Course Update

The greens have recently had an application of growth regulator which has made them slightly off colour. You may notice the Poa at this time as the growth regulator has a “melting out” effect on it and it turns more lime green than normal. Some extra fertility at this time will encourage the bentgrass to encroach on the space where the Poa inhabits. Overall, the health of the greens has remained consistent albeit there has only been a couple of days of warmer weather. The lack of rainfall in recent times will hinder us through the season.  Our salinity challenges from irrigation are noticeable. Regular soil flushing will take place using different products to manage this issue.

Our couch surfaces, which were recently subject to mite pressures, have elevated in the last fortnight after some warm weather and control measures for the pests. We have lifted the heights on our fairways to 10mm again after the renovation period from 8mm where we have them a little lower to keep growth under control whilst we have some uneven growth rates. This season the fairways will be mowed at 10mm, surround and approaches will be 8mm, tees at 6mm and the bent collars at 6mm also. Greens vary in height dependent on condition but generally they are cut at 3mm.

Bunker work started on the 5th and 6th waste bunkers on the East Course to move some sand around in the bases. We have also started to cut away some of the back turf edge of the waste bunker of the 6th to increase the base size and remove the encroaching grasses from the back.

 Vegetation / Grant update

Tree removal on the 1st East Course is earmarked to start in the next fortnight where major tree root issues are causing us agronomic and safety issues for golfers. The work will provide us with an open pallet to be able to deliver a vegetation look that is in keeping with the native surrounds, consistent with the Club’s Vegetation Management Plan. The re-vegetation of the area will not commence until weed management in the area is under control. It is anticipated this will be sometime toward the middle of 2025. The area will be GUR whilst the work is undertaken.

The club will continue to make changes to vegetation areas in the coming years with a focus on climate adaptation. Eliminating, where possible, non-native species has been our philosophy for a long time and when done properly the inputs to manage vegetation areas is more than halved. I am looking forward to watching the club evolve visually with a view of seeing our native flora and fauna becoming a showpiece in Australian golf.

Grant work started on the 1st of October with a team from TFL (Trees for Life) coming in once a week to undertake work on the 8 sites the Grant covers. Their focus thus far has been annual weed suppression in the form of hand weeding, grubbing out and slashing to reduce the seed forming and spreading. In the coming weeks they will shift their focus onto the removal of woody weeds but also continuing to check sites for summer weeds that are germinating.

Clubhouse Entrance

The Hedge at the front of the Clubhouse was removed on Tuesday 12th of November. Damage caused by the root systems of the lily-Pilly has meant the removal was necessary along with the need for access to place the new pipes into the area.

After the pipes are installed, the garden will be replaced with a formal lawn and a feature in planter boxes along the wall.

Fairway Finder Update

Our energetic ground staff member Brad is nearing the completion of his journey from Melbourne back to Adelaide on a bicycle and will return to Grange on Friday where he is hoping to ride through the front gates at about 10am before his final round of golf. Brad will play his round and then join our staff for a BBQ at the shed before putting his legs up for a well-earned rest. Brad has been raising money for Legacy along the way.  I hope members have followed his progress and you may scan the attached QR code if you’d like to assist him in reaching his goal of $10,000 for this great cause.

Legacy – Challenge | Fairway Finder

The next fortnight

  • 1st east tree lopping
  • Take all scarifying piles to 12th West and bury
  • LIV capital works underway as per schedule
  • Source planter boxes for front of clubhouse, irrigate & seed

Rowan Daymond
Course Superintendent