Course Manager's Report
The Greens StaffBack Row Left to Right:
Carl Morgan (Greenkeeper 18yrs).
Alan Fletcher (Mechanic 37yrs).
Paul Whilton (Greenkeeper 18yrs).
Stephen Gleve (Greenkeeper 22yrs).
Front Row Left to Right:
Rhys Thomas (Course Manager 12yrs).
Andrew Richards (Assistant Course Manager 20yrs).
Course Report 6th January 2012
Total Rainfall for 2011 - 352mm (14")
Average Annual Rainfall - 626mm (25")
Rainfall to date to 5th January 15mm.
Greens
Greens 1,4,3,7,9,18 had been aerated the week before the Yuletide
Pro-Am with the Toro Procore Machine as these greens are most
susceptible to flooding in the winter. Heavy frost followed by rain
flooded the greens on the 19th December, except for the ones which had
been spiked. The Toro Procore Machine would but be a valuable asset to
our machinery fleet, not only for the greens but for its flexibility
around the bunkers and walk off areas and tees. We would be able to use
this machine earlier in wet conditions allowing the greens to be
playable quicker. This machine would not leave wheel marks, unlike the
tractor and spiker combined, and would also improve the grass quality
around the traffic routes.
The greens were slit week commencing 26th December to increase water
penetration. This will continue on a weekly basis and alternated with
the Procore Machine when available. Following soil samples taken in
December, we have made some improvements in reducing our organic matter
throughout 2011, but we still have some way to go to reach our target
levels detailed in the results. To reach the target we are looking at
micro-tining the greens in February, March, April and again in October
this will be followed by topdressing and rolling.
At the end of December a foliar feed of Potassium and Go Green was applied and a wetting agent.
Foliar feeds of seaweed and iron will sustain the plant growth and colour until the initial main application of fertiliser in March.
At the end of December a foliar feed of Potassium and Go Green was applied and a wetting agent.
Foliar feeds of seaweed and iron will sustain the plant growth and colour until the initial main application of fertiliser in March.
Tees
The posts and chain have been installed on the first tee. Astroturf
has been placed along the edge of the tee to reduce wear when walking
on to the tee.
A tee mat has been installed on the second tee and a trolley park installed adjacent to the tee. The turf on the second tee will be utilised around the course on the bare and weak areas if the turf will lift.
Soil for the extension to the second tee will be brought up from the bottom field when the ground conditions allow.
The steps have been constructed on to the winter mat on the sixth hole. The other steps in the middle of the tee will be refurbished.
The tees will be vertidrained and fertilised.
Chafer grubs have been a problem in certain areas especially on the tees and surrounds to the greens. A programme to control them will be budgeted for in the spring and autumn.
A tee mat has been installed on the second tee and a trolley park installed adjacent to the tee. The turf on the second tee will be utilised around the course on the bare and weak areas if the turf will lift.
Soil for the extension to the second tee will be brought up from the bottom field when the ground conditions allow.
The steps have been constructed on to the winter mat on the sixth hole. The other steps in the middle of the tee will be refurbished.
The tees will be vertidrained and fertilised.
Chafer grubs have been a problem in certain areas especially on the tees and surrounds to the greens. A programme to control them will be budgeted for in the spring and autumn.
Fairways
The fairways have been verti-drained to a depth of 8. This depth will be increased next time now that the compaction has been decreased and water penetration through the surface will allow deeper tine depth.
Approaches and Greens Banks
The approaches are to be tined and fertiliser applied prior to March. Over seeding will be carried out when the weather conditions allow growth.
Practice Area
Soil for the extension to the practice tee will be brought up from the bottom field when the ground conditions allow.
Trees
The high winds of late have felled several tree branches on the course and these been removed as required.
3 of the 5 Leylandii trees by the 10th green have been removed. The remaining two will be done and the stumps ground down.
The fairways have been verti-drained to a depth of 8. This depth will be increased next time now that the compaction has been decreased and water penetration through the surface will allow deeper tine depth.
Approaches and Greens Banks
The approaches are to be tined and fertiliser applied prior to March. Over seeding will be carried out when the weather conditions allow growth.
Practice Area
Soil for the extension to the practice tee will be brought up from the bottom field when the ground conditions allow.
Trees
The high winds of late have felled several tree branches on the course and these been removed as required.
3 of the 5 Leylandii trees by the 10th green have been removed. The remaining two will be done and the stumps ground down.
Irrigation
The survey has been completed and the bore hole is achievable, we now need to follow up requirements for planning permission with the council regarding a new water tank.
Winter Project Jan- Feb
2nd Tee, 10th Tee, soil to driving range and the lighting along the pathway to the visitors car park.
Machinery
Winter serving is on going.
FROST ON COMPETITION DAYS
The survey has been completed and the bore hole is achievable, we now need to follow up requirements for planning permission with the council regarding a new water tank.
Winter Project Jan- Feb
2nd Tee, 10th Tee, soil to driving range and the lighting along the pathway to the visitors car park.
Machinery
Winter serving is on going.
FROST ON COMPETITION DAYS
If the greens are covered in white frost on competition days in the
winter, temporary greens will be in operation. They will remain on the
temporary greens until the competition has finished. This is the
decision of the General Committee.
Frost is basically frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle. A grass blade is actually 90 percent water, therefore it also freezes. Due to the fragile nature of the grass when white frost is present on the putting surface, the greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls to rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. When the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together.
Golfers who ignore frost delays will not see immediate damage. The proof generally comes 48-72 hours later as the plant leaves turn black and die. The result is a thinning of the putting surface and a weakening of the plant. The greens in turn become more susceptible to disease and weeds. While it may not appear to be much of an issue if a fourball begins play early on frost-covered greens, consider the number of footprints that may occur on any given hole by one person - pproximately 60. Multiply that by 18 holes with an average of 100 rounds per day and the result is 108,000 footprints on greens in a day or 3,240,000 in a month.
Winter Programme
Frost is basically frozen dew that has crystallized on the grass, making it hard and brittle. A grass blade is actually 90 percent water, therefore it also freezes. Due to the fragile nature of the grass when white frost is present on the putting surface, the greens are most affected by frost. Walking on frost-covered greens causes the plant to break and cell walls to rupture, thereby losing its ability to function normally. When the membrane is broken, much like an egg, it cannot be put back together.
Golfers who ignore frost delays will not see immediate damage. The proof generally comes 48-72 hours later as the plant leaves turn black and die. The result is a thinning of the putting surface and a weakening of the plant. The greens in turn become more susceptible to disease and weeds. While it may not appear to be much of an issue if a fourball begins play early on frost-covered greens, consider the number of footprints that may occur on any given hole by one person - pproximately 60. Multiply that by 18 holes with an average of 100 rounds per day and the result is 108,000 footprints on greens in a day or 3,240,000 in a month.
Winter Programme
Listed
below is our outline Winter Programme for 2011/2012. This is very much
weather dependant but it is out intention to have this work finished by
the end of March.
Bare Areas
Walk off areas and around bunkers which are high traffic areas will be returfed.
Greens
Weekly slitting. Rolling 2 to 3 times per week.
Monthly applications of turf hardener and iron.
Disease treatment as required.
Tees
Re-level 5th tee.
Re-level 10th medal tee.
Extend 2nd tee forward and re-level.
Extend driving range tees to the right.
Re-level 10th forward tee if time.
Fairways
Slit 10 times if ground conditions allow.
Vertidrain 3 times before March.
Trees
Remove 5 evergreen trees on the 10th hole to allow other trees to mature.
Prune trees on 11th and 13th around the green to improve light and airflow.
Remove identified dead trees.
Other projects
Install lighting along the pathway to visitors car park.
Install new steps adjacent to the 6th winter mat.
Install new posts and chain each side of the first tee.
Rhys Thomas, Course Manager