Ecological Monitoring Appraisal of the Old Course at St Andrews on behalf of The R&A

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1 Ecological Monitoring Appraisal of the Old Course at St Andrews on behalf of The R&A Bob Taylor, Ecology & Environment Manager for excellence in sports surfaces

2 Visit Details Report Title: Venue: Ecological Appraisal of the Old Course at St Andrews on behalf of The R&A St Andrews Links Trust - Old Course Date of Visit: 3rd April 2012 Visit Objective: To assess the ecological conditions and discuss opportunities for improvement Present: Mr Colin Moir Director of Greenkeeping Mr Gordon McKie Old Course Manager Mr Bob Taylor - Ecology & Environment Manager, STRI

3 Executive Summary The old course was in very good condition at the time of the visit with significant evidence of work having been carried out through areas of gorse, heather and through the wider grasslands. Wildlife highlights included skylark, dunnock, yellow hammer and the resident rooks and carrion crow. These noted to be feeding through sections of the wider grasslands. The heather over the old course was exceptionally strong having come through the last winter very well. Areas of planted heather are proving equally successful but more work is required in certain areas (through areas such as front of 6th carry and to the left of the 6th hole - to improve on works recently completed). The grassland management is providing good results with only a few areas needing specific attention here. Areas include the ongoing improvement of the rough between the 2nd and 17th holes, extreme right of 18 and back of 18th green and on a more localised basis left of 16.

4 Executive Summary (Cont.) Repeated cutting and litter collection is providing excellent results through the 8th carry and similar improvements were noted between the 4th and 14th holes. The gorse management being carried out over the old course is appropriate and necessary to improve structural condition and diversity of age (structural diversity). Creating more discrete sections will reduce fire risks whilst allowing for a more phased management approach. Appropriate positioning of gorse coupled with its management will improve player and spectator opportunities, management for structural improvement will optimise the ecological interest. During the visit consideration was given to coppicing sections of gorse through the 9th and 6th holes and through the 8th carry. We agreed that areas of gorse right of the 4th carry and through the 9th carry, i.e. front of tee, should be graded without topiary.

5 Executive Summary (Cont.) Several areas of gorse were identified for removal including 2nd hole back of green, left of 3rd carry, front left of 8th tees, right of 6th hole, front right of 11th tee. All of the above works to be completed this late autumn/winter period.

6 OBSERVATIONS, COMMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS for excellence in sports surfaces

7 Hole 2/17 th Hole The grassland running left of the 17th hole has improved considerably given the intensive scarification work now being carried out along with cutting and repeated litter collection. Yorkshire fog and cock's-foot however are still problematic on a localised basis, evident by their dense and tussocky growth. Recommendations We agreed that with immediate effect and whilst the height of cut is low an immediate treatment with the graminicide Rescue should be carried out at the high rate of 1.3 litres/ha on a localised basis to treat the coarser areas. Thereafter implement a light scarification just to lift any dead and dying grass growth. Overseeding at this time should be carried out on a localised basis only where growth is weakest. Broadcast by hand and ensure that the seed is worked into the immediate surface.

8 Hole 2/17 th Hole (Cont.) Recommendations Late summer (August 2012) cut back to 50 mm, collect all arisings and leave for seven to fourteen days before applying Rescue again at 1.3 litres/ha, repeating the scarification and overseeding work thereafter. Note: A trial with the chemical Laser (with off label approval) is taking place right of the 17th hole out of the area of immediate play. The effects of this chemical will need to be noted and the results will be monitored and reported back to STRI.

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11 Hole 2 (Cont.) The gorse on the mound back of 2nd green is rather contrived and we agreed that its removal would enable the reinstatement of the grassland mound. Recommendations Remove the two stands of gorse to improve grassland condition and accommodate positioning of TV towers.

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13 Hole 3 The new mounds front right of the tee have been constructed to a high standard and the existing low mounds back to the tee support aggressive grass species, look untidy (in comparison to new mounds) and are difficult to manage. Recommendations Remove sward and surface rootzone this late autumn period, bury all vegetation in situ and cap with minimum 0.75 m of sand to reinstate more manageable mounding.

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15 Hole 3 The gorse to the front of the tees has been partially coppiced. Recommendations Allow coppiced areas to regenerate to 1 m over next two years. Work thereafter from pathside to both coppice and clear to reduce extent of gorse and expose low mounding. Clear gorse from crest of mounds, retaining all remaining to height of 1.5 m maximum back of crest for visual impact.

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17 Hole 4 A new semi-rough grassland strip has been created around the margin of the gorse right of the 4th increasing opportunities for play. The more visible face is degenerate and requiring grading to improve visual contribution. Recommendations Using a hedge trimmer with lance grade the gorse from low to high over nominal 3 m to improve visual quality of stand. Continue this work on Championship tee (4th hole) to further aid sight line.

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19 Degenerate margin of gorse

20 Grade margin from low to high on front section

21 Hole 5 Gorse has been cleared from the mounding right of the spectacle bunkers. The new moundings have been constructed to a high standard. Heather has been introduced to the left side within the rough to greenside of bunker. Recommendations Remove the recently laid amenity turf within the centre of the rough (see picture). Reinstate with bare sand and allow to recover naturally. Note: If retained the amenity grassland will establish and remain quite distinct. It may also expand into the adjacent rough to the detriment of the fixed dune grassland.

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24 Hole 6 The gorse management right of the carry and fairway undertaken over the last few years has created ideal spectator viewing opportunities. Recommendations This winter work to retain more discrete groupings of gorse through area of carry (as discussed on site). Coppice at least 30% of the topiary stands cutting into them with a hedge trimmer or similar to reduce artificiality. Apply an immediate treatment of the graminicide Rescue through area of heather carry (end April) at a high rate of 1.3 litre/ha to reduce grass content. If time allows dead and matted growth should be carefully raked out.

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26 Apply Rescue to control developing grass growth

27 Hole 7 Section of cleared gorse to the front left of the tee. Recommendations This winter, remove the right hand corner of the gorse over an 8 m distance to improve sight lines. Reinstate surface to sand and allow a natural recovery. Allow the areas already coppiced, i.e. front of tees, to recover before clearing and reducing the extent of degeneration through central section.

28 Section of gorse cleared right of tee

29 Continue with gorse clearance

30 Hole 8 Consideration was given to developing a new section of teeing ground back left of existing tees (for winter use). No botanical sensitivities were noted here. The tee would play over the left hand gorse through the carry. Recommendations To improve condition of retained gorse left side of carry coppice the section between the first two identified tongues of gorse (identified on site) pushing out into the line of play. Thereafter remove the taller gorse (greenside) working back through centre only so as not to compromise views or impact on 9th tees. Coppice only and allow to regenerate before progressing further. Remove the lower growing gorse on the mound (greenside) just before the bunker.

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32 Hole 9 Gorse requiring management front right of tees. Recommendations Grade back the gorse to the right of the tee (low to high) to maintain sight lines. No other recommendations of note were discussed through the returning 12th, 13th and/or 15th holes.

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34 Contact STRI: Bob Taylor +44 (0) for excellence in sports surfaces