Pin Placement Sheets

Members Please Note - We will be using pin placement sheets from Saturday June 15^th through to Finals Day Sunday June 23rd, these will be available daily from the Pro Shop.

The A, B, C, system will be resumed on Wednesday 26th June for the Senior Gents Medal.

Pin Placement Sheet

In the example above - (from left to right)

Green number

Total depth of the green 

The distance of the hole from the front of the green

The distance of the hole (laterally) from the green's closest edge

C = Centre

Plant Growth Regulator

Today the greens received their second application of Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) this season.

The PGR is applied through our Cushman mounted boom sprayer at a rate of 400mil/ per hectare.

The PGR active ingredient is Trinexapac-ethyl and works by redirecting plant growth.

Not only does the PGR inhibit vertical growth, but it actually diverts plant growth downward into the root system.

This helps to produce increased food reserves and lateral stem development, which produces a thicker and more denser turf sward.

The first noticeable difference we find when using PGR’s, is fewer grass clippings, sometimes by up to 50%.

But without doubt the major benefit of a slower growing grass plant leaf, is that surface speeds and quality remain more consistent for longer throughout the day.

Spraying the 15th green

Weather - April 2013

After one of the coldest March’s on record, where the average daytime temperature was less than 4C due to an extended spell of bitterly cold easterly winds, April’s weather was brighter, although it remained cooler and drier than normal.

I have included below the 2012 & 2011 figures with the 2013 figures for comparison purposes.

                                                          2013                           2012                            2011

Precipitation	26.2 mm	89.3 mm	14.2 mm
Sunshine	200.1 hours	127.1 hours	199.2 hours
Min Temperature	-3.5 C	-2.9 C	2.1 C
Max Temperature	14.1 C	15.9 C	21.5 C
Mean Soil Temperature	7.3 C	9.6 C	10.8 C

Although grass growth has improved in the last week, we really need soil temperatures to reach double digits before we start seeing some sustained growth. 

I have included below some pictures taken of the Cherry trees between the 11^th & 14^th fairways over the last few years to highlight the difference some warm weather and good soil temperatures can make.

 In full blossom (April 20^th 2011).

2011

In the 2nd picture- the same location on the 27^th April 2012.

The Cherry trees are still not in full blossom and probably two weeks behind from 2011.

2012

2013

Finally, April 29th 2013 - Still waiting on the blossom and probably three weeks behind last year.

Let's hope it's not long before we all start enjoying some warmer weather. 

Greens Spring Maintenance Programme

This year’s spring maintenance programme will again centre on aeration and moss eradication on the putting surfaces.

Because of the extremely wet weather that we have experienced over the last year, we have seen a prolific increase in the amount of moss on some of the putting greens.

Unfortunately, when ground conditions remain saturated for such prolonged periods, as we have experienced this winter, moss will thrive.

Greens (12,13,14,17 & 18), that still have significantly high levels of organic matter (thatch) and slower surface drainage have been badly affected.

When ground and weather conditions improve, the greens will be aerated with a small 8mm diameter hollow tine and lightly top dressed with sand.

To promote growth, an organic nitrogen based fertiliser will also be applied.

After last year's wet summer, it is vitally important that the main focus remains on controlling and lowering organic matter levels on the greens.

Regular non-disruptive aeration and top dressing must continue through the summer months.

Aeration and sand top dressing will help dilute existing organic matter levels and in time assist in producing firmer, drier and truer putting surfaces.

Producing firmer and drier surfaces will go a long way to curing and preventing moss invasion.

Remember, aeration is performed for the health of the turf, and ultimately, the playability of the greens.