Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in May 2024

Autumn has arrived! The average maximum temperature is 25 degrees and there was 234mm of rainfall during March. Further rain has fallen in early May, providing us with a wet and soggy leading into winter.

The greens have handled the wet weather very well. We applied some extra Gypsum and did a solid tine verti-draining in the wetter areas  which kept them in tip top condition throughout April. The back edge of the 1^st green along with the front of the 18^th have had and will have further light top dressing of sand to improve water run off and infiltration in those areas.

Selective herbicide has been applied to green edges to control the invasion of Kikuyu into the greens and a second application was applied to Couch collars for the same reason. Growth regulator will remain in the program for Autumn and into winter to help maintain green speed and density.

As expected, the tees have begun to slow down with the cooler weather. With the slower recovery I once again ask all players to fill your divots on tees, and at least one more for those who fail to do so.

A selective herbicide and pre-emergent have been applied to tees to suppress Kikuyu growth and stop Poa from germinating. Soil amendment, root growth stimulators and foliar feeds have also been applied to boost tees into Winter. The 3^rd tee continues to hold on with the extra attention it’s been receiving and I will continue to monitor and manage wear on that tee.

Fairways enjoyed March and handled the weather in April reasonably well. They are beginning to struggle with the continuing rain in early May, holding water in the lower areas.

Turfing of Ground Pearl patches on fairways has wrapped up for the season with further patching scheduled for September/October when weather warms up again. The scarified areas are recovering beautifully with fresh dark growth. We will see the benefit of this into next season with the reduction of thatch providing a better, flatter surface. I hope to scarify and hollow core all fairways in Spring this year, when we will also trial a different method of Ground Pearl patch repair. 

Bunker performance improved during April with drain and sand rejuvenation work carried out early in the month. By the end of the month though, performance began to subside as the old sand just couldn’t cope. As I said last month, work will be carried out in bunkers as weather allows.

We have begun the process of repairing some blocked storm water pipes, most notable of these is the main pipeline that runs under the 16^th fairway. The drain on the 2^nd green is also in the process of being replaced.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager