An incredible effort from our Greens Team during one of the driest periods of the year

Keeping a golf course in great condition through prolonged dry weather is no small task – and this summer has certainly put our Greens Team to the test.

With the course requiring huge amounts of water and the irrigation system working hard, Jamie and the team have had to go above and beyond to keep Mellor playing and looking its best.

One of the biggest challenges has been maintaining sufficient water levels in the irrigation lake. To keep the system running, the team brought in a 1,600-gallon water bowser and began the enormous task of transporting water to replenish the lake.

Around 500,000 litres moved

Over the course of this operation, the Greens Team transported an incredible 500,000 litres of water into the irrigation lake.

To put that into perspective, that's approximately 110,000 gallons of water – moved simply to help protect the course through the exceptionally dry conditions.

At times, the irrigation system has been using between 60,000 and 100,000 litres every day, with greens receiving three irrigation cycles overnight as well as additional hand-watering where required.

And it isn't simply a case of turning on the sprinklers. The team continually monitors individual areas of the course, hand-waters vulnerable spots and uses wetting agents to help the ground retain and distribute the water as effectively as possible.

A huge team effort

Much of this work happens when most of us aren't there to see it – early mornings, long days and behind-the-scenes work that is essential to maintaining the course.

Moving half a million litres of water is an extraordinary undertaking and gives some idea of just how much work goes into presenting the golf course during challenging weather conditions.

A huge thank you to Jamie and the entire Greens Team for their continued hard work and commitment to Mellor Golf Club.

Next time you're out on the course, spare a thought for the work – and the water! – that has gone into keeping it green.