You may have noticed this rather large irregular area on the rear of the 2nd West green and wondered what is causing it and what we are going to do about it?
Present in the area is what is known as Fairy Ring, which present as circular or arc shaped rings of darker or faster growing turf that can vary from a few centimetres in size to very large like this example. They may produce toadstools or mushrooms in the outer ring, and in severe cases the turf inside the ring may decay and die, with the thatch collapsing away, which on putting greens in particular, can affect the playing surface. Quite often the ring becomes hydrophobic, which is where the soil repels water, causing moisture stress around the ring adding further stress on the turf.
This ring has been present on the green for quite some time, but is very visible at the moment as the green is quite low in fertility levels, a standard practice for us at this time of the year through the winter months as a part of our program to minimise the opportunity for Poa annua to gain a foothold in the greens. During periods of growth when fertilisers are being applied, the ring is far less evident.
Treatment of the area will include tyning the immediate area with the Procore utilising solid tynes, followed by drenching in a mixture of registered fungicides and wetting agent, which should reduce the size and impact of the fairy ring. Whilst it isn’t expected that the area will clear up all together, we will be looking to reduce its ability to impact play and compromise the health of the turf to any great degree.
Richard James
Course Superintendent