Course Report
Course Report - September 2025
September marked the transition into autumn, with conditions remaining generally positive despite seasonal pressures starting to show. The team has worked to keep presentation standards high while preparing for upcoming autumn maintenance.
Course Update-
The course has performed well through September. Leaves are now falling heavily, and the first frost of autumn has arrived. Fusarium patch has been visible across most greens, with the 11th, 12th, and 17th most affected. A fungicide treatment has been applied to control its spread.
Heavy rainfall late in the month has caused some wear and tear, particularly on the 3rd, 14th, and 18th greens, where softer surfaces and grass thinning are noticeable. Scarifying and topdressing will begin from 6th October, followed by additional work such as overseeding with bentgrass to support recovery and strengthen these areas.
Aeration work on fairways has also begun using the Shockwave machine. This process helps relieve compaction, improve drainage, and keep the surfaces in better condition going into winter.
Due to the recent storm and prolonged rainfall, the greenkeeping team has been unable to carry out any mowing since Wednesday 1st October. Once conditions improve, mowing will resume to bring surfaces back to standard as quickly as possible.
Weather & Course Closures -
September brought some significant rainfall across the region. To give some local context:
- Stewarton recorded 75.6 mm of rain this month
- Kilmaurs recorded 91.0 mm
- Kilbirnie recorded 124.6 mm
Our site sits low in the valley and we have experienced rainfall 128mm since the beginning of the month levels closer to Kilbirnie. That volume of water fell in just 4 days, which is enough to challenge even the best-draining golf courses. The burn that runs through the first five holes is the main factor determining course playability — when it rises, it affects surrounding areas quickly.
Closing the course is never taken lightly. It impacts members, the clubhouse team, the pro shop, and the green staff. Every closure decision is made with safety, course protection, and long-term playability in mind. The aim is always to have the course open as often as conditions allow, and improving resilience to heavy weather remains a key target going forward.
Autumn Maintenance Week -
Maintenance week takes place this week. While this essential work can cause some short-term disruption to golf, we’ll do everything we can to keep that to a minimum and keep the course as playable as possible throughout.
During the week, selected greens that retain more moisture will be mini-cored using 8 mm tines, targeting compaction and improving drainage in key areas. All greens will be scarified and sand dressed, which helps remove thatch, firm up surfaces, and create better playing conditions through the winter and into next season.
This work is critical for long-term turf health and performance. Carrying it out now ensures the greens remain resilient to wetter conditions over winter and recover quickly for spring.
Looking Ahead -
As we move into the wetter months, the focus shifts to protecting turf and preventing unnecessary stress.
Over the winter, an additional 20 tonnes of topdressing will be applied. Increasing topdressing volumes in future years will help reduce thatch levels more quickly, improving firmness, consistency, and disease resistance. Greens, approaches and tees will be verti – drained this month.
Course Update-
The course has performed well through September. Leaves are now falling heavily, and the first frost of autumn has arrived. Fusarium patch has been visible across most greens, with the 11th, 12th, and 17th most affected. A fungicide treatment has been applied to control its spread.
Heavy rainfall late in the month has caused some wear and tear, particularly on the 3rd, 14th, and 18th greens, where softer surfaces and grass thinning are noticeable. Scarifying and topdressing will begin from 6th October, followed by additional work such as overseeding with bentgrass to support recovery and strengthen these areas.
Aeration work on fairways has also begun using the Shockwave machine. This process helps relieve compaction, improve drainage, and keep the surfaces in better condition going into winter.
Due to the recent storm and prolonged rainfall, the greenkeeping team has been unable to carry out any mowing since Wednesday 1st October. Once conditions improve, mowing will resume to bring surfaces back to standard as quickly as possible.
Weather & Course Closures -
September brought some significant rainfall across the region. To give some local context:
- Stewarton recorded 75.6 mm of rain this month
- Kilmaurs recorded 91.0 mm
- Kilbirnie recorded 124.6 mm
Our site sits low in the valley and we have experienced rainfall 128mm since the beginning of the month levels closer to Kilbirnie. That volume of water fell in just 4 days, which is enough to challenge even the best-draining golf courses. The burn that runs through the first five holes is the main factor determining course playability — when it rises, it affects surrounding areas quickly.
Closing the course is never taken lightly. It impacts members, the clubhouse team, the pro shop, and the green staff. Every closure decision is made with safety, course protection, and long-term playability in mind. The aim is always to have the course open as often as conditions allow, and improving resilience to heavy weather remains a key target going forward.
Autumn Maintenance Week -
Maintenance week takes place this week. While this essential work can cause some short-term disruption to golf, we’ll do everything we can to keep that to a minimum and keep the course as playable as possible throughout.
During the week, selected greens that retain more moisture will be mini-cored using 8 mm tines, targeting compaction and improving drainage in key areas. All greens will be scarified and sand dressed, which helps remove thatch, firm up surfaces, and create better playing conditions through the winter and into next season.
This work is critical for long-term turf health and performance. Carrying it out now ensures the greens remain resilient to wetter conditions over winter and recover quickly for spring.
Looking Ahead -
As we move into the wetter months, the focus shifts to protecting turf and preventing unnecessary stress.
Over the winter, an additional 20 tonnes of topdressing will be applied. Increasing topdressing volumes in future years will help reduce thatch levels more quickly, improving firmness, consistency, and disease resistance. Greens, approaches and tees will be verti – drained this month.