As most of you are probably aware we have employed the services of an R&A Agronomist, Alistair Beggs, whose objective is to work with Ash to further develop our course plan. The employment of a consultant agronomist was at the instigation of Ash as he felt that it would be beneficial to get a second opinion on his views and hopefully to bring in some fresh expert ideas to complement his strategy. The objective of this report is to summarise Alistair's opinions from his visit on the 30th of July.
A significant part of the report is about the greens. His opinion was that the putting surfaces were strong and well presented. They offered consistent and complete playing surfaces of adequate pace and good uniformity. Surfaces were true to putt and were largely free from notable blemishes such as disease or weed. The two main sward components, bent (dominant in most greens e.g. 14th, 16th etc) and annual meadow grass, were well blended and the health of both has been well supported with good moisture management and feeding programmes. Alistair considers that we should continue to mow the greens at 4mm and roll as necessary to maintain a green speed of around 9ft. This should be perfectly adequate for the majority of golfers and should ensure a reasonable challenge without undue delay to speed of play. The putting surfaces are excellent to putt on. They are strong, well blended, reasonably firm, smooth and well-paced at a height of 4mm. Swards show a mix of bent with annual meadow grass, the proportions of which vary a little from green to green. The best examples are those dominated by bent which include the 12th and 14th. These are the benchmark greens for the future.
Soil profiles were suitably moist in most cases (apart from dry perimeters) and root growth was stable at around 70mm in depth. Organic matter levels are raised in the upper profile and this is clear to see when cores are extracted from the greens. Our main priority is to try and reduce this through promoting aeration and supplementary sand dressing. He considers it important that we have access to a verti drainer to carry out this aeration, which together with hollow tining and top dressing should reduce the thatch layer. The verti drainer would also be used to further improve the green surrounds.
The Attraxor growth regulator programme has tightened the swards nicely but had not stopped seed head activity which was still evident. Nevertheless, the amount of seed head is likely to have been reduced by the use of the product. He recommends that we continue the application of Attraxor which should gradually reduce the issue of flowering Poa during the early season and at other times when conditions lead to stress.
He makes the point that the quality of cut for the surrounds and fairways should be improved. He recommends that the relevant mowers should be sharpened and this has now been implemented. This is exacerbated by the use of our ageing equipment and consideration is being given to its replacement. He also recommends fertilising the fairways which would improve them although this would be a costly exercise and has to be considered within the overall financial picture.
Tee space is significant on most holes meaning that several tees don’t get much play. In these cases, surfaces are very soft with thatch and mowers are not performing well. Tee rationalisation is a subject for further discussion. If surfaces are to be retained, tops will need to be stripped and re-laid on a rota.
All in all the report is very supportive of our existing plan and he is happy with the overall structure of the course. Consideration is now being given to his suggestions.
It is important to consider the financial implications of all the recommendations and as with any business the cost involved has to be weighed against the financial benefit gained. We do not have unlimited funds and although I am sure the necessary investment will be made available the timing will depend on the overall performance .
The Autumn treatment is soon to start and this will once again involve hollow tining, top dressing and probably overseeding. Let's hope that the weather is kind to us again this year and that the course will quickly recover from the treatment. The treatment is necessary not only to reduce the layer of organic matter but also to make sure that we have good greens for the whole year and not just the summer and it is worth the short inconvenience.
It is apparent that the use of divot bags is slowly improving the fairways so once again can I ask that everyone makes the effort and takes a bag out with them to repair some divots.