Well the weather is certainly warming up, temperatures are rising and there is a little rain in the forecast. Over the last week it has been near 25° each day meaning the irrigation has been on each night. Added to the temperature has been a constant breeze which dries out the turf quickly. Sometimes extra water is needed on the turf throughout the day to keep it alive. Greens have been our main priority however when possible tees do get watered.
Some shaded greens have had small spots of fusarium appear in the last couple of days. This is due to high humidity and prolonged wetness from over night watering. On the shaded greens the sun doesn't dry the surface as quickly as the others. This shouldn't need an application of fungicide as growth is fairly strong and with dry conditions shouldn't lead to any damage to the turf. Recovery will start within days as the poa will naturally thrive during this weather.
The white ring is mycelium which is how the disease spreads from infected grass to uneffected grass.
Growth still continues in the semi rough however other areas are beginning to slow due to the dry conditions. We have been out to spray Semi rough for clover and other weeds. Most areas were covered during the spring application. however small areas are spot treated.
The entrance lane has been strimmed and blown and some of the new shrubs tidied around.
We have topdressed greens, surrounds and approaches, straight sand was applied as usual. This reduces thatch build up keeping the surfaces firmer, drain more freely and help reduce winter wear when ground conditions deteriorate. To help more concentrated wear areas we also apply heavier sand dressings in these areas.
Following top dressing or was matted and washed in. Leaving a smooth finish.
Surrounds also looking great.
Another branch has broken off the sweet chestnut tree at the 10th tee. This could be down to the age of the tree as branches break off on an annual basis.
Now we are into June the chafer grubs that we have such a problem with in the winter months regarding badger damage are turning into beetles and flying around. These are small bronze coloured bettles around 10mm long. Infected areas of turf obviously have a greater number of grubs however they will fly far from where they emerged from.
We have filled in some low sections around the 20th new tee so it can be cut more easily. This was our old turf nursery. A mobile sprinkler is being used to water the seed.
Unfortunately etiquette of some golfers leaves a lot of improvement. It's disappointing and becoming all to common to see unraked bunkers, trolleys taken through surrounds between bunkers and greens and pulled onto tees. It is a golfers responsibility to look after the course.
Finally we have had a demo grinder brought to the club courtesy of bernhard grinders. Scott Purdy ground all units on our 3100 using a spin grinding technique which is faster than our current method but needs doing on a more regular basis. A good machine to see and valuable information should we look at replacing our grinders at any point.
Overall the course is looking great and credit goes to the staff at malton and norton
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