Pitchcare Classifieds
an NPK 3:0:3+fe feed. Damian does not use growth retardants, but relies on a good cultural programme of aeration, verticutting and topdressing to help enhance sward health. He cannot remember the last time he sprayed a fungicide on his greens, and not having to purchase fungicides and growth retardants has resulted in financial savings. Greens are aerated twice a year
using a deep tined verti-drain, which is complemented by regular slitting and topdressing once a fortnight with between 60-80 tonnes of Bathgate Moist 28 sand. However, the greatest change has
been the embracing of the latest green technology in the purchase of pedestrian and ride on Jacobsen Eclipse electric mowers. His first purchase was January
2013 when he took delivery of three Eclipse2 battery-powered, pedestrian mowers, the first in the UK following the introduction of the refreshed former Eclipse 100 series earlier that month. He was so impressed with their performance that he has now added the ride-on version, an Eclipse 322, purchased from local Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Golf and Turf Machinery. Not only has he seen savings in
fuel, he is able to cut much earlier in the mornings without making too much noise. “We are really impressed with the intelligent feedback you get from the machines,” says Damian, “and the ability to alter the frequency of cut. We’ve really experimented with this function, in all conditions – wet, dry, warm and cold – and have found the optimum for our greens. This helps us to keep them stimping between 8.5 and 9, which is probably the optimum for the majority of members here. We use the Eclipse2 with groomers to control the invasive Yorkshire Fog and we’ve not had to use temporary greens at all this winter.” Damian can set the mowing
speed through a PIN-protected menu on the Eclipse2’s ‘In Command’ control system. The transport speed has also been increased to 8km/h (5 mph), making it quicker to move between greens, whilst counter-balance springs in the handle ensure that the cutting reel sits true on the turf when the operator grasps the handle. “Being able to set and determine
the speed of the mower, along with setting its clipping rate, means that whoever uses the mowers, the speed of operation and clipping rate will remain the same on all three mowers, hence the greens are being cut consistently,” he continues. They set the greens mowers at
4.5mm and run at this height throughout the playing season, with maybe a lower setting of 4.25mm for competitions and, once the season is over, increase to the winter height of 7mm. With the recent purchase of the ride-on Eclipse 322, Damian now has the ability to achieve a consistency of cut on all 18 greens, all year round. He uses the pedestrians from October to May and the ride-on from June to September. Fairways are cut at 19mm and
sprayed monthly with Farmura Porthcawl and an iron mix feed. Tees are cut at 10mm, divoted weekly and fed monthly with compost tea. Semi-rough is cut at 35mm and rough at 70mm, whilst the approaches are cut at 10mm and treated the same as greens in terms of feeding and aeration. Spring renovation of the greens
involves micro-tining to 40mm, then topdressing and overseeding with a 70/30 bent fescue mix. Damian also usesaturfironin between his cutting regime to help maintain green speeds and improve smoothness; however, the rolling programme is heavily dictated by the weather. The staff have also been busy
during the winter months thinning out plantations and woodland areas, including the removal of conifers and laurels, opening up these areas to improve sight lines, air movement and, additionally, increase biodiversity around the course. Other major winter work has
included the building of a brand new first tee and putting green, which is due to open in June, and the next project is to install a washdown facility using recycled water from the roof of the clubhouse. Damian ensures his staff are well
trained and are able to carry out most of the work themselves, thereby reducing the need to bring in contractors. “It’s all about making good use of the resources around you and being in tune with the needs of the course and its members,” he concludes. Author: Laurence Gale,
Pithcare Editor. DRAINAGE IRRIGATION
Miles Drainage Limited
Quality Land Drainage Systems for Sports Pitches, Golf Courses and other Amenity Areas
•Advice, design and installation •Piped systems •Sand Slitting •Gravel Banding
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Email:
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Telephone 0345 230 9697
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info@sheltonsdrainage.com www.sheltonsdrainage.com
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Damian Wormald Head
L-R: Mick Shillito, Neil Barrett,
Assitant Head Greenkeeper
Greenkeeper, Dean Ward
PC APRIL/MAY 2014 l 145
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