As we approach Christmas, we have just seen storm Darragh pass through leaving with it many damaged and fallen trees around the course, many have uprooted. We are currently in the process of the clear up. On the upside the course has held up very well with most greens being playable a couple of days after. The new drainage has also proved its worth as there is very little standing water on the course considering the amount of rain there was during the storm. If we look back to this time last year the course was totally saturated with a constant battle to make the course playable. There is no question that without the new drainage certain areas of the course would be unplayable now. Leading up to Christmas we are relatively happy with the course in general.


Before the snow and wet weather hit us, we managed to get all fairways on the main course and most on the 9 hole course slit tined. This will allow air into the soil profile and aid water to pass through more easily. It will also aid roots to travel deeper, therefore easier for them to get more nutrients. This should keep the fairways a little firmer during wetter periods. Regarding drainage, the gravel bander has been in operation until the snow and wet weather stopped us in our tracks. The aim of the gravel bands is to carry water to existing drains or outlets. The wet section on the 9th fairway heading up to the green has all been gravel banded but remains wet. This area will have to have more drains installed that spur off the two main drains which run up towards the green. All greens have still been cut at least once a week depending on the conditions and temperatures with the ride on triple mower up until now, it is now looking like more hand cutting will have to be done due to softer ground conditions. Before conditions turned, we also managed to cut all fairways on the main course after slit tining, this cut not only tidied up the fairways but rolled down any plucking caused by slitting. We also managed to cut all first cut rough around fairways and greens. During the few days the course was closed for snow, it gave us chance to address low branches in some tree lines. This not only improves playability but makes it easier for us to drive machinery and mowers through. The layer of snow made it ideal for transporting the branches to the fire without making any marks or wheeling’s with the tractor and trailer. All bunkers were edged earlier in the month to keep them looking tidier through the winter months. The tractor mounted blower has also been out regularly to round up leaves and debris from in play areas. Any piles of leaves rounded up by the blower are then collected up.



During the start of November all greens were sprayed with an Insecticide called Acelepryn. This product prevents chafer grubs coming up to the top of the soil profile and feeding on roots. It also helps to prevent crow damage as the grubs remain too deep for crows to feed on them. Mid-November an application of FlowSmart was applied, this product is a penetrant which aids water through the soil profile, a couple of weeks later an application of Rocastem was applied to greens. This product is a form of liquid aerator which helps clean the soil profile and keeps greens firm. The FlowSmart and Rocastem are applied once a month when possible at this time of year. During the end of November an application of iron, phosphite, calcium and magnesium was sprayed on the main greens. These products are mixed together and sprayed in one application. This forms our turf defence pack which helps to strengthen the greens, protects against disease and adds colour to them during winter months.



As many of you will have noticed we are halfway through installing a new winter mat and path. Unfortunately, our wacker plate broke down so we couldn’t complete it. I’m pleased to say the wacker plate is now up and running so the mat and path can be completed soon. Most paths on the course have now been topped up with the red shale material we use, with just a couple of areas to finish. The 7th green drainage is now all but complete with just a small section in the rough near the back of the green to fill, however as completion was nearing the snow arrived. The good news is the drainage has had the desired effect as the green is now one of the drier and firmer greens on the course. Unfortunately, with the stress the green has been under during the works, with turf lifted and laid, boards moved and laid across the green and heavy machinery running across it, the green suffered a bad outbreak of disease. The same happened last year on the 5th green during the drainage works. Our plans to rectify these disease scars will take place when warmer weather comes back round. The turf on the drain runs have been laid slightly proud to allow for settlement. We have lightly rolled the runs with the handmower and will soon take the turf iron over them to flatten them down further. The green will be back in play when we are happy the runs have knitted in and settled sufficiently. Most of the hoops and ropes are now in place around the course to protect areas and spread wear. We have also been sanding areas of high footfall to try and dry out these areas and prevent them becoming chewed and muddy. These areas are mainly around tees, mats and path ends. All summer markers have now been brought in and replaced by the green markers, winter ladies and winter white markers. All winter teeing mats are now in play, white markers will only be used when possible during any relevant competitions. Fairway mats are now to be used or pick and place in the first cut of rough, this will help preserve fairways for the main playing season. Please could we remind members to repair pitchmarks as there seems to be a lot of unrepaired pitchmarks on the greens at the moment.



We would like to thank Dave Bradshaw for bringing his telehandler to the club to offload our recently delivered high lift trailer. Finally, we the Greens Staff would like to wish all our members and staff a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.



Greens Team