Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in January

Our annual total rainfall for 2018 was 733mm even though this was 400mm below average the course benefitted from 123.5mm in December. The ground staff spent a lot of time in December cleaning up storm damage and clearing debris from the fairways.

The greens loved the milder weather and rainfall and have handled the hot change over Christmas well. The greens were Verti-drained early in the New Year with 8mm solid tines to reduce compaction and allow oxygen/gas exchange, they were rolled soon after and there was no disruption to play.

The tees are in their prime in this hot/humid/wet weather and a second application of growth regulator to tee surfaces to mean they are tight and flat.

Thatch build up on the fairways has been limited so far by the application of a growth regulator, but it is starting to build up in healthier areas, such as the 8^th fairway. Ground Pearl patches were turfed on the 17^th fairway during December and the turf patching of fairways will continue with more turf coming throughout January.

The bunkers copped a beating with the heavy rain in December, requiring pumping on 4 occasions, 2 of which were on consecutive days.

Our irrigation system survived the storm activity in December without damage from lightning or flooding.

I would like to thank all the members and guests who are repairing divots and raking bunkers and helping to maintain our golf course.

Shay Tasker

Course Manager