Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in January 2021
Published Monday, 11th January 2021
A further 81mm of rain fell in December bringing the
annual total to 1,092mm, 59mm above the long-term average for Carnarvon and
490mm more than last year. Dams are at capacity and the course is quite
literally jumping out of the ground.
The greens have handled the wet weather and have remained
firm and are draining quite well. This can be partly attributed to the gypsum
and dusting programs we have put in place.
Unfortunately, the Corellas have taken a liking once
again to the 19th green and have broadened their horizons to the 18th
and 16th greens. Deterrents
have been applied to the greens but only last a week or so making it difficult
to control the damage. The foxes have also taken a liking to the 7th
green and are ripping out old plugs.
The couch grass on our tees is absolutely thriving now and we are really seeing the benefit of the coring and organic fertilizer applications applied in November. In January PGR will be used in low rates to control growth and the build-up of thatch. I am happy with how well the tees are handling the large number of rounds of golf currently being played.
The Par 3 tees are still copping a beating though and the
sand buckets situated on those tees just are not being used enough.
This time last year our fairways were blowing away in the
wind. Currently though, they are green and growing. Primo is being applied
every 2 to 3 weeks to control upward growth. Ground pearl almost seems inactive
with the health and vigour of the turf plant. Regular doses of insecticide are
being applied to control billbug and other pests. Further trials are being
carried out on a couple of fairways for Ground Pearl control and while results will
not be immediately obvious, I hope to see a difference by the end of the season.
A dry spell would certainly help to show the progress we are making in
controlling this pest.
The
motorised bunker rake has been out of action for three months due to the
difficulty in obtaining parts. We finally have the part and once we have this
machine back in action, we will add dome sand to the bunkers and give them some
of the attention they have lacked for 3 months.
Further flocculent applications are required for the dam and
the product is due to be delivered in mid-January which should improve the
colour of the dam. Enquiries have been made with several nurseries to acquire
Native grasses for the dam walls without much success. COVID has seen an uptake
in gardening and the nurseries are struggling to meet demand.
The main line irrigation leak on the 8th has been repaired and a new isolation valve fitted. Repairs were also carried out on one of the foot valves in the 18th dam.
Shay Tasker
Course Manager