Still dry

After a nice week off I have returned to find the course in magnificent shape. The definition is coming on really well and the rough especially is growing up fast. Over the week I had off there was only 9mm of rain so the ground conditions are still fairly dry.

Grass growth is more vigorous due to constantly higher soil temperatures as nights have been much warmer. 

The irrigation system has been used on a night to irrigate greens and tees. E. T. Rates have been high especially over the last few days so water needs to be replaced, using the irrigation computer we can control the amount of water on each green and tee. Some areas need more than others, daily checks are made and adjustments made.

In simple terms when you get heat and water at the same time that creates growth. In a more scientific view, we call the relationship between soil/ air temperature levels throughout the day and moisture 'growth potential'. 

Basically when the temperature reaches a level that a grass can grow at it's maximum, given the right supply of nutrients, water and light, this is it's maximum growth potential. We can control the amount of nutrients and water to some level, and using plant growth regulators we can regulate growth. 

During the last week growth potential has been incredibly high. The last application of growth regulator was applied around 12 days ago at a low rate as at that time growth was slow due cooler temperatures. Today we reapplied growth regulator to greens, this time the amount of growth regulator was increased due to increased temperatures, upcoming rain and an scheduled application of fertiliser. This should take the flush of growth from playing surfaces. 

Tees fairways and semi are also growing very fast however we can't spray all areas. The tees will get an application of growth regulator when time allows this week or next. Before I went on holiday the remainder of the weed areas were sprayed. These areas were sprayed with a selective weed killer to kill mostly daisies and dandilions. 

With limited staff resources this week we concentrating on mowing. Getting a dry cut is helping but with a four day week sometimes we don't have the luxury to wait everyday until the dew burns off.

Last week all secondary jobs were completed. Divoting tees, bunker faces teesides and range work, this should save us time this week. 

On Thursday this week we have a contractor coming to spread an insecticide on holes 2-7 to treat chafer infestations which the badgers search for in winter. The 1-9 holes will be closed until dinner time.