Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in June 2021
Published Wednesday, 9th June 2021
May was mild with an
average maximum temperature of 210 and 70.6mm of rainfall. Our year-to-date
rainfall now stands at 632mm and a dry couple of months now would be beneficial.
Heading into winter the
greens are in fantastic shape and are firming up as they usually do with the
cooler weather. A small solid tine took place in early June to reduce
compaction and increase air flow and water movement through the soil. A small
amount of winter fusarium is evident in some greens and we will be trialling a
“non-chemical” control method. If successful, this will see a reduction of
pesticide use around the course. Selective herbicide was applied to green
perimeters to control kikuyu and couch grass encroachment with fantastic
results.
Tees recovered well from
the Poa/Kikuyu control application in March and are in great condition heading
into June. Pigment and synthetic fertilizer will be applied to keep growth and
colour over winter.
We have begun replacing
plastic chain around the tees with steel chain. This chain is in place to
direct foot traffic onto tees in such a way that wear is spread evenly
along paths and tee banks, reducing the possibility of bare patches forming in
those areas.
Golfers are expected to use the gaps in the chain and not step over the chain to access the tee.
Apart from a few small pre-existing ground pearl patches, and a few tree root affected areas, fairways are in tip top shape. More patching took place in May on the 6th and 9th fairways, the 10th, 13th and 14th are next on the list. We will be carrying out some root pruning over winter to help reduce tree root encroachment on some fairway areas.
Work on the 3rd pot bunker was carried out in May and has now completed its transition from a bunker to a mound. Work will commence in June to repair the faces on bunkers, and we intend to work through all the bunkers as time and the weather allows.
Please rake bunkers after use
Tree work was carried out on the 11th hole clearing the over-hanging and low branches to open up the approach to the green. A couple dead trees from behind the 12th tee were also removed.
A new path is scheduled for construction from the 11th green to the 12th tee during June, again subject to weather conditions. The path will be closer to the boundary fence allowing for better lies for golfers sending their tee shots left off the 11th tee.
Shay Tasker
Course Manager