Course Update – 30th January 2019

by Neil Hamilton, Head Greenkeeper 

 Greens

• Mowing has been carried out with hand mowers at 6 mm, removing the growth from the mild winter.
• Top dressing of 5.5 ton/ha (light dressing) has been applied to keep surfaces firm and dry; this will continue every two weeks if weather conditions allow.
• Play on greens during frost has not as yet shown any negatives; this will continue to be monitored.
• Greens, aprons and tees have been receiving a monthly spray of Fe.N to keep plants healthy.

Tees

• Tee positions are being moved around to spread wear to avoid areas around tees becoming damaged.

Fairways

• A lift and place rule has been implemented on the 8^th and 11^th fairways to minimise wear.
• 2^nd, 8^th, 11^th and 13^th fairways have been sprayed with Fe.N to help plant health.

 Bunkers

• 11 bunkers have been rebuilt using Astroturf faces and these bunker surrounds have been turfed with fescue turf.
• The bases on these bunkers have been shaped and are ready for sand.
• 23 bunkers have now been built with Astroturf

Heather

• A herbicide has been sprayed on the heather to hopefully control the grass, to enable the heather to flourish.

Gorse

• Committee has completed a course walk to examine and discuss gorse control and management.
• Whilst the gorse is needed at Powfoot it is out of control and encroaching into roughs and heather areas.
• The top photo, taken in the late 80s/early 90s, shows how far the gorse has grown since then.
• A management plan will be put in place to take back the areas of gorse to resemble those shown in the photograph.