116mm of rain has fallen in the month of October to date. Bringing our yearly rainfall total to 1628mm and sees the course in very good condition.
I would like to thank Greens Director Andrew Dick and President Grant Smallcombe for his support and time throughout this period.
GREEN
· Height of cut 3.5mm.
· Overall the health of the greens is good.
· Spiked 7/10/2024.
· Penatrant and nutrients applied on 10/10/2024.
· Phosphites and silica applied to help with plant strength and vitality 11/10/2024.
· Fungacide application applied 1/10/2024.
· Root hormone applied on 7/10/204.
· Rolling performed three days per week.
· Air2G machine on 16/09/2024.
· Grooming completed on 17/09/2024 and 7/10/2024.
· Top dressing the greens 18/09/2024.
· Granular fertiliser and amendments applied on 18/09/2024.
· Selective herbicide applications on greens 1, 16, 4, 2 and 15 has been applied to remove the winter grass (foreign grass), everyone has been complaining about. The reason these greens held winter grass for the cooler months was because I oversowed the surfaces with poa trivialis. This is the same family as the foreign winter grass, meaning I was unable to spray those selective greens. It was always in my planning to spray this grass out when we were able to start grooming the greens.
· Bare patches will be regularly spiked, top dressed and granularly fed to enhance regrowth.
TEES
· Height of cut 12mm.
· Aerated 3/10/2024.
· Granular gypsum and chook manure applied 7/10/2024.
· Ladies 15 tee resurface and leveling completed 3/10/2024 and is now growing in. First top dress applied 14/10/2024.
· Tees mowed daily.
· 11th tee cart path is completed.
GREEN SURROUNDS
· Height cut of 10mm.
· Aerated 1/10/2024.
· Liquid nutrients applied on 10/10/2024.
· Growth regulator to be applied in coming weeks.
· Traffic control added for entry/exits to help with stress control.
FAIRWAYS
· Height of cut 14mm.
· Aerated 10/10/2024.
· Travelling irrigator added to maintenance program on dry fairways.
· Granular amendments (gypsum and chook manure) applied on 7/10/2024.
· Liquid nutrients sprayed on 4/10/2024.
· Bare patch and mounding systems completed and awaiting turf.
· New aeration a massive help as is the new tractor.
ROUGHS
· Height of cut 51mm.
· Mowed fortnightly.
· Monitored on a fortnightly basis.
· Mounding system completed.
BUNKERS
· Maintenance nightmare during wet weather.
· Water pumped out after rain.
· Edges and faces repaired after rain.
· Due to above maintenance, bunkers have survived wet weather well.
· Raked every day.
MACHINERY
· All machines cleaned and degreased by staff during wet weather.
· Preventative maintenance on point.
STAFF
· Staff need to be congratulated on their efforts to get the course ready for first round of club championships.
· Chris Walsh is settling in well and thoroughly enjoying himself and learning quickly. He has completed his three-month probation period and has been appointed to permanent staff.
· NDSHS student Joe is working well and enjoying his work experience. Joe is hoping to undertake a school-based traineeship in the future. He will also be working with us over the school holidays.
PROJECTS/COURSE WORKS
· Ladies 15 Tee – Resurface and re-level.
o Will be in play next week.
o Included retaining wall, garden and path
· Mens 5 Tee – Resurface and re-level
o Will commence in coming weeks.
o Included retaining wall and garden which I aim to complete in one month.
· Mounding System/Bare Patches
o Awaiting turf, organise working bee to lay turf on these areas
· Installation of signage stating “Greens Staff have Right of Way”.
Warren Smith – Course Superintendent
