done in stages to allow as much golf as possible to be played at the same time, said club pro Darrin Walden.
The 1st, 16th and 18th holes are the first targeted. Visitors to the club will certainly notice the new 1st tee, which is currently under cover to protect the grass seed from marauding ducks.
"They go crazy," said Mr Walden. The covers have been generously lent to Blackheath by Killara Golf Club.
Stage one has also included the creation of a spare hole (between the 12th and 13th), which can come into play when any other hole is out of action for maintenance or renovation.
Course superintendent Luke Skinner said one of the major and most needed upgrade is to the irrigation. New pipes have been laid down both sides of the fairways under renovation and the whole system will be computerised.
Soon he'll be able to lie back in a chair and activate watering from his work shed.
There are several more stages planned, depending on funds. The club has done a lot of fundraising for the project as well as received some generous donations.
