Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in March 2024

The very sticky and uncomfortable February weather may have been horrible for us, but it was fantastic grass growing weather. We had an average maximum of 30 degrees and a lot of humidity and110mm of rain fell in February, which was just enough to keep everything green and growing.

The Greens held up well in February given the petri-dish conditions applying high disease pressure. I’m very happy with how the greens performed during summer and have come through once again with full coverage and little to no pest or disease activity. The Greens will benefit from the Autumn renovations which took place on the 3^rd and 4^th of March. Small 8mm hollow tines were used with sand and soil amendments applied. The Corellas have extended their range of greens and are now attacking the 16^th, 5^th and others. If you do see a Corella on a green, please go out of your way to scare it off as they cause significant damage to the green surfaces.

Couch tees are thriving in this warm humid weather, and we are cutting tees twice a week to keep on top of them. The 3^rd tee has 100% coverage and is battling on, although it is showing signs of wear on the back half. We will continue to give that tee the extra attention required to keep it in shape and we may look at over-sowing with rye for the winter. Organic fertilisers will be applied in Autumn as well as pre-emergent to prevent the infestation of Poa-annua.

Like the tees, our Kikuyu fairways are loving the warm humid weather. Cutting 3 times per week and regular growth regulator applications barely stops it. Turf patching was carried out on Ground Pearl patches and will continue into March and April. De-thatching of some fairway areas will take place in March. Corellas, ibis and to a lesser extent, Crows are causing a bit of damage to fairway surfaces and as with greens, I ask that if possible and safe to do so, please scare the birds off these surfaces.

The bunkers have been a menace with the rain during February but have come good later in the month. Sand has been added to a few with another 20 tonne of sand being delivered in early March. We will give more attention to the bunkers when the grass eventually slows down and requires less mowing.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager