Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in October

In September 85mm of rain fell, 60mm of it in one dump! The rain provided a bit of relief for our fairways and a flush for the greens. September was one of the driest and coolest Septembers on record, so the rain didn’t do much for the course in terms of spring growth.

The Greens have been slow to come back from renovations due to the cooler weather coupled with the Poa seed control program. The greens will improve as the weather warms up and the plant grows out of these regulatory effects. Greens were dusted with top dressing sand in September and will be again during October, this will help to smooth surfaces and reduce thatch.

The Tees have also been slow to recover from their renovation with the continuing cool weather but with fertilizing and good rainfall they will come back.

The Fairways are looking much better than they have in recent months after September’s downpour. Two applications of fertilizer and wetting agent have been applied to encourage growth over the thinner areas. 

A further 450sqm of turf has been laid in bare areas. We spread a granular fertilizer to take full advantage of the recent October rainfall and this should see fairway surfaces returning to the vicinity of their former glory.

The Bunkers have been trouble free during September with only regular maintenance and some shifting of sand required.

The 5^th pathway has been opened for use and I am pleased with the way traffic is being moved through the area. The benefit of new chains around tees is being noticed with reduced/shared wear on tee banks. This is especially noticeable on the 12^th and 8^th tee banks.

Artificial grass has been installed in the practice nets, with only the entrance path to be completed soon.

A new “Hole of the day” sign has been placed on the course. Members and visitors are asked to simply use up their sand buckets in divots on the nominated hole.

Thank you to all who have taken notice of the sign and filled divots so no one has to play out of this!