Start of the annual maintenance

On Tuesday this week we started the annual maintenance, don't panic we haven't touched the course greens as yet, this is still planned for 31st July. We have done the two putting greens leaving a small area to putt on. The rest of the greens have been firstly solid tined with 12mm tines, followed by one pass with 6mm hollow tines.

Immediately after the work the greens were sanded with straight sand and brushed into the holes.

This year we have taken the decision to reduce potential disruption by using smaller hollow coring tines. We have based this decision on recent soil samples and green condition and the fact we have started using alternate methods of aeration, such as the Air2G2 machine later in the year. Using smaller tines leaves smaller holes so the amount of sand applied to the greens has been reduced from previous years. We put around 2 tonnes on per 500 sq/m in 2016 when we used 12mm hollow cores and did a double pass with the solid tines, this year we have reduced the volume to 1/2 tonne per 500 sqm. We are hopeful that the reduced disruption and reduced sand sitting on the surface will give a quicker recovery time. We are aiming for a 10-14 day recovery. I will update on the progress over the coming weeks.

Just before we started the work we sprayed the greens with the second application of preventative fungicide to help reduce the likely hood of anthracnose. This was mixed with iron to help strengthen and boost vigor of the the greens ready for the upcoming work.

Overall the condition of the course is great and the team are working hard to keep it in the best possible condition given the very unsettled weather. Now we have completed a number of annual tasks, such as the entrance lane, long rough cutting and are on top of general tasks such as intermediate rough cutting and strimming we have given Lynsey a go on the vibrating roller machine. she is our summer worker, however she is more than competent. She is also regularly divoting and raking bunkers around rolling and other general cutting tasks.

More recent rain has led to some of usual wet areas of the course being chewed up a little. The 6th tee area is becoming one of the worst on the course. We are aiming to vertidrain a number of areas during the maintenance weeks taking advantage of the course closures. Other areas I would like to concentrate on are the tees, approaches and greens surrounds, including all walk on/off areas. Depending on growth in the coming weeks the bunkers will also be edged.