From Tee to Green ‑ June

The Downs Course

This month on The Downs the team have been working their way through the bunkers across the course. We have identified that sand levels are not where we would like them to be, some to much some to little. With this in mind we have been dedicating a large amount of time to rectify this.

We feel the process has been successful in providing a more consistent surface to play cross the course. What we have found is that as the sand dries which is inevitable with our location and soil structure, the bunkers do lose their firmness underfoot and the sand moves around. With this in mind we are planning to introduce a program to wet the bunkers in extreme dry spells in order to improve their consistency. This alongside daily sand level checks as we rake the bunkers will ensure that we maintain the correct levels of sand.

This month has proved testing with extreme high temperatures. It has however shown the importance of introducing the right grass species for our site. The picture below shows a patch of stressed annual meadow grass surrounded mostly by velvet bent grass that we continue to introduce on our greens. This is a great visual to illustrate the difference between the two and how important our overseeding and aeration programme is to the continued development of our greens. 

Looking ahead to next month we are planning to feed our aprons, tees and weak areas across the site to improve plant health and increase grass coverage. This alongside managing our surfaces and bunkers through the current dry spell will keep the team extremely busy. We are pleased with the condition of the greens coming out of their second aeration process and will look to further improve their playability from last month in to the next.

See you on the course.

Tom Brearley, Head Greenkeeper Downs Course

The Park Course

Playing Areas:

Due to this months dry conditions the focus of the team has been hand watering to prevent dry patches and stress damage. The course is presenting very nicely, with green speeds being consistent stimping 10. 

Greens Maintenance:

This month we took full advantage of the course being closed for Festival of Speed to carry out some greens maintenance. Here are the tasks undertaken and what they involve:

Scarifying – Slicing the surface in two directions on the green to the depth of 13mm. This operation removes thatch and creates a seed bed for our colonial bent seed. (Fig.4)

Verti-Cutting – Slicing the surface of the green with blades closer together to thin the surface, remove any lateral growth and any annual meadow grass seed heads that may be present. The total amount of unwanted fibre removed was 700kg per green.

Overseeding – We broadcasted 4kg per green of colonial bent into the channels created by the scarifying and verti-cutting. (Fig.3)

Sand Dressing – Once the seed has been applied we then dressed a medium setting of sand across the green and drag matted into surface. The amount was enough to fill the channels and tine holes smoothing out any imperfections. (Fig.2)

Solid Tines – Aerating the surface using 13mm tines going to the depth of 2”

Double Brush Apron/Fairways – Brushing the surface to stand the plant up for a cleaner, tighter finish. (Fig.1)

We expect a quick recovery. The greens are in good health and with applying a fertilise to give them a boost which will help the plant push through the sand dressing.

See you on the course.
Simon Berry, Head Greenkeeper Park Course