The weather has finally turned with a string of warm weeks the grass has begun to move at a rate that has seen mowing frequency on our couch areas increase. Seed head production with our Santa Ana couch is rapid and mowing frequency will improve the lateral growth of the plant, in turn improving density within the canopy.
Last week saw the completion of the re-sodding of the 1st East tee which has already begun to take root and grow in. The tee was originally only built to accommodate our four seasonal medals and other black tee events which would have numbered no more than 10-15 rounds per year. Increasing the length of the hole meant moving the blue course to the rear tee which sees the tee receive up to 104 rounds per year! This extra play was proving to be too much for the tee which had thinned significantly over the winter.
Vegetation work is due to commence next week with a number of trees, shrubs and grasses to be moved into the area that separates the practice areas from the 1st tees. Whilst the vegetation grows up and into the future we ask that all golfers use the path at the rear of the practice tee to access the 1st tees, we will also be installing a permanent post and rope fence to control traffic through the area.
With turf left over from the 1st tee we have also taken the opportunity to remove some areas of common couch which still remain around the courses. The Common Couch variety lacks root structure and density and is also attacked at this time of year by couch mite, with all three factors the turf does not stand a chance in areas of high traffic. The turf that has gone down looks unsightly in colour but will return quickly now it has been rolled out and will continue to improve uniformity across our fairways. An example of the difference between Santa Ana & Common varieties can be observed on the 12th west fairway where you will notice our new Santa Ana has been laid, the Common Couch short of the new turf and directly to the left is still recovering from renovations due to poor growth habits and is now beginning to showing symptoms of couch mite damage.
Rowan Daymond
Senior Assistant Superintendent