Course Update - March 2011

Since my last course update the greens have been aerated with 8mm diameter tines and lightly top-dressed with sand.

To help strengthen the sward and make it more resistant to stress and disease, an application of liquid iron has also been applied.

Liquid Iron Being Sprayed

Planned Work - Now that soil temperatures are heading in the right direction, the greens will shortly receive an application of fertiliser; this will promote some leaf growth and assist in smoothing putting surfaces.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to aerate with 8mm diameter tines and top-dress weekly with sand, this will encourage root development and help stimulate soil microbe activity. 

Greens 17 & 18, still have significantly high levels of thatch and will be hollow tined with slim 6mm hollow tines this week.  Removing some of the surface thatch and top dressing with sand will assist in breaking down the existing thatch layer and help firm putting surfaces.

Greens Height of Cut 5.5mm

Tees - The tees have recently all been hollow cored with 12mm diameter tines, this process helps relieve soil compaction, improves root development and assists further break-down of the thatch layer. We have also applied a Nitrogen/Potash based fertiliser to promote growth and enhance recovery. The tees have also been top dressed with sand to back fill the holes and to help restore surface levels.

 

Current Soil Temperature 8C

Irrigation System

Pressure & Testing The Irrigation System

Over the next few days we will be pressure testing the irrigation system to make sure the winter frosts have not damaged any pipe-work or valves.

The system is first tested manually and only when checks have been made to ensure that the pumps, sprinklers and valves are all working correctly, do we then test it automatically. 

Testing Putting Green Sprinklers

The system was designed and installed in 2000 and covers all greens, tees and approaches, the pumping station which is capable of delivering 130 gallons or 600 litres of water a  minute, means that four greenside sprinklers can be operated simultaneously.

The borehole, which was drilled last year, keeps the 28,000 gallon storage tank topped up. 

Finally, let's hope for a long hot summer and that the irrigation system is in constant use, unlike the past few summers.

Dutch Elm Disease - Video

Today, the last remaining diseased elm trees were felled by outside contractors, both these trees being well over 100 years old and probably the oldest remaining elm trees on the course. There are a number of self-seeding elm trees on the course, but unfortunately very few survive 20 years before succumbing to this disease.

To watch a short video on how we identifly this disease, click on Dutch elm disease in links.

Construction of New Fairway Bunkers on 16th

This winter, despite some difficult weather conditions, we have completed a number of construction projects on the course; these pictures below plot the progress of the new bunkers on the 16th fairway.

Excavating Bunkers

Shaping Base

Installing Drainage

Turfing Completed

Sand Added

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the greens staff for a tremendous team effort this winter, and for completing all the various projects to such a high standard, despite some exceptionally difficult weather conditions.

Well Done....

Check back for more updates on other projects.