LINKS SUPERINTENDENT REPORT FOR JANUARY 2013
WEATHER
96
mm of rain fell in January (more than twice the average rainfall for this
month) with rain falling on 21 days which meant the inconvenience of the water
table being higher than normal causing certain holes on all 3 courses to be unplayable
at times resulting in them being closed or shortened in length. It also meant
that bunkers were flooded and travelling around the courses for the greenstaff
was very awkward. Temperatures were average but there was a lack of sunlight
due to all the rain which isn’t good for the metabolism of the grass plant.
WORK ON THE
LINKS
Water
removal and the continuation of the Winter Works Programs were the main focus
of work through January.
CHAMPIONSHIP
COURSE
The
greens and approaches were slit tined early in the month with the greens being
verti-drained with 8mm tines and top-dressed during the last week. Greens were
cut twice and rolled once. Sulphate of Iron was applied to greens, approaches
and surrounds to keep the grass leaf hard and to control any small patches of
moss.
Winter
Works
·
Extension
of top tee at 1st hole completed, preparation work in surrounding
area continuing
·
Preparation
work on Island and 2 of the 3 bridges raised to help alleviate future flooding
·
Installation
of rubber mats and surrounding turf on 8th walkway completed
·
Bunker
at LHS 5th fairway revetted with rear and run-in being raised
slightly to allow more sand to be put in bunker to prevent standing water
Other
work
·
Pumping
flood water from affected areas
·
Verti-draining
wet/flood affected areas
·
Front
half of 10th green mini tined to remove silt from flooding
·
Bunker
floors loosened
Environmental
Work
·
Gorse
cutting at 1st, 8th, 9th and 12th
holes
·
Eight
leaning trees removed from LHS 9th hole
BURNSIDE
The
emphasis on the Burnside during January was to remove the flood water, debris
and silt left on the back of the Barry bursting its banks in late December
through pumping and squeegee-ing water and shovelling large areas of silt from
the 3rd/4th fairways. These areas were then verti-drained
to assist in the drying out of the surface and soil profile.
Winter
Works
·
Bunker
revetment either completed or commenced at LHS 7th green, 12th
green (2), 15th fairway (3) and LHS 18th green (2)
·
Ground
raised in front of newly raised bridge in front of 3rd tee
Other
work
·
2nd
& 3rd greens/approaches mini cored and top dressed
·
All
greens pencil tined (6mm solid tines) and rolled behind
·
Fairways
slit tined
·
Winter
tee mats washed
·
New
turf on 6th and 11th tees tip dressed
Environmental
Work
·
Dead
trees removed from RHS 5th hole
The
Buddon greens were Star tined (8mm) and rolled and were cut twice during
January. Verti-draining continued on fairways, walkways and on the practice
ground and the bunker floors were loosened as required.
Winter
Works
·
Adjustments
and turfing on and around the left and rear of 4th green were almost
completed
·
New
back tee at 13th was shaped up
·
Revetting
alongside path at 3rd tee
Craig
Boath, Stephen Mitchell, Gavin Lowe and I attended BIGGA’s Turf Management
Exhibition in Harrogate where we attended workshops and seminars as well as
finding out the latest developments on products and machinery used in the
Greenkeeping industry.
Retired
Links Superintendent John Philp paid a visit to the sheds one morning to deliver
a presentation on the History of the Open Championship and the modern day
guidelines for preparing a course for the Open to the staff.
PENDING
RETIREMENT
Eric
Watson, our Maintenance Engineer of 25 years, announced that he will be
retiring on 31st May. Along with advice from Eric we are in the
process of advertising for the position with the intention of having someone in
place shortly before 31st May so that Eric can assist his
replacement to become familiarised with the operations of the Workshop and Golf
Courses.
Sandy
Reid
Links
Superintendent
4th
February 2013
