Greens News - March 2019 March so far has been the wettest month of the year. However, persistent windy conditions has kept the course dry so much so that a little warming rain would be very welcome at this point. Signs of growth are evident and you will see the mowers out regularly very soon. To help us with this maintenance we have removed all of the winter hoops and ropes. The irrigation system has been primed and the heads will be checked for damage and wear and tear. The 8th pond was also topped up following the cleaning out of all the weed and leaf litter this winter. The pipework has been repaired at the 12th tee, it was a troublesome repair but all seems to be working fine. A new sprinkler head was added to the practice tee in front of the driving bays. This will assist in retaining a grass surface on what is a very busy practice area. Following the harsh winter of 2017/18 (very, very wet) and the proceeding high heat of the summer the fairways did suffer with turf stress. With some areas of dieback, moss invasion and a general thatch build up we will try to reinvigorate them. The process will include using the surface as well as a more vigorous scarification. Also, to improve turf health a granular feed will be applied. Tees and approaches have been verticut to reduce thatch build up. The tees have received a granular feed of Polyon. A 6-7 month controlled release product applied early settles within the turf canopy and releases slowly with warmer temperatures. Path edges have been strimmed or turf cut back to allow for a creosote application to protect the wood/sleeper through the year ahead. The paths will be sprayed as soon as possible with a weed suppressant and total weed killer. Greens maintenance week has been and gone. Firstly, the greens where verti-cut to clean and refine the surface followed by a cut to clear any excess debris. Aeration began with 12mm tine to a depth of 200mm. The holes where left open overnight to allow oxygen into the rootzone. Top dressing started next morning which was allowed to dry so it would brush into the tine holes. Once all the greens had been aerated the tines where swapped over to 8mm and the process began again. The second pass was set at a depth of 100mm which aids recovery by helping close up the larger sand filled holes. The week was completed with several passes of the turf iron to smooth the surface. March 2019 62.5mm Gareth Williams, Course Director
We are getting a few golfers that are apparently practicing on the course. Just a reminder we do have practice facilities for practicing so other than maybe playing with two balls whilst out playing on your own when it is quiet can all other practice please be done on the practice ground. | 
