Golf
Controlled burning of scrub
helped achieve more than we might have expected.”
“This work has already made a great difference to the course,” says Steve, “both aesthetically and environmentally. We work very closely with Natural England and the RSPB to ensure all parties are aware of the work going on, and we constantly monitor the diversity of flora and fauna found out on the course.”
“We have a number of conservation volunteers to come and help out at various times of the year. This ongoing management programme is necessary to maintain the balance of the ecology of the course.”
In early autumn, due to fixtures, Steve carried out his first renovation programme. “The greens, collars and aprons were aerated with solid tines at 125mm depth and topdressed with sixty tonnes of fen dressing. In early November, we vertidrained all the greens, collars and aprons with 12mm tines to a depth of 150mm and, from the second week of November to date, we have slit-tined in fortnightly intervals. Directly behind this, they were then rolled with a turf-iron to ensure the members had little disruption to their playing surfaces.”
“We employed ALS Contracts to hollow core ten hectares of fairways and semi-rough to a depth of 50mm, collecting the cores using a Sisis Litamiser, a week later this was followed up with a vertidrain to relieve
www.headlandamenity.com
Fairways wind through the heath
compaction at a deeper depth. ALS will return in March and August to repeat the same process and, at the same time, to verti-core the greens, collars and aprons to a depth of 175mm. This is a good first step on the way to my soil exchange programme.”
“Presentation and course definition will be my priority, and regular brushing of greens and tees will become part of our maintenance regime. Standing the grass up, mowing on a daily basis and rolling as and when required will help improve the playing surfaces.” “We’ve already made a few machinery purchases,” says Steve. “Four new Toro Pedestrian G1000 mowers, complete with towing trailers, were first on my list, so that we could start hand mowing the greens. I’ve also bought a ride on blower for clearing up debris all around the course, which helps keep the course tidy all throughout the year. Other important buys included a Toro Multi Pro®
5800
sprayer, a Greentek greens slitter and a Tru-Turf Roller. I’m still reviewing my overall machinery needs, but these first purchases were something that I felt were an immediate requirement, and Gary was happy to back me up.”
“Last summer, the greens were kept at around 3.5-4mm and raised to 5mm through autumn and winter. Surrounds and tees are kept at 8mm in the summer months, rising to 10mm at other times. Fairways are cut between 15-17mm and semi rough at 20-28mm.”
“This year, we will continue with our GrassAgronomics
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 PC 23
new and ongoing renovation programme to greens, tees and fairways,” explains Steve. “I’ll also be upping the rate of sand going on the greens. I’m looking to apply between 200-300 tonnes per year. Tees will also receive more dressing. We’ll continue to core the fairways twice a year to control thatch levels, along with an excessive over seeding programme to improve sward composition.” “Prior to my arrival in July, I had several different tests carried out on greens, collars, aprons, tees and fairways. Once we had the results back, in conjunction with Mark Hunt at Headland, we formed an aeration and fertiliser programme. Everything we are doing is aiming at improving soil and surface conditions. I am using a full Headland programme on all surfaces throughout the year to help produce a healthy, strong and disease free plant.” As we complete our course walk, Steve returns to the subject of his staff. “I want them all to feel part of the course, to have an empathy with the surrounding, and to understand why we are doing this work. To that end, I want to ensure that they are properly trained and qualified. I also want them to visit other courses and trade shows to get a wider perspective on this industry.”
It is early days yet but, talking to Steve, you get the sense that he has found his true vocation at Parkstone.
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