However what a difference we've seen over the past seven months , below are the monthly rainfall figures from 2012/2013
January through to July shows the huge differences in some of the monthly amounts.
The picture below seems a distant memory, the team were squeegeeing water from around various parts of the course last July.
2012 2013
January 100mm 65mm
February 39mm 62mm
March 23mm 69mm
April 107mm 14mm
May 76mm 59mm
June 148mm 45mm
July 131mm 46mm
Total = 624mm 360mm
12th Green Root Structure.
Our policy of controlled irrigation throughout the recent warm dry weather enabled the root system on the newly turfed area on the 12th green to develop.
The pictures below shows a core that as been removed showing how the roots have grown stronger and deeper, if the root zone had received excessive irrigation the root structure would be weak and shallow.
The plant as sent out roots to develop and penetrate the soil structure. Look how the root system is developing in the sand particles on the bottom picture.
Bunker Management
The picture below shows Jack Hosker tilling up bunkers, this practice reduces panning, the tiller brakes up the sand to a depth of around one hundred millimetres.
When the bunkers are loosened up it allows the sand to be raked evenly giving a consistent depth.
Machinery Maintenance
We have a policy to regularly check all the machinery for basic maintenance work, the machine below is the Toro 4000 rough cutter.
When a machine goes out on to the course a chart is filled in by the operator to show they have checked all the various levels ie water fuel,hydraulic oil, tyre pressures etc.
The picture shows the front covers being removed from the cutting unit to check belt tension and to apply grease.
Next months blog will cover our aeration work and over seeding of the greens, it will be the start of a busy period when we prepare the course for the start of autumn.
Terry Wharton Head Greenkeeper
