Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in December

November was another month of below average rainfall and above average temperatures. Just 26mm of rain fell in November, making for a very dry start to summer. Water rationing has already commenced. Unfortunately as water levels decline, so does the quality. I’ll be keeping a close eye on water quality with testing to be carried out monthly from November until March. We have begun bringing water down from the top dam to supplement the supply.

The Greens are in fantastic shape, despite the dry weather and heat I’m very happy with the way they are performing. They have handled the weather really well with very little dry patch and next to no disease. We made a few changes to our maintenance/amendment program during spring and those changes are paying dividends now. The Greens were renovated with 6mm hollow tines at the beginning of the month and we also began our dusting program in November which will continue throughout the growing season.

The Tees have copped a beating over the last month but will be getting a bit of love over the next month to help them cope. Half a ton of Gypsum was applied in early December to help with Sodium displacement in the soil, this will be followed by an application of organic acid and a ½ inch hollow tine renovation. Construction of the 1^st ladies tee has begun and new irrigation and soil will be going in over the next couple of weeks.

The Fairways have been ok throughout November due to the 7mm of rain which fell on the 25^th just keeping the tinge of green present into December. That tinge has now burned off though and they will now be placed on manual, targeted watering until such time as we receive some decent rain. No turf patching has been carried out for obvious reasons, nor will it either until the rain returns.

There have been a few issues with the ball washers recently. I have spent time rectifying this issue and have replaced several of these ball washers. More have been ordered for December.

The Ground staff and I would like to wish all Members a very Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager