NEWS
GREENKEEPERS BLOG
JANUARY 2012
Just a quick update to advise you where we are and where we are going as far as work schedule for completion during Spring.
Bunkers
Three of the bunkers at 8, 9 and 17 have been filled and grassed over; one at 8 has been reshaped and brought back into play. The reason for the changes was that they had become slightly adrift of the greens and Martin Hawtree, our Course Architect, recommended that they were tightened to the green. We intend to create new bunkers left of the 8th and front right of the 9th green. The other bunkers will be edged and topped up where necessary before the main playing season.
Greens
During the winter months, the greens are at their most vulnerable to disease attacks. The soil and air are damper than normal which causes increased humidity within the sward, these are all conducive to disease pathogens.
The greens are being Sarrel rolled regularly, which causes the small holes you have noticed, to keep the surface open to help dry it out. Other aeration practices such as slitting, vertidraining (solid cores), switching and regular brushing to remove the dew are the other tools we will be using over the winter period.
The greens have been sprayed with a turf hardener and a preventative application of fungicide, which should hopefully protect the greens until the warmer weather arrives.
Tees
We have now completed the new 3rd tee and are in the process of levelling the 6th. We are planning to enlarge the right hand side of 16th but as we commenced the rain started and we moved on to the 6th. We will get back to 16th when the weather allows, but until then we will endure the tee mat in place for a while yet. The rest of the tees have been vertidrained with solid tines to help with drainage.
Some members have asked what the paint marks on tees and fairways were, these were to mark the position of the sprinklers for protection.
Fairways
All fairways have been Earthquaked to create fissures in the soil and also vertidrained with large solid tines producing a 10 degree heave, this has allowed them to drain freely so far this winter.
Martyn Savident
Head Greenkeeper