Technical
“ Sean Brocklehurst
After Verti-Draining and ProCoring [which helps particles penetrate deeper], we applied the zeolites into the surface with Flymos. We were like kids with a science experiment
” 116 I PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018
The programme was not working and we were still suffering with soggy greens and temporary putting surfaces
Left to right: Sean Brocklehurst, Steve Brocklehurst, Terry Crump and Hillery Murphy
levels and deep compaction, suggested we apply more chemicals.”
Steve adds: “We lost much of the bent content of the greens in winter and Poa filled the gap to complete a vicious cycle. Application of aggressive granular feeds and hollow coring failed to improve their condition. They were not true and that affected ball roll across the surface. A following report from the agronomist recommended sand Graden injection.” So in August 2014, it was duly applied, with 40 tonnes of kiln dried sand introduced across the greens. “Very labour intensive,” says Steve, “with eight workers on a green.” After the agronomist came back with the same recipe in 2015, the club decided enough was enough. “The programme was not working,” says Sean, “and we were still suffering with soggy greens and temporary putting surfaces.”
Then the club was introduced to a biological approach, whereby short and long‐ term options were recommended, recalls Sean, and that March, half a tonne of zeolites was applied to each green and to each approach on the Common course and the seven USGA greens on the Jockey Field course.
A further application of zeolites followed in September 2015, then regular inputs under a longer term strategy. “We noticed an instant change after the first application,” says Steve. “The greens dried out quickly after incorporating the zeolites into the surface with minimal disruption.” Then came the next phase of bringing the course back to life. “Compost teas were applied all year, starting in the first quarter of 2015 to begin the process of soil revitalisation. Hillery Murphy, our biological consultant, visited us regularly and this really helped us understand the biological basis of the programme we had introduced,” Sean says.
The zeolites are applied in an
unconventional though extremely effective way. “After Verti‐Draining and ProCoring [which helps particles penetrate deeper], we
applied the zeolites into the surface with Flymos. We were like kids with a science experiment,” he adds.
The new system has paid off. Core samples showed that thatch had reduced considerably and a strong root system had been established down as far as five inches. “A huge improvement.”
The programme built momentum throughout 2016, with Terry announcing that the course maintenance budget had doubled. Last year, the team began feeding fairways and applying rebrews on to approaches, greens and surrounds, with more of the same scheduled for 2018. “Zeolites worked fine from day one,” says Sean, “and we’ve extended application of them beyond the approaches, where we use larger diameter 2‐5mm sized granules. The drier, firmer greens are almost too fast for our older members now, but that’s not a bad problem to have.”
Gone are the temporary greens, the trolley bans and the black layer. The thatch layer has dwindled and less Poa is taking root. Bent is thriving too; “It springs up faster and thicker now,” says Steve, “and we time seeding to coincide with zeolite application to reduce workload. The minimal disruption proved a big factor with the greens committee and has gone down well with members.”
The extra budget gave the team the resources to improve the whole aesthetics of the course ‐ to feed other areas of the site and to recruit a new member of the greenkeeping staff. A new machine for zeolite application and a new 600l spray tank for applying the compost teas to larger areas were purchased.
The soil biology is also working as a disease prevention measure. “Our before and after images of fusarium patches show a vast reduction,” Sean confirms, “and it’s confined to just four greens now.” The integrated pest management (IPM) programme comes into force in winter “to keep the grass plant hard and to help prevent disease,” Sean continues. “We apply
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