Greens micro managing and we finally are go on the Irrigation system

 Hi All, 

 

The new irrigation system is fully operational

I was going to do a blog this week on what’s been happening around the course. 

 

One of the first things you will notice is that work has been taken place on the putting green and Short game area.

This work was carried out following a visit from Philip Armitage our course Agronomist. 

 

Phillip Armitage Agronomist with Levi and Jack 

 

Following Phillip’s inspection and data collection carried out last week, it showed the putting green had really gone backwards regarding root depth and compaction levels compare to last August visit. This would’ve been caused by the high level of golf during the winter months being played on that green. 

Now I know what you’re thinking all the greens are played on that much but actually the putting green has at least twice the level of play especially with those who stand in the same place for practice drill causing bruising and eventually loss of turf coverage. 

 

 

To help combat these issues we carried out some additional work to the putting green. An extra tine with the 8mm to help relieve some of the compaction, followed by a double scarifying, topdress, over-seed and feed with organic fertiliser. 

 

 

Scarifying Putting Green

We also spoke to Phillip regarding the short game area and agreed to add zeolite to the short game area. This was built with rootzone which is superb and performs better than all of our other make ups but with sandier soils means that nutrients flush through the profile quicker. There is less for the nutrients to hold on too compared to our clay green so adding soil amendments helps retain nutrient and water so the green performs better. 

This is why we have carried out a hollow core and then added the zeolite and Topdressing to that green also. 

 

Hollow Coring Short Game Area

 

These measures are being used to help us improve the playability for the season ahead. Our aeration works must be sustained throughout the year with the small 8mm tines that don’t effect the ball roll but will help us manage the compaction from footfall and machinery of a normal golfing season, especially as the course has never been busier. For me this is just part and parcel of running the course. Sometimes we will need to micro manage an area to get them back up to performance. 

 

Greens organic fertiliser going down

 

The rest of the greens have been fertilised again as we try and push recovery from the winter anne to give us a smoother ball roll. I am expecting the pace of the greens to slow down, when the fertiliser kicks in. We can manage this when it happens but it will happen and we need it to happen for the season coming. 

Height wise we are now down to our summer heights and this will also help Improve the ball roll along with more grooming and cutting. 

 

The weather forecast is showing that this weekend will be warm so we are expecting the Poa grass species to wake up. Next on the list for the Poa will be the natural self

seeding. It’s worth remembering it’s an annual plant and it naturally ‘flowers’ at this time of year and can make them grainy. Again we will use the groomers on this stage of the spring growth too. 

Soil Scout Sensors

Sensor installed at 200mm depth on green

The white hole stabliser will grow over and be hidden from play soon

 

 

 

App telling us detail every 15 mins

 

You may also note that on some greens you will see a small white ring. These are the same as the hole stabilisers on the putting green and short game area but are left with the grass plug in the middle.

These are to mark Soil Scout sensors. These give us feedback from the greens on Moisture, Temperature and Salinity. 

From this we can get updates every 15 mins on the greens performance and will help us know the requirements for the new irrigation system and we will know if we need to water or not, this could make a water saving or help us to know what fertiliser applications would be best for the greens when looking at the temperature. For example certain nitrogen sources work better at lower temperatures and others at higher temperatures.

 

 

 

Other news

 

THE MAIN NEWS... THE NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM IS UP AND RUNNING AND FULLY WORKING. The problem we had with the electric meter possibly not being installed for up to 12 weeks is now resolved thanks to Lawrence Cherry's persistent pursuit of Scottish Powers install team. We were using the new system on the old pump house but this meant we only could water greens and tees but on the 5th of April the meter was installed and the final connections were made and the system is now fully working. We as a team are trying to learn how to use the system to its full capacity. This may take some time as its a huge system. I will do another blog about of this soon.

 

 

Large Oak tree down- Some of you may have noticed that another large Oak fell on the 2nd hole. This was tidied up and a 7 ton digger was brought in to move out of play. This was damaged from the winds end of last week. I think the damage was done to the roots in the storm and the high winds ended its time with us. This along with the tree from the 1st and any other damaged or dangerous tree will be removed from the course next week when we get in Arb trailer and crane on site. None of these are in play, unless roped off.  

 

Half the team attended a first aid course in the clubhouse. This keeps us up to date should we have any issues at the club. The remaining team members, both clubhouse and course will be trained at the end of April meaning we are all here to help if needed. 

 

 

 

The white markers are back on the course this weekend. Let’s see how strong those of you playing from the whites are all feeling after the Easter period. Good luck to all playing. The weather looks good.

 

Happy Easter everyone! 

 

Matt