The greens team have been busy throughout September completing and starting various work. The weather has allowed us to keep on track and progress was good.
We've applied our last applications of plant growth regulator, followed up with our turf conditioner and wetting agent for this year. Below are pictures showing the numerous works.
Aeration
The regular aeration programme on the greens.
Contractors Mallinsons have Vertidrained our fairways.
The soil conditions were perfect giving great results. After a light roll and cut it was difficult to see any surface disturbance.
Mounds Management
The heavy growth on the mounds has been cut short to weaken the heavy grasses. We aim to encourage finer grass to enable balls to be found,and speed up play.
Weak areas on the mounds will be seeded with bent grass seed to encourage finer grasses..
The picture on the right shows the mounds cut and all the grass raked and removed.
Removing the cut grass reduces the available nutrients from the grass that would promote heavy course growth if left to break down.
Pond Conservation
We've managed to start cleaning out some of the dense growth in the ponds. This work will allow the water from the drainage system to flow better and raise the aesthetics around the area.
The picture shows the greens team sympathetically removing the growth avoiding to harm any inhabitants. The weed will be left on the bankings for a short while to allow any pond life to make its way back in to the water before we remove it.
October Work Programme
In early October we hope to solid tine and apply our last top dressing to the greens reaching our target of one hundred tonnes.
We will start our winter programme of leveling tees and draining the 15th green. Early October will see the greens team start our removal of leaves and continuing to maintain our high standards of course presentation.
Terry Wharton Head Greenkeeper
