LINKS SUPERINTENDENT REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2012
WEATHER
November
was a fairly mild month with about average rainfall and a slightly higher than
average temperature. There wasn’t much in the way of wind therefore the courses
didn’t dry up as quickly as we would have hoped after periods of rainfall. The
last week of the month saw some welcome frosts which helped dry out and firm up
the surfaces which made vehicle access to and from jobs less disruptive.
WORK ON THE
LINKS
November
as always sees the start of the Winter Works on the 3 courses and the
commencement of any aeration programmes such as Verti-draining. Winter greens
were established, having any divots plugged and being top-dressed.
CHAMPIONSHIP
COURSE
The
greens and surrounds were verti-drained with 13mm tines and top-dressed
immediately to not only fill the holes but to increase the sand content in the
upper soil profile. A cut and a couple of rolls ensued they were back to being
smooth and true within a day or so. Any outstanding Hydro-ject work was
completed and an application of fungicide was made to prevent any disease
outbreak.
Other
work
·
Cutting/strimming
of thick rough and sea lyme dominated roughs was completed
·
Tees
and fairways were all top dressed
·
Fairways
were verti-drained with 13mm (½”) tines
·
Patches
of Yorkshire Fog were plugged on the 1st tee
Winter
Works
·
Job
of raising the 2nd part of the Island on 17 commenced
·
Excavating
sand from between 10th & 11th holes for up-filling
the Island
·
Low
area on 9th fairway raised and re-turfed
·
Mounds
at right and rear of 9th green were stripped and lowered
·
Braids
bunker lowered by 9”
·
Road
along side 6th green removed and turfed instead
·
Astro
turf matting removed from path at 8th
·
Gorse
in front of 12th tee reduced in height to improve sight lines
BURNSIDE
Greens
were only cut twice during November but along with the approaches were applied
with Sulphate of Iron to harden the grass leaf and help control moss. These
same areas were Verti-drained using 8mm tines to a depth of approximately 18cm
(7”) and rolled a couple of times afterwards to level surfaces.
Other
work
·
Old
permanent winter tee mats were removed and turfed over with new portable mats
being put out instead
·
Verti-draining
of fairways with 13mm tines commenced
·
Raising
and trimming sprinklers as required
Winter
Works
·
Back
tee on 6th hole was raised and re-turfed
·
11th
tee was extended forward
·
Bridges
at 3rd and 4th holes were removed to prepare for raising
and replacing
BUDDON
LINKS
The
greens were top dressed and aerated with 8mm cross tines whilst the 6th
fairway was scarified completing this sort of work for the season. The new type
of portable winter tee mat was put out on to the par 3 tees.
Winter
Works
·
The
fairway, approach and surround of the new 10th hole were turfed
using turf from the 17th fairway of the Championship Course and from
the start of the 2nd fairway of the Buddon Links
·
Work
adjusting the 4th green and it’s surround commenced
·
Bunkers
were revetted at the 4th, 6th and 14th greens
along with one at the 6th fairway
·
New
line of sprinklers was installed on 4th carry/walkway
STAFF
TRAINING
Three
members of staff attended a 4 day training course on fine turf management
presented by the STRI in Kinross.
Sandy
Reid
Links
Superintendent
6th
December 2012
