around the course…
As part of our 5 year course plan there are a number of activities taking place on the course.
Bunkers
The Greens Team have now agreed a procedure for upgrading all the bunkers on the course. The procedure is based on a USGA system and includes Aquadyne drainage in the base of each bunker. Once this is done the bottom of the bunker is turfed and this is allowed to take root. Once rooted the turf is killed but leaves the roots as a base and this prevents the clay subsoil mixing with the sand.
After killing the grass sand is then applied in line with standard recommendations. The banks of the bunkers are also being configured to allow the ball to run into the bunker rather than end up plugged in the bunker face or under a ledge ( historically caused by edging the bunkers.) Providing the bunkers are correctly raked unplayable bunker shots should hopefully be a thing of he past.
Pictures 1.Aquadyne drainage, 2.Turf in base of bunker, 2.Finished bunker. (all photos to follow shortly)
Trees
In order to protect out course for the future tree planting and tree management continues. Additional trees have been planted around the course with the most intense planting being along side the 9th fairway.
However we have also taken out two lines of Poplar trees each side of the 1st hole. Each side of the first hole has 3 rows of Poplar trees and the centre rows have been removed and the stumps ground out.
This has been done due to Polar trees having a limited life span and if all the Poplar trees died at the same time the hole would lose its definition. Therefore new trees have been planted to replace those removed. These will hopefully be fully established before the other Poplars die and thus giving the hole the same definition as currently exists.
Picture of newly planted trees. (all photos to follow shortly)
Shrubs
Shrubs outside the Professional shop and alongside the 1st tee have been removed. The reasons for this are threefold;
1. At the last open evening in November 2010 some members requested the area around the 1st tee to be tidied up as the current appearance gave a poor initial impression to visitors.
2. The shrub were “woody” and being over run by brambles, ivy and worst of all bamboo.
3. Maintenance of the shrubs was time consuming and difficult. They also made access for hedge trimming virtually impossible.
Pictures of completed areas (all photos to follow shortly)
Shrubs were also removed from around the putting green as the roots were damging the root structure of the green. The other issue was that Greens Staff could not get onto the putting green with the same equipment used for the greens, now they can. This has greatly benefited the putting green and it is gradually becoming the same as the main greens due to receiving the same treatment.
Picture of putting green (all photos to follow shortly)
New Aerator
This year we have purchased a new aerator, so that we can increase the amount of aeration that can be done to the greens. This aerator gives us the option to aerate through the season with 8mm diameter tine to a depth of 260mm with out disturbing the surface.
This will benefit the greens promoting a healthier root system and healthier plant. The aeration will reduce the run off we get when we use the irrigation system, as it will penetrate into the soil and the water will get into the soil profile where it is required.
This will also help get wetting agents in to the soil profile and help the turf show more drought resistance.
The aim is to use this aerator monthly through out the season in con junction with the top dressing and rolling programme that we currently do.
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