LINKS SUPERINTENDENT REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
WEATHER
September
was drier than average which allowed playing conditions on the courses to be
firmer and faster than at any time throughout the season. There were some
strong winds at the beginning of the month which meant some of the seeding on
the new holes wasn’t as successful as hoped for as seed was blown from some of
the more exposed areas. There was also some heavy rain towards the end of the
month which meant some localised pooling of water around the courses especially
on the 3rd/4th holes of the Burnside.
WORK ON THE
LINKS
September
saw the commencement of some of our autumn renovation work, such as scarifying
and seeding, across the courses but primarily on the Burnside and Buddon Links
as with the Dunhill Links taking place in early October the Championship can’t
really be touched.
The
drier weather along with the slowed growth allowed us to raise the height of
cut on greens to allow for better rooting development without compromising
playability.
CHAMPIONSHIP
COURSE
The
greens received their usual monthly spray programs of wetting agent, seaweed
and growth inhibitor and received a very light top dressing in the middle of
the month. Weaker areas were fed as required and the hydro-ject was used on
similar areas.
Other
work
·
Approaches
& surrounds were top dressed
·
Weak
landing areas were fed to aid divot recovery
·
Barry
Burn and ditches were cleaned as required
·
A
selective graminicide was sprayed in roughs as required to control rye grass
and Yorkshire fog
·
Young
broom was sprayed with Timbrel as required to kill it of
·
Sand
in bunkers was shaped up
·
The
bunker at the LHS 14th green was revetted to have it looking more
presentable for the Dunhill
BURNSIDE
Greens
were pencil tined whilst the approaches were aerated with slightly larger cross
tines. Pearlwort on greens were sprayed with a selective weedkiller and growth
inhibitor was sprayed on greens as per normal.
Other
work
·
Cutting
back thick roughs and collecting grass
·
Tee’s
slit tined
·
Removing
weeds from burn
·
Shaping
bunkers
·
Trimming
round irrigation sprinklers
BUDDON
LINKS
Greens
were verti-cut prior to the commencement of the deep scarification work along
with over-seeding and top dressing.
Tees
were verti-drained, clover around course was sprayed as required and the ditch
in front of the 14th tee was cleaned out.
New
Holes
1st
Golf completed their work on the new holes by the end of the month and in my
opinion to a very high standard. The seeding took place at the beginning of the
month in difficult windy conditions which meant that some exposed areas were
required to be oversown by ourselves towards the end of the month as some seed
had been blown away.
In
general most of the seed, especially on the fairways, has germinated, is
establishing well and is increasing in density. Because of the windy weather
greenstaff were also required to apply water manually to ensure an even
coverage and reduce the risk of run-off that would wash seed away. This was also
vital to aid in the germination of the new seed.
The
new green on the site of the old turf nursery looks well after being turfed by
the greenstaff and is now being cut at the same height as the rest of the
greens and has received a couple of top dressings to help smooth it off and
keep it firm. Once the approach and the rest of the fairway are turfed in
November the hole will be complete and weather permitting should be ready for
play in the early part of next summer......fingers crossed!
Other
work carried out on the new holes by greenstaff also included lowering the bumps on the second
part of the current 12th fairway, revetting culverts in ditch
crossings and preparing a patch on the junior practice area for seed.
STRI
AUTUMN VISITS
Both
the Championship and Burnside courses received visits from Richard Windows of
the STRI to carry out testing on the greens as well as a general course
overview. Both courses received very positive reports and it is testament to
years of good work along with the continued support of the committee that these
results are possible.
We
still have targets though and will be striving to improve where possible such
as increasing fescue content and managing organic matter levels in the soil
profile.
Sandy
Reid
Links
Superintendent
17th
Oct 2012
