Course Update
Let's start by wishing every member a very Happy Christmas from all the green staff. We feel we have had a very good year out on the course and with the work we have done and what's in the pipeline, there seems to be a good vibe going around the club and its great to see Broadstone back on the map after a couple of rocky years.
Drainage on the second fairway has now been completed with just the turfing left to finish. We have carried out a very full job here because as you are all well aware, it has been the wettest fairway for a long time and we wished to carry out the fullest job possible. We drained it with pipe work from right to left joining into the existing mainline on the left hand side of the hole, which was clear. We are currently turfing these lines when the weather allows us. You will also see lines straight up and down which may seem like they will never disappear. this is called sand slitting, they are 12 inch deep slits filled half and half with gravel and sand. It is also known as secondary drainage and runs parallel to the pipe drainage. it will pick up any excess water and take it to the pipe drainage which they cross. The sand slit lines will not be turfed as they are only a couple of inches wide and once the spring starts they will fill in very quickly.
With the weather not on our side over the last few weeks, turfing the drain lines has not gone as quick as we wanted due to the turf nursery being waterlogged. We will get the hole open as quick as I can but would like to get the drain lines turfed before you play the hole.
We know this area does look a bit untidy at present, however, recovery should be quick in the spring. As they say, no pain, no gain!
We know this area does look a bit untidy at present, however, recovery should be quick in the spring. As they say, no pain, no gain!
The Course is holding up to the weather that we are being hit by where so far this month we have had 140mm of rain on top of 145mm in November. We are seeing improvements to the surface drainage each year from tee to green. This is due to the vast amount of aeration, thatch control, correct wetting agents, top dressing and of course installing drainage in the correct places.
A quick catch up on the Heights of cut out on the course.
- Greens 5.5mm
- Approaches 12mm
- Tees 12 mm
- Fairways 16mm
- Semi 1.75 inches
The fairways go dormant this time of year and are not cut very often, especially after the summer we have just had. The greens are hand cut whenever possible throughout the winter with the occasional normal machine cut with when time/conditions suit. We find that handcutting greens gives a better cut and less compaction on the green during the winter months. However, we are also mindful that it takes 3 times as long to carry out so weather and manpower windows dictate how many times we can achieve this.
I just want to finish by mentioning that I did a question and answer in a greenkeeper magazine that you maybe interested in reading. Page 38-39
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year
Paul
