I've decided to start writing a blog to keep you all up to date on what's happening and what's planned on the course. I will endeavour to do this on a monthly basis, reporting the news from the last month and what's coming up. I think in this modern world it's the way forward to relay relevant information to the membership and give them an insight into the work that's being carried out.
Course report:
NEATH GOLF CLUB
MONTHLY GOLF COURSE REPORT
JANUARY 2014
GREENS
- Greens continue to perform very well and plant health is exceptional considering the poor weather. The greens do not like the peaks and troughs experienced in January with quite extreme weather, on some days the range of temperatures has been as large as 11 degrees. Rainfall was well above average for the first half of the month with figures getting back to the norm in the 2nd half.
- With the threat of snow and the planned maintenance in March I have applied a fungicide to fend off any disease in these times of high stress; this should give cover to April where the pressure reduces.
- Planned maintenance is scheduled for the 16th of March. I am going to solid tine (10mm tines), hollow core (6mm tines), light verti-cut (level) and a medium/heavy dressing. I am also going to deep tine the wetter greens with 17mm tines. Hollow coring is going to take place on Monday 16th using the Toro Procore from Clyne G.C, greens need to be solid tined before. I plan to this on Sunday the 15th March so I request the 1st tee be closed from 2pm allowing me a clear run, with no hold ups I can carry out this operation in 6 hours.
- I’m also borrowing the sweep and fill brush from Clyne G.C to incorporate the topdressing into the soil profile and completely fill all tine holes, this machine is new on the market and has revolutionised top dressing allowing a much heavier dressing to be applied and rather than dragging the sand around hoping it falls in the holes is actually drives the sand down. It can also be used to stand up grass on tees and approaches presenting the courser grass to the cutting blade for a much cleaner cut, therefore eradicating the rye grass which on approaches can self seed on the greens. This would be of massive benefit to us and if the machine performs as promised it must be looked at for future investment
PLAN OF ACTION
- Slit tine
- Monthly spoon feed with wetting agent
- Hand weed
- Hole change weekly
TEES
- Tees are in good shape and holding up well, I have purchased grass seed that will germinate at cool temperatures, this combined with a germination sheet should get coverage to the weak areas
PLAN OF ACTION
- Dress and seed weak areas on tees
- Slit tine
- Spray all tees with iron to harden them further
APRONS
- All aprons have been vertidrained with 17mm tines
- All have been sprayed with ferrous sulphate, porthcawl and potash. They are looking extremely healthy and in a great position to take them into spring
PLAN
OF ACTION
- Keep ropes in key areas to direct traffic
- Slit tine
- Spray iron to harden for winter
FAIRWAYS
- Fairways have been vertidrained with 17mm tines (4 fairways left)
- All have been sprayed with ferrous sulphate, porthcawl and potash
PLAN
OF ACTION
- Finish vertidraining
BUNKERS
- Work to tidy up bunkers has started by means of distribution of sand and edging. I will be concentrating on patching the worn edges with turf in the coming weeks
PLAN
OF ACTION
- Continue with bunker renovation
WINTER PROJECTS
- The path on the 5th (lens path) is 99% complete; a small amount of turf is required to finish off.
- I investigated the possible drains on the 3rd and found a 6” drain running through the carry. Water and dye was flushed through and the drain and is running freely, water just can’t get to it. I have installed 2 lateral drains across the top of carry to intercept the flowing water; these drains have a 4” perforated pipe and filled to the top with 10mm chippings flowing into the existing 6”pipe. I think this will dry up this area very well. I’m not prepared to install the Astroturf path until I’m completely satisfied that its solved the issue
- The line of trees between 1 and 18 have had the lower branches removed to head height. I plan to kill off the grass a spread wood chip under the canopy of trees
- A chipper is booked for Monday 2nd February, see below the trees intended for removal
- I will also be chipping the brash from the 18th/1st. The laylandii in this section, along with the fallen pine will be removed. The staked Cedar by the 17th green is to be dug up and relocated in this gap.
- The other small trees between 16 and 17 are also to be relocated when a suitable site is found
- Trees on 11/12 have been removed as heather regeneration is taking place there and the deciduous trees would smother the heather when they drop their leaves. I'm considering extending the copse of pines by the 10th green further down the 11th, this will enhance the look of the hole and also penalise a blocked tee shot from the 12th tee.
- Areas that were cleared of scub last year are going to be sprayed with a total herbicide to kill off the grass, leaving the heather. This will give the heather chance to flourish once again. In the spring the cut scrub trees will be treated to stop any regrowth. The hope is in the future we will be able to harvest heather seeds to speed up regeneration in other areas
Winter projects:
Paths have been a big part of this winters project and have made a massive impact on the aesthetics and playability of our course
7th Bunker and drainage
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Drainage on 3rd carry
I hope you find the blog informative and feedback would be welcome.
Mark Tucker
Head Greenkeeper
