Greens Update - February 2023

Hi everyone!

After a much better end to January weather-wise, we have been able to complete some of the winter projects which were started during the frozen conditions in December. The golf course on the whole is just about starting to wake up from its winter slumber, however there is always the possibility of more colder weather turning up over the next couple of months. Let’s hope for a nice warm February and March which will give us the best chance of preparing the course for the upcoming season.

Some of the greens are looking a little sorry for themselves at the minute, as they are still recovering from that period of frozen conditions as described in the course update from early January. As you can see from the picture below, depending on the conditions, frost can cause long term damage to turf, and so we will have to be patient in their recovery. Having said that they will recover well when it warms up. Some are looking fine for this time of year, however greens such as 1st, 9th, 12th and the 17th look to have suffered the most. We are trying to do everything we can during these weather conditions to encourage them, such as aeration, adding fertiliser and rolling, however this process will take time as the soil temperatures are still very low as you would expect.

Figure 1: Frost damage at the red tee on 1st, from a trolley

All the greens have been deep spiked this week, using 10mm tines, down to a depth of 200mm. This will encourage deeper rooting and also provide essential air exchanges. Those worst affected have also been shallow spiked with a 6mm tine down to a depth of 50mm.

Figure 2: Brand new deep solid tines for the Wiedenmann GXi8

Figure 3: New solid tines for the Procore Quadblocks

All the greens have been fertilised with a granular winter fertiliser. As temperatures are still so low there will not be much growth at this time. However, if any warmer conditions arrive then it will help bring the greens on a bit. They will also be sprayed next week when conditions allow to encourage them even more. We will also be punching some new seed into the worst affected areas which will help to create better playing conditions soon.

All the tees and approaches have also been given a shallow spiking during this period to help encourage rooting and aid surface drainage. They will be deep spiked in the coming weeks. They have also received an application of lawn sand. This will kill off any moss ingress and also give the surfaces a small amount of feed.

Figure 4: 15th tee extension. Old mat ripped out, stone removed, rootzone added ready for turf

Figure 5: Turf down after rootzone. New mat to be fitted shortly at the front

The 10th and 15th tee extensions have been completed over the last week. Rootzone was added to the tees and then fresh turf laid. As some of the turf has been laid on sloping ground, some spikes have been positioned on the turf so it doesn’t slip. Both areas have been roped off so please keep off the newly laid turf while it beds in. The old tee mat on the 14th was also removed and that area has been tidied up and returfed. A new mat will be installed at a later date at an agreed position for the hole.

Figure 6: Extension to 10th tee. Softer slope at the front added for ease of maintenance

Figure 7: Turf added at 10th. Spikes in turf to stop turf sliding on slope

We have had the tree surgeon in recently to carry out some necessary work, especially around greens and tees. Work was carried out on the 3rd, 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 16th holes. Greens staff have also carried out some tree work on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 12th, and 14th holes.

Figure 8: Contractors work at 11th green area.

All the bunkers today (Friday 3rd Feb) have been cleared of debris such as leaves and twigs. Over the coming weeks we will be bringing the bunkers up to speed with weeds being removed and the edges trimmed. Sand will also be moved so that we have the required depth coming into the new season.

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James Hutchinson, from BIGGA, has recently been in to carry out an Ecology Report for the club. This detailed advisory report covers the whole golf course, from woodland areas, to grasses and ponds. It is currently being proof read at BIGGA HQ but will be available to members very soon.

Figure 9: A woodpecker, spotted by James while he was compiling his report

We will continue to press on with our work, during this final phase of the winter period. We will try and complete as many winter tasks as possible, while also having an eye on the upcoming start of the season.

Steve Hemsley

Head Greenkeeper