HEAD GREENKEEPERS REPORT

Barry Walker

 APRIL 2012

Greens

The hollow-coring has been completed.  

Over-seeding and a base fertiliser have been applied whilst the holes were open.   An initial 35 tonne of pure sand was also applied followed up with 40 tonne of 70/30 sand/loamy soil mix.  

There are still the odd areas where holes are open but due to the physical stress brushing in has on the grass plant we have rested this operation for a week.  

Light dressings will resume on a weekly basis to assist in the levelling of the playing surface.  

Although we have had a dry spring, there is plenty of moisture in the sub-structure of the greens.   The appearance of a very dry surface is in fact the sand dressing sitting on the top.  

We have applied a light irrigation to assist the dressing into the sward, however due to the cold mornings any heavy watering would lower the soil temperatures and impede growth.  

The greens programme and processes aim to reduce the thatch levels (organic layer) and encourage root development throughout the structure.   This will encourage a stronger and finer sward (more desirable grasses) thereby providing a more durable and consistent putting surface.     

The sub-structure will be monitored on a daily basis to determine the need for watering.   The policy followed to achieve the desirable standards will be to water to keep the grass plant alive in line with the recommendations set out by the R'n'A (Royal and Ancient) and STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute).   Over watering will encourage courser grasses, shallow rooting and an increase in organic layer (thatch); therefore producing a soft, slow surface which is prone to disease.

Tees

All summer tees are now in play.   Divoting will be carried out on a weekly basis.

Fairways

The fairways will be divoted this month.

Bunkers

Bunkers have been fly-mowed and strimmed and a deep raking has taken place and sand moved where necessary.

General Comments

The new plants and turf across the 18^th are being watered as often as possible.

There are new rakes in the front bunkers of all the greens.

All fences around the course have been checked and repaired where necessary.

A preventative fungicide has been applied to the greens.

A tonic will be applied to the greens to help with germination and root development.

The cutting programme has been re-worked to enable more processes to be carried out on the putting surface for greater playability and consistency.