Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in October 2021

The average maximum temperature during September was 21⁰C and the course received 32mm of rain. A few windy days meant we had debris to clean up but overall, the weather during the month was favourable.

As a course manager I love this time of year. The greens are in great condition and have thoroughly enjoyed the mild weather and reduced player numbers. Seed head control has been carried out as per usual and the last remnants of seed should be gone by the beginning of Club Championships. With the delayed start to the championships, we will be rescheduling the October/November renovations to the 21^st & 22^nd of November. We will carry out a small solid tine in early October to help the greens during the busy Championship period.

Tees are waking from their winter nap and recovering well from the early renovation they received in August. Applications of calcium and organics are being well received and will play a pivotal role in their condition in the late spring, early summer period. Apart from one or two tees I’m very happy with the coverage on the tee surfaces. The tees are responding well to the Poa/Kikuyu control program and are mostly clear from these weeds.

After renovations and amendments in August we dropped the height of the mower cut on fairways to 10mm. This has now been raised slightly. Fairways have benefited from this process, as well as regular rainfall, and are currently in great shape leading into the Championship period. A first application of insect preventative and control was carried out in late August and will be followed up regularly over the coming months. Turf will be laid over bare Ground Pearl areas in October and throughout the growing season. The 11^th fairway is improving slowly and will benefit from some planned turfing during Spring. Follow up applications of organics and gypsum are also scheduled for the 11^th fairway, as well as further tree and tree root pruning.

The path on the 14^th has been laid and work is slowly progressing on its surrounds. As per the Grant a new garden at the back of the ladies’ tee will be established and fresh soil and turf around the path will continue to be laid.

The floating wetlands were “sent to sea” in mid-September. They stand out a bit at present with the bright white netting which is protection from birds vandalising or nesting in them while the plants establish. The nets will be removed in March ’22 at which time the effect will be more aesthetically appealing.


Shay Tasker
Course Manager