Golf
It is quite normal, though slightly depressing, for a helicopter to take water from our main reservoir in order to treat a local fire that is out of control
throughout the golf course. A blanket spray of the greens once a month during the summer period with Tricure wetting agent helps the grass to absorb and retain water. Regular liquid applications of fertiliser and bio-stimulants are needed in order for the plant to retain nutrients. We also regularly aerate greens every three weeks, either with 8mm solid tines to a depth of 15cm or with sarrel rollers to help water move through the soil profile. On hot, dry, windy, summer days, it is
quite possible for a forest fire to start, either naturally or by criminal negligence. We have had many narrow escapes in the past few years with out of control fires raging very close to the course. Fortunately, the island employs full time fire watchers, with specialist water carrying helicopters used to help fight fires. It is quite normal, though slightly depressing, for a helicopter to take water from our main reservoir in order to treat a local fire that is out of control. Our company owns a small fire truck which we have used ourselves many times in the past to help neighbouring farmers control blazes. It is also used as insurance for us in protecting our own golf course from any damage. As a precaution, the fire truck is on stand-by at the maintenance facility all year round. The golf course used to suffer terribly in
the past from flooding. Since the construction of the reservoir, we no longer suffer, even during the worst storms. The only big problems we experience now from storms are bunker wash outs and tree damage. The green surrounds were not well designed, so heavy rainfall and irrigation water tends to collect in the bunkers rather than bypass them as it should! The clay push-up greens we have do not
drain anywhere near as well as our sand based USGA ones. In periods of heavy rainfall, we will close the golf course as the greens generally need up to two hours of dry weather before they are playable again. We do not really have too many problems with shade and air flow issues. We cleared about 800 trees during the major renovation works five years ago and replaced them with 800 native trees. Bermuda grass hates shade but, to compensate for this, we prune all the trees within the golf course each winter to provide enough sunlight for the shaded areas to stay healthy throughout the following year.
The greens are cut using a Toro 3250-D
Greensmaster every two days at a height of 4mm throughout the year. For important competitions, I drop the height to 3.5mm. I roll them at least twice a month with the Tru-Turf roller, although we do extra rolling before large competitions. I rotate the
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frequency of the grooming (at 0mm) depending on how much growth and grass coverage we have. In addition to grooming, we usually
verticut at least once a month with the Thatchaway Units to a depth of 1mm during the growing season to prevent them from getting puffy. During winter, when there are periods of very little growth, I tend not to do any verticutting at all and concentrate on spiking and pencil-tining instead. The sarrel rollers are used on the greens at
least once a month all year round. Our Toro ProCore 648 is also quite a busy machine. The greens will be spiked every three months using 10mm solid tines to a depth of 15mm. This procedure is usually followed by a light dusting of sand. In addition to this aeration work, we also
do two intensive greens renovations which take place each year in mid-May and early September. A week prior to this work, I apply my monthly application of Tricure mixed with Seamac Plus, at a rate of 10 litres per hectare, in order to give the plant some protection from the stress it is about to receive. The greens renovation work involves first hollow coring, using the Toro ProCore. Once the cores have been collected, we will make a single pass with the Graden, scarifying at a depth of 10mm. We blow the clippings away
Telephone: +44 (0) 7951 157208
www.gregevansmg.com
Give your greens a health check with an ‘Agronomy Audit’. Understand what’s going on with your playing surfaces.
Price £1,450 plus Travel Expenses (travel free within 1 hour of London)
Full audit will include: • Infiltration Rate • Compaction Depths •Firmness
• Soil Moisture Levels •Sward Density • Organic Matter Levels • Full Nutrient Analysis
• Cutting Height • Root Depth •Speed • Smoothness
To book your audit: Email:
gregevansmg@gmail.com Tel: 07951 157208
“If you want someone with passion, vision, serious attention to detail and above all someone who will help you deliver exquisite surfaces at an affordable budget look no further than Greg Evans, he is a true pioneer in our industry”
Matthew Hazelden - General Manager, Cottesmore Golf and Country Club
Greg Evans is a Master Greenkeeper who offers full agronomy services to allow golf clubs to maximize their potential, no matter what the budget.
PC APRIL/MAY 2014 I 15
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