Spring Course Update

Over the bank holiday weekend the weather was really hot and the golf course suddenly sprung to life. All of the outfield areas such as fairways and roughs really started to grow and we are having to cut them frequently to keep on top of this spring flush.

However the greens are behind with their own growth potential, even though temperatures have started to warm up. We have not really experienced any significant growth on the greens (which isn’t a bad thing, pace wise) and so we are faced with the annual fight of different grasses growing at different rates, as well as the emergence of the Poa seed heads coming to the fore. This can cause bobbles on the green, but we are trying to combat this.

 

A small example of the ongoing issue.

Please Repair Your Pitchmarks.

The greens have received some topdressing to help with smoothness, but without the growth it was difficult for the sand to enter the profile. Once growth picks up, light dustings of dressing will be necessary to improve both smoothness and trueness. Currently we are cutting at 3.75mm on the greens and also using the iron to help the cause. This Golf Club has a reputation for good quality, fast greens and so in the middle of May, we are reasonably happy with the surfaces, considering the winter they went through.

PLEASE Repair Your Pitchmarks.

We must not forget about aeration too and the greens will be tined when competitions and weather conditions allow us to put some air into the soil profile. This will give space for roots to grow deeper and help with any water movement through the profile.

Any Pitchmark, doesn’t have to be yours!

The tees and approaches have all had a feed as well as a growth retardant application to help limit the amount of top growth so that we can keep on top of presentation. We have also reduced the height of the tees, collars and approaches so that a tighter lie is more achievable. These areas will also receive a light topdressing soon to increase their quality. We have cut out some run off areas around the greens too, this helping with playability and presentation. These areas will also be dressed in the future to aid improvement of the sward.

 

Tees Definition

 

People are reporting repairing 15 to 20 a green, this is unacceptable.

As for staff news, we recently lost James to another golf club and we thank him for his service over the last six years, as well as wishing him well as he looks to further his career. The task of replacing James is well underway and hopefully we will be in a position to announce his replacement very soon. Conor, who left us last autumn to go to university, is rejoining for the summer months and his experience of the course and machinery will provide a welcome addition to the team.

Please repair any pitchmark, they tend to be at the front of the greens, whereas your ball may end up near the back.

Obviously when you are short staffed, especially in a small team, it is sometimes impossible to keep on top of every single job you want to carry out and so you have to prioritise. Our main focus at the minute is general course presentation on the larger area. However we know there are areas that need tidying and we will endeavour to carry out these extra tasks as quickly as possible.

 

13th Approach Drain

17th pit culvert repair

 

Such areas include the trees between 3,6 and 13, the tee banks, steps and benches, ditches, the tee sponsorship signs and the bunkers. All these “little” jobs add up to a lot of time in man hours and so we will work our way through the list of jobs we have as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience during this time.

We have managed to tidy some areas up which were left over from late winter. These include raising the level of the ground around the drainage chamber on the left of the 7^th hole. Also we have raised the level of the drain in front of the 13^th green and cleared, re-covered and turfed over the culvert which was affecting the playability of the pit on the 17^th. More of these jobs, including repairing tractor wheel damage from the winter will be carried out as soon as possible. But the main focus is general course presentation, defining the course as it comes to life.



7th Grid

Please help us to produce the best greens possible by searching for and repairing a pitchmark. Thank you.