GREENS REPORT
February Report
Now that the monsoon conditions have subsided slightly it is noticeable that the course has started to dry out. Hopefully this trend will continue and we can expect a continual improvement in conditions. There has been a resumption of routine cutting where it is practical and we can see the benefit of the winter growth on the fairways and the surrounds. The greens have benefited from the winter treatments and the grass quality has been externally assessed and shown to be good, which augers well for the new season. The results of recent soil analysis has shown a welcome reduction in organic matter, indicating a reduction in the thatch layer, but also a reduction in the mineral levels which is probably due leaching in the heavy rainfall we have experienced. This will be addressed in future treatments.
The main issue continues to be the pressure on our existing drainage to cope with the recent conditions. I am pleased to report that one of our staff has now been trained to use a digger so we have the capacity to start to remedy the situation. Over the next 4 weeks work will be underway to dig out the ditches and it is planned that 2,070 metres of them will either be cleared out or new ones created. This will be mainly on the back nine but will include the ditch across the 7th fairway and it is likely that final completion of the work will be later in the season.
A particular area to be tackled will be the 17th where there are several waterlogged areas on the fairway and around the green. The drainage for this hole is through the reed area to the left of the pond and then on past the 18th tee before finally ending up in the stream on the 7th. As the height of the reed area has increased over time the level in the pond has risen to the point where it is above the surrounding areas. This has created the problem but due to the boggy conditions it is not practical to use a digger to dig out the area. It is planned to cut a ditch from the pond in front of the ladies tee and down the side of the path to the drainage system by the 18th tees which will lower the level in the pond and remove the problem in the wet areas.
You will have noticed that we have had a persistent attack of fusareum on the greens over the last few weeks, which is now under control. This fungal disease is not normally associated with winter conditions and tends to thrive in Autumn when it is warm and damp. The fusareum exists as spores in the subsoil and is particularly persistent in layers of thatch. The most effective form of control is cultural by controlling the grasses on the greens and encouraging the presence of bents and fescues as opposed to annual meadow grasses. In the last resort the use of herbicides can control the attack and this can be either preventative, by trying to eliminate the spores in the ground, or curative, by arresting the progress of the disease once it has been identified. Neither treatment is completely effective, especially as the most effective herbicides are being banned by legislation, and the best form of protection still lies in improving the quality of the grasses and subsoil to minimise the spread of the disease.
We should continue to see an improvement in the course condition over the next month.
Regards
Brian Trenbirth
The main issue continues to be the pressure on our existing drainage to cope with the recent conditions. I am pleased to report that one of our staff has now been trained to use a digger so we have the capacity to start to remedy the situation. Over the next 4 weeks work will be underway to dig out the ditches and it is planned that 2,070 metres of them will either be cleared out or new ones created. This will be mainly on the back nine but will include the ditch across the 7th fairway and it is likely that final completion of the work will be later in the season.
A particular area to be tackled will be the 17th where there are several waterlogged areas on the fairway and around the green. The drainage for this hole is through the reed area to the left of the pond and then on past the 18th tee before finally ending up in the stream on the 7th. As the height of the reed area has increased over time the level in the pond has risen to the point where it is above the surrounding areas. This has created the problem but due to the boggy conditions it is not practical to use a digger to dig out the area. It is planned to cut a ditch from the pond in front of the ladies tee and down the side of the path to the drainage system by the 18th tees which will lower the level in the pond and remove the problem in the wet areas.
You will have noticed that we have had a persistent attack of fusareum on the greens over the last few weeks, which is now under control. This fungal disease is not normally associated with winter conditions and tends to thrive in Autumn when it is warm and damp. The fusareum exists as spores in the subsoil and is particularly persistent in layers of thatch. The most effective form of control is cultural by controlling the grasses on the greens and encouraging the presence of bents and fescues as opposed to annual meadow grasses. In the last resort the use of herbicides can control the attack and this can be either preventative, by trying to eliminate the spores in the ground, or curative, by arresting the progress of the disease once it has been identified. Neither treatment is completely effective, especially as the most effective herbicides are being banned by legislation, and the best form of protection still lies in improving the quality of the grasses and subsoil to minimise the spread of the disease.
We should continue to see an improvement in the course condition over the next month.
Regards
Brian Trenbirth