Start of some winter work

Over the last couple of weeks we have made a start on a few winter jobs, grass growth is slowing slightly and we getting on top of a number of smaller tasks. First up was aeration of greens, the last couple of years we have used a machine called an Air2G2. This machine basically injects air into the soil at around 300mm below the surface. The great benefit we have found in using this machine opposed to the conventional vertidrain method of aeration is the reduced disruption to the surafce. The vertidrain machine punches thousands of holes into the turf, depending on tine size, ranging from 8mm to 15mm wide. The tines create spaces within the soil profile for new roots to develop, with the added benefit of providing air into the soil. The Air2G2 has 15mm tines but as it injects air there are a lot fewer holes. So few that after a roll it is difficult to see where the machine has been. The air is injected at high pressure, this fractures the soil structure creating horizontal airpockets, and those that break up to the surface. This again provides the soil and more importantly the grass roots with the air they need for healthy growth as well as increasing the drainage potential.

Some of the greens are struggling more than others due to the continual wet conditions we have seen this year, the 2nd, 5th and 10th are the wettest and softest on holes 1-18. Greens 21-24 are also soft but these are generally softer due to the position in a flood plain. We are thinking of trying to improve them over the coming years by installing drainage. We have to consider all the options, and provide a solution which is affordable. A new system has been launched called PC Duke drainage. This system is being installed in 3 greens at Hull GC. Adam and myself took the opportunity to go and see the installation for ourselves, with the intention of considering it for the greens at Malton and Norton GC. It was very impressive, very little disruption, the green was fully complete within 4 hours and playable immediately after. The system compromises of sand bands every meter apart, the difference to a normal sand band installation is the machine also pulls in a hollow fibre glass rope, which is then linked to an exit drain. The fibre glass rope absorbs all moisture within the sand drawing it away to an outfall. This allows the sand to continue absorbing water from the green. We will return to Hull GC to see how effective it has been over the winter. This method has a couple of advantages over a normal drainage installation, one is the cost, around 50% cheaper, and secondly the disruption is very minimal, the green is out of play for 4 hours, a conventional drainage system could take the green out of play for up to 4 months.

We have started an bunker improvement programme. The most comments I receive currently is regarding the bunkers, specifically balls getting stuck under grass lips. I fully understand the issue, to explain the reasoning the bunkers are designed as they are is to reduce labour needed to maintain the bunkers. Bunkers with flat bases are far easier to maintain as the sand remains in situ after heavy rain. As we are looking to increase staff numbers this gives the option to experiment with the bunker style and hopefully improve the playability of some bunkers on the course. To show how we are looking to present the new style of bunkers we have completed 4 of the practice bunkers, please have a look and give some feedback.

We have also started some tree work, removing some dead and dying trees across the course, there are number of trees on the course in very poor and sometimes dangerous condition. Below are a few examples of some of the trees that we are working on currently. They have rot and are structural unsafe. Other trees will be pruned to ease maintenance and increase playabilty in some areas of the course.