20mm of rain has fallen in September to date bringing our yearly rainfall total to 1512mm.

As we see the end (finally) of the Championship Season and as I write this, the Cooroy Open, I would personally like to thank my staff- Sonny Schultz, Tom Murphy, and Chris Walsh.   Without their tireless efforts, the course would not have been presented in the condition it was today, 15 September 2024, for the Open. These guys are respectful and have a wonderful attitude and a great work ethic. They need to be congratulated for their efforts.

I would also like to thank my team of (respectful) volunteers. Their efforts, although unnoticed/disrespected by many, are invaluable to me and my staff.

Of more concern to myself lately is the amount of times golf balls have been hit at, 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. Can you please ensure this message is portrayed to all social golfers before a nasty incident occurs?

I would like to thank Greens Director, Andrew Dick for his support and time throughout this period.

GREENS

• Height of cut 3.5mm.
• Overall the health of the greens is good.
• Spiked 29/07/2024.
• Wetting agent and nutrients were applied on 29/08/2024.
• Phosphites and silica applied to help with plant strength and vitality 6/09/2024.
• Fungacide application due in coming weeks.
• Root hormone and phosphites and insecticide applied on 20/08/204.
• Rolling performed 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.
• Top dressing the greens 18/09/2024.
• Granular fertiliser and amendments to be applied on 18/09/2024.
• Selective herbicide applications on greens 1, 16, 4, 2, and 15 have been applied to remove the winter grass (foreign grass), that 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 plan to spray this grass out when we were able to start grooming the greens.

TEES

• Height of cut 12mm.
• Aerated 30/07/2024.
• Aerating planned for the end of September.
• Fungicide application applied 9/09/2024.
• Insecticide application applied 10/09/2024.
• Ladies 15 tee resurface and leveling in the next 10 days.
• Liquid nutrient applications applied 10/09/2024.
• Growth regulator applied 10/09/2024.
• Tees moved daily.
• 11 tee cart path is completed and waiting on Grathan Leatherbarrow to install plants.

GREEN SURROUNDS

• Height cut of 10mm.
• Aerated 30/07/2024 and planned for the end of September.
• Liquid nutrients were applied on 9/09/2024.
• Fungicide applicated applied on 10/09/2024 (mycelium).
• Growth regulator was applied on 12/09/2024.
• Traffic control was added for entry/exits to help with stress control.

FAIRWAYS

• Height of cut 14mm.
• Aerated in the coming weeks.
• Traveling irrigator added to maintenance program on dry fairways.
• Liquid amendments were sprayed the first week in September and due again in late September (iron, calcium, magnesium).
• Liquid nutrients sprayed first week in September and due again in late September.
• Bare patch and mounding systems are planned to start on Tuesday, 17 September.
• New aeration is a massive help as is the new tractor.

ROUGHS

• Height of cut 51 mm.
• Mowed last week 12/09/2024.
• Monitored in coming weeks.
• Mounding system is planned to start on Tuesday, 17 September.

BUNKERS

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

MACHINERY

• New John Deere 4066R in use – great asset.
• The new Cosmo Rotary Hoe attachment for John Deere arrived on 30/08/2024.
• 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 the first round of club championships.
• Chris Walsh is settling in well and thoroughly enjoying himself and learning quickly.
• Noosa District State High School 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 •

• Concrete cart path at 11th Tee: Concrete path complete. The garden is to be finalised by Grathan Leatherbarrow.
• Ladies 15th Tee: Resurface and re-level. Will be completed in the coming weeks and include a retaining wall, garden, and path.
• Mens 5th Tee: Resurface and re-level will commence after the Cooroy Open and include retaining wall and garden.
• Mounding System/Bare Patches:  Starting on Tuesday, 17 September.  There will be a working bee to turf these areas – dates to be confirmed.