Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in November 2021

The average temperature during October was 23⁰ with a few warmer days above 30⁰.  There was 86mm of rainfall, most of which fell prior to, or on the 14^th of October. Since then, we have received just 4.2mm of rain which somewhat explains why the course is drying out.

Given golfing numbers are extremely high and the weather is warming up I’m happy with the way the greens have performed throughout October. We have started to see some dry patches develop later in the month due to low rainfall, warmer temperatures and running a tough maintenance regime for the Championships. Despite this the greens are clean of pest and disease and running well. Our scheduled greens renovations have been moved from the 31^st of October to the 21^st of November to accommodate Championships, they will certainly benefit from the renovations.

The tees have been a bit slow to get going but now that we are seeing higher over-night temperatures, we will see better growth. I’m impressed though by the way they are handling the amount of traffic going over them and again ask Members and visitors to PLEASE REPAIR DIVOTS. We may make some progress if players fill their divot and one other left by less considerate golfers.

Organic fertilizer was applied late in October to help the tees through the spring. I intend to give them another verti-drain once Championships are completed.

Fairways are looking healthy, regular fertilizer and PGR applications have helped them obtain a satisfactory cover. The 11^th fairway is taking up a lot of time and effort, but we are seeing a marked improvement. Further root pruning will take place throughout the warmer months.

Turf will also be placed in some of the larger Ground Pearl patches, particularly on 11^th, 13^th and 14^th.

Several bunker “faces” and “lips” require shaping and repairing which we expect to achieve during the summer.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager