Head Greenkeepers Blog - Tuesday, 16 May
Since my last blog prior to my holiday we have seen almost every type of weather including frost and even snow, but have still been missing one vital element- RAIN!! Last week I was praying for some rainfall after precisely 42 days without any but what I didn't bank on was it arriving with a vengeance as I played the 1st hole in the Spring Meeting.
As much as the course was desperately needing it, I found myself praying for it to stop as we all got well and truly soaked. After one of the driest springs since records began the course was extremely firm and it didn't take too much for it to start puddling, however Greens, Tees & Approaches held up very well considering which was great to see.
The course in general has managed very well through this period, I think careful planning and timings are so vital to prepare for such extreme conditions. I know of a few courses that are really struggling to achieve a consistent surface on greens and others with unreliable irrigation systems really up against it. I know of a course which shall remain nameless used 25000m3 of irrigation last year on 2 courses, and they have already used 19000m3 since March….in comparison we used 3200m3 last year and have applied 1800m3 since the start of March.
We have a groundwater abstraction licence from SEPA which allows us to take 7000m3 per year via our borehole, a figure we have never been close to. As much as we rely on the system to ensure plant health, we have a balanced approach to irrigation to ensure we don't create an environment where the undesirable grasses i.e Poa thrive and dominate the sward.
On the topic of Poa (Annual meadow grass) this is the time of year when we see this grass seeding, particularly on greens which can be easily identified with its dense white seedheads (see image). This can cause surface inconsistencies and requires some extra maintenance to ensure we get through the seeding period without surfaces being affected too much.
Our strategy is to tackle the lateral growth with a combination of cultural and sometimes chemical practices. The coming weeks will see is utilise our sweep and fill brush more regularly which stands the grass up prior to mowing, we will also be more aggressive with our groomers which gently chops into canopy and again stands grass up prior to mowing. The chemical method is in the form of a Potassium Silicate product which as well as strengthening the plant it encourages it to grow in a more erect manner which assists in reducing the seedheads during mowing.
Two weeks ago we had our spring STRI visit with our agronomist Richard Windows and we were delighted with the results considering the conditions.
We were within target in all of our testing areas and the trueness of greens was the best it's ever been "Open Championship standard" as quoted from Richard, who incidentally is the STRI's Open championship agronomist for all venues.
Once we have received the full report it will be published on the notice board and on the website, and I'd encourage everyone to take time to read it.
Can I just remind everyone to please watch their speed along the driveway. We regularly see vehicles speeding up and down and if any of our staff are working in the vicinity or driving slow vehicles on the road it becomes very dangerous.
David Gray
Head Greenkeeper
Odyssey Putter Fitting Evening - Thursday, 1 June 5pm to 7pm
- Are you struggling with your putting?
- We will check your putting out and advise on how to help with a putter to suit your game and stroke.
- All putters available to try on the night
Book your slot today in the Pro Shop.
Short Game Clinic
On Saturday, 27 May from 9.30am to 12pm, Sandy will be holding a Short Game Clinc. If you're looking to improve your short game from chipping to lobbing and bunker play this is a great time to get involved.
We will spend 2 hours and 30 mins covering the whole short game at the middle practice/short game areas. There will be a max of 6 people and the cost per head is £35.
Click here to book your spot today before this event fills up. Last year it was sold out in 4 days!!
5C's & Basket Supper Evening
Thanks to everyone who made it along to our 5C's and Basket Supper evening this week. It was great to see so many faces attend and I hope you enjoyed the chat and the Supper? Any feedback is always useful.
I'm sure if you follow the hopefully easy to apply advice, you'll see a big improvement in your golf by just following this simple process.
As promised click here to read the slides from the evening.
Round Up
Mid-week Stableford - Wednesday, 10 May
Cat 1 &2
1st - J G Honeyman(11) - 41pts, 2nd - O Cameron(5) - 40pts, 3rd - J P Eadie(8) - 38pts
Cat 3 & 4
1st - B Stewart(13) - 36pts, 2nd - A Ramsay(22) - 36pts, 3rd - M Fisher(22) - 36 pts
Seniors Millenium Quaich - CSS 37pts
I E Mitchinson(21) - 41 pts, D M Patrick(13) - 40, M W Hay(11) - 38 BIH.
Spring Meeting - Saturday, 13 May
Cat 1&2
1st - A Jackson - 77(9) = 68, 2nd - B McSkimming - 79(11) = 68, 3rd - JD Grant - 75(5) = 70
Cat 3&4
1st - J Hair - 84(14) = 70, 2nd - A Wyllie(2) - 83(13) = 70, 3rd - D Jamieson - 88(17) = 71
Ladybank Ladies - Club Championship Qualifier
J Connally (22) 71, A McGowan (12) 72, H Braidwood (12) 73
Nine Hole
E Paterson (20) 7pts, M Drummond (16) 6pts, A Hay (17) 3pts
