October Greens Report
October Greens Report
As we see ourselves well into November, October has been a reasonably kind
month weatherwise allowing us to start the planned drainage on the 7th
Green. Our main concern was transporting material up to the 7th if ground
conditions turned soft as they did when draining the 5th green this time last
year. But with the conditions as they have been it has been perfect for this
job. With firm ground conditions and unusually mild temperatures for this
time of year it has allowed us to continue getting machinery out on the
course. Although the mild temperatures are a pleasant surprise it has meant
grass growth has steadily continued, therefore regular cutting to all areas of
the course is still required. This has meant planned work made for
October/November have been delayed due to staff having to continue with
the cutting regime.
The planned work included gravel banding, slitting fairways, adding shale to
paths and edging bunkers ready for winter and installing winter tee mats.
With the mild conditions we have seen odd bits of disease appear on a
handful of greens. These current warm and damp conditions are ideal for
disease to thrive. The most common disease at this time of ear is fusarium.
During the winter months if greens aren’t cut, they will be brushed; This
process not only improves the playability of the surface but the removal of
dew on the plant reduces the chance of disease outbreaks. We also try when
possible to sarel roll greens once a week to allow air into the profile and also
deeper solid tine aeration also helps keeps the greens healthy. In the middle
of the month a fungicide was applied to the greens to help protect from any
disease spreading. The longevity of a fungicide can last 3 weeks to a month
depending on conditions and the frequency of mowing. A tank mix of
phosphite, iron, calcium and magnesium was also sprayed on greens to help
with further protection.
The drainage works on the 7th green is nearing completion. We have installed
a 100mm main pipe which runs all the way along the right of the green, that
connects into the existing main pipe that runs down the 7th fairway and into
the ditch on the right of the hole. 80mm pipe spurs run across the green and
connect into the main. 25-30cm of gravel was then added on top of the pipe
and around 25-30cm of rootzone on top of the gravel which is compacted and
levelled for turfing. We should see a big improvement to the playability of the
green during the winter months and the turf quality throughout the year. The
OFFICIAL
green will be back in play when we are happy the turf has knitted back in
sufficiently and when the drain runs have settled.
During October we hired in a tractor mounted machine called a Vertiquake,
this machine helps to reduce compaction. It has PTO driven offset curved
blades that rotate and cut into the surface and leaves channels up to 12
inches deep. Aswell as reducing compaction it also allows surface water to
travel down deeper into the soil profile much quicker. Some may have
noticed the sliced lines around the course. The Vertiquake leaves a neat finish
with little disruption to the surface. All greens on the main course and
academy course have been vertiquaked. We also did as much as we could on
other areas that become wet over winter. Before the end of November we
aim to start gravel banding areas around the course where new main drains
are located. The gravel bands that are created will run through wet areas and
over the top of existing drains. The idea of this secondary form of drainage is
to channel water through the bands of gravel and into main drainage.
Aswell as cutting we have been keeping areas clear of leaves. The majority of
leaf clearance is done with backpack blowers and our tractor mounted
blower. With the mild temperatures the leaf fall has been relatively steady,
which has meant we have been able to keep main playing areas clear for play
and for cutting. We have also started strimming and clearing out ditches on
the course. Clearing out the ditches annually is important, as it keeps any
water in them flowing as freely as possible and also keeps inlets and outlets
clear and any drains that run into them off the course clear too.
Over the past few weeks we have steadily been adding a few ropes and
hoops on areas which are becoming worn. As the weeks pass there will be no
doubt a few more areas hooped and roped off. We ask you to adhere to all
hoops and ropes around the course and to replace any taken out to play a
shot. We also as you to replace or fill in their divots and repair pitch marks.
Thanks
The Greens Team
month weatherwise allowing us to start the planned drainage on the 7th
Green. Our main concern was transporting material up to the 7th if ground
conditions turned soft as they did when draining the 5th green this time last
year. But with the conditions as they have been it has been perfect for this
job. With firm ground conditions and unusually mild temperatures for this
time of year it has allowed us to continue getting machinery out on the
course. Although the mild temperatures are a pleasant surprise it has meant
grass growth has steadily continued, therefore regular cutting to all areas of
the course is still required. This has meant planned work made for
October/November have been delayed due to staff having to continue with
the cutting regime.
The planned work included gravel banding, slitting fairways, adding shale to
paths and edging bunkers ready for winter and installing winter tee mats.
With the mild conditions we have seen odd bits of disease appear on a
handful of greens. These current warm and damp conditions are ideal for
disease to thrive. The most common disease at this time of ear is fusarium.
During the winter months if greens aren’t cut, they will be brushed; This
process not only improves the playability of the surface but the removal of
dew on the plant reduces the chance of disease outbreaks. We also try when
possible to sarel roll greens once a week to allow air into the profile and also
deeper solid tine aeration also helps keeps the greens healthy. In the middle
of the month a fungicide was applied to the greens to help protect from any
disease spreading. The longevity of a fungicide can last 3 weeks to a month
depending on conditions and the frequency of mowing. A tank mix of
phosphite, iron, calcium and magnesium was also sprayed on greens to help
with further protection.
The drainage works on the 7th green is nearing completion. We have installed
a 100mm main pipe which runs all the way along the right of the green, that
connects into the existing main pipe that runs down the 7th fairway and into
the ditch on the right of the hole. 80mm pipe spurs run across the green and
connect into the main. 25-30cm of gravel was then added on top of the pipe
and around 25-30cm of rootzone on top of the gravel which is compacted and
levelled for turfing. We should see a big improvement to the playability of the
green during the winter months and the turf quality throughout the year. The
OFFICIAL
green will be back in play when we are happy the turf has knitted back in
sufficiently and when the drain runs have settled.
During October we hired in a tractor mounted machine called a Vertiquake,
this machine helps to reduce compaction. It has PTO driven offset curved
blades that rotate and cut into the surface and leaves channels up to 12
inches deep. Aswell as reducing compaction it also allows surface water to
travel down deeper into the soil profile much quicker. Some may have
noticed the sliced lines around the course. The Vertiquake leaves a neat finish
with little disruption to the surface. All greens on the main course and
academy course have been vertiquaked. We also did as much as we could on
other areas that become wet over winter. Before the end of November we
aim to start gravel banding areas around the course where new main drains
are located. The gravel bands that are created will run through wet areas and
over the top of existing drains. The idea of this secondary form of drainage is
to channel water through the bands of gravel and into main drainage.
Aswell as cutting we have been keeping areas clear of leaves. The majority of
leaf clearance is done with backpack blowers and our tractor mounted
blower. With the mild temperatures the leaf fall has been relatively steady,
which has meant we have been able to keep main playing areas clear for play
and for cutting. We have also started strimming and clearing out ditches on
the course. Clearing out the ditches annually is important, as it keeps any
water in them flowing as freely as possible and also keeps inlets and outlets
clear and any drains that run into them off the course clear too.
Over the past few weeks we have steadily been adding a few ropes and
hoops on areas which are becoming worn. As the weeks pass there will be no
doubt a few more areas hooped and roped off. We ask you to adhere to all
hoops and ropes around the course and to replace any taken out to play a
shot. We also as you to replace or fill in their divots and repair pitch marks.
Thanks
The Greens Team