Head Greenkeepers Blog
A recent spell of dry settled weather with some humid conditions has finally kicked in some consistent growth on the course; this week especially we are mowing a lot more grass and the deciduous trees are almost fully in leaf. It's the same every year waiting patiently on the appropriate soil and air temperatures required to produce a consistent growth pattern but now we have it we can concentrate on creating definition. Forecast is for much of the same in the next few days with marginally warmer temperatures expected next week. We still hold onto the nippy N/E wind but it's staying relatively dry which is the main thing.
This week we have been out doing our annual spraying of fairways. The nutritional mix consisted of 15-0-0 Ammoniacal Nitrogen which is available immediately to the plant and gives an initial boost, 46-0-0 Urea Nitrogen which is a slow release and keeps the plant gently ticking over for a few months, and also 6% Iron which hardens the plant, gives the moss a shock and promotes good colour.
Spraying fairways can be time consuming but is an essential part of turf maintenance to produce a desirable surface to play from and also to strengthen the plant under stressful demanding conditions.
We only need to spray them once per season due to them having a desirable sward which requires minimal nutrition and irrigation.
Our fairways are predominantly Fescue (festuca) with some underlying Annual meadow grass (poa annua), Bent (agrostis) and Perrenial Ryegrass (loleum perrene). One downside of having beautiful Fescue dominant fairways is that unlike Rygrass or Bentgrass which produces a creeping, lateral growth pattern, Fescue has tufted characteristics which take a lot longer to repair from any damage such as divots. Anyone who regularly plays a typical parkland course with its lush Ryegrass fairways and thatchy clay soil will I'm sure understand the difference when taking a divot on our fairways. Ours naturally take longer to knit together due to the dry sandy nature of our soils and can often dry out before they get the chance to repair which is frustrating. This is often hampered by crows constantly picking divots out looking for food which unfortunately may only get worse and I'll explain why next.
Leatherjackets!! No I'm not giving fashion advice I'm talking about the larvae of the Crane fly or Daddy long legs as we know it. This is by far the biggest talking point within our industry at the moment. For many years we have been able to spray one chemical treatment per season to kill off leatherjackets, typically in November which is the ideal time to treat them. Last year all chemical controls were banned within agriculture and amenity leaving us all with a serious problem.
Leatherjacket larvae feed on decaying material in the soil as well as plant roots and stems. They are present in the soil for the best part of a year until they hatch in late August where within a few days they mate, lay their eggs and die, and the cycle then repeats itself. They can cause serious damage to turf quality usually visible in early spring and birds pecking for the larvae can cause even more problems.
I've already seen some courses in England really struggling to cope without the chemical control with surfaces severely damaged and we are only 1 year into the ban.
We are all hoping that there is a new safer product being brought to market which can solve this problem quickly, but early indications are that this could be a long way away!!
David Gray
Head Greenkeeper
This week follows the Irish Open and Rory's first success of the season at the K Club. What a finish it ended up being with two of the finest approach shots in the last three holes. I'm sure even Rory wasn't sure if he could pull those off. Great credit must go to him to for giving his entire prize fund to his charity. A great gesture.
It was also great to see Sergio returning to the winners circle with a fine play off win in the States at The Byron Nelson in Texas. That's him now equalled Seve's record of P.G.A Tour wins. Amazing stuff.
Graham waters midweek medal success
Graham Waters celebrating after a net 64 in last weeks mid week medal.
Well done Graham.
Ladybank Midweek Medal - Wednesday, 18 May
CSS 72
Division 1
1st - S Milne - 72 (6.5)
2nd - D G Gatherum - 72 (4)
3rd - N S Fraser - 73 (6.4)
Division 2
1st - G Waters - 64 (12.2)
2nd - B Todd - 67 (12)
3rd - D F Wilson - 71
Milne Millennium - Saturday, 21 May
Cat 1 & 2
1st - A Paterson - 37pts, 2nd - K Watson - 35pts, 3rd - RD Spence - 35pts
Cat 3 & 4
1st - S Lindsay - 41pts, 2nd - B Duffy - 36pts, 3rd - G Kelly - 36pts
Match & Handicap
Ladybank SS Stableford - Tuesday, 24 May
CSS 70, 37 points
M Stone- (18) 39points, T Black - (13) 37points BIH, WB Brooksbank - (21) 37points.
Ladybank Ladies
Dale Reid Salver (Stableford) - CSS 76 (31pts)
- C Farmer (08) 36pts, H Braidwood (18) 33pts, M Murray (11) 32pts (bih)
9 Hole Stableford
- E Stone (19) 16pts, F A Black (19) 14pts (bih), E M Chalmers (19) 14pts
Deals!
- Vokey SM5 Wedges Special, £59.99 each or two for £110
- Golf Buddy CT2 Rangefinders only £129 , LR3 laser only £179 !!! - Demos available
Our members are thankfully very good at supporting us in the Pro Shop, however we want to ensure we give you more reasons than ever to support us. For that reason we are offering you the following:
- Clothing: buy two items save £10 / buy three items save £15 / buy four items get a fifth FREE
- Golf equipment: buy any set of 7 irons or more and get a FREE fitting and FREE lesson
- Drivers: Titleist 915 D2-3 drivers only £299 from £329
- Power Trollies: buy any trolley and get a FREE accessory
- Golf balls: buy six Callaway chrome balls and get two FREE
- Gloves: buy four gloves and get a fifth FREE
- Wedges: buy two Vokey SM6 wedges and get £30 off a third
*As an aside note if there is anything we don't stock – then please ask as we will be able to get it for you through our buying group, Foremost Golf. Foremost is the largest buying group in the UK and ensure we can match internet prices for you.
5 hole on course session only £45
I am still running the on course sessions. If you fancy coming along to try the five hole coaching session on the mental, technical or even how to beat the course from a course management point, please call or click here.
Raffle draw
Result of Saturdays 'raffle' for a 2 hour playing lesson with Gregor Wright Golf.
Please click here or on the photo to view the video draw!
This Saturday we will have another draw to generate some fun in the Pro Shop.
If you fancy winning a Vokey SM5 wedge then bring your wedge to enter our prize draw this Saturday!!
Titleist fittings have been really popular lately on our Flightscope launch monitor.
Titleist’s 915D2 driver is designed to spin less for longer distance, and with a higher MOI to help you become more consistent.
If you would like to get involved and get some great products in your bag then please click here to book an appointment with Sandy.
For the latest Junior newsletter, please click here.
The Juniors have been doing some excellent work recently, with some great results and events being held.
