GOLF
Out of all the equipment, I would say the Air2G2 and the Toro ProCore 648 aerator, along with my tractor mounted grader, are very useful machines
”
several competition tee boxes which are surrounded by large trees, but we have introduced synthetic tee mats and the members are happy with these.” “If there are any frosty conditions, or when we are carrying out maintenance, we use temporary greens. On both courses, there are also short game areas with two practice bunkers and an area where you can hit shots up to a three iron only,” he said. Terry and his team follow a fairly stringent maintenance regime to keep the courses looking their best. With the amount of rainfall, Northern Ireland can certainly grow grass, therefore the greenkeepers have to be very proactive, particularly during the summer time.
“Our maintenance programme kicks off in the spring time with vertidraining using 12mm tines to a depth of eight inches, followed up with Air2G2 and then lightly verticut and heavily sanded.” “A granular fertiliser would be applied early April when soil temperatures are around eight to ten degrees Centigrade. Fairways and tees are scarified and fertiliser applied at low rates to encourage growth and help seed germination as we would be carrying out an all course divot programme.” “On the greens, after six weeks, we would start applying Primo and nutrients at low
amounts every twelve or fourteen days, weather permitting. This ensures steady uniform growth which I can control using light sand topdressing and verticutting.” “Using these techniques, we can create constant green speeds around 9 to 10.5 on the stimp which my membership are very happy with. Around mid-August I carry out vertidraining again and grading to a depth of 20mm.” “We then lightly sand, mat in and then apply grass seed using a droplet spreader, mat in again and then apply more sand to ensure all grade lines are filled to finish.” “We roll greens with our speed roller. Prior to our maintenance, we always spray a disease preventative three days before which ensures some protection against fusarium,” he said. All of Terry’s staff are trained for a variety of jobs with some specialising in operations that require advanced education. “I have three spray operators to carry out the greens maintenance operations, but all men are trained on all equipment and we switch regularly.”
“Switching the jobs around keeps the operators fresh and then they don’t get bored and start losing interest. When we carry out autumn greens maintenance, all staff work together to complete the job quickly.
“Presentation is a big factor here at Clandeboye Golf Club on both courses. Our membership expects this as we are surrounded with lots of well manicured golf clubs fighting for the same pound, so we must always produce consistent surfaces which play well and look good to the eye,” he said.
As mentioned, the weather plays an important role on the maintenance of golf courses, but climate change is also affecting programmes, especially where seasonal work is concerned. “We carry out all greens maintenance a lot earlier now,” Terry said. “It used to be mid- September, but now we do all greens work in mid-August for much quicker recovery times and less chance of disease attack.” “Regular soil samples are taken every two seasons to see what the ph readings are and if there is anything that is showing as deficient that require me to either increase or decrease applications.” “Members are always kept well informed about what work we are carrying out on the courses via regular newsletters, on the notice boards and with course walks. It is the only way that we, as course managers, become more professional and educate the golfer in what goes on behind the scenes,” he added.”
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48 PC February/March 2020
T e Co
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