Drainage - 4th Green

Today we started a relatively small drainage project on Murrayfield's 4th green.

I am sure you have seen and had to play around the water that collects on the rear section of this green after heavy rain.

To combat this flooding we have installed a 50 mm diameter perforated pipe and a surface drainage grate, which will channel the water away from the putting surface.

Checking the levels before installing pipe-work

Existing drainage outlet located 

Pipe-work installed and drainage gravel being added

Re-turfing almost completed

 The project should be completed tomorrow morning, ahead of the forecasted rain…

Golfline - New Phone Number

To All Members of Murrayfield GC & Ravelston GC

The golfline phone number has changed.

It is now 07783 157721

The message informs members, on a daily basis, when the course is closed, when certain holes are open, if temporary greens are in play and any other relevant information.

We hope members will find access to this information  useful.

Bill Lyon
Golf Course Manager

Drainage - 18th Green

This week we started a couple of drainage projects, one on the 12^th green, which I will cover in a later post and another on the 18^th green.

We have been concerned for some time about the amount of standing water in the hollow on the right-hand side of the 18^th green.

So this week, we decided to excavated the hollow and investigate.

It had been thought that there was drain in the hollow but after excavating down all we discovered was a sump filled with rubble.

Turf and top soil removed - exposing the water level

It was quite clear that the sump had only been installed to assist in draining the small hollow on this side of the green.

Unfortunately, like many other areas of the course, it simply has not been able to cope with the constant deluges of rain, experienced this year.

In an effort to assist the drainage in the hollow, we have increased the size of the sump and back-filled the hollow with clean gravel.

Increasing the size and depth of the drainage sump

Even with the sump dimensions increased - more flooding

I don’t expect it will make a great deal of difference but it should at least help the surface water drain away a little  quicker. 

Flooding

Some pictures taken earlier today of the course after the torrential overnight rain, which unfortunately closed both courses this morning.

15th Green - Murrayfield

6th Green - Murrayfield

12th Green - Murrayfield

Video - Removing the water from the 12th green 

Greens Update

I am delighted to report that we have successfully completed this autumns greens hollow coring and sand top dressing maintenance programme.

We have removed approximately 35/40 tonnes of organic matter from the greens surfaces, which equates to about 7.5% of the total putting surface area.

Removal of such a significant amount of organic matter will help improve air and water movement through the soil profile.

We have applied over 30 tonnes of top dressing sand to the putting surfaces and plan to apply another 20 tonnes over the next couple of weeks.  

With the weather remaining dry and fine, we took the opportunity to deep tine a number of greens with 12 mm diameter solid tines, to a depth of 250 mm.

Aerating to this depth will not only further enhance air and water percolation, but also encourage and promote deeper root development.

Deep aeration with 12 mm diameter tines to a depth of 250 mm.

Deep spiking (left-hand side of ball) after the green has been hollow cored and top dressed

Steve on the Turf Iron smoothing the putting surface

Deep spiked, hollow cored, top dressed and rolled.

I would also again like to thank the staff for a great team effort this week and the members for their support, tolerance and cooperation during this maintenance programme of works.  

2012 Greens Autumn Maintenance

Greens Autumn Maintenance Update

In almost perfect weather conditions today, we commenced our Greens Autumn Maintenance Programme.

The first fourteen greens have now been hollow cored and cleared of cores, with an estimated 30 tonnes of debris removed from the greens surfaces.

(A massive well done to all the guys, a great team effort)

Hollow coring the 14th green

We have also been able to start sand top dressing operations and have already applied fifteen tonnes of sand to the putting surfaces.

18th Green top dressed with sand

18th Green after brushing completed

Provided the weather remains fine and dry, we hope to complete this maintenance operation by the weekend. 

Greens Autumn Maintenance Programme

Greens Autumn Maintenance Programme 2012

 Week Commencing October 8th

All greens will be Hollow Cored with 12mm diameter tines at 50mm spacing and to a depth of 75 mm, this autumn.

This practice will further reduce thatch; increase oxygen content in the soil, promote root development and make nutrients more readily available to the plant.

 After the green is cleared of cores, it will then be top-dressed with sand and brushed. The green is then rolled to help with smoothness and finally a potash-based fertilizer is applied to promote strong root growth and aid recovery.

Members please note that there will be disruption to play and some temporary greens will be in play during this essential maintenance work.

Undoubtedly, there will be a period of recovery beyond the planned maintenance itself.

Whilst it is appreciated that this will cause inconvenience to members, please be assured that this work is entirely necessary to ensure continued, long-term improvement in our putting surfaces.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the members for their support, tolerance and cooperation during this greens maintenance programme of works

Bill Lyon

Golf Course Manager

October 3^rd 2012