Course Managers Report - Around the Greens in June 2022

Published Monday, 27th June 2022

Course Managers Report - Around the Greens in June 2022

May delivered 113mm of rain none of which the course needed. Fortunately, the end of May and the beginning of June have been dryer with some strong winds which are helping to dry things out a touch.

I have said it before but I’m extremely grateful for our gypsum program and what it has done to help us keep the greens in such good condition over the last few months. While disease pressure has been high, we have kept the greens 99% free of any disease or pest activity. Regular verti-draining has also helped with this and will continue with small solid tines throughout winter.

I am very disappointed with the number of pitch marks being left un-repaired on the greens. It takes less than 15 seconds to repair a pitch mark so let’s all take those few seconds to look after our greens.  https://fb.watch/dUZ68UXf60/ 

Green surrounds are holding up thanks to regular gypsum but will require at least 1 verti-drain and renovations in spring.


The tees are in typical winter condition. An application for kikuyu control and Poa pre-emergent has had a slight effect on the couch colour and vigour and the tees are holding full coverage and are completely free of Poa. Winter applications on tees will commence once the wind dies down.

Fairways have taken the brunt of injury from the extended wet weather with low areas and depressions suffering loss of turf. Some of these areas such as parts of the 1st, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th etc will require turfing but most will come back.

I don’t expect much recovery in many of these areas during winter but once we do our spring renovations in August, we should see some fairly rapid recovery through September and October. I would estimate an area of 3000 square metres of turf has been lost at this point and while I can’t predict the weather through winter and into spring, I’d like to think that we can have most of that back by Christmas.

The protective nets on the floating wetlands have been removed and the plants are thriving.

 

Shay Tasker

Course Manager