Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in October 2025

Rainfall and Weather
October was exceptionally dry, recording only 15mm of rainfall for the entire month, with nearly two-thirds of that total falling on the last day. The average maximum temperature reached 28 degrees, and there were even a couple of days when the mercury soared close to 40 degrees. Looking ahead, we are hoping for increased rainfall during November and into the Christmas period to help the course recover and thrive.

Greens
Throughout October, the greens performed exceptionally well despite the dry, windy conditions. Green speeds averaged 10 feet 8 inches during championships, and the quality of the playing surfaces has been highly satisfactory. Prior to the scheduled renovations on the 9th and 10th of November, soil testing has been completed to ensure the best possible outcomes. The renovation process will involve the use of an 8mm hollow tine, the addition of soil amendments, and a layer of sand. This year, a new piece of renovation equipment will be demonstrated on the putting green. The machine utilises high-pressure water to create holes in the soil profile and simultaneously pulls sand into these holes in a single action, resulting in a renovated green with sand-filled core holes.

Tees
The warm weather in October has led to significant improvement in the tees, particularly on holes 3 and 12, while the remainder are in excellent condition.

All players are reminded that applying sand to divots, especially on the par 3 tees, assists tee recovery.

Tee renovations are scheduled for November following the completion of the greens and will be carried out over several days to avoid disrupting the golf program. The process will include a 19mm hollow tine, with the extracted cores and spoil being rubbed back into the tee.

Fairways
The fairways have also coped well with the dry conditions, though by the end of the month, the need for rain became apparent. Regular applications of fertiliser and pigment have helped to maintain their health and supported their recovery from winter. A granular fertiliser was applied just before the rain at the end of October, and its effects should start to show in early November. We are now on the fourth application of the latest Ground Pearl trial product, which appears to be yielding positive results. Monitoring will continue as we enter the active months for this species. Plans are also in place to carry out fairway renovations during November, involving scarifying with a trail-behind unit and coring with the Ventrac. As always, the schedule will depend on the weather, and work will be spread over several days to minimise any impact on the golf program.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager