Greenkeeping:
29. February 2008
Hi Everyone!
I thought I’d give you an update on how the course was progressing,
this on a day which only comes around every fourth year.
The greens haven’t wintered particularly well in 2008. We have an
increased snow mould activity, even though there was little snow and
the greens have been damaged quite hard. Number 1, 9,13,14 and the
putting green are the hardest hit. Work is already underway to
improve the surface and allow more air into the root zone. Already
they have shown signs of increased growth during these last two
weeks when the weather was fairly kind from midday on. Deep
vertical mowing, over-seeding and sanding will firstly allow the ball to
roll much better when we open and secondly these actions will quicken
the overall growth of the plants.
The tees have some fungal attacks but these will grow over much
faster than the short mown greens when remedial work begins. The
driving range tee has been attacked significantly and I’m sure the front
area of the range will be used until the middle of April. That means
woods will be banned unless the top chipping area is used.
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Our fairways are always covered with snow mould after any winter but
again, these areas recover once aeration and fertilization begins. At
the moment they are too soft for any of that to take place.
Our local animals, (moles & mice), have had a wonderful time. They
have dug and burrowed the whole winter season long and delivered
more soil on the surface than ever before. We will continue to fight the
pesky critters until they leave for vacation in the Spring.
Winter Work:
Many operations have been undertaken this season. The main task
being the bunker and lake banking along the 6th hole. Not yet
completed but nearing its end, the task should enhance the golf
courses look in 2008.
Other major constructions have been; Cleaning and digging the small
ponds at 16 and 18. These two projects are finished however, the
surroundings must be landscaped for the total completion of the jobs.
New bridges at 17 and 18 have been installed and a concrete ramp has
been laid at the 9th bridge to stop the bump when one travels to the
green.
Clearance of undergrowth and tree pruning has been done all over the
course. Easily noticed at the 5th hole and 8th green areas. Also the
right side of the 15th fairway has been cleared and many low branches
removed near teeing grounds.
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Two new drainage systems have been installed at the 16th hole and
the 3rd green on the left side.
Bunker renovation has been completed at the 8th and 16th holes and
the bunker at the 6th will be finished soon.
Started but not completed is a new teeing ground behind the putting
green. This will be for lessons only and will have a fence installed
when completed. The road to the chipping zone has been landscaped
and will be seeded when the weather allows.
The dead tree by the 2nd green on the left side has been removed and
should enable easier up and downs from that side in the future. Some
new trees have been planted to replace those lost during storms or
merely through old age.
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Future Work:
Greens and tee aerification and sanding. Fairway vertical mowing.
Seeding and fertilization. Construction completion at the 6th, 16th,
18th holes. Fixture and fitting installation. Mole damage removal.
Finally, planned course opening is Palm weekend although I have just
read the weather forecast for next week and this date may not be
possible as snow is predicted. We will see!
Ok that’s all for now.
See Ya All Soon
Gary