Making great sport happen LISBURN GOLF CLUB. Advisory Report on the Golf Course. Report Date: 31 st October 2016 Consultant: Ian McClements

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1 Making great sport happen LISBURN GOLF CLUB Advisory Report on the Golf Course Report Date: 31 st October 2016 Consultant: Ian McClements

2 Lisburn Date of Visit: 27 th October 2016 Visit Objective: Present: To review course condition and maintenance objectives. Mr Ivor Walker Greens Convenor Mr John McKeown Secretary/Manager Mr Robert Nelson Course Manager Mr Stephen Kelly Deputy Course Manager Dr Ian McClements STRI Ltd Weather: Mild and dry. Headlines Greens were deep aerated (14 depth) and sanded at the end of September/early October, with the objective of fracturing the profiles to encourage better winter drainage Greens had recently been stitch seeded, with bentgrass introduced to improve the botanical composition Greens were evaluated for ball roll (smoothness and trueness) using the STRI Trueness meter, despite recent work, smoothness values just fell within our target range for routine play. Trueness was outside our target range Recent aeration treatments had softened the surfaces Greens were tending to retain surface moisture due to high levels of surface organic matter, organic matter content within the top 20 mm is well in excess of our target values of 4-6%. A programme of tree removal and pruning has been instigated New main drainage has been installed on the 1 st and 2 nd holes along with a detention basin at the rear of the 10 th green complex Plans to extend the 4 th tee was discussed Bunkering at the 4 th green was reviewed Plans to develop a short game practice chipping area were discussed Key Actions The short and medium term focus for greens management is on improving ball roll, restoring smoothness as well as trueness The water retentive nature of the upper green profiles should be reduced through improvements in organic matter management Wetting agents could help to manage water movement through the green profiles A construction strategy should be formulated for the development of the new practice chipping green Woodland/tree management should be part of the course maintenance budget for the foreseeable future Ongoing drainage works are required to deliver the desired improvements in course playability The bunker refurbishment works discussed for the 14 th hole will deliver both aesthetic and playing quality improvements and could be implemented in tandem with the work proposed for the tee

3 Photo Observations and Comments Figure 1: Minimal scaring following recent disease activity Figure 2: The southern view to the rear of the 6 th green) Figure 3: Entrance to 6 th green Figure 4: Typical green profile Figure 5: Detention basin at the rear of the 10 th green complex :

4 Recommendations Greens The height of cut had recently been elevated to 4mm to confer a little more protection to the sward when entering the winter period. When viewed through a prism, the height varied from 3.5 to 4mm with a sight unevenness to its uniformity. A small input of liquid fertiliser would help to promote a little growth without over-stimulating the sward to help even up the growth characteristics. Additional growth would also allow for recovery from the recent sanding and allow for further dustings to develop ball roll. Invigorated growth over the larger aeration holes would benefit from more top dressing where the tops of the holes are a little depressed. Greens were looking a little beaten up with the recent sanding, associated with the sand integration processes. Ease off on aggressive brushing/matting operations to allow recovery. Further aeration with a small solid tine will help to close the larger aeration holes and also help with sand integration. Members should be reminded of the importance of repairing pitch marks as these are likely to increase whilst green surfaces are soft. Regular top dressings will impact upon 100% of the surface and are the most effective mechanism for dealing with organic matter build up over a growing season. Top dressings should be applied when there is active growth, with mild autumn weather and winter growth this is nearly possible year round. However, be mindful of disease as sanding can encourage outbreaks by wounding plants (aggressive steel matting or brushing) when integrating our coarse sands in to the sward or by creating a humid environment at the turf surface. Scarifying through the top 20 mm of the profiles (when there is active growth) will help to remove some of this organic matter, deep scarifying with sand injection helps to remove and dilute organic matter as well as improving green firmness. This programme of work should be scheduled for The fungicide Instrata was recently applied, which has two contacts in the form of chlorothalonil and fludioxonil from different groups and an acropetal penetrant in the form of propiconazole. This is a good broad spectrum fungicide for use either to provide protection in advance of a fungicide outbreak when disease pressures are high or as a curative. Consider switching to the active, Azoxystrobin (Heritage Maxx), before growth has all but ceased and apply at the highest recommended water volume rate with the objective of bringing the fungicide in to contact with the crown of the plant to move upward and confer a high level of protection. Bear in mind that penetrant fungicides (e.g. Azoxystrobin, propiconazole) have the advantage over contact fungicides (chlorothalonil, fludioxonil) in that they generally have a longer residual action. For example, only 3-10 days of control can generally be expected from a contact fungicide, which means that it takes only 3-10 days for the disease to reappear following the fungicide application. On the other hand, penetrant fungicides may provide at least days of control. In addition to protecting newlyformed plant tissues, penetrant fungicides have the added advantage of being able to suppress pathogens that have already infected plant tissues. Localised penetrants (iprodione, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin) will only move over relatively short distances within the plant and will confer limited protection. Do not become reliant on fungicides but practice good cultural techniques, use iron sulphate, remove dew and avoid damaging leaf tissue when disease pressures are high. Use a penetrant wetting agent through the winter months to help water move through the profiles.

5 Green Surrounds and Approaches Immediate collars would benefit from being, scarified, hollow cored, rolled and to dressed. Lips between the putting surface and collar are beginning to form when there should be a smooth transition between the putting surface and collar. Trees have been removed to the SW of the 6 th green, helping to improve air movement across the putting surface. Lack of sunlight is one of the main limiting factors to growth on this green. The line of the winter sun should be evaluated, particularly in the morning, to the SE which will help disperse dew and encourage early thawing in frosty mornings. Whilst the copse to the right of the 7 th tees is the main constraint to light penetration to the green complex, we would suggest a twofold strategy that would help to retain the copse but improve the environment at the 6 th green. Create clearance avenues that will allow light through from above but also remove the understory at key locations to let light in from under the tree canopy when the winter sun is low in the sky. The entrance to the 6 th green complex is weak on the right due to poor growing conditions and competition from the adjacent trees. There are three trees, one associated with a small holly bush that should be removed to allow the underlying topsoil to be cultivated and turfed. A detention basin has been sculptured at the rear of the 10 th green complex to collect water that overflows from the nearby drainage outlet. Contours have been sympathetically shaped for ease of maintenance but to improve the opportunity for water to dissipate to ground we would suggest widening and deepening the trench in the base of the detention basin, aim for a trench that is 450 mm wide and mm deep. If added soakage is required, then form one or two sumps along its length where the trench connects with the native fine sand sub-soil. Tees Plans to widen the 4 th tee was discussed, which seems to be a sensible approach considering the most intensively used area is at the narrowest point on the teeing surface. There is only scope to extend to the right given the proximity of the entrance road and the cart path will have to be routed down the left-hand side of the tee. Rootzone materials should be stripped and stockpiled from the entire working area so that adjustments can be made in the subbase. Current elevations offer the most inviting view to the green so avoid any further height, the forward/ladies tee could be lowered by mm (no more) to provide some separation and help to break up the runway effect. Following rootzone replacement, work a little (10-13 mm) of sand in to the surface and turf using a quality ryegrass/fescue mixture growing on a sandy medium (preferable). Finally face the tree line to the right of the new extension and take the opportunity to remove spindly trees from within the plantation as part of a management programme that will encourage native species and further development. Fairways & Semi Rough Prevailing weather conditions and damp, dewy surfaces have encouraged Microdochium patch on the fairways and green surrounds. At the elevated heights of cut, this is unlikely to present a significant problem and it is envisaged that there will be no lasting damage. As with the putting surfaces, adopt a cultural programme that will seek to keep the surfaces as dry as possible. Use a dew brush or trailed hose to disperse moisture and spray sulphate of iron to harden the sward against disease activity. Drainage works have been undertaken to the 1 st and 2 nd fairways with the installation of main carrier drains. These can be used to intercept and pick up lateral drainage (yet to be installed) which will help to lower the water table in the wettest sections. In addition, there may be a requirement to install secondary drainage as a bypass system that will transport water more quickly to the lateral pipes and confer higher drainage rates to maintain dry surfaces in all but the most extreme weather conditions.

6 Tree plantations There should be an annual budget set aside for tree management taking in to consideration the current condition of the plantations throughout the course. It is encouraging to see that work has commenced to manage the woodland with selective removal and pruning. Many plantations contain closely planted species that have not been allowed to develop and which now adversely impact upon the key playing surfaces. Thinning is required to encourage key specimens to develop to maturity and to introduce structural diversity. This strategy might also include the replanting of younger trees (whips) to help increase the number of native species across the course. Practice chipping green The site proposed for the practice chipping green is considered to be generally suitable for this development. The main constraint to light availability are the evergreens behind the mature lime to the south-east but these are purported to protect the main entrance road from errant shots in to the 5 th green. The lime is deciduous so will lose its canopy in the winter. The trees around the maintenance compound will require topping and strong consideration should be given to the removal and replacement of the poplars to the north of the proposed site. These are probably approaching the end of their lifespan and have a habit of searching out and blocking drainage pipes. Ensure that the green is constructed to a modern profile in line with the new putting green. The topsoil should be harvest from the site and re-used on surrounds. It is a sandy loam and has good natural drainage characteristics. Cap the topsoil off with two layers of sand, each 10 mm worked in to the soil to create a sandy surface for seeding/turfing. Seeding would be the cheapest method of grass establishment and allows you to specify a seed mixture and cultivars. The surrounds should reflect the rest of the golf course and we would suggest a mix of approximately 60% perennial ryegrass, 30% fescue (chewing s & slender creeping red) and 10% brown top bent. The putting surface can be established using seed, turf or by a means of core harvesting. Using cores from the main greens would give you a surface that is the most in keeping with the rest of the golf course. Ian McClements BSc, PhD, MBPR Senior Consultant ian.mcclements@stri.co.uk Tel: ian.mcclements@strigroup.com STRI is completely independent and has no alliances to commercial products, services or contractors. This ensures that our design, project management and advisory services provide the best solutions for each individual client.

7 Objective Data Graph 1 Moisture content of four greens assessed Graph 2: - Firmness of four greens assessed

8 Objective Data (continued) Graph 3: - Putting surface smoothness Graph 4: - Putting surface trueness

9 Objective Data (continued) Hole Green Speed Smoothness Trueness Firmness Mean Firmness SEM (+ or -) VWC VWC SEM (+ or -) 4 na na na Table 1: - Summary of objective data collected