April really was a testing month. There was a little rain, then a bit more followed by a lot more. In total 123mm fell at Windlesham Golf Club. In comparison to last year when we had 3mm in the whole of April. It has led to a buggy ban coming in during the last week of the month and also course closure on 1 day.
The team continues to work hard and progress on the course has again been good. Their hard work has also kept course closures to an absolute minimum, especially when a lot of other courses have been closed.
I hope you enjoy reading this update on the Course and the Green staff team who look after the course. On that note I would like to thank two members of the team who have moved on to new opportunities during the past month, George and Luke (Millard).
We have already appointed in the role of 1st assistant, Chris Smith who will be joining the team on the 21st May. Chris is fully qualified and will bring with him experience and special expertise in key areas. We are currently in the process of recruiting a 2nd fully qualified team member and I am sure you will join me in welcoming them to the club.
Alastair Higgs
Course Manager
Course News
The drought order has been followed by a significant amount of rainfall. Which although has caused the course a few problems is much appreciated and a much better scenario than if low rainfall levels had continued. We are currently affected by the hose pipe ban which restricts our ability to draw our irrigation water from the mains supply. We are however in constant dialogue with the water supplier and authorities and are positive that we are working towards obtaining an exception from the ban be it if it’s only a partial one to allow the watering of the greens. We have during April carried out a few repairs to the irrigation system so that it is ready to go should it be required and should we obtain an exemption.
Tree & Scrub work has continued with the ditch line to the right of the 16th hole being completely opened up.
All the bunkers have been given a new edge, we are now hand raking only and this will dramatically improve the way the bunkers perform and maintain their shape throughout the year.
There is also a down side to any weather conditions and this month’s heavy rain has really limited spraying opportunities and as a result we are still awaiting a Selective herbicide to be applied to all the main playing surfaces. The fairways will also get their first growth regulator treatments of the year and a little fertilizer as part of an ongoing program throughout the season. Wetting agent programs have started to all surfaces and will continue throughout the year as we look to be as water efficient as possible.
Project News
All the bunkers on the 3rd & 4th holes had the bases sprayed off with a total herbicide. They have now been filled with sand and are in play. We will allow levels to settle a little and then top up as required towards the end of May
I think they look great and I am really pleased with the end result.
We are currently working on the planning for the next phase of works. As the summer goes on we will keep you all informed.
The Short Stuff
What's been done?
The works carried out during maintenance week have been a great success. The take on the new seed has been fantastic.
Attention has now turned to getting the surfaces up to standard for the season. To achieve this we have commenced weekly light sand dressings and this will improve the consistency of the ball roll, greens speed and also dilute the thatch layer in line with are long term goal to encourage the finer grasses. We have lowered the height of cut a little as the plant has now started to grow and we are also meeting the needs for nutrients through liquid feeds alongside the use of growth regulators.
· Weekly Light top dressing
· Lowering of Height of cut
· Liquid feed & surfactant application
What’s up Next?
Work will continue to get the surfaces as true as possible.. Weekly light sand dressings will continue. We will also start to use the rollers to improve the ball roll as the sward improves. We will be using star tines for aeration to counteract the compaction of the rolling and to ensure we keep the surface open for air and water to get through the profile and into the root system. We will be meeting the plant needs for nutrients through liquid feeds alongside the use of growth regulators. We will also aid the plant health through the use of amino acids and a plant bio stimulant for the root structure.
· Application of surfactant
· Regular light top dressings
· Foliar feeding
· Rolling/Star tinning