Course Managers Report - Around the Greens in October 2022

Once again, I write this to the sound of rain falling on the shed roof. In September 93mm of rain fell keeping the course a lot wetter than we would have liked. A further 50mm has fallen in the first 5 days of October making our current YTD rainfall 2,071mm, nearly double the annual average.

The Greens are still holding up well and were looking great heading into the first round of Championships. Fortunately, we were able to follow our amendment/maintenance program, keeping greens in extremely good condition. Poa seed control has been very successful, thanks to the cooler weather during the carrying out of applications.

Most of our tees have picked up somewhat with slightly warmer overnight temperatures and longer days. We are working hard to get full coverage back on the struggling tees with extra fertiliser and pest control applications. Some aggressive tree branch and root pruning will be carried out over some of these areas as soon as possible.

Not much has changed from last month in relation to fairway condition. Outside of the flood affected areas the fairways are great. We are still seeing improvement in those bare areas but constant rain events just keep putting them back. September saw the height of cut being dropped back down to summer lengths. In saying that, I think we only got 2 or 3 cuts on them at this height around rain events.

Generally, we have had some difficulty even getting out onto the course to carry out a lot of our maintenance. The rough is an example of this, it’s just been too wet to get the equipment on the course without causing damage. Bunkers are another example, even with the new bunker bike it’s very difficult to “fluff” sand up when it’s completely water logged. The weather conditions are extremely frustrating for me and the team on the course as we want nothing more than to present the course in its usual pristine condition.

Once again, tree work and progress on the 12^th path has been postponed due to the wet weather. The trial of a blue line on some greens to control cart traffic was well received and golfers generally seemed to follow the instruction. We will continue to use the line in wet conditions when carts are on course. (see here https://www.facebook.com/reel/463349042437536)

I’d just like to add a note here thanking John Kindred for his assistance and support on the course and in the shed. Without his help I feel we’d be in a much worse position, especially with regards to our equipment. Thank you John, your help is greatly appreciated.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager