March update.

Welcome to the blog, we've managed to complete most of the work that was planned for March.Greens, tees and weak areas have been fertilised to strengthen the grasses.Top dressing of the greens as started with us aiming to deliver one hundred tonnes over the next few months. The start of our monthly applications of wetting agent, sea weed and micro nutrients as also been applied.

 Compared to last spring we've noticed earlier signs of leaf growth on the horse chestnut trees and hawthorn bushes around the course. And in monitoring soil temperatures we are gradually seeing the temperature rising.

                                                 Early signs that spring is on its way.

                                         The first application of greens fertiliser.

                                                      Top dressing the greens.

                                 Application of wetting agent, sea weed and micro nutrients.

 

We targeted small  areas on a couple of the greens with the pro core fitted with 8mm hollow tines.  Cores were removed at a depth of 25mm to reduce any potential fibre build up.The area's were top dressed, rolled and back in play with minimal surface disturbance.

In April we hope to get in to a regular pattern of cutting and course presentation along with the top dressing, aeration and spraying applications.

                                                                                Terry Wharton    Head Greenkeeper.

Welcome to the February blog.

The Weather as continued to have a massive impact on our work programme throughout February with ground conditions dictating the various work we have undertaken. The met office have produced data that confirms it has been the wettest winter on record. The table below shows our rainfall figures for the winter  period.
                                   
                                       December 2013        80 mm
                                        January    2014      144 mm
                                        February  2014        91 mm
                                         
                                                                      315 mm  Total
                                                                                               
Considering the above data we have managed to complete various work, the photographs below will show how we have progressed throughout the month.

Aeration to all parts of the course as been continuous this month. We used the services of John Mallinson to vertidrain our fairways. Mallinsons are a leading company in sports ground management and construction.
Aeration to the soil is a recognised technique for breaking up compaction, allowing better water peculation to the sub soils and drainage systems, it aids better rooting, and enables the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the soil structure.


Mallinsons heavy duty machinery allows us to use our soil reliever on greens and tees, it is hoped this practice will prolong the life of our machine. The picture below shows our soil reliever in action on the 18th green.

We regularly use the procore throughout winter relieving surface tension and allowing the turf to breath, this machine creates minimal surface disturbance.

After the various aeration machines have been used we follow up with the turf iron to settle and smooth out the surface.

Course Presentation

With the arrival of spring!!! we have started to edge up the paths and prepare them for resurfacing with shale.Whilst this is a time consuming job it improves the presentation of the course. As shown in the picture.

The path at the side of the 10th tee looking good.










Golf course ornithology























We really encourage wildlife on to the course it adds so much interest for the members and visitors as they play the course.In positioning bird boxes we feel we are contributing in creating additional habitats in a landscape that offers great nesting opportunities.


It's that time of the year again, when the bird boxes get cleaned out ready for their new inhabitants , Daniel Gildea is cleaning out the box, Chris Lewis is footing the ladder.



Special thanks to Mr Derek Walkden, Mr Brian Wakefield and Mr Stephen Reynolds who have generously supplied additional bird boxes this year.

I conclude in the hope that my next blog will inform you that we have commenced;  top dressing greens and  tees, applying fertiliser and wetting agents and yes you've guessed it continuing aeration work........this is of course, all dependent on the weather!!!!                                                              
                                                                                   Terry Wharton    Head Greenkeeper