Course Managers Report - Around the Greens in July 2022
Published Wednesday, 17th August 2022
Just what we didn’t need, 375mm of rainfall. After the
nice weather in June and the improvement seen on the course, July turned the
rain on again.
A warm windy August is what the course needs to bring it
back to its best.
The greens are
in excellent condition with not a spot of disease or pest activity to speak of.
Spring renovations are scheduled for the
17th of August and the Greens will definitely benefit from some
oxygen and soil amendments, which have been flushed from the profile over the
last few months.
Some of our tees are really struggling with the lack of
sunlight and high moisture levels while others are growing well. The variation depends
on their position and wear pattern and this spring will see quite a bit of love
given to tees. Aeration, along with an enhanced soil amendment and nutrition
program will be implemented to improve tee surfaces.
The USGA Course Care video, “Divot Repair Etiquette,” demonstrates the basics of divot repair for both warm- and cool-season grasses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS4wbbtvyU4
Outside of the flood affected areas fairways are in
awesome condition for this time of year. We had seen quite a bit of recovery
inside the bare areas but July rain has put that back slightly. I’m confident
that fairway renovations in August will promote rapid recovery in most of these
areas. Some of the worst patches such as on the 10th, 11th
and 18th may require turf but I’m hoping to get them back with
renovations and TLC. Applications for broad leaf weeds, insect preventative and
soil amendments will also be carried out in August.
Bunkers have
taken a beating over the last few months. During July we cleared drains
and added sand to most of them and work needs to be carried out to repair faces
and get the shapes back where they should be. We will endeavour to do this
during spring.
Shay Tasker
Course Manager