From Tee to Green ‑ February

The Downs Course 

Playing Areas

I have noticed that the snowdrops have made an appearance by the bridge to the first tee and hopefully, the bluebells will soon follow. This can only mean one thing, spring is on its way.

The month started with light snow showers and temperatures down to 2 degrees and within three days later we had thick fog and temperatures up to 12 degrees. 

Later on in the month, the temperatures have remained consistent which enabled us to carry out some vital aeration work to both greens and tees. Using the verti-drainer with 10mm tines, this is to help encourage root growth, air flow and also keep any potential rainfall draining through the profile.

We have sprayed the greens with a soil feed, to also help with the root growth development. We have also managed to get a foliar feed on them to help increase plant strength and to help kick start the turf going into the growing season.

The new turf and bunkers are maturing by the day. You will start to see some fairway shapes move to incorporate the new bunkers. We are extremely pleased with the establishment and hope to open all the bunkers and greens in readiness for Friday 28 April. 

Projects

We have been very busy working through our winter project list turfing general worn areas, path edges and also the new 16A academy tee.

We have built motor circuit style ‘rumble strips’ on some tight corners on the buggy path edges and once dry will be painted in the Goodwood green/cream detail.

We have installed an artificial tee mat at the top of the steps on the 5th tees which will be used until the start of the growing season, this is to help the tees recover ready for the spring, then the mat will be bought back in. 

Keeping up with our ecology plan we have planted 120 bare root plants on the left side of the 14th fairway, six different species. Oak, Beech, Field Maple, Rowan, Spindle and wayfarer, these will be a great addition to our woodland habitat management plan.

The Park Course

The course is in great condition for this time of year, the soil temperatures are still a little low for consistent recovery but regular maintenance through aeration work and our folia and soil feeding programme is helping keep the greens sward healthy and consistent. Tees and aprons have been treated with sulphate of iron to deter the worms which also darkens the leaf and helps in disease resistance.

Tee Top Improvement Work

Work began at the start of the month with releveling 3 tee boxes. The work involved removing the existing turf, levelling the soil underneath and re-laying with new turf. The first tee to be tackled was the 6th as seen in the pictures. The team then moved to the 15th and 8th Yellow tees. All these areas need time to recover before they can be brought back in play, which of course is weather dependent.

Benefits of Aeration

Verti -Draining – Greens, Tees & Aprons. Using 10mm tines to the depth of 10”. This task breaks up compaction to help improve drainage and also enables gas exchange through the soil profile plus creates channels for deeper stronger roots.

No surface disruption but beneficial to relieve turf stress and promoting oxygen levels in the soil. Aeration is vital to keep the turf healthy better drainage, deeper root development, reduction of thatch levels, gas exchange and improves the effectiveness of fertilisation.

We understand that some aeration work can be disruptive but the benefits of aeration out way the short term disruption.

Simon Berry, Head Greenkeeper Park Course.