From Tee to green ‑ November

The Downs Course 

Playing Areas

November has proved a difficult month on the greens. Changing temperatures have resulted in outbreaks of disease activity. Many greens have been left scarred with the wettest greens such as the putting green, 1^st and 18^th being affected the most. We have aerated and sprayed the greens to aid recover and keep the plant healthy. Alongside our light aeration we have also carried out deep air injection using The Air 2g2. This machines injects air down to a depth of 12”, breaks up compaction and creates channels for the roots to grow deeper.

Storm Angus brought over 2” of rain in 3 days and also brought most of the leaves of the trees. With the softer ground conditions and the sheer volume of leaves it has taken some time to clear the playing areas but with 90% of the leaves fallen now it will start to become easier to keep these areas clear.       

The tees and fairways have all been slit to improve oxygen availability to the roots. This process also breaks up compaction caused by foot traffic and machines and improves drainage. Winter rules has been in place since the start of the month due to the growth slowing down and divots taking longer to repair.

Projects

Strimming and clearing the natural areas has continued throughout the month. We still have a lot to carry out but we are slowly working our way round the course to get the areas that couldn’t be reached with the cut & collect machine 6 weeks ago.

Woodland clearance has also continued with the woodland between the 1^st, 17^th & 18^th being cleared at ground level using a pedestrian flail. This area has seen a big increase in bramble infestation so by cutting it back to ground level will enable us to control this unwanted growth next year. As with the strimming work there are many other areas on the course that we will be focusing on and cutting back the brambles and weeds in the coming weeks with the flail to ensure we enable the native fescue grasses to thrive.

Turfing some of the worn areas on the course has begun with the walk off from the 5^th green being re-laid. This area will be roped off for the foreseeable future to allow the new turf to establish. Other worn areas on the course will be re-turfed in the coming weeks.

Current Conditions

Despite the wet conditions in the middle of the month the course remains very dry with the greens rolling well and course generally performing well for the time of the year. I would ask that all members and guests please ensure that their etiquette is correct at all times by repairing pitchmarks, replacing divots and staying off the turf around the new bunkers.

See you on the course.

Andy Brown, Head Greenkeeper Downs Course.

The Park Course 

What is the Disease on our Greens?

Fusarium patch disease is the most common and one of the most damaging lawn and turf diseases in Europe and mainly occurs in the autumn and winter months between October and March. However, it can strike at any time of the year especially if the conditions are favourable. The disease attacks closely mown areas that contain a high percentage of annual meadow grass, which is another reason we are committed to changing the grass species on our greens to the more favourable bent grass.

Identifying fusarium disease

Fusarium disease initially appears on the green or in areas of turf as small patches. The leaves turn an orangey - brown colour. Sometimes during early morning dews, white fungal threads appear this is called mycelium.

As the disease quickly spreads the patches increase in size into larger patches. As the severity of the attack increases, these patches can join together causing widespread damage to the green.

Conditions that favour fusarium disease

• Fusarium patch disease is most active during the damp weather conditions typically associated with the autumn and winter months.
• Excess levels of nitrogen caused by late nitrogen feeds will encourage fusarium patch.
• Greens that suffer from shade lack sunlight and air movement, encourage fusarium patch.
• An excessive layer of thatch or organic matter build up encourages fusarium. 
• A green that contains a high percentage of annual meadow grass will always be at risk from an attack of fusarium, as this grass species is very susceptible.

How is it being Treated?

We have both cultural and chemical controls in trying to reduce the risk of disease.Removing dew and keeping the surface dry and having sufficient air movement helps. Apply sulphate of iron - This will help acidify the surface of the green which will help discourage the disease. Improve the surface drainage with aeration. Improve any sheltered areas by cutting back or pruning any vegetation which is causing a problem.

The Air 2G2 On Hire

Using tines to the depth of 12” the Air2G2 releases compressed air into the soil which breaks up soil compaction. This will create more air flow through the soil profile, this task will encourage better drainage and deeper/stronger root growth. Along with our thatch removal programme this will result in the playing surface having a stronger, healthier grass sward and in turn a more consistent, faster, firmer putting surface.

Winter tree maintenance begins

Five Ash trees were removed from the left-hand side of the 4th hole. The reasons for this is to allow the green better air flow and light, also these trees have shown early signs of Ash dieback disease. Two other trees that have been removed are the Western Red Cedars at the rear of the 7th tee, these trees will be replaced with a cedar of Lebanon.

See you on the course.

Simon Berry, Head Greenkeeper Park Course.