Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in June

8mm of rain was recorded for the month with an accumulated total of 12mm for April/May. We had our first frost on the 31^st May which means the tees and greens are susceptible to impact damage from walking or driving across them.

Putting surfaces have been very good over the last month, firm, flat and reasonably paced. Underneath is a slightly different story though, particularly on the older greens such as the 17th. The soil profile really feels the dry weather and lowering of ground water levels. Applications of Gypsum are still required to displace any sodium build up from regular watering. The Greens were aerated with solid tines late in the month to reduce compaction and improve water infiltration. The Green Surrounds will also be aerated in early June for the same reasons. Two applications of a selective herbicide were applied to green edges to control the encroachment of Couch and Kikuyu in to the green surface.

The Tees were holding up well until about mid-May when the cold snap hit, now they are all but dormant. The frost on the 31^st was the last blanket on their “winter dormancy bed”. We now need to spread wear around on the tees to keep the surfaces in as good a condition as possible for the next 8-12 weeks.

Fertilizer application in early May has helped the fairways maintain a bit of colour and growth. Another application will occur in early June but we are starting to notice the effect of the dry weather on some fairway areas, particularly areas where tree root encroachment is a problem. The lack of rainfall and dry soil make it difficult to get any type of insecticide into the ground therefore we are seeing some Ground Pearl activity. Some rain in early June would be helpful and will allow us to proceed with our fairway program.

A further 6 lengths of 300mm stormwater pipe have been added to the creek line beside the chipping green as we continue to improve the practice facility. We have begun to fill voids in the car park, 12 bags of bitumen were used and more will be done in June.

Shay Tasker

Course Manager