Golf
An ex mole!
number of core samples from the greens for Peter, so he could see a profile section that clearly showed the amount of thatch, root depth and any layering. It was interesting to note that, although there was decent rooting depth, there was the potential to gain more, thatch levels looked as if they were increasing, and this was also evident in a number of greens Peter had himself been monitoring.
It was also interesting to note the build up of topdressing applications over the years; you could clearly see a distinct change in the soil profile, with the top 75mm being sandier than the lower part of the profile. As time goes by, the drainage potential of the greens can only improve as more and more sand dressing is applied. In fact, Peter was already on the case and was earmarking a programme of verticutting, scarification, increased aeration and topdressing to help reduce thatch on the more vulnerable greens. Spring renovations are kept to a minimum to reduce stress; usually a light scarification, aeration and a light dressing of sand, plus a feed with a
Damage caused by badgers searching for chafers
granular spring fertiliser suffices. Then it is simply a case of ongoing maintenance - mowing, verticutting, feeding and light topdressing to maintain surface levels and promote growth. Autumn renovations commence in September with the greens being scarified in two directions using a tractor mounted Sisis T1000 scarifier. They are then aerated and topdressed with five tonnes of Bathgate straight sand and oversown with bent and fescue using a Blec overseeder. There are over forty sand bunkers, which are raked on a regular basis to keep them clean and presentable. As for pest and diseases, some of the
greens have been quite susceptible to fusarium this year due to the prevailing wet conditions last winter. However, the course never closes due to its free draining sandy soil and will only close due to extreme weather conditions; mainly through snow. Like many parkland courses, they are
prone to damage from mammals feeding on the local food sources; badgers feeding on chafer grubs, moles on worms and rabbits eating soft root tissue on an
around bunkers have all posed problems. Fortunately, part-timer John Sedgewick is very experienced in pest control and uses his skills to keep damage to a minimum. He confesses, though, that there’s not much he can do about a marauding badger other than encouraging it away from greens and tees with selective feeding regimes. As for the rabbits and moles, it’s simply a case of catching them with traps to reduce populations. During last winter, the staff were kept busy installing localised drainage and extending one of the greens to improve its overall playing potential, along with tree work; planting and pruning to improve sight lines. Having walked the course with Peter, you can see why it has become a popular course to play. There are many challenging holes, all with their own distinctive topography. The course certainly keeps the
greenkeepers occupied, in more ways than one, as there is always something to be done, especially when the owner is continually looking at ways to improve his course.
Rabbit activity in bunker 48 PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013
The greens are a soil push up construction
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