COURSE REPORT

MAY REVIEW:  Some consistent days of high temperatures combined with some heavy rainfall has given us ideal growing conditions so keeping on top of the cutting during the dry periods has been priority.  A growth regulator has been applied to greens, tees, approaches and fairways to try and control the growth and also aids in thickening up the sward.  A selective weed killer and a foliar feed were also applied to these areas.  We carried out our monthly cultural practices on the greens, including a solid tine aeration, a verti cut and a light topdressing. This will continue each month throughout the year.  Foliar and liquid feeds were also applied in line with our fertiliser programme giving the plant a good balance of nutrients and soil conditioners.  We’ve had periods of high disease pressure due to high moisture levels and humid conditions so a fungicide has been applied recently to keep disease in check.

JUNE

Greens:  The greens will be cut 4 – 5 times a week throughout the month, at a height of 4mm, and we will roll on the other days using our ‘True Turf Iron’. This combination will give us more consistent green speeds, which we aim for between 9 – 10 feet on the stimp meter, weather dependent.  Our monthly cultural practices and feeding programme will also be carried out at a time to minimise disruption as much as possible, with competitions in mind.

Tees:  Regular divoting will be carried out and the tees will be aerated using a ¾ inch solid tine. We usually do this every other month to allow oxygen into the profile while the plant is actively growing.  A plant growth regulator and soil conditioners will be applied.  The new 7th tee will continue to be used by the white markers only until it fully establishes.

Fairways/Approaches:  We look to cut the fairways 3 times a week, although this may vary throughout the summer months depending on weather conditions. During drought conditions we may raise the height of cut slightly and lessen the frequency of cut to reduce the amount of stress we put on the plant. At these times, we will also prioritise the irrigation as we try to manage our water sources and adjust the watering programme to water the main ‘hot spots’ and keep the plant ticking over.  Approaches will be aerated and a foliar feed applied.

Semi Rough/Rough:  A selective weed killer will be applied along with a foliar feed to the semi rough and a growth regulator will be applied to selected areas of rough to slow growth down.

Other:  We will look to work through areas of G.U.R by preparing and either turfing or seeding.  Adding material and re-levelling of paths will be started and will be ongoing.

Mark Ogden

Course Manager