Works undertaken

Greens

• Scarifying of greens 2 directions @ -15mm
• Verti-cutting of greens 2 directions @-1mm
• Overseeded with Penncross bent grass @ 250gm/100m2
• Preventative fungicide application targeting Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown patch.
• Ferilizer application based on Growth Potential model
• HOC 4mm moving to 3mm by end of November

Tees

• 2^nd, 4^th and 16^th tees over-seeded and hand topdressed
• Cut twice weekly at a HOC of 12mm
• Markers moved twice weekly or as needed for events

Fairways

• Broadleaf herbicide application made to back 9

Rough

• Blowing and cleaning up of debris

Irrigation

• Broken 240v mains power supply repaired on 1^st fairway
• All communications tested again with 100% passing

Maintenance facility

• Swept out weekly
• Adjusting layout to see what is most productive

Volunteers

• Continued tree clean up

Issues Relating to Course/Maintenance Facility

Course

• Herbicide application made prior to greens renovations yielded high results which was very positive moving forward
• Over-seeding of greens has resulted in a fair to good strike rate that I can ascertain at this moment
• Over-seeding on tees has however resulted in great results with many bare areas filling in
• Greens have a high percentage of long leaved bent grass which needs addressing via brooming and Verti cutting to produce a smooth surface, working alongside the Poa species
• With the slight increase in soil temperatures we have seen some positive movement in root growth

Irrigation System

• 4^th, 1^st, 9^th tee valves located and to be repaired in November
• Communication within OSMAC satellite box not allowing solenoid to be held at 24v

Planned works for November

Greens

• Reducing HOC to 3mm
• Preventative fungicide application targeting Pythium, Anthracnose, Brown Patch

Tees

• Verti Drain all tees
• Verti-cutting @-2mm two directions
• Lower HOC from 12mm to 10mm
• Granular wetting agent application
• Application of PGR to increase density
• Divot with sand and seed mix
• Overseed and top dress after verti-draining

Fairways

• HOC of 14mm
• Top dressing of very poor thin areas
• Roping off of very poor thin areas
• Verti-Drain with 18mm solid tine to 150mm depth continue
• Pre-emergent application for Poa Annua and Summer Grass
• Selective herbicide applications for Poa Annua and Broadleaf weeds
• Fertilizer application based on growth potential

Bunkers

• Edged and weeded
• Level all bunkers and re distribute sand (ongoing)
• Hand raking of bunkers
• Hand spraying of weeds when wind allows

Rough

• Selective herbicide application for Broadleaf weeds
• Fertilizing two boom widths around all fairways and greens rough

Summary

We have received 160mm since I started in August.

One could say it has been a frustrating start to the season. Below average temperatures and reasonable wet. We are slightly behind where I had anticipated, and this is due to the weather unfortunately.

The next month will see many hours put on the spray rig, numerous selective post and pre-emergent herbicide applications need to be made over the entire course.

I am hopeful our warm season surfaces will begin to come out of dormancy more and really show some signs of growth to aid filling in bare patches left from the selective spraying Poa Annua. We will aid this by 14 day interval foliar feeding of these areas.

Garden beds will be the focus for staff during any unplanned or spare time, with spraying, weeding, trimming and edging to take place.

Greens will be groomed weekly, in conjunction with the implementation of PGR program. We are aiming to tighten up our turf sward, increasing density which all aids in a smoother ball roll. We will continue to dust on a regular basis to continually improve firmness and consistency.

This month will also see the team actively monitoring moisture levels throughout all turf surfaces, resulting in irrigation programs based on ET. We will set our target moisture levels based on surface performance this coming month.

Our goal is simple 1% better everyday, the simple way to improvement.

We have also filled our apprentice position commencing on the 29^th November.

Regards,

 

Dylan Knight

Course Superintendent – Gisborne Golf Club

 

 

 

 

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