From The Shed – March 2024

29/03/2024
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I want to make it known that any decision I make regarding course closures and cart restrictions is not made lightly. This decision is made with player safety, staff safety, and, of course, damage to the course as a high priority.  I would personally like to thank Greens Director, Andrew Dick and Vice President, Grant Smallacombe for giving up their time during the wet weather. Both parties inspected the course with me and I was able to point out the reasons for closures and the problems we face as Greenstaff in maintaining the course during these conditions.

GREENS

  • Recovery from recent disease infestation has been slower than expected but
    is recovering well.
  • Granular fertiliser and soil amendment apply first week March.
  • Air2G machine over greens 1st week March
  • Root hormone, phosphates and trace elements to be applied in coming weeks
  • Selective fungicide to be applied in coming weeks.
  • Growth regulator to be applied in coming weeks.
  • Selective herbicide applications continue to be applied both spot and boom
    treatment.
  • Coming weeks
    o Double groom
    o Spike
    o Light dust/topdress
  • These processes are all due to the current weather being experienced and
    need to be carried out.

TEES

  • Aerated first week March.
  • Will be aerated in coming weeks to help with excessive moisture
  • Selective herbicide applications to continue.
  • Will be oversown in early April (Rye Grass)
  • Granular fertiliser application in coming weeks

GREEN SURROUNDS

  • Aerated late February.
  • Aerated 14/03/2024 to help with excessive moisture.
  • Selective herbicide applications to continue for control of crowsfoot grass,
    mullimbimby couch, carpet grass.
  • Regular growth regulator applications to continue.
  • Current height of cut 12mm.

FAIRWAY

  • Aerated late January.
  • Aerated 15/02/2024.
  • Aerated 14/02/2024.
  • All to aid with moisture control
  • Granular application of nutrients added in February.
  • Liquid amendments to be added in the coming weeks

ROUGHS

  • Extremely wet
  • Growth has slowed.
  • Will be looking at root pruner in April.
  • The definition between roughs and fairways is at optimum.

MACHINERY

  • Recommendation for new tractor complete and approved in principle.
  • Preventative and breakdown maintenance on schedule.
  • Currently replacing all cylinder bearings in all cylinder mowers (a time-consuming job).

STAFF

I’m lucky to have a good crew during this wet weather period who are willing to work time in lieu hours (i.e., go home when too wet to work and make up hours when able to work).  I am very appreciative of their efforts and willingness to adapt in difficult weather events.

COURSE PROJECT WORK

  • Members cart shed drains cleaned, and mucked out.
  • Tee sign cleaning and sealing have commenced but, held-up due to weather.
  • Bridges have had anti-slip control applied.
  • The washdown bay pipework and the pit are complete.
  • On completion of tee sign cleaning, Marty’s Hut will be next to be cleaned.
  • Cart path extensions on the 4th and 11th tee are planned for April.
  • Turfing of new cart paths will commence in the coming weeks.

Warren Smith – Course Superintendent

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