COURSE SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT

Transcription

1 COURSE SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT 21 st November- 23 rd January November rainfall 2017 Same time last year November December rainfall 2017 Same time last year November 20.1mm 8mm 28.5mm 69.0mm J F M A M J J A S O N D rainfall 2016 mm total 888mm rainfall 2017 mm total 556.5mm rainfall 2018 mm total

2 J F M A M J J A S O N D Output Meg/L 2016 Output Meg/L 2017 Output Meg/L 2018 GREENS Cutting height 3.0 (mm) Greens have received an application of fungicide for Dollar spot and Anthracnose before last years Christmas. Disease pressures were greatest after rare rainfall events and warmer night time temperatures. Our beneficial nematodes were applied to the greens to help kill any Argentine stem weevil larvae that are around. To date we have one more application and so far no incidence of stem weevil at all. A foliar fertiliser was applied twice to the greens during November. This light fertilising program enables the greens to have a good balance of nutrients, but without the high levels of Nitrogen that could result in more disease pressure and too much growth resulting in slower greens. Greens also were verti drained with solid tines. Due to the amount of golf over the holidays it took 2 days to complete. This again allows oxygen exchange throughout the root zone and better water penetration. Calcium was applied both via a foliar application and a soil drench. The foliar application allows the leaf to absorb and correct deficiencies. Calcium is a fundamental element for turf grass, and helps improve soil structure, binds organic materials, aids in nutrient absorption, and decreases the sodium content in our soil from our irrigation water. Greens also received a couple of light applications of primo, a growth regulator to maintain tighter putting surfaces and reduce leaf growth that eventually slows down ball roll.

3 The soil health program that we are currently administering and has been in place for the last 4 months has dramatically increased the performance of the greens. The benefits we have seen are: We no longer get the disease we used to get, and might I add that the top leading golf courses would be applying fungicides to their greens every week to fortnight this time of year. Our last application of fungicide was on the 18 th of December No insecticides applied at all. No dry patch and little hand watering required during a 4 day spell of 38, 40, 45.2 and 39 degree days. There was no more water applied to the greens than normal, that weekend we cut and rolled, had the greens at 10.5ft for the medal. Increase in plant and root health. On average the roots would be 200mm deep no on new and old greens which mean less water and better plant health overall. A deeper green colour requiring less inputs of fertiliser. Last month saw us apply a fertiliser instead of a fungicide, both of similar product form for pythium, but without the chemistry of the chemical going into the soil. GREENS COLLARS Collars 6mm Collars are now at 6mm. They are cut twice weekly. GREEN SURROUNDS Cutting height 12mm Green surrounds are currently cut twice a week. They received another foliar fertiliser of nitro iron to increase growth and provide nutrients for greening. They also have had an application of primo to control growth. TEES Cutting height 6mm Tees received a foliar fertilise to maintain nutrients and also their colour. They also received a wetting agent application on them to help them prepare for the summer stresses. An application of miticide was applied to reduce the damage from mites. These have been particularly bad this summer as there has been such a dry spell.

4 FAIRWAYS Cutting height 12mm Fairway watering is once a week and they are suffering. Any rain is most welcome to keep them alive. Hot temps have made it hard to hold colour with the little rain around. Fairways have received a wetting agent is applied through the dosing injection unit once a week when watering. They currently are cut once a week. The fairways were so dry one week the carts were burning the grass. Burn marks on grass due to heat ROUGHS Cutting height 40mm Roughs are now cut weekly to keep them tidy. Paspalum and Parramatta grass is spot sprayed to continue our program. They aren t getting watered that frequently, once a week to fortnight.

5 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE We have completed the lowering of two mounds on the 11 th fairway and rough. I must admit it has made a huge difference to the visual aspect of the green and seeing both the green and water behind from a 200m out from the green. This will ultimately improve safety and provide a different angle into the hole. Holes 3 and 9 would have commenced 15 th January. Before on fairway after on fairway Rough mound before mound removed Dean Hopper Course Superintendent