Technical
“ “ 124 I PC JUNE/JULY 2017
We’ve been using Primo Maxx for the past two seasons, which has really helped to improve the density of turf cover and the consistency of the greens
Undulating fairways are a feature of the course ...
any irrigation water on hot windy days, before plants have the chance to utilise it. The greens typically have a good depth of
rootzone, so James’ aim is to improve efficient water utilisation by irrigating with higher application but less frequently. With the Qualibra treatment applied, water is quickly moved down so that the surfaces remain firm, but held in the rootzone where it can be better taken up by plant roots. “We’ve been using Primo Maxx for the past
two seasons, which has really helped to improve the density of turf cover and the consistency of the greens,” reported James. It has also increased root mass, which he believes may have helped the plants to hold on longer through the most stressful time, as well as recover quicker. The combination of Qualibra and Primo Maxx
has the attributes to significantly increase rooting in the future, as well as help to retain the root mass better during a hot dry summer. The combination is also intended to help success with the club’s extensive overseeding programme. In the extreme coastal environs, fescues can
... as are undulating greens
It’s essential to know what has worked, to justify the expense and to build into the programme for future years
really struggle to survive in high wear areas, such as walk-off points and trolley paths, for example. Having successfully trialed specialist dwarf ryegrass species on the driving range and practice areas, James has now started to introduce them on the course, to improve wall- to-wall grass cover and colour. The course has repeatedly suffered from dry
patch pretty much every year in the past, even with the existing wetting agent programme. This year, by starting the new programme early, in March, he is hoping to pre-empt problems and minimise effects over the season. “There is inherent hydrophobicity in some of
the areas, which is possibly going to take longer to redress,” admitted James. “Initially, we are planning to use it at the full rate (20l/ha) across the course - greens, fairways and tees - at monthly intervals. Along with cultural actions, the aim is to rebuild the water holding capacity of the soil.” “In the future, however, we may be able to
use lower rates on selected fairways, or focus use on certain areas,” he added. “Setting up the sprayer to apply a half rate, and then doubling up on known dry areas would give that a full rate, for example.”
James advocated the key is to accurately
identify problem dry areas, and work out a management plan to get the consistency the club and players desire. He pointed out that, whilst most of the greenkeeping team has changed since his arrival, he has been fortunate to retain the knowledge and experience of Michael MacDonell, who knows all the high and dry spots around the course. “Over the summer, Mac will have hand-watered all the most vulnerable points before any members are even out on the course.” Allied to that experience, the team are making use of a TDR Fieldscout moisture meter to quantify and record soil moisture deficits, to build up an accurate picture of specific area requirements and focus attention on prime areas to redress issues. Furthermore, he’s involved with pioneering new aerial monitoring of live-time turf health in incredible detail, which could have the potential to pick-up problems early, and even enable proactive in-season intervention before there is any loss in turf quality or cover. Measuring and recording the impacts of any action or input has been one area James is keen to progress. “It’s essential to know what has worked, to justify the expense and to build into the programme for future years,” he highlighted. “Building up that knowledge, in a format that
we can use, is incredibly valuable to make better informed decisions. It’s also an increasingly important tool in being able to explain to the club’s managers and members what we want to do, and why they should invest in it.” James added that he had been incredibly
grateful for the experience and valued assistance of Lee Strutt MG, Course Manager at The Royal Automobile Club in Surrey. “Lee has developed a really good system to measure and track turf quality and playability. We are now benchmarking performance indicators, including firmness, smoothness and speed, using a format where both the greenkeeping team and the club can quantify improvements throughout the season.” Continuous communication with the club, the
professional and members - as well as being an integral part of the management team - has gained support and recognition for James and the professionalism of the greenkeeping team,
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