Technical
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The thatch at Sandwell Park is reducing well and the target of 8% organic matter within the top two zones not far from reach
Graph showing the reduction in thatch (organic matter) at Sandwell Park GC from 2009-20013
of thatch removal was going to be hollow tining. The hollow tining would allow us to easily punch through the thatch layer down to much freer draining rootzone. Although not as efficient as the scarifying, the hollow tining would be a much safer form of thatch removal at Sandwell Park.
The hollow tining also allowed us to put on 70 tonnes of dressing compared to the 40 tonnes when scarifying. This brought the annual 150 tonne target well within reach. With a good fertiliser, verticutting, topdress and deep aeration programme the thatch started to reduce. This could be seen both physically and by the loss on ignition test.
Tracking Progress
Clegg impact and moisture testing were carried out on a regular basis on the greens. The Clegg impact metre indicates in gravities the firmness of the greens. In this case, we wanted to show the greens firming up as the thatch reduction programme progressed whilst, at the same time, the moisture readings would show the greens drying up. However, the problem with both of these tests was the ever changing ground conditions due to varying weather. These results, although interesting, could not be used to back up our progress on the thatch reduction programme.
Therefore, the loss of ignition thatch test became the stable barometer in which we tracked our progress. The tests started in 2009 and continued annually, indicating approximately where the thatch was within the soil profile. These tests, however, were only a snap shot of what was going on beneath the greens. So, rather than concentrating on any possible small anomalies, we were looking for a general trend of thatch reduction within the top 40mm.
Because of possible small anomalies in the results, the information we gave the members put two 20mm zones together. So, rather than the 4% target in each 20mm zone, we set a target of 8% combined organic in the top two zones.
With the end in sight
As the graph above clearly shows, the thatch at Sandwell Park is reducing well and the target of 8% organic matter within the top two zones not far from reach. It’s been decided that, in 2014, only the softer areas of the greens will be hollow tined. The remaining will continue to be reduced by less disruptive methods such as verticutting, dressing and solid tine aeration.
The thatch testing will continue on the greens, even when the targets are met, to ensure that thatch is kept at appropriate levels.
Although Sandwell’s thatch levels were significant, they are far from unique. With many clubs still having higher than desirable thatch levels, greens performance will continue to be compromised.
Formally the Course Manager at Ludlow Golf Club for nine years, Chris Roberts set up his own golf course consultancy business in 2007. The business provides independent consultancy on all aspects of golf course management. Since then Chris Roberts Agronomy has steadily grown and now boasts a healthy portfolio of regular client, ranging from Championship to smaller golf courses.
Picture taken of the profile of the 8th green at Sandwell in 2013. Note: the root development at the bottom of the sample through aeration tine holes, along with the migration of the straight sand dressing through the upper profile
128 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014
Email:
chris@cragronomy.co.uk www.cragronomy.co.uk
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