Superintendent's Course Report
AUGUST 2010
RAINFALL: - Year total for Jan to July 2009 - 373.2mm. Total for July 2009 - 43.0mm.
Year total for Jan to July 2010 - 112.0mm. Total for July 2010 - 4.0mm.
GENERAL
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We are now getting towards the end of our bunker maintenance program for this winter. During the winter period we have replenished sand and repaired 47 bunkers around the course. The work will enable the member’s easier access in and out of the bunker and also add to the aesthetic appearance of the bunkers. Could all members please walk carefully when entering and exiting the bunkers whilst the new turf is establishing.
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Establishing the turf work around the bunkers has been pretty challenging. Normally the damp condition enables the turf to root fairly easily. But with 4.0mm of rainfall during July and only 3.0mm in June the sand underneath is very dry and powdery. Weekly manual watering has been carried out to establish the turf.
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Repairs to the plastic liner on the 4th pond will be carried out over the coming weeks. The pond will then be refilled with recycled water.
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To replace the large tea tree removed on the right hand side of the 9th hole, 4 advanced trees have been planted - 2 new varieties of eucalyptus, agonis and a peppercorn tree. These trees will grow to fill in the space and are a more suitable and attractive tree for the area.
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All of the fairways will be scarified to remove the dead and decaying roots, leaves and stems which have caused a thatch layer that must be removed. A large sweeper will pick the thatch up off the fairways. This work will commence on the 16th August.
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Greens renovations will take place on 30th and 31st August. This will involve hollow tyning using 12mm tynes. Scarifying to a depth of 19mm and then top dressed. This will give the greens plenty of time to recover before the Club Championships.
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The fairways and tees will be aerated during September and fertilised. The fairways will also be sprayed with an herbicide for broadleaf weeds.
GREENS
All the greens are presently being cut 3 days a week at 3.0mm.
All greens are being rolled twice a week.
All tees are presently being cut at a height of 14mm once a week.
All tees are divoted weekly with sand and seed.
SURROUNDS
All surrounds and clubhouse areas are cut at 14mm once a week. This includes the flagpole and the chipper green.
FAIRWAYS
All fairways are currently being cut at 17mm once a week.
ROUGHS
All roughs are being cut at 50mm in areas that are required
BUNKERS
All greenside and fairway bunkers are being raked weekly by hand and with the machine.
Stephen Lewis
Course Superintendent
