From Tee to Green ‑ February

The Downs Course

Our aeration programme continues and we are starting to see good results in the soil profile. This month we have micro slit three times and pencil tined once using 10mm tines to a depth of 75mm. We rolled straight behind this operation to smooth the playing surface, however, some areas would have been slightly bumpy until our next roll.

Whilst on aeration, we have hollow cored the 17th and 18th greens, as well as three strips on the right side of the 4th green with 10mm hollow tines at a depth of 75mm. We have removed about three ton of the soil profile from the 17th and 18th green. This was then cleared by hand as we did not want to take any more heavy machinery onto the green. We then left the holes open overnight for vital gas exchange in the soil. We then applied around 300kg of RZA rootzone amendment which will help with water movement through the profile and increase the C.E.C (Cation Exchange Capacity) which will increase nutrients uptake for the grass plant. These greens, as well as the 1st green, will have some sand on them until the grass plants growth rate increases.

On the 4th green, we have hollow cored three strips on the right-hand side as this area really dries out quickly in hot weather, so adding the soil amendment will help retain some moisture in the soil profile.

Greens, aprons and walk-offs have been fertilised this month using a 4:0:4 fertiliser which will aid in plant health for the next four weeks. We will also be looking to fertilise the tee tops in the upcoming month. 

With the tee tops, we have started to increase our maintenance on them by divioting and seeding, using new seed technology which germinates at four degrees Celsius. This should increase the time for tee recovery this time of year greatly. We also aim to pencil tine the tees in the upcoming month. 

We have cleared more natural areas and we will continue to do so until the beginning of March. We have cleared the 2nd escarpment and the left side bank on the 3rd using a remote control flail mower, this was used for safety reasons and to allow no disruption to the course.

We have had contractors in to stump grind the right side of the 4th and left side of the 6th (up to the path). These stumps have been cleared and filled with the cores we removed from the 1st, 17th and 18th greens. It is nice to be able to recycle materials in an efficient way.

We have removed a few trees as part of our ecology program. Although we do not like removing trees, sometimes this is necessary to allow more light and airflow to certain areas of the course. We will be planting trees this month to increase the natural species for a downland golf course.

Look forward to seeing you on the course!

Rob Dyer, Head Greenkeeper, The Downs Course.

The Park Course

Fingers crossed we have seen the last of the rain for a while! In December was saw 120mm of rain, January 110mm and February 50mm.

Sadly, the course has been closed a total of 22 days in 2018. Let's hope we have seen the last of unplayable conditions. Despite the wet conditions the team have been working hard on woodland maintenance, raising canopy's and clearing unwanted growth Which has given the bluebells and other wildflowers a chance to thrive.

The wall at the putting green has also had some well-needed maintenance with cutting the ivy off at the base and lifting all the weight has prolonged the life of the of the wall and has let in a lot more light to the area. Greens maintenance programme has continued with soil and foliar sprays plus some light aeration work.

With the course drying out I’m sure you are all pleased with buggies being let back on to the course but please could I ask you to follow all traffic management signs and avoid areas around tees and greens.

And remember to repair your pitch marks!

See you on the course!

Simon Berry, Head Greenkeeper of The Park course