Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in June 2024

Most of 129mm of rain we experienced fell in the middle of the month resulting in another wet month. We know autumn is here when the average maximum temperature for the month is 21 degrees. Heavy rain at the beginning of May has ensured our start to Winter will be much soggier than we would like. The weather has such a massive impact on our day-to-day maintenance and programming, as you’ll see throughout the report.

Given the amount of rainfall and traffic received by the greens over the last month, I’m very happy with their condition. Speeds have increased to an average of 10’ 2”. Cutting frequency has been decreased slightly to keep on top of speeds. We have seen a few small patches of fungal disease in some areas due to the prolonged wet weather and cloud cover. However, these patches are very small and are of no consequence to the golf ball. Early June will see the use of the “Air2G2” over our greens. This is a form of aeration where hollow tines are pushed down into the profile and pressurised air is expelled into the soil. This will help relieve compaction and assist with air and water movement within the soil profile without the disruption of verti-draining.

The tees are well on their way to dormancy. Couch grass on the tee tops has all but stopped growing. With this, I highlight once again the importance of repairing divots on tees, particularly the par 3 tees. A second application of selective herbicide has been applied to tees to control the invasion of Kikuyu. Pigment will be applied throughout winter to keep the colour up and promote as much growth as possible.

I am very happy with fairway surfaces going into Winter. Some areas have suffered with run off and water sitting in low areas. Light rates of fertiliser have been applied to promote some growth. Non-chemical control/preventative applications for fungal disease have also gone out as disease pressure remains high given the wet weather, cooler temperatures and shorter days. We will look at the possibility of applying a pigment in June depending on colour and turf quality/presentation.

The bunkers have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride during May. The wet weather obviously had an effect on them but they recovered well once they dried out. Unfortunately, they didn’t get much time in the sun as the rain returned late in the month and continued in early June. Work has commenced on the 9^th bunker with old sand and drainage being removed. New drainage has been installed and the gravel layer will be going in very shortly.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager