Course Managers Report - Around the Greens in April 2022

Six hundred and sixty-one, yes that’s 661mm or 26 inches of rainfall over 20 days in March. When you add to that an average maximum temperature of 25⁰ you end up with horrendous weather!

Given the circumstances the greens have held up reasonably well. Obviously, there were times during the month when we were unable to cut the greens or add pesticides but they have held on remarkably well. Fortunately, we were able to get hollow tines over the greens twice in the month to relieve some pressure and I’m glad to report that we have only lost a very small patch of grass at the very front of the 18^th green, where the slope meets the elevated collar. Going forward there will be extra gypsum applications to help repair soil structure, and hollow tining to get the air into the soil profile. Control of Kikuyu runners around the edges of greens has also been carried out.

We’re seeing the benefit of gypsum applications carried out in February with tees draining well and maintaining relative vigour. The tees have managed irregular maintenance and low light levels quite well and a positive in this weather is to see the tees without divots on them.  I hope this continues when golf returns, and members and guests fill their divots.

Low lying areas and depressions in fairways have had surface water sitting in them for up to 4 of the last 6 weeks. I feel that we may have already lost this turf to suffocation.

After the first lot of rain fairways were spiked to improve drainage and air movement which helped considerably, and we even saw some new growth. But with the second and third lots of rain putting these areas back under water, the condition has gone backwards very quickly. These areas will be monitored over the next few weeks as they dry out, and a decision will be made as how to best get them back. Turf on fairways otherwise is in superb condition.


Shay Tasker
Course Manager