Golf


“I felt that there was nothing stopping us being a little bit ‘radical’ and using the rye mix as a nursery crop and, as soon as establishment was good enough, to start to factor in favouring the bents and fescues in the mix”


moisture reaching that seed bed. With the tees, it was felt that we could follow a similar approach used on the fairways. What we needed to decide was what seed we were to use on the greens on the back 9. With the large dwarf rye content on the front 9, (which had responded very well), and the need to establish a decent level of sward density very quickly, we decided to use Johnsons Rye green mix, as we felt that this would give us that establishment. However, on such a shaded site, its winter performance does concern me. To counter this, I felt that there was nothing stopping us being a little bit ‘radical’ and using the rye mix as a nursery crop and, as soon as establishment was good enough, to start to factor in favouring the bents and fescues in the mix, and then begin a regular overseeding programme with an established bent fescue mix. I feel this is achievable due to the fact that the course is unique, in that it will not be subject to the normal rigours of a members’ course, and hardly used during the winter. All of this would help me, as I slowly manage the “nursery” crop out. With everything in place, we needed to decide on a plan of action, and with my then employment bringing me into contact with Campey Turfcare, and having used the Koro Field Topmaker for the renovation to the course before, it seemed a natural call to make.


30 PC APRIL/MAY 2012


It was agreed with Richard Campey that a site visit would be best and, as it transpired, we felt that the course at Birch Grove, and the sort of renovations that were needed, would be perfect to demonstrate the very equipment that Campeys sold and distributed. So, demonstration days were born! We were also aware that we needed some of this equipment on a more permanent basis and, with the moss problem, owning our own Koro was in order, along with a set of Streigal harrows for the larger areas. This would help with standing up the matted grasses as well as ripping out the moss. The continual overseeding required meant that a Vredo seeder was also ordered, along with a Rotoblast blower and, finally, to keep the aeration programme at a satisfactory level, the new Coremaster Extreme was ordered - what a bit of kit this is! Along with these items of equipment, we have ordered a new John Deere 2500 greens mower to look after the front 9 holes and, to drive all the Campey kit, a new John Deere 3720 tractor. With the plans in place, we could now turn our attention to the up and coming renovations on the back 9 and improved maintenance of the front 9. In the run up to the demo days, this work has already commenced, with aeration to the front 9 greens and overseeding and moss control ongoing.


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