Technical Organic matter (Loss On Ignition %) at 0-20mm Surface firmness (gravities) measured in gravities
Organic matter reduction from 2012-2013
order for the club to realise an improved winter standard.
In total, the club carried out six treatments of this nature on all of their greens during 2013, the management of these operations by Course Manager, Craig Gibson, and the commitment of the greens staff was inspirational. The commitment and endurance demonstrated by the club owners and management has been exceptional. Craig has experienced difficulty in managing the greens at Essendon over the last three years as resources reduced. Perhaps the hardest challenge was poor efficacy on products applied for fusarium control. Control has now been made much easier, with surface organic matter reduced and moved away from the immediate surface.
Perhaps the main fear during the process was disruption; to playing quality and for the membership. With correct planning and implementation, surface renewal schemes are able to reduce surface disruption and get playing surfaces back to full grass cover and back to a suitable playing quality within improved timeframes.
Each renovation within the growing season achieved full grass cover within 7- 10 days and suitable putting quality within 14-20 days. However, play commenced on greens throughout these processes.
Club Manager, Jonny Harvey comments: “Golfers gaining maximum enjoyment from our courses is one of my main concerns. News of the surface renewal works naturally aroused fear of disruption. Once into the growing
Improving winter and summer firmness levels
season, operations have been carried out with minimal inconvenience.” Essendon, through using the surface renewal scheme, have achieved an average reduction of 5% (loss on ignition testing) at 0-20mm and have sustained organic matter levels at 20-40mm with no notable increases lower in the profile. As a result of the above reductions in organic matter content, it has allowed the default moisture content (when at its wettest) to be reduced, making for drier, firmer greens in winter. Firmness, as measured in gravities using a Clegg impact hammer, has increased at its wettest by some 8 gravities from averages of 58 gravities to 75 after one year of works. Ball surface interaction from approach shots is now improving and foot printing in winter has reduced. Essendon continue work to improve winter firmness levels, targeting 80-90 gravities in winter periods. Overall, the surface renewal works have rapidly increased the club’s position and their ability to produce better greens going into winter and beyond, a matter of vital importance to the club. The club continues to focus on moving forward and will be implementing phase two Surface Renewal Schemes in 2014; modified practices will allow the club to target deeper in the soil profile, along with continued progress at 0-20mm in upper profile.
The rest of the course
Aside from the greens, Essendon continues to invest throughout the course and in its maintenance setup. The team, lead by Craig Gibson, has embraced the
new challenges brought by new ownership and increased investment. After years of managing on limited resource, this brought about a chance to achieve better standards throughout the course. Craig continues to focus on additional projects including:
- Surface removal and reseeding of New Course B Greens
- Intensive drainage schemes throughout both courses
- Tree removal programme
- Bunker renewal schemes, led by Architect, Alan Walker
- Machinery fleet replacement programme
In Summary
The industry has observed investment in golf decrease in recent years. Essendon has bucked this trend and, with an increase in membership of over 60% through 2013 alone, is well on the way to fulfilling its business plan.
The greens renewal works have played a vital role in Essendon’s progress, together with the raising of standards throughout the club’s infrastructure, producing an excellent golfing experience. I have worked closely with Essendon for a year now and, if the way they have approached management of the club to date is anything to go by, I have no doubt they will continue to make progress.
Charles Henderson HND, BA, BASIS, RIPTA Agronomy Director
Sports Agronomy Services Ltd
www.sportsagronomyservices.com
114 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014
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