Welcome to our January blog.
The Unsettled weather pattern continued throughout the month, depositing 154mm of rain onto the course. Each month we are seeing weather records being broken for the varying conditions as the climate change continues throughout the seasons.
It was quite a surprise in the middle of the month when we had a considerable snowfall, however the mild temperatures soon melted it away. The picture below shows the view up the 3rd fairway.
The picture on the right shows repair work on a clay pipe drainage system.
Problem areas are being repaired and rodded with the drainage rods to check for any further problems in the system.
When the pipe work is repaired we will back fill it with 2-8mm grit and top off with rootzone and turf.
Woodland Management
The greens team have been busy on various areas around the course pruning and cutting selective trees.
The programme of woodland management aims to allow the trees to develop into mature specimens.
This can't be achieved when the trees have been planted close together restricting growth and correct shaping
The agronomic benefits of this work are vast, allowing sunlight and air flow on to the grassed areas, which enables the grass plant to grow in the correct environment.
The sunlight penetration along with improved airflow will greatly assist the drying process of wet areas.
This practice is regularly carried on many parkland golf courses to achieve the desirable results.
Tee Management.
We've used the digger on the 9th tee to remove the raised
area at the back.
It was quite surprising how much root zone was removed to achieve the correct level.
The area will be raked and the levels will be checked, ready for turfing and topdressing.
In February we hope to finish off our drainage work, and start topping off paths with shale.We will start topping up bunkers with sand and hope to get the mowers out to put some definition on the course. Weather permitting !!!!!!
Terry Wharton Head Greenkeeper
