From Tee to Green ‑ January

The Downs Course

With the weather being so poor this month, our main aim was to put air into the soil profile to keep the playing surfaces as dry as possible.

Our aeration program continues on the greens and this month we have micro slit twice and sorrel rolled twice. We have also aerated all the tees using 16mm solid tines to a depth of 50mm. We have struggled with certain tees which water log very quickly with consistent rain. After doing this process, the tees are firmer and the water infiltrates the profile a lot quicker now

Whilst on aeration, we have hollow cored the 1^st green using 10mm hollow tines at a depth of 75mm. We removed three tonnes of the soil profile, this was then cleared by hand to avoid taking any more heavy machinery onto the green, the holes were left open overnight for vital gas exchange in the soil. We 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.We have already seen great results after just 2 days. The green has firmed up and I believe we are now heading in the right direction with this problematic green. The 1^st green will still be rested on occasion to keep improving it.

Therefore, with such great results, we will look to do the same on the 17^th and 18^th greens. The greens will be taken out of play whilst this vital work is carried and then will be put on a resting program with the 1^st green. Hole 16a will be used as a substitute for the green that is rested that day. Resting the poorest greens will only improve the playing surface as we head into the main playing season.

Looking forward to the month ahead we will be continuing our aeration programme of sorrel rolling, micro slitting and pencil tine to a depth of 75mm. This will aid us in keeping the greens as dry as possible and produce a healthier sward.

We now look to start our woodland work using our ecology plan as a guide. We will be looking to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches from the trees on the course. We will also be flailing and strimming the natural areas on the course this month.

Look forward to seeing you on the course!

Rob Dyer, Head Greenkeeper, The Downs Course. 

The Park Course

Sadly, the course has been closed 14 days so far this month with over 80mm of rain saturating the course on top of a high water table from Decembers rain. The greens have had some well-needed aeration with a spike and slitting to aid drainage and to get air in the profile and with a small window of opportunity between the rain showers, we were able to spray a disease preventative.

We are working through our winter projects which includes a woodland clearance programme, raising tree canopies for better playability which also produces better air flow and light to the surface aiding our wildflower habitat management enabling them to flourish in the spring. Our course furniture has been repainted with new tee markers re-stained and varnished. We continue to work on our Pathways around the course with re-levelling and 10mm stone replacement.

Away from the day to day running of the golf course the team took the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and to understand best practices and techniques in attending a training day with other departments from Goodwood Sports division.

See you on the course!

Simon Berry, Head Greenkeeper Park Course