A nice taste of spring this week with temperatures hitting 18 degrees, then brought straight back down to earth. Temperatures dipping down in the coming week with a frosts forecast This can be a tricky time of year for greenkeepers. Producing a smooth surface can be very challenging. There are a few reasons why it can be a challenge; the soil temperature has not reached the magic number for meadow grass (Poa annua) to grow consistently, the grass plant is growing down a tine hole producing a healthier more vigorous plant giving the impression there are tufts of grass, meadow grass is producing seed heads, cold night time temperatures. We have some good tools at our disposal to try and help combat uneven growth. Regular light top dressing, verticle mowing (verti-cutting), foliar/liquid feeding the plant (spraying with low water volumes helps the plant leaf take up the nutrition). Foliar feeding is our preferred method this time of year. Slow growth and cold temperatures means the grass plant is unable to uptake and convert the nutrients in a granular product. Foliar/liquid applied fertiliser is sprayed onto the leave allowing it to absorb into the tissue of the plant and translocate to where the nutrition can be converted into food.
Fairways have had a feed, herbicide and iron applied this week to keep them ticking over and to help recovery of some of the damage caused by worms in the winter. See pictures below.
Fairways have had a feed, herbicide and iron applied this week to keep them ticking over and to help recovery of some of the damage caused by worms in the winter. See pictures below.
Approaches have had a fertiliser applied to give them a much needed kick start. This was back in February. This product will last 12-16 weeks which by then we will be into our foliar/liquid/GPR feeding programme, same applies to the tees. See pictures below.
STRI Visit
The Agronomist from the STRI came to the club on Wednesday 13th April for his first visit of the year. See bullet points below from visit. See club website for full report.
- localised areas of the greens have experienced sward thinning commonly through traffic and on/off routes and through areas of wear such as water collecting points and perimeter clean up cuts.
- Continued wet conditions has encouraged formation of algae squidge in the bare areas which is stunting recovery.
- play during the last wet winter has resulted in soil compaction which is reducing drainage potential. Soil moisture levels remain high but greens beginning to firm up.
- The weakest green the, 1st ideally requires drainage to bypass impermeable soils.
- There is evidence of improving winter conditions through green approaches. Improvement will take time and wear and compaction is still seen in the more vulnerable low points i.e. 3rd approach.
- Bunker and path improvements are superb and work has been executed with care and attention.
From my point view it was a positive report. Our soil moisture content was slightly high but our organic matter (thatch) levels have improved slightly in the top 20mm (6%) which is great considering how wet the winter was. An even bigger improvement in the 20mm - 40mm (4.4%) a reduction of 14% on last years.
The worn areas are caused by greens mowers and traffic from golfers as well as the ever increasing winter societies. if you notice most of these areas are at the front or on the sides where golfers walk to the next tee and our mowers cut around the perimeter of the green. Theses areas have been double verti cut to provide a seed bed. We will be pre-germinating bent seed (Agrostis). Soaking it in water for 24 hours allowing the seed to take up water. Dry it out on a tarp for 48 hours in a warm room or until is chits (shows first signs of emerging) then sow the seeds. This process will help us with establishment but unfortunately we may have to wait until it warms up a bit.
Approaches have improved a lot from last winter. Last year the 17th was totally unplayable and constantly water logged. This year we have only had wet spots at the very front and back of the approach, 75% has been firm and playable through the winter. The deep tine aeration and dressing programme is starting to pay off. Other improving approaches 4th, 7th, 8th,14th, 16th, definantly improvements on last year although still a way to go. unfortunately the 5th approach took a big step backwards. Some of this damage was caused by the bunker project, this area is also situated on red clay.
Stimp meter reading was 9ft 2"
Truness reading was slightly under target range.
Smoothness was considerably under target range.
Firmness was really good.
- localised areas of the greens have experienced sward thinning commonly through traffic and on/off routes and through areas of wear such as water collecting points and perimeter clean up cuts.
- Continued wet conditions has encouraged formation of algae squidge in the bare areas which is stunting recovery.
- play during the last wet winter has resulted in soil compaction which is reducing drainage potential. Soil moisture levels remain high but greens beginning to firm up.
- The weakest green the, 1st ideally requires drainage to bypass impermeable soils.
- There is evidence of improving winter conditions through green approaches. Improvement will take time and wear and compaction is still seen in the more vulnerable low points i.e. 3rd approach.
- Bunker and path improvements are superb and work has been executed with care and attention.
From my point view it was a positive report. Our soil moisture content was slightly high but our organic matter (thatch) levels have improved slightly in the top 20mm (6%) which is great considering how wet the winter was. An even bigger improvement in the 20mm - 40mm (4.4%) a reduction of 14% on last years.
The worn areas are caused by greens mowers and traffic from golfers as well as the ever increasing winter societies. if you notice most of these areas are at the front or on the sides where golfers walk to the next tee and our mowers cut around the perimeter of the green. Theses areas have been double verti cut to provide a seed bed. We will be pre-germinating bent seed (Agrostis). Soaking it in water for 24 hours allowing the seed to take up water. Dry it out on a tarp for 48 hours in a warm room or until is chits (shows first signs of emerging) then sow the seeds. This process will help us with establishment but unfortunately we may have to wait until it warms up a bit.
Approaches have improved a lot from last winter. Last year the 17th was totally unplayable and constantly water logged. This year we have only had wet spots at the very front and back of the approach, 75% has been firm and playable through the winter. The deep tine aeration and dressing programme is starting to pay off. Other improving approaches 4th, 7th, 8th,14th, 16th, definantly improvements on last year although still a way to go. unfortunately the 5th approach took a big step backwards. Some of this damage was caused by the bunker project, this area is also situated on red clay.
Stimp meter reading was 9ft 2"
Truness reading was slightly under target range.
Smoothness was considerably under target range.
Firmness was really good.
OTHER NEWS
Greens were double areated on monday/Tuesday with 12mm x 175mm soild tine followed by 8mm x 100mm soild tine then vetri cut.
A penetrant has been applied to help facilitate the water from the surface. The over seeding programme is in full swing. Most of the walk off areas have been done once, approaches twice and 50% of the fairways. Walk off areas will be done at least 2 more times. We also hired in a machine called the Air2g2 which blasts compressed air into the rootzone creating fissures for the roots to find. We used this on the greens.
All the new bunkers have had their first cut and trim. Some of them below.
Thank you to all of you that showed up for divot evening, 40 plus in all. A job well done , fantastic effort even by Captain Murphy who had his bucket on a power trolley.
Some more pictures from the course. Clearing work paid off behind the 10th green, Red kites nesting, we have seen at least 2 nests and all the new tee posts have been installed.
Next on the agenda is edging, weeding, de-stoning and topping up of sand in the older bunkers. This will start on Monday. Fly mowing of tee banks and green surrounds. general cutting and maintenance.
Thank you reading
Lee & The Greenkeeping Team
Thank you reading
Lee & The Greenkeeping Team