Greenkeepers Blog

We received 348.5mm of rainfall during the month of March, with 300mm falling on the course for the 3 days of the 19th, 20th, 21st.

The overall condition of the course is good, considering the wet weather.

There has been several water and soil tests carried out over the past couple of weeks. The purpose of these test is to hopefully highlight any problems on the course and there connection with the quality of the water used for irrigation. This water is supplied to the golf course from the Bombo sewer works. We will be able to start a long term program to amend any irregularities found with the tests.

Greens

Greens are in good condition with a smooth and consistent surface, they should be in top condition for the A pennant final and Kiama open in early April. Recent verti- cutting has helped to maintain a true and consistent surface.

The wet weather has bought a lot of the worms to the surface in some of the greens, notably the 9th and 18th resulting in little piles of soil being deposited on the greens these are know as worm castings. They are easily removed when greens are cut on a daily basis.

Tees

Tees are in good condition overall with exception to the 10th 11th and 18th tees. The 18th will be renovated and re-turfed in the near future.

The tees have been fertilised with a slow release granular fertiliser to help maintain growth and colour as we approach the cooler months.

Fairways

The fairways suffered from several stress factors over the last few months that culminated in the loss of some turf areas as a result of disease infestation. These factors include:

• The drought stress experienced in mid January caused by irrigation faults.
• The use of the older John Deere fairway mower for 6 weeks while the Toro was being repaired, this resulted in a poorer quality cut of the turf that caused the scalping of some areas, and made the turf more susceptible to disease attack.
• I applied a herbicide in early February to control the Oxalis (little yellow weed) in the fairways. This application probably contributed to the overall decline of the turf surface, although only recommended rates were used, the turf resistance to the chemical was reduced due to the above factors.
• The notable absent of wintergrass in the fairways has probably highlighted the bare areas were the Kikuyu has suffered from the disease.

The disease seemed to strike in the same positions as last year eg first fairway, which has allowed me to identify the areas that need a major renovation to prevent any future repeat problems. This renovation will include:

• The rotary hoeing of the surface to break up the compacted soil structure.
• The addition of any soil amendments required eg Gypsum
• The re-turfing of the area with 50mm + cut turf from the practice fairway, this turf should recover quickly.

Bunkers

Trimming and relocation has been carried out as normal maintenance.

The bunker on the 5th has been re shaped due to the large wash out that resulted from the heavy rain.

Machinery

Justin has been kept busy in the greenkeepers shed with a lot of scheduled maintenance, and improvement to the overall operation of all the machinery.

Trees and Garden

Maintenance of the clubhouse gardens and surrounds is continuing as well as maintenance to the gardens on 5th, 11th and 17th tees.

Pathways

No work on pathways has been carried out during March.

Vandalism

The usual missing flag stick on the 10th green continues on a weekly basis.

Other projects

• Garden work, trimming and mulching.
• Round up spraying under pine trees gardens and course boundaries.
• Tree maintenance.

Thank You
Mark Yates