146mm of rain has fallen in August to date. This included falls of 5mm, 10mm, 24mm, 80mm, 14mm, and 14mm.  These falls happened on consecutive days leading to the course being closed for two days and the postponement of the third and fourth rounds of the Ladies Club Championships.  Bringing our yearly rainfall total to 1492mm.

I would personally like to thank the Ladies Club Captain, Kate Sawry, for her wonderful support during this time.  With the first round of the Club Championships looming, I must congratulate my staff for their huge efforts to present the course on Saturday 17th August in the condition it was.  I would like to apologise to the ladies playing in round one of their championships.  Due to a traffic accident on the Bruce Highway, our concrete deliveries were postponed (by no fault of our own).  I accept the fact that Greens Director Andrew and I could have planned this better.

Of more concern to myself lately is the amount of times golf balls have been hit at, or over my staff members.  This is an increasing incident due to the amount of social play happening.  It won’t be long before a staff member is hit in the head with a golf ball causing serious injury.  Social golfers need to understand Greens Staff have the right of way at all times. 

GREENS

• Height of cut 4mm.
• Overall the health of the greens is good.
• Spiked 29/07/2024.
• Penetrant applied to help with moisture control on 12/08/2024 and 16/08/2024.
• Phosphites and silica applied to help with plant strength and vitality 7/08/2024.
• Fungicide application 19/08/2024.
• Root hormone, phosphites, and insecticide to be applied 20/08/204.
• Rolling increased to three days per week.
• Pure maintenance program during club championship months and Cooroy Open.
• Air2G machine day after Cooroy Open, 16/09/2024.
• Grooming to commence Tuesday 17/09/2024.

TEES

• Height of cut 12mm.
• Aerated 30/07/2024.
• Aerating planned for the end of August.
• Fungicide application due in coming weeks.
• Insecticide application due in coming weeks.
• New men’s 17 and 11 tees in play.
• Liquid nutrient applications due in the coming weeks.
• Tees moved daily.
• 11th tee cart path to be completed including gardens and turf edging.
• Ladies 15 tee to be leveled and resurfaced after Club Championships.

GREEN SURROUNDS

• Height cut of 12mm.
• Aerated 30/07/2024.
• Aeration planned for the end of August after the Club Championships.
• Liquid nutrients planned in coming weeks.
• Fungicide application this week (mycelium).
• Traffic control added for entry/exits to help with stress control.

FAIRWAYS

• Height of cut 14mm.
• Aerated 12/08/2024.
• Traffic control added to relieve stress in wet areas.
• Liquid amendments due in coming weeks (iron, calcium, magnesium).
• Liquid nutrients due in coming weeks.
• Bare patch and mounding systems postponed until after the Cooroy Open.
• Aeration a massive help.

ROUGHS

• Height of cut 51mm.
• Mowed this week 19/08/2024.
• Monitored in coming weeks.

BUNKERS

• Maintenance nightmare during wet weather.
• Water pumped out after rain.
• Edges and faces repaired after rain.
• Due to the above maintenance, bunkers have survived wet weather well.
• Raked every day.

MACHINERY

• New John Deere R4066 delivered – great asset.
• Kuboto 2410 (small tractor) rebuilt adding 5-6 years to the expected lifespan.  Massive thanks to Tony Foster. We spent 20 hours on this machine.
• All machines cleaned and degreased by staff during wet weather.
• Preventative maintenance on point.
• Purchase of tractor-mounted TMI Bully UH60 Rotary Hoe for $6,000 approved.

STAFF

• Staff need to be congratulated on their efforts to get the course ready for the first round of club championships.
• Chris Walsh is settling in well and thoroughly enjoying himself and learning quickly.
• NDSHS student Joe is working well and enjoying his work experience. Joe is hoping to undertake a school-based traineeship in the future.

PROJECTS/COURSE WORKS

• Concrete cart path, retaining wall, and gardens at 11th Tee in progress.
• Ladies 15 Tee: Resurface and re-level – planned.
• Mens 5 Tee: Resurface and re-level – planned.
• Mounding System/Bare Patches – postponed until after the Cooroy Open