Golf
Presentation and definition are very high on Lee’s priorities on this Par 70 course and its natural beauty is achieved from having a large number of mature trees which frame the majority of the holes. However, this means air flow can be an issue
”
clearing untidy areas and spots where play speed can be increased.
The undulating layout is based on gravel, with anything from four inches to ten inches of indigenous topsoil, with bands of deep clay running through the valley which meanders across the course. The full greens, tees and fairway irrigation ensures good summer playing conditions, made possible with the Rainbird irrigation system installed in 2006. At the same time, a storage reservoir was installed which holds 3.7 million gallons and lasts around sixty days when a full cycle is run. Greens are traditional push ups and cut with a John Deere 2500E at 2.5mm in summer, 4mm in winter. A few of the tees have been reconstructed but the majority have been in place since 1891 and these, along with the approaches, are cut with a John Deere 2500B at 9mm in summer, 12mm in winter. Fairways are cut with a
John Deere 7700 at 14mm in summer, 18mm in winter. Semi-rough is cut with a John Deere 7200 at 25mm all year round. Rough is cut with a John Deere 8800 at 63mm all year.
Lee explained his maintenance regime: “We use plant growth regulators on greens, tees, approaches and fairways using a John Deere HD200 Sprayer mounted on a John Deere 2030A ProGator which is simple to use and ergonomically spot on – it’s so accurate, it’s scary! With the reduction in growth, this allows us to alternate cutting and rolling (Tru-Turf Turf Iron) whilst keeping the speed consistent. Tees and approaches are cut twice a week with extra cutting prior to our tournaments, which also applies to the fairways. Semi-rough is cut three times a week, as we don’t use plant growth regulators on this area. Rough is mown five days a week.”
Greens aeration
“We mini core with a 6mm core 50mm deep once in March and again in April with a John Deere Aercore 1500 on the back of a John Deere 3520 Compact tractor on Galaxy tyres which is quick, quiet, smooth and easy to use,” Lee continued. “Then a 12mm, 150mm deep pencil tine with a Wiedenmann XF on the back of a Kubota L3050 at the end of April. In an ideal world, I would use a 5mm needle tine every four weeks throughout the summer but, unfortunately, play dictates this and it is not always possible. Our renovation work is carried out the first week in August when we hire a Graden Contour Sand Injection and overseed with browntop bent. During October, we hollow core with another 12mm pencil tine and, if we are lucky, we may get another pencil tine in before the end of the year.
PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 I 37
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