Summary of works
April brought with it 67mm of rain. The rain came at both ends of the month but was still way down on the average rainfall.
- April 2018……………..Rainfall (Average 160mm)
- May 2018………………Rainfall (Average 88mm)
The average temperature for April was 27 degrees, the same as March.
With most days around the 27 degree mark and a little rain, all turf areas are growing vigorously. The morning temperatures have stayed around the 20 degrees mark, meaning the disease and insect pressure is still around but not quite as high. Last week an insecticide application was put out after seeing insect damage to selected greens.
It has been 4 weeks since the greens were renovated, coming back fantastic. Current cutting height is 4mm and will drop to 3mm in approximately 2 weeks, just want to give the new seed a little more time at the higher height.
As I pointed out last month, we went around to all the greens weaker areas, put out a total of 12kg of PENN A-4 bent seed a cross all 20 greens, most going on the spare green. You would notice on most greens, a number of irregular white areas, these areas were where the weed Creeping Oxalis was. In most cases there was enough bent under the Oxalis to recover and fill in, unfortunately in a couple of areas the weed was too thick resulting in bare areas which have been patched. The whitening of the turf is temporary. The herbicide we use causes a bleaching effect to Bent /Poa turf grass.
Works undertaken during April
Greens
- Applications of fungicide targeting Pythium prevention. 2 applications were put out.
- Applications of fungicide targeting Anthracnose and dollar spot prevention. 2 applications were put out.
- Applications of kelp products to aid in root development and disease resistance. 2 applications were put out 2 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.
- Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health, every 3 weeks.
- Application of soil conditioner.
- Application of insecticide.
- Greens are currently getting cut at 4mm, 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 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. 2nd dam clear, 15th dam clear
- 2nd dam full
- 15th dam full
Other
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 3 weeks.
Works Planned for May
Greens
- Applications of fungicide targeting Winter Fusarium 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.
- Greens cut at 4mm, 4 times a week.
- Greens rolled twice a week.
Surrounds
- Surrounds will get cut once a week at 15mm.
- Apron cut around the greens at 6mm and done once a week.
- Green side sprinklers trimmed around
Tees
- Tees cut once 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 2nd, 3rd and 10th holes
This project remains high on our agenda, and we want it done before too long.
Other
- Removal of all 100 meter markers in the middle of the fairways
- Clean out the garden on the 17th fairway(near tip area)
- More pathway work
- Start a renewal program for the 100m / 150m posts