Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in December 2020

Predictions of a wet spring were cast aside in November with just 48.5mm of rain, all of which fell at the beginning of the month when we were carrying out the renovations of the greens. We also experienced some nasty weather towards the end of the month with hot, dry winds causing most of the debris on the course. Often by the time we had cleared the fairways the wind had blown the leaves and bark back onto the fairways!

The scheduled greens renovations went ahead on Monday the 2^nd of November. The wet weather meant that we could not top dress the surface, so we opted to use small solid tines and dusted a week. Due to this change we will need to do a mini core of the greens during December. Although we had to make changes to the way the renovations were done the greens have performed very well during November. A small outbreak of “Anthracnose” later in the month affected the poa in some areas but we are well on top of that now and an extra application of Gypsum and organic Acid are scheduled over the coming weeks and months to cater for the increased sodium levels found in recent testing of our irrigation water.

The Tees were renovated with 13mm hollow tines during the early part of the month with cores being broken up with a steel drag mat then blown into the rough. An organic fertiliser was applied followed by a medium top dress with USGA construction sand. Tees have come up a treat with plenty of growth and recovery considering the excessive number of divots and general wear.

Please fill your divots and if waiting on Par 3’s fill those left by less considerate golfers.

The fairways stood up pretty well during November, but Ground Pearl activity is becoming very obvious with the Poa dying off. Granular fertiliser was applied early in the month to encourage growth over thin areas and turfing of Ground Pearl patches was carried out in November on some fairways and will continue in December.

The decline in the presentation of our bunkers over the last two months is due to the break down of the bunker rake machine. We are having difficulty finding replacement parts but hope the situation will be resolved in early December. In the interim we will continue to hand rake the bunkers and with the return to normal use of the bunkers we ask Members to also rake the bunker after use.

1,500 cubic metres of silt, rubbish and weed was removed from the middle dam on 18^th. The creek will be cleaned out once it dries out enough to get equipment in safely. The large dam is currently being treated and should be clear of the brown sediment soon.

We have discovered a leak in the main irrigation line coming out of the 8^th pump shed but this should be rectified by the 11^th of December when we replace a near-by butterfly isolation valve.

I’d like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, all the best for the New Year and let’s hope 2021 nothing like 2020!

Shay Tasker

Course Manager