Course Managers Update - Around the Greens in February 2024

January was an unusual month as we had 93mm of rain. The rain has kept things nice and green, and the dam full. We experienced some warm days with an average maximum temperature of 29 degrees.

Humidity was very high with some days staying above 80% all day, creating the perfect environment for fungal disease.

In all though, I’m very grateful for the rain and hope it continues through February.

The greens stood up to the heat and humidity extremely well although we have seen a bit of a build up of sodium (made obvious with the yellowing of the Poa) in our water supply but this has been countered by our soil amendment program.

Greens have been a little softer during January with the, sometimes, unpredicted rain coming after we have conducted our regular summer irrigation program.

The softer greens have seen an increase in pitch marks. I’d like to remind all Members that an un-repaired pitch mark not only inconveniences other golfers, but also creates an avenue for pest and disease access into the plant.

Please repair your pitch marks.

Our tees are in great condition and loving the weather. They are thatching up a little in places which is to be expected at this time of year.

Divots are still an issue, though divot repair has improved over the last few weeks. I’d like to thank those players who are filling not only their own divots but those left by some careless players.

Un-stoppable is the only word we can use to describe fairways at present. Kikuyu just loves warm humid weather and regular rainfall. Some areas are thatchy but as I’ve explained before, this is simply a trait of Kikuyu. We will be hiring in a scarifier in the next few weeks to de-thatch some areas. Regular applications of growth regulators have helped to minimise the thatch build up but unfortunately, they can’t do the job on their own.

Bunkers have been a real thorn in our side this summer. Regular heavy storms are causing flooding and wash outs, taking up a lot of our time to repair and drain. We’re looking forward to growth slowing in the cooler months so we can get in and re-install some bunker drainage and sand.

You may recall the main storm water pipe leading to the 8th dam being blocked, causing significant flooding to the 8th fairway. During January we were able to hire in an 8 tonne excavator to clean the end of the blocked pipe on the 8th fairway. The pipe was found to be blocked by a large Casaurina tree which has now been removed. While the machine was here we began work on extending the 19th tee. We managed to get the majority of the material in place for the sub-base. Material was sourced from the pile of spill located on the 18th hole. The tee work will continue as time and weather permits.

Shay Tasker
Course Manager