Superintendent’s Report – February 2018

Summary of works

Like the rest of summer, February saw little rain for the majority of the month.  We did however receive 28mm on the 20^th of February and 90mm over the 25/26^th of February. Whilst the heavy rain over the past few days is welcomed, it does mean extra work in draining and repairing bunkers.

February 2018 …………….Rainfall 150mm   (Average 92mm)

March     2018 …………… Rainfall                (Average 187mm)

As a result of the recent rain our dam water supply is back up to full meaning the fairways will see some water at last.

The month of February has been slightly cooler than January, with an average temperature of 28 degrees. Disease and insect pressure on the greens is still extremely high, and will be for the next few weeks, even more so after the resent rain.

Our main concern at the moment is Corellas, Rabbits and ducks. Whilst the Ducks and Rabbits are doing damage, it’s the Corellas that are ripping the greens up. The back of the 12^th green must get attack every night, while the 7^th green gets done once a week. Two weeks ago the 7^th green received 80, 4 inch plugs to repair damage, (2 guys 8 hours) only to find the next morning all 80 plugs had been damaged by the birds again over night. New plugs were installed.

The greens are going well considering the summer heat. They have enjoyed the slightly cooler temperatures and have responded accordingly. To help the greens retain their moisture, around  the 1^st ,4^th,5^th,6^th,10^th,12^th,13^th,14^th,15^th and 18^th greens we cut a 1 metre deep trench to prune the roots of all nearby trees around these selected greens. In the case of the 1^st green, a 3 inch root was cut entering the back of the 1^st green. All of the other selected greens had numerous of roots entering as well.

The work on the 17^th green surrounds project is complete and looking amazing. To keep this project and other areas looking amazing we need your help, by staying off these areas and sticking to the pathways provided.

 

Works undertaken during January

Greens

• Verti-drained greens twice this month 3 weeks apart to relieve compaction and to help in the aid of fighting disease and summer decline, as well as allowing water to penetrate the surface. We use 8mm tines which go 100mm deep.
• Applications of fungicide targeting Pythium prevention. 4 applications were put out.
• Applications of fungicide targeting Anthracnose and dollar spot prevention. 4 applications were put out.
• Applications of kelp products to aid in root development and disease resistance. 2 applications were put out 3 weeks apart.
• Applications of wetting agent to aid in water penetration, to dry thatch layer and help roots to search for deeper moisture. Applications applied every 2 weeks.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the plant, every 2 weeks.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the soil, every 3 weeks.
• Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health, every 3 weeks.
• Application of soil conditioner.
• Application of Magnesium.
• Application of insecticide.
• Greens are currently getting cut at 4mm, 4 times a week (most weeks during summer)
• Greens are currently getting rolled twice a week (most weeks during summer)
• Holes get changed 5 times a week.

Surrounds

• Surrounds are cut twice a week at 15mm.
• Apron cut around the green is at 6mm and done once a week.
• Surrounds were sprayed with insecticide.
• Green side sprinklers trimmed

Tees

• Tees cut twice a week at 15mm
• Application of liquid kelp fertiliser applied once a month
• Application of wetting agent applied once a month
• Tee sprinklers trimmed
• Tee markers moved everyday

Fairways

• Fairways cut once a week at 18mm.
• Fairway sprinklers trimmed

Bunkers

• All bunkers were edged and the grass edges were sprayed with a growth retardant.
• All bunkers are raked fully 3 times a week and on Saturdays all foot prints are raked out by hand.

Rough

• Rough cut when needed.
• Try and cut around Tees and Greens once a week.

Irrigation / Dams

• Dam water tested once a month for Salt / Sodium levels. 2^nd dam clear, 15^th dam clear
• 2^nd dam over ½ full
• 15^th  dam ¾ full

Staff

Course Superintendent: Mr David Nicholls

Assistant Superintendent: Mr Craig Coleman

Senior Greenkeeper: Mr Mathew Smith

Greenkeeper: Mr Shaun Hill

Groundsmen: Mr Darren Orchard and Mr Peter Ceaser

All work, Course Construction, Machinery setup and repair, Irrigation installation and repair as well Club house maintenance is done in house with the help of F Troop.

Works Planned for March

Greens

• Verti-drain greens
• Applications of fungicide targeting Pythium prevention.
• Applications of fungicide targeting Anthracnose and dollar spot prevention.
• Applications of kelp products to aid in root development and disease resistance.
• Applications of wetting agent to aid in water penetration, to dry thatch layer and help roots to search for deeper moisture.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the plant.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the soil.
• Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health.
• Application of soil conditioner.
• Application of Magnesium.
• Application of insecticide.
• Carry out soil tests on greens. ( This is done twice a year by an outside company)
• Full greens renovation (26^th and 27^th of March)
• Greens cut at 4mm, 4 times a week.
• Greens rolled twice a week.

Surrounds

• Surrounds will get cut twice a week at 15mm.
• Apron cut around the greens at 6mm and done once a week.
• Surrounds sprayed with insecticide.
• Green side sprinklers trimmed around

Tees

• Tees cut twice a week at 15mm
• Application of liquid kelp fertiliser applied once a month
• Application of wetta soil applied once a month
• Tee sprinklers trimmed around
• Tee markers moved everyday

Fairways

• Fairways cut once a week at 18mm.

Bunkers

• All bunkers will be edged and the grass edges will be sprayed with a growth retardant.
• All bunkers will be raked fully 3 times a week and on Saturdays all foot prints will be raked out by hand.

Rough

• Rough cut when needed.
• Plan to cut around Tees and Greens once a week.

Irrigation / Dams

• Dam water tested once a month for Salt / Sodium levels.
• Excavator will be brought in clean out vegetation in dams on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 10^th holes

Unfortunately the excavator company we had lined up to do the dams has pulled out, putting us back to square one. The search is on again to find the right size excavator (not as easy as it sounds) to do the job. This project remains high on our agenda, and we want it done before too long.

Other

• Repair pathways