Superintendent’s Report – July

Summary of works

June brought with it 128mm of rain, spot on the average rainfall for the month.

June 2018………………Rainfall (Average 126mm)
July 2018………………Rainfall (Average 30mm)

The average temperature for June was 18 degrees.

Soil temperature is around the 18 degree mark.

I have purchased a soil moisture meter, which not only measures moisture but also measures Soil Temperature and Electrical Conductivity. We hope this will be a helpful tool during the summer months.

After recent heavy rain, the greens have become open to winter disease, as a result of all the nutrients being flushed out of the plant. Brown Patch was spotted on most greens, and was treated with the correct fungicide. Applications of fertiliser were also added to remove the disease.

With heavy rain come bunker issues. Pumping bunkers and pushing wet sand around takes up a lot of our time. I think in the last month we have had to do this once a week. When we are not working on the bunkers, we are still going around the club testing and tagging electrical cords and servicing our fleet of machinery.

New putting cups have been placed into the greens as well as new flags and 100 new Tournament rakes have been put into the bunkers.

Works undertaken during June

Greens

Application of fungicide targeting Brown Patch and dollar spot.
Application 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 applied every 4 weeks.
Applications of gypsum applied directly to the plant, every 4 weeks.
Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health, every 4 weeks.
Greens are currently getting cut at 3mm, 4 times a week
Greens are currently getting rolled twice a week
Holes get changed 5 times a week.

Surrounds

Surrounds are cut once a week at 15mm.
Apron cut around the green is at 6mm and done once a week.
Green side sprinklers trimmed

Tees

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

Fairways

Fairways cut once a fortnight 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 full
15^th dam full

Moisture Readings

33 % moisture
18 degrees soil temp

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

The holiday period for the boys has started. I have had 2 guys away for a total of 6 weeks.

Works Planned for July