This week we are trying to finish turfing the dead areas of grass on the fairways to give it plenty of time to root before warmer weather comes in spring. Dead turf was lifted using the turf lifter and edged with the half moon. Rootzone was added where needed to remove severe low spots where water has originally gathered. Turf has been bought in from Fineland Turf as this is more suited to the fairway grass we want and is grown on sandy land which will drain freely.
When initial frosts had thawed we cut the greens by hand, moved holes, moved hoops and ropes, solid tined tees and continued with fairway aeration. The hedges were cut bu hand, this time working on the 7th tee hedge.
The problems we are having at the moment are ongoing through the winter, the cold spell of weather has brought out the badgers again which like scuffling in the turf to search for food. This time they have decided to have a dig on the 6th hole.
This is very frustrating, however nearer spring we can repair these areas, and with good growing conditions will recover reasonably well. We are going to treat the effected areas with merit turf, an insecticide, which should kill the chafer grubs that they are searching for.
On the positive side we have installed another drain into the 15th green, this time back right which was the only area left that was a problem with standing water. This was connected to a drain we installed a few weeks ago connecting to the 10th fairway drainage.
