September update 

What a difference in the weather, August produced a rainfall figure of 127mm and in September the total monthly amount was 13mm.

The dry conditions allowed us to vertidrain the fairways achieving excellent results the firm profile was shattered with the tines.This action reduces compaction aids better drainage,develops stronger roots,and allows air into the profile.

The vertidrain from John Mallinson pictured above is used on all the fairways and walk ways,and over the past few years it has greatly improved the turf quality and effectiveness of the drainage system on the course. To keep the fairways in good condition we have also held monthly divoting parties, special thanks to all the members who have helped throughout the year.

     The picture above shows the divoting party in action, it really helps to improve the surfaces .



To continue on the aeration theme it was critical throughout September that the greens aeration was carried out regularly, the warm / dry conditions were ideal for disease.

If the plant was allowed to be stressed it would create ideal condition's for turf disease to attack. The Moisture levels were monitored and cutting heights checked along side daily visual inspections of the plants health.

 Numerous fungal diseases have been reported throughout September, these being Microdochium Patch  Anthracnose, and Thatch Fungus. These diseases will kill the grass species they attack and will greatly effect the smoothness of the surface. It is important to address these conditions early,so we applied a fungicide to prevent the disease and keep the the greens clean.

 It is hoped we go in to Autumn with healthy greens,pictured below is Daniel Gildea using the procore.

The October blog will cover the work carried out on the 4th tee and 3rd green.



                                                           Terry Wharton                 Head Greenkeeper

Welcome to our August Blog.

August was a very wet month with a rainfall figure of 127mm.

 You will of realised in reading these blogs that the weather plays such an important part in how we prepare the course, the weather pattern is so unpredictable and we don't seem to get a balanced period of conditions. However most of the summer has enabled us to produce good surfaces.

Aeration work on the greens is carried out on a regular programme, in August we used the Soil reliever to create depth and fracturing of the soil profile to relieve compaction and create air movement in developing a stronger root system and plant.

The greens have really benefited this year from a full programme of Farmura's (Porthcawl ) and Aquatrols wetting agent( Revolution) sprayed on a monthly cycle, disease and dry patch have been controlled with the addition of these products.  Farmura is a turf conditioner that supplies beneficial nutrients to the soils and  Revolution enables the rootzone and soil structure to retain  moisture levels in dry conditions allowing  the plant to remain healthy.

Our top dressing programme is close to being completed with the team delivering in excess of ninety tonnes. In September we will reach our target of one hundred tonnes.  We have recently procored top dressed, over seeded, and brushed the dressing in to the shallow tine holes on the greens.The regular practice of over seeding will allow the desirable grasses to develop enabling us to achieve play throughout the year on the greens.

The benefits of reaching these top dressing target's are, that the soil profiles beneath the greens allow good drainage properties,reduce and break down any fibre from the plant,and the greens remaining firm in wet conditions. The dressing also creates smooth ball roll over the sward.

The September blog will cover maintenance work on the fairways.


                                                                               Terry Wharton  Head Greenkeeper.