Winter Blog 2023

 

This year and particularly this autumn have been a real challenge with the very high levels of rainfall (985mm to date). This is the highest annual rainfall I have recorded and the wettest year I have experienced as a greenkeeper. The rainfall average on the course over the last 6 years is 715mm. The highest recorded rainfall prior to this year was in 2019 with 889mm. The course however is a very good drainer and has taken the high levels of rainfall well. With wet weather brings more course closures and this year has been the worst since I started tracking this data.      

                                                                         

With the wet weather the leaf clearing has been a little slower this year. The big machinery struggled to travel on the course and areas had to be hand collected which takes more time. Some strong winds a few weeks ago helped bring most of the leaves down. Protection measures (posts and ropes) were put out early. This has helped spread the wear on the approaches and around greens. The introduction of fairway protection mats has also been positive, less divots are now visible. Both these measures will make a difference in the spring, when the course transition occurs for the golf season.  A big thank you to all the members who are following these restrictions.  

Members might have seen some stakes in the ground around the course. These are to identify cable pots and hose points from the irrigation installation, which was done earlier on in the year. These will be trimmed and kept visible at all times.

The new winter 1^st tee was installed in October and is a big improvement from the old raised mat that was in play. When the digger was on hire a catchment drain was installed at the back of the 9th collar. This catches rainwater runoff from the bank and will help keep water away from the green. 

The greens are in good health heading into the winter. Regular slitting takes place when conditions allow. This form of aeration is very beneficial during prolonged wet periods. This week the greens were vertidrained with 12mm tines. This work is essential as it allows the greens to breath after the recent wet weather. The greens are the cleanest I have seen them for disease. Bringing the greens maintenance forward this year to August, allowed the greens to recover quicker and have them healthy heading into the disease pressure season. 

Tees, approaches and fairway aeration will be carried out once weather conditions improve. Slitting, solid tining and raking will be the procedures used.  

The winter servicing of machines is well underway. The grinding of the cutting units has also commenced. This a good time of year to carry out this work and to see what the machinery fleet needs ready for the new season in 2024.    

 

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Donaldson who has been the greens chairman over the last three years. Dave stands down in the new year, as his nine years on the committee comes to an end. Dave has been a great support for myself and the greenkeeping team and will be missed.

 

The team and I thank members for the continued support throughout the year.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

David and the Greenkeeping Team.     

 

Summer Blog

 

Just a little blog about what has been done and is planned over the remainder of the season.

 

The very wet weather that we have been experiencing lately has certainly greened the course up and is making the grass grow. The dry spell earlier in the season burned areas off, however these have now fully recovered. The rain does have its benefits, but I would much rather have warm and dry days this time of year.      

Here is the rainfall stats for July over the last seven years. You can clearly see how wet July this year has been. This brings it challenges on course preparation as more damp cuts are carried out.

 

                  

 

 

The irrigation system was completed and was a success. We have a few areas to seed, but it was a very clean job from TIS. The 90mm mainline pipe that was installed allows the runtime of the irrigation pump to be shortened and more sprinklers can now be operated at the same time. The pressure coming out the sprinklers to the greens is greatly improved, allowing a more evenly distribution of water. The spring feed and borehole water is very good for the greens. They respond so much better to the natural sources, rather than the mains water that was previously used.                 

 

In mid-July the greens were vertidrained with an 8mm tine to a depth of 200mm. They were then verticut creating a more upright growth habit and removing any unwanted material just below the surface. This was then followed up by approximately 10 ton of topdressing. The greens were then brushed and the significant rainfall that we have been experiencing washed the sand into the profile. This work is vital as it vents the greens after lots of play and creates air space for the grass roots to develop below the surface. The greens are getting cut most days at 3.5mm and ironed when the weather allows. The iron is not used during these wet conditions as more damage can be done to the surface.            

 

 

On Tuesday 29^th August the annual greens maintenance will be carried out with  the following procedures:

• ·      Scarification to a depth of approximately 15mm.
• ·      Topdressed (10 ton) and brushed.
• ·      Solid tined (12mm tine).
• ·      Topdressed (20 ton) and brushed.  
• ·      Overseeded with bentgrass.
• ·      Fertilised.

 

Recovery will be good and the greens will benefit massively from this work. The aim is to keep the surfaces at a consistent level as we head into the Autumn/Winter. After a wet summer which we are experiencing, this maintenance is more important than ever.   

Could members please not tee off any earlier than 7.30am and from the 1st tees only. This allows the greenstaff time to prepare the course interrupted, thank you.  

      

Thanks to all the members that give myself and the team positive feedback, its very much appreciated. Hopefully the weather improves and you enjoy the rest of the season.

 

David and the Greenkeeping Team.      

 

                   

Winter Blog

 

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank our members who help protect the golf course over the winter. Following signs, walking around ropes, using mats and repairing pitchmarks, is very much appreciated. These measures that we have put in place, make the transition into the season that little bit easier.           

 

Here is a little update on the work that has been carried out on the golf course so far this winter.

The planned winter work doesn’t really start until all the leaves are cleared from the golf course, leaf clearing is very time consuming and with the weather deteriorating in December and January it delayed this operation by about three weeks. The heavier machinery couldn’t operate, as hard frosts and heavy rainfall saturated the course. Once the conditions improved the remaining leaves were collected for another year. 

All the long roughs were cut using the flail mower and the clippings removed. Some areas of scrub on banksides were also cut and cleared. The broom and gorse that has regenerated over the years was removed on the bankside behind the 9^th tee. This will  allow the wildflower to thrive again. 

 

All machinery servicing and grinding has been completed in house. Various turf repairs have been done on bunkers and tees.  All course furniture has been painted ready for the season ahead. New flags, pins and metal hole cups have been purchased and will be out for the start of the season.

 

A Health and Safety Tree Audit was carried out by an Arboricultural Consultant. This survey assessed the safety level of trees on the site. The purpose was to identify specific trees within the site boundary with regards to their risk level to public health and safety. 12 trees and 3 groups of trees were identified as moderate priority, with a view to works being complete within 6 months, prior to anticipated winter storms and as part of an on-going management plan. A local tree surgeon was contracted in to do the work. A chipper was hired in to help with the cleaning up. There is one more tree to deadwood on the drive then the work is complete.            

Fig 1: Pollarding of an oak tree on the 12th hole, allowing wildlife to still use the tree     

The greenkeeping staff are often asked by members, why are so many trees being removed and are trees replaced on the site? I hope the above paragraph answers why trees are removed. Trees are replanted in specific areas where needed.

With the lack of fungicides now available to treat turfgrass diseases, shade issues from trees are a major problem for the greenkeeping industry. Around the greens, airflow and shade are one of the major contributing factors for fusarium. The leaf of the plant sits wetter for longer compared to an open green, making it an ideal environment for the pathogen to strike. Increasing light around greens will allow the finer grasses to flourish and reduce disease attacks significantly.

 

Recently all the greens have been vertidrained using a 12mm diameter tine to a depth of 300mm. The greens really needed this aeration after the cold/wet cycles of December and January. This work allows the greens to vent and breath, improving root development below the surface when there is no top growth. Another aeration procedure is planned for March, this time using an 8mm tine to a depth of 200mm. The smaller tine size will allow a much quicker recovery. Topdressing will be added with this work and will be brushed in. The current height of cut on the greens is 6mm, this will be lowered when the conditions improve and the season nears. Very little growth comes off the greens this time of year, once the soils warm up the cutting frequency increases. The greens are rolled weekly if the conditions allow. The greens iron has been a great addition, but more aeration is required to let the surfaces breath.   

The new practice nets have just been completed. Here is a before and after photo.

                                  Fig 2: Practice nets 

Members will be aware that a borehole will be getting installed near the pump house on the 14^th hole. A temporary green will be cut near the fairway bunker and all traffic will be directed down the left hand side of the hole, avoiding the drilling rig. Communication will be sent out when the work starts.

             

 2022 annual data.

 

                               Fig:3 Rainfall comparison graph  

 

                                 Fig 4: Growth potential 2022

You can see from (fig 3) that the rainfall for 2022 was lower than average. Looking at (fig 4) you can see strong consistent growth didn’t commence until May. October is a better growing month than April, as the soil temperature is warmer. In the Autumn months reduced daylight slows growth.

 

The focus as always heading into the spring, will be tidying the course and improving presentation for the season. Bunkers will be edged and new sand added. Paths will be edged and new grey dust added. Fairways will be raked using the Terra Rake, which removes thatch and moss. Cutting of tees, fairways and rough improves definition on the course. It can be a slow process coming out of the winter, however seeing the welcomed change is very rewarding for myself and the team.

 

We had an unusual guest a woodcock appear on our wildlife camera in the woods, left of the 3^rd hole. I have been told that these birds are very hard to spot. Kestrels have nested the last few years behind the 5^th green and tawny owls are often heard around the clubhouse, an owl box an kestrel box will be installed in the near future.  

 

                                     Fig 5: Woodcock video 

Keeping up to date with any changes to working practices is very important. We encourage Continual Professional Development, the greenkeeping team attended a manual handling/noise course and a first aid training course. I am also a big believer in the wellbeing of staff and making the working environment a positive place, as this increases productivity.

 

I hope you have enjoyed the update and all the best for the golfing season.

 

David and the greenkeeping team.