Course Manager Update
Greens Report as of 8.4.2024
Golf course update from 4th March 2024-april 8th 2024
The last 5 weeks has been a battle but I’m feeling positive that we’ll soon get the break in weather we’ve all been desperate for. It’s been very difficult and some day’s impossible to get machinery and materials around the course, but we’ve continued to push on, I’m pleased by seeing early signs of recovery and repair and excited for the season ahead.
Greens
• Mowing when possible 1-2 times per week at a height of 5mm
• Hand seeding and top dressing of scars and imperfections
• Air2g2 treatment to help with soil structure and gas exchange
• 4 spray applications to help with growth, recovery, repair.
• Organic matter (thatch) samples taken for analysis
Tees
• Mowing when possible at least once a week at a height of 15mm using ride machine where possible and the rest mown with the hand rotary’s
• Divoting with sand and seed any old scars
• Lawn sand applied to weaker tees to help reduce moss ingress pressure and promote recovery
Fairways
• Mowing when possible using the new tractor and tri max set at 25mm this produces a lower ground pressure than the fairway mowers allowing us to get a cut when conditions aren’t the best .
• Areas that have been un mowable we’ve done our best to cut using hand rotary mower and strimmers
Rough
• Cutting where and when possible with the tractor ride on and the larger dryer areas with the tri max and tractor at 60mm.
General
• Treatment of the algae and moss on the astro turf on practice area
• Prepare ground and sow wild flowers seeds along path edge from 7th green to 8th tee
• Washing and cleaning of course signage
• Machine maintenance and repairs
• Painting of stakes and makers
• Irrigation system valves checked and pressure vessel attached
• Tree base spraying completed
Plan for next month
• Increase mowing intensity across all areas to improve definition and presentation
• Problem greens 7,8,9,10 and 12 will receive extra attention with some light aeration, topdressing and over seeding along with a granular application of thatch eater.
( Thatch eater is a granular feed which will continue to release thatch eating bacteria and fungi to help loosen the tight top surface of the greens improving drainage and surface firmness in wetter conditions)
• All greens will be groomed using verti cutting units to reduce lateral growth, promoting new growth and improve surface trueness
• Granular feed for greens to help rectify deficiencies and improve turf health
• Scarifying of tees and approaches followed by a sand topdressing
After seeing the current condition of the top four holes 1,8,9 and 18 especially the fairways I feel it’s key that I prepare a plan to maximise the efficiency of the existing drainage ahead of next winter. This will be done by increasing aeration across all fairways with increased focus on these four, alongside the aeration and application of soil penetrant and gypsum product to help loosen the soil profile allowing surface water to reach the drainage channels. For the first hole if possible, I’d Like to install some pipe and gravel channels linking into the current drain running down the right side of the hole. Also carrying out a form of linear aeration of ether a mole plough or earthquake style aerator machine, this will also increase the efficiency of the current drainage and reduce surface water. (This work would need to be carried out at the end of season early autumn for maximum benefit)
Many thanks
Robert Lawley
Course manager
Oxley Park Golf Club
The last 5 weeks has been a battle but I’m feeling positive that we’ll soon get the break in weather we’ve all been desperate for. It’s been very difficult and some day’s impossible to get machinery and materials around the course, but we’ve continued to push on, I’m pleased by seeing early signs of recovery and repair and excited for the season ahead.
Greens
• Mowing when possible 1-2 times per week at a height of 5mm
• Hand seeding and top dressing of scars and imperfections
• Air2g2 treatment to help with soil structure and gas exchange
• 4 spray applications to help with growth, recovery, repair.
• Organic matter (thatch) samples taken for analysis
Tees
• Mowing when possible at least once a week at a height of 15mm using ride machine where possible and the rest mown with the hand rotary’s
• Divoting with sand and seed any old scars
• Lawn sand applied to weaker tees to help reduce moss ingress pressure and promote recovery
Fairways
• Mowing when possible using the new tractor and tri max set at 25mm this produces a lower ground pressure than the fairway mowers allowing us to get a cut when conditions aren’t the best .
• Areas that have been un mowable we’ve done our best to cut using hand rotary mower and strimmers
Rough
• Cutting where and when possible with the tractor ride on and the larger dryer areas with the tri max and tractor at 60mm.
General
• Treatment of the algae and moss on the astro turf on practice area
• Prepare ground and sow wild flowers seeds along path edge from 7th green to 8th tee
• Washing and cleaning of course signage
• Machine maintenance and repairs
• Painting of stakes and makers
• Irrigation system valves checked and pressure vessel attached
• Tree base spraying completed
Plan for next month
• Increase mowing intensity across all areas to improve definition and presentation
• Problem greens 7,8,9,10 and 12 will receive extra attention with some light aeration, topdressing and over seeding along with a granular application of thatch eater.
( Thatch eater is a granular feed which will continue to release thatch eating bacteria and fungi to help loosen the tight top surface of the greens improving drainage and surface firmness in wetter conditions)
• All greens will be groomed using verti cutting units to reduce lateral growth, promoting new growth and improve surface trueness
• Granular feed for greens to help rectify deficiencies and improve turf health
• Scarifying of tees and approaches followed by a sand topdressing
After seeing the current condition of the top four holes 1,8,9 and 18 especially the fairways I feel it’s key that I prepare a plan to maximise the efficiency of the existing drainage ahead of next winter. This will be done by increasing aeration across all fairways with increased focus on these four, alongside the aeration and application of soil penetrant and gypsum product to help loosen the soil profile allowing surface water to reach the drainage channels. For the first hole if possible, I’d Like to install some pipe and gravel channels linking into the current drain running down the right side of the hole. Also carrying out a form of linear aeration of ether a mole plough or earthquake style aerator machine, this will also increase the efficiency of the current drainage and reduce surface water. (This work would need to be carried out at the end of season early autumn for maximum benefit)
Many thanks
Robert Lawley
Course manager
Oxley Park Golf Club