Superintendent’s Report – July

 

Summary of works  

June brought with it 128mm of rain, spot on the average rainfall for the month.

• June 2018………………Rainfall               (Average 126mm)
• July  2018………………Rainfall                (Average 30mm)

The average temperature for June was 18 degrees.

Soil temperature is around the 18 degree mark.

I have purchased a soil moisture meter, which not only measures moisture but also measures Soil Temperature and Electrical Conductivity. We hope this will be a helpful tool during the summer months.

After recent heavy rain, the greens have become open to winter disease, as a result of all the nutrients being flushed out of the plant. Brown Patch was spotted on most greens, and was treated with the correct fungicide. Applications of fertiliser were also added to remove the disease.

With heavy rain come bunker issues. Pumping bunkers and pushing wet sand around takes up a lot of our time. I think in the last month we have had to do this once a week. When we are not working on the bunkers, we are still going around the club testing and tagging electrical cords and servicing our fleet of machinery.

New putting cups have been placed into the greens as well as new flags and 100 new Tournament rakes have been put into the bunkers.

 

Works undertaken during June

Greens

• Application of fungicide targeting Brown Patch and dollar spot.
• Application of kelp products to aid in root development and disease resistance.
• Applications of wetting agent to aid in water penetration, to dry thatch layer and help roots to search for deeper moisture. Applications applied every 4 weeks.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the plant, every 4 weeks.
• Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health, every 4 weeks.
• Greens are currently getting cut at 3mm, 4 times a week
• Greens are currently getting rolled twice a week
• Holes get changed 5 times a week.

 

 

Surrounds

• Surrounds are cut once a week at 15mm.
• Apron cut around the green is at 6mm and done once a week.
• Green side sprinklers trimmed

Tees

• Tees cut once a week at 15mm
• Application of liquid kelp fertiliser applied
• Application of wetting agent applied
• Tee sprinklers trimmed
• Tee markers moved everyday

Fairways

• Fairways cut once a fortnight at 18mm.
• Fairway sprinklers trimmed

Bunkers

• All bunkers were edged and the grass edges were sprayed with a growth retardant.
• All bunkers are raked fully 3 times a week and on Saturdays all foot prints are raked out by hand.

 

Rough

• Rough cut when needed.
• Try and cut around Tees and Greens once a week.

 

Irrigation / Dams

• Dam water tested once a month for Salt / Sodium levels. 2^nd dam clear, 15^th dam clear
• 2^nd dam full
• 15^th  dam  full

 

Moisture Readings

 

• 33 % moisture
• 18 degrees soil temp

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staff

Course Superintendent: Mr David Nicholls

Assistant Superintendent: Mr Craig Coleman

Senior Greenkeeper: Mr Mathew Smith

Greenkeeper: Mr Shaun Hill

Groundsmen: Mr Darren Orchard and Mr Peter Ceaser

The holiday period for the boys has started. I have had 2 guys away for a total of 6 weeks.

 

Works Planned for July

Greens

• Applications of fungicide targeting Winter Fusarium, Brown Patch and dollar spot prevention.
• Applications of kelp products to aid in root development and disease resistance.
• Applications of wetting agent to aid in water penetration, to dry thatch layer and help roots to search for deeper moisture.
• Applications of gypsum applied directly to the plant.
• Application of soluble fertiliser to aid plant health.
• Application of soil conditioner.
• Application of Magnesium.
• Greens cut at 3mm, 4 times a week.
• Greens rolled twice a week.

 

Surrounds

• Surrounds will get cut once a week at 15mm.
• Apron cut around the greens at 6mm and done once a week.
• Green side sprinklers trimmed around

Tees

• Tees cut once a week at 15mm
• Application of liquid kelp fertiliser applied once a month
• Tee sprinklers trimmed around
• Tee markers moved everyday

Fairways

• Fairways cut once a week at 18mm.

Bunkers

• All bunkers will be edged and the grass edges will be sprayed with a growth retardant.
• All bunkers will be raked fully 3 times a week and on Saturdays all foot prints will be raked out by hand.

Rough

• Rough cut when needed.

 

Irrigation / Dams

• Dam water tested once a month for Salt / Sodium levels.

Other

• Continue testing and tagging over 550 electrical cords throughout the club, then document (All done in house)
• Replace all filters and fluids on all of our machinery. Replace all worn parts- bushes and bearings (All done in house)
• Continue renewal program for the 100m / 150m posts