Greenkeeping Spring Blog
Following the announcement at the end of March by the government, the course was closed immediately. As greenkeepers we are permitted to work but must follow the guidelines for essential maintenance negotiated by the R&A and practice social distancing. Currently we are mowing greens, fairways, tees and rough during the week. Water management and nutrition to the greens is being carried out, with the objective of keeping the turf healthy and avoiding putting to much feed and water on. This blog though, is about the work that was carried out before the lockdown.
The weather over this winter was horrendous for everyone involved with managing turf in the UK. The wettest February on record, coupled with consistent rainfall since September made it very challenging in presenting a golf course. As I write this blog we are currently in a dry spell and could do with a drop of rain. Who would have thought I would be saying that after this winter. It just goes to show that greenkeepers are never happy with what Mother Nature is doing.
The course stood up really well to the extremes of this winter. The areas that suffered the most were the walkways that receive high levels of foot traffic. This is a perennial issue in areas like this every winter and they are beginning to recover now the grass has started growing. The winter program was completed despite the bad weather we encountered.
Following work to the white & yellow teeing grounds last winter, the red 1st tee has been levelled and then relayed.
New astroturf was put down on the 9th and 10th paths, with retaining boards being renewed on the 9th. A new path was also constructed next to the 11th tee.
Various bunker repairs around the course have been carried out. Whilst on the 4th the bunker to the left of the green has been completely renovated.
Rubber matting has been put down on high traffic areas and will be trialed to see if the damage around these areas is reduced.
The pines to the left of the 5th hole have been lifted to allow more airflow to the green. With legislation ordering the withdrawal of various chemicals, increasing airflow and improving light to greens will help going forward.
All machinery has been serviced and sharpened in house using the grinders.
The high winds over the winter brought down lots of debris; this was picked up and removed from the course. The paths were edged, weeded and tidied. When golf eventually resumes and we have some normality, all the bunkers will be topped up with sand. You will also see some new shapes have been marked out on tees, approaches and fairways.
Tees
A granular slow release fertiliser was applied to the tees, this lasts for about 24 weeks giving consistent growth. The tees will receive a monthly wetting agent program throughout the season, with small doses of nutrition. With not having irrigation to the tees, the performance is very much dependant on getting rainfall. The introduction of a wetting agent program is aimed at improving the tees. Wetting agents help by making the best use of water, giving a much more even spread and reducing surface run off.
Greens
The greens have stood up to the winter weather really well. The percolation rates are phenomenal considering all the rainfall we have had. This is down to the continuous aeration practices that are carried out and have been carried out over the years. Also, the low organic matter content (thatch) that we have in the greens at Hexham is a big positive, as the water moves through the profile quickly. Think of thatch as a bit like a sponge it holds water. Thatch is a layer of dead or decaying roots, shoots and stems which is caused when the rate of the dead decaying organic matter from the active growing turf, exceeds the rate of decomposition. When high levels of Nitrogen, which is the main nutrient for grass growth, are put down, then thatch can be produced as excessive growth increases accumulation rates.
Before the lockdown the greens were verticut aggressively twice, this removes thatch and encourages a more upright growth habit. They were then vertidrained to a depth of about 250 mm, this was then followed up by a top dress and a solid tine to a depth of about 150mm. The last procedure was brushing the sand into the profile of the greens. This maintenance does knock the greens back a little regarding performance and looks, but it is essential and is why the greens perform so well for the rest of the year.
With temperatures rising and daylight increasing, the focus on the greens becomes nutrition. Ammonium sulphate is the Nitrogen source used this time of year and this will be dripped in when conditions allow in small amounts. Seaweed which is a plant biostimulant is added to the mix as well as other nutrients. Soil temperatures and moisture readings are taken on a regular basis, allowing us to keep check on the soils of the greens. People may be mowing their lawns and noticing the longer rough grasses growing, but fine turf takes a bit longer to fully get up to speed. Some grasses on the greens can have a more yellow appearance about them, compared to other species. This is the annual meadow grass coming out of its winter dormancy and is nothing to worry about. As explained in my previous blog, annual meadow grass is a hungrier grass compared to the fine grasses (bents). A good example to see this can be seen on the 3rd green, the left side as you play the hole is predominantly annual meadow grass and looks a bit off colour, compared to the right side which has a lot more finer grasses and looks more healthier. The left side receives very little sunlight through the winter and any rainfall runs off the bank, making this part of the green ideal for annual meadow grass to thrive.
Staff
The greenkeeping team is now back to the full complement of five following the recent appointment of Craig Johnston. Craig emigrated to the UK from New Zealand recently with his family who originate from Northumberland. He has worked on cricket grounds around Auckland for a number of years and is passionate about golf, rugby (as you might expect) and cricket. Craig has settled in well.
Hope you enjoyed the update about the course. All the greenkeeping team and I look forward to seeing our members returning to Hexham Golf Club soon.
Stay safe.
David and the lads.
