Course News
Posted on: 10 February
FEBRUARY COURSE REPORT
Since we successfully held the Sandbelt Invitational back on Wednesday 22 December 2021 we have continued to maintain the course as best we can to replicate similar conditions as experienced that day for our loyal members.
Once resuming from the few short weeks over the Christmas/New Year period we had the greens Ninja Tined on 10 January using 5mm hollow tines. Ninja tining helps us to relieve thatch and compaction from the greens,. The small Ninja tines allows us to complete such a vital task for the greens health without disrupting the surface in a major way so member experience normal play within the next day.
The Summer conditions has made our couch surfaces thrive. To keep the growth under control we are spraying growth regulators on our tees and fairways every 3 weeks to regulate the growth in the couch. Therefor this allows us to utilise man hours elsewhere instead of cutting the 20 Hectares of couch we have so often.
During January we have experienced the record for the warmest night time temperature’s during January as well as extremely humid conditions throughout the days. The conditions I just mentioned are the perfect breeding ground for disease to invade our Poa greens. This has seen us spraying a fungicide every 7-14 days to prevent any infection from disease in our greens over this period.
Upcoming works will see us pay attention to draining the bunkers on the 9th fairway.
We have excavated a few test holes on the 8th carry way looking for some nice grey sand to potentially use in the 9th fairway bunkers.
Clint unfortunately had a fall this week at work and suffered a mild concussion. He is resting and recuperating at home and is hoping to be back at work on Monday 14 February. We take this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery.
Chris Alan | Assistant Course Superintendent.