LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2010
WEATHER
September was another changeable month with occasional heavy rain. A south easterly airflow prevailed in the first week, while the remainder of the month was dominated by westerlies, mostly light to fresh. Total rainfall was 51mm and average noon temperature was 14.75○ C, near normal for the month.
WORK ON THE LINKS
Championship Course
Selective Weedkiller
Selective weedkilling was carried out on fairways where required. Greens were treated locally as required using knapsack sprayers targeting outstanding small pads of pearlwort.
Total Weedkiller
Total weedkiller was used around Starters’ Box, Hotel and Public Putting Green perimeter.
Grass Herbicide – Rescue
“Rescue” was applied to the 6th, 9th and 14th tees as well as “Hogan” tees for ryegrass and / or Yorkshire fog control. Lower lying fairway areas on the 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th 12th and 17th holes and selected roughs on the 1st, 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 12th holes were similarly reated as a follow-on from last month’s treatment.
Fungicide
A preventive fungicide was applied to greens in the second half of the month while green surround areas were treated locally for dollar spot control with liquid ammonia and iron added to the knapsack tank.
Wetting Agent
The monthly wetting agent application was carried out on greens, on this occasion with a micro-nutrient – phosform turf conditioner added to the tank.
Top Dressing
Greens were top dressed in the middle of the month followed by the usual brushing in.
Aeration
Many tees were hollow tined following “The Tassie”, overseeded and top dressed, some with the addition of granular seaweed. Certain traffic routes were hollow tined and dressed also.
Bunker Maintenance
The usual bunker maintenance was carried out which included trimming, sand shaping and bunker floor cultivation as required.
Turf Repairs
Some small turf repairs were carried out during the month on the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 17th holes.
Irrigation System
Irrigation system maintenance during the month involved raising low tee sprinklers and trimming round sprinkler heads where necessary. Turf irrigation was again not required in the prevailing conditions.
Fertiliser
The new turf on the early part of the 18th fairway was given a light (2-0-10) fertiliser application. Lawn sand was used on weaker green surround areas while greens were sprayed with a low dose of liquid nitrogen, potassium and seaweed in the middle of the month. Weaker tees and certain fairways were treated with a liquid nitrogen and iron mixture.
Brushing / Rolling
Greens, approaches and surrounds were brushed as required during the month while greens rolling continued to suit prevailing circumstances.
Agronomist Visit
Mr R Windows carried out his biannual visit on the 28th of the month.
Tassie
The Tassie progressed smoothly through the week and fortunately without the flooding issues of last year. Player feedback was very positive regarding the two courses and the event remains as popular as ever.
Environmental Work
Environmental work was limited during September but included clearing out the Barry Burn and ditches on the Championship Course and chipping tree and dead gorse branches.
Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year
Craig Boath, having won the Scottish Region competition, narrowly missed out on winning the national award held at B.I.G.G.A. headquarters in Bingley. Congratulations to Craig for his achievements in the S.V.Q. Level 3 awards and being chosen to represent Scottish Greenkeeping candidates for this prestigious award. (Of course, we have to recognise a bias towards those candidates, south of the border!)
John S Philp
Links Superintendent
