Golf
“We need to understand the varying levels of success at our respective golf venues and be ready to help determine a solution”
with additional resources to purchase sands and aggregates to maintain these important processes. As indicated, this area of the country
endures significant amounts of annual rainfall. Statistically, over the past three years, the annual rainfall recorded was: 2010 - 1191mm 2011 - 2174mm 2012 - 1776mm With these amounts of annual rainfall, some of the challenges we face are poor golf course presentation, flooding, erosion, golf course closures and the potential for a negative reputation. Our challenges were obvious and, with these in mind, a strategy was agreed. The investment in the aforementioned equipment was secured and the management and subsequent improvements are now clear to see. We do not have any temporary greens, only temporary surfaces on par 3 tees. We have a practice facility which includes the use of floating golf balls; we have a large lagoon in the middle of the facility which includes a floating green!
Additional to golf facilities, we also offer guided walks around the nature reserves, manage a fishing syndicate, offer tennis, guided hill climbing walks, a Loch cruise and sea plane excursions. Other than mowing practices, we aerate and topdress our greens at least monthly, aiming to apply circa 200 tonnes of sand to the greens which, in the wet environment, is no mean feat. Aeration consists of 5 and 8mm solid tining, 12mm hollow tining, sand injection Graden scarifying, 8 and 12mm verti-draining, slit tining and brushing. We apply foliar feeds to tees and
greens throughout the summer - tank mixed with Primo Maxx PGR - granular feeds throughout winter and generally aim for around 200kg of N per hectare - this is dependent on rainfall and aeration which can increase/decrease inputs. Fairways receive approximately 20kg of N per hectare; however, we apply soluble iron to improve presentation. Our approach to mowing and maintenance is to share roles and responsibilities to avoid repetition,
however, there are a small number of specialist tasks which are undertaken by specifically trained staff. Golf course presentation and turf quality is paramount to what we are trying to achieve.
End of season maintenance on greens is 12mm hollow tining and Graden sand injection scarifying. There are no budget constraints. We communicate all the work we are doing and the latest developments to the golfing public via a monthly newsletter. As for projects, it could be considered that drainage improvements are project work, however, as we are constantly maintaining and upgrading the drainage at the Carrick, we see this as general maintenance. Recent projects (within the past 18 months) have included a complete 122 bunker refurbishment, which included the re-turfing of all the faces, with additional tee construction and, on the 14th hole, additional secondary drainage, which was undertaken by a contractor.
14 PC JUNE/JULY 2013
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