Latest blog

Welcome to our May blog,in the earlier blogs we were asking for a period of dry weather,well we've certainly had it with minimal rainfall throughout April.

As greenkeepers we need a balanced programme of weather conditions, yet we seem to move from one extreme to another.This recent dry cool spell as held back growth on the course with the greens needing the    areas of annual meadow grass to catch up to the larger areas of bent grass.The bents grow in lower temperatures than the annual meadow grass and this causes slight unevenness on the greens surfaces.

The picture shows the desirable bent grass on the greens with its broad leaf colonising the sward, the thinner leafed annual meadow grass is also visible.

 We continue to change the composition of the grass species on the the greens to the bent grass because of the following reasons, it is hard wearing, good drought qualities, less prone to disease, enables all year round play, against the annual meadow grass that doesn't have the same characteristics of the bent grass


With better growing conditions sensible cutting heights,grooming, minimal feed, and regular top dressings the surface levels will soon become smoother and better ball roll will be achieved.
                                                                 

The recent rise in soil temperature allowed us to feed the greens the picture shows Chris Lewis feeding the 11th green.Chris is still wearing his winter clothes in early April, roll on summer!!!!


 We apply a low Nitrogen feed that aims to create minimal healthy growth,yet enables the plant to develop a strong root structure.The bent grass will grow well with controlled feeds alongside regular aeration top dressings and applications of seaweed.

This picture shows a new tine on the left and a worn tine on the right that are fitted to the procore aeration machine. The tine on the right has been used three times on the greens and once on the tees and surrounds.
The heavy sand profile in the root zone creates the wear.

Its a busy time for our sprayer through out the growing season with regular applications of wetting agents, turf conditioners,and soluble iron being sprayed on to the greens.

We recently used a wacker plate in the 16th fairway bunkers, the plate is used in construction and building to consolidate surfaces,We used it firm the sand and reduce balls from plugging.

Deputy Head Greenkeeper Dave Traynor can be seen operating the plate.

We came in to work on the 18th April and where surprised to see that a large oak tree had blown down in the colonels wood, unfortunately as it fell it brought down two smaller trees. These will be cleaned up and in the autumn new trees will be planted in their places.

It must be spring, the picture shows a mass of frog spawn in the pond near the 8th green.We hope they can develop before the ducks and herons decide to investigate them. When your near the pond over the next few weeks keep a look out for our new additions to pond life.

Our blog in June will cover wetting agents, top dressing, and the irrigation system.  

                                                                   Terry Wharton   Head Greenkeeper  May  2013

April update

Welcome to our April blog

The prolonged period of cold weather has held back our programme of feeding the greens, tees and surrounds. The low soil temperatures restricts the fertiliser from being taken up by the roots of the grass plant, a minimum soil temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius is needed to aid the up take of the nutrients.

We recorded soil temperatures of between 2-5 degrees Celsius over the past month which confirmed our reluctance to feed. It is hoped  the weather system will soon allow temperatures to rise and bring spring like conditions, enabling us to carry out the applications.

Scarifying Fairways

Even though our fertiliser programme was interrupted by the dry cold weather it allowed us to scarify the fairways and practice ground.This picture shows greenkeeper Ken Bennison using our Kioti DK 501 tractor with the Wessex proline scarifier.

The scarifier slices through the turf sward  removing any build  up of fibre at the base of the plant.If the fibre is allowed to build up it would create a spongy surface that would retain moisture weeds and moss.

This practice works alongside vertidraining and slitting with the objective of maintaining a firm turf surface that creates a healthy deep rooting plant growing in desirable soil conditions.

Ornithology Programme

The parkland setting of the course offers a haven for wildlife with woodland in and around the boundary,specimen mature oak, beech, ash, lime and silver birch trees are positioned around the course.

These trees create great environmental habitats and this is aided by our team putting up bird boxes and cleaning out last years used boxes.Jack Hosker and Chris Lewis can be seen cleaning out the box behind the 6th green.

  Birds that have been spotted  around the course include, the green woodpecker, kingfishers, hen harrier, siskin, reed bunting, and  spotted flycatcher's

 Hopefully the bird population can be increased in the colonels wood which has recently seen ten new bird and bat boxes positioned, special thanks to Messrs Arthur Richardson and Stan Wilcock for making and supplying the boxes.




Greens Aeration   (Procore)

Jack Hosker can be seen using the procore on the greens, this machine enables aeration at various depths to take place with minimal surface disturbance. It reduce's surface tension and allows applications of fertiliser, top dressings and wetting agents to target the rootzone.


The procore uses various tines and sizes, it is used on a regular programme on greens, tees and surronds to reduce compaction and to promote healthy root structures.









   
Why we stay off frosty greens

Many golfers ask the question.      "what damage does the frost do to the greens"?

 When moisture in and around the the leaf blade freezes,it makes the leaf  brittle, when foot traffic walks on to the frozen plants it breaks the leaf and causes them to die.

 It is well recognised that in periods of deep frost that's penetrated the rootzone, damage will be caused to the roots when thawing takes place if walked on.

This happens when the upper profile thaws and the lower profile could still be frozen, foot traffic on the turf in these conditions will create shearing and breaking of the root system.Over a short period of time the turf would die back creating uneven surface levels.

We aim to keep the flags on the greens at all times, unfortunately in frosty conditions we have to use the temporary greens because of the above reasons.


Our blog in May will cover the various techniques used in preparing the course. It will also show and explain some of the cutting machines we use, and hopefully discuss our spring feeding programme.


Terry Wharton    Head Greenkeeper    April    2013

March Update

Welcome to our March blog, the period of recent dry weather enabled us to cut the greens, tees, and fairways it  allowed us to complete the shaping and turfing of the bunkers on the 16th hole. We also managed to scarify the fairways and practice area.

The greens received a spray of soluble Iron (Fe) and were pro-cored with 8mm solid tines, this work was followed up with a light top dressing and rolling.



The pictures below show the various stages of work on the 16th hole fairway bunkers.

The picture shows the shaping of the banks and positioning of a new drain through the middle of one of  the bunkers.

When the shaping is completed the banks are firmed and raked to prepare them for turfing .


Greenkeepers Jack Hosker and Chris Lewis did a great job in getting the bunkers ready for turfing.

The turf we use on the faces of the bunkers is a hard wearing type called Rhizomatous Tall Fescue.




 This turf is ideal for bunker work because of its ability to develop deep roots.We feel that it offers great visual characteristics through its dense leaf blade and colour.

When the shaping and turfing is complete we add the sand and allow it to settle.



To obtain better firmness in the base of the bunkers a wacker plate will be used. It is hoped that this will reduce any balls from plugging.



We will put the bunkers under Ground Under Repair until  the turf is fully rooted and stable.






                                   Aeration work

 Aeration of the greens, tees, surrounds and fairways have taken place regularly throughout the winter period.

It is critical that the soil structure is regularly aerated to reduce compaction, thatch build up, and to help develop a healthy root system, this practice also allows the movement of water through the soil profile to access the drainage systems.




 The picture shows our soil reliever aerating the greens at a depth of 300 mm   

                          Tree Management

Throughout the winter period the green staff have crown lifted and thinned out trees that have been diseased or damaged, also trees that have grown too close together restricting their growth and shape



It  will allow healthier species of trees to develop, enable better air flow and sun light penetration and will create firmer, drier ground conditions

This  shows the decay inside the cavity of a silver birch, notice the minimal healthy wood around its edge



From a distance this tree looked reasonably solid, it was only after a  visual inspection that characteristic fungi and disease was noticed showing the signs of decay.







At the time of writing this blog we are experiencing an unseasonable cold spell with minimal growth, lets hope that spring is not too  far away.

 In my next blog in April I will hope to tell you about our busy programme of top dressing the greens,and tees, applying wetting agents, fertiliser applications,scarifying fairways and our ornithology programme.



Terry Wharton       Head Greenkeeper     12  March   2013

Latest News

Welcome to the Haydock Park Greenkeepers Blog, it is hoped that the information on this site will give you a better understanding of the works that are carried out by the greenkeeping team throughout the year.

Our winter programme has covered various projects, the pictures below will show some of  the work that has been carried out.

The blog in March will highlight  the work undertaken on tree management, course aeration, bunker design and reshaping part of the 3rd green.

Drainage work has featured heavily over the winter period due to the unprecedented amounts of rainfall over the past few years. Large areas of drainage have been installed by contractors Mallinsons, smaller areas of work were undertaken in house.

 The  picture on the left shows work carried out by contractors Mallinsons on the 3rd /5th holes, the length of the pipe work installed was 155 meters.They also drained behind the 12th green / 13th tee.

The picture to the right shows drainage work undertaken by our own staff  at the side of the 14th green.

 Problem areas on the 1st/ 3rd/ 14th/ 15th and 16th have been drained as part of our winter programme.







The 12th green has been re drained, it was felt that after re-contour work, deeper aeration, the drain cleaned and part renewed in 2011, that the green did not drain adequately due to a heavy clay profile.

The whole green was  re drained by our own staff. The picture below shows the mini digger digging out the lateral drains to link up to the main drain and outlet, Daniel Gildea can be seen checking the levels.

The green was drained with six laterals at three meter spacings in to the main at a depth of around 600mm, the lateral pipe was 80mm diameter in to the main at 100mm diameter. The drainage stone was 6mm-10mm which covered the pipe up to 300mm topped off with rootzone, firmed and returfed.

 

 The picture on the right shows the net work of laterals joining up to the main, notice the boards on the green to reduce any additional surface damage.When the pipe work, stone, and rootzone have been put in place it is critical to try and lay the turf back down to allow for it to settle yet not too high that it may be scalped by the cutting cylinders in the spring when the grass begins to grow.

     

The photo shows deputy Head greenkeeper Dave Traynor using the turf iron to obtain good surface levels on the green, after the turf had been allowed to settle throughout the winter months.

To enable us to achieve desirable surface levels regular top dressings will be applied to smooth out any hollows or bumps, along side sensible cutting heights and favourable weather conditions.

 Lets hope that by the time you read the next blog in March there will have been a prolonged spell of dry weather !!!!!!





I hope this information has been interesting and will show an insight in to our work in  managing and maintaining the golf course.


                                      Terry Wharton    Head Greenkeeper   February   2013