Birdboxes

Birdboxes

 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3gba0fz4ehu9q3w/Old%20Links%20Nestboxes.docx

Ninth Winter Tee

Ninth Winter Tee

 

A winter tee has been reconstructed on the ninth hole. This was done many years ago but over the years it has been left to grow. Therefore we strimmed the area down, removed any thick clumps of rush grass, added more fresh sandy soil and returfed the area.





Tee after strimming

 

 

After soil and turf

 

The area is still needing more time for the turf to properly knit together but as soon as it is fit, we can use it. A major benefit to using this tee in the winter is that it takes a lot of wear and tear away from behind the 8th green, which is prone to waterlogging.

 



Ninth Green

Ninth Green

 

 

The ninth green has become very wet this autumn and it appears that it is struggling to dry out. We have had a few exploratory digs around the area to find out if there was a fundamental problem but it appears that, just like some of the greens down the bottom of the course, it is a very thatchy green that will only really improve with the installation of some drainage.

 

This problem was discussed at a recent directors meeting and the decision was made to install some drains through the worst sections of the green. Therefore this week we have started this work as the green would be out of play anyway due to its present condition.

 

Drains - Turf Cut



 

This work will continue at present, albeit at a slow pace due to weather conditions, staff holidays, Christmas week etc but it will be completed as soon as possible. I will keep you updated of its progress.

 

Trench Cut Front Left To Catch Water Running On



 

As the green is too soft for major machinery we are using a pedestrian trencher on boards to cut the drains. The debris is being removed by hand.

 

At the same time we have removed some turf at the back left of the green. In this area some soil has been taken away to create a small swail to take water away from that area. 

 

Swail created to take water away from back left

 

The green has now been completed and a germination sheet has been placed over the cut turf to hopefully aid it in its recovery during the oncoming cold weather.

 

 

Aquadyne placed in trenches

 

 

Turf put back on trench lines. Edges Forked.

 

 

Boards used to reduce wear

 

 

Drain runs into an existing pipe drain.

 

 

Germination sheet pegged onto laid turf.

 

 

The Aquadyne was placed in the trenches and then rootzone was added to top up the trench, before the turf was replaced. The rootzone was made up of a sand soil mix to try and avoid  the chance of the trenches drying out in the summer. The green is very thatchy and extra work this year will be required to help to firm up the surface, as it is very soft and holding water. The drains will help but they are not an entire solution. More hollow coring, sanding and spiking will be required to provide better surfaces.





Woodland Management

Woodland Management

 

 

During times when we have had frosts we have been busy working on our woodland management plans. There are many different types of tree and bush in our habitats and they are being identified, inspected and plans are being made for the best way to manage the sites so they flourish for years to come.

 

Log Piles

We have removed dead or dying material and the waste has been recycled in two ways. Firstly some log piles have been constructed which are a valuable habitat for many insects and fungi. Birds can feed off these insects. Secondly the smaller branches have been fed through a chipper so that they can be laid on some muddy areas at the end of certain paths.

 

 

Clear woodland

 

Apart from the ecological factor of this management there is a major benefit for the golfer. Firstly it will be much easier for someone who hits a stray drive into the area to find their ball. It will still require a well played shot to return to the fairway or green. Secondly thinning the woodland means that there will be a lot more light and air/wind that is allowed to enter the main playing areas. This will mean less time spent in frost and drier conditions.

 

There are many areas to tackle around the golf course and so this will be an ongoing operation when time, money and resources allow. 

 



 



Hollow Coring

Hollow Coring

 

Once the season had finished we embarked on the process of hollow coring our greens. The reason for doing this is for soil exchange. We take out the thatchy material which holds moisture and replace it with a more free draining sandy topdressing.



 

Dried sand added to green

 





 

Holes Filled

 

In order to achieve the best results we have had the sand dried before delivery in order to remove all moisture. This way when applied to the green the sand simply falls down the holes making hundreds of little drainage holes all over the green.

It is important to remember that although we hollow core all over the green, we are actually only taking out around 5% of the thatch in one go.

 

Obviously carrying out this operation earlier in the season, ie August/ September time would mean that recovery would be much faster. However it is better to do it than not at all. The greens are thatchy and continuous works are in order to make them the best they can be. Aeration work such as solid spiking and slitting will continue throughout the winter.

March 14: The remaining greens have now been cored and sand filled. Recovery of these greens will be far quicker due to the increase in temperatures. Also we had a demonstration of a brilliant piece of kit called the Sweep and Fill brush. This set of rotating brushes flicks the sand into the holes and moves the sand where it needs to go.

 

 



This machine can also be used to groom the grass, i.e. stand up the grass blades to provide a better cut. This would allow for smoother and faster surfaces. It can be used after topdressing or on its own as a stand alone brush. It also can be used to stripe rough grasses for improved presentation.