Course Update – Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Greetings from the Course, it’s been an unusual couple of weeks of weather for July here on the Golf Course, with a couple of storms in the past week delivering up to 40mm of rain. The Course has held up well, with only the usual suspects (Bunkers) copping the brunt of the damage.

Our TifEagle Greens on 11, 12 & 13 are forming nicely, we are seeing good coverage and plenty of spread for this time of year which is really promising. They are also quite a bit smoother than 19, 20 & 21 at the same time of grow in, largely part to the stolons being shredded a little finer, allowing us to spread them more evenly. They have received a few cuts at 4mm now, and have just been given a heavy top-dress to further help with inconsistencies. They continue to get weekly nutrition boosts, and with the days getting slightly longer and warmer, we should see them jump in the coming weeks.

Greens 19, 20 & 21 are still performing well, albeit signs of stress after plenty of golf, but we will continue to manage them as the weeks go by. They should bounce back relatively quickly once the warmth allows the plant to start kicking back into gear. New Greens always need a bit of time to send Roots deep into the soil profile, so the plant isn’t solely relying on canopy moisture to survive. We are actively eliminating encroachment, by pulling runners and spraying any sign of foreign grass present. This will be an ongoing approach for all the new Greens.

In other areas of the course, the Greens underwent a monthly maintenance top-dress and solid tine. Vital to plant health, the solid tine or “needle tine” allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate into the soil profile where the turf can store all the micronutrients, to then feed off of and stay healthy. Whilst it may be disruptive for the day of the “procedure”, after a cut and roll the next day, it’s virtually back to being a smooth surface again. If you were to think about all the pores on the surface of your skin, and how they can get dirty really quick, by washing, or scrubbing the build-up/grease off, it allows the pores to open up and allow all the natural oils to reach the skins surface, keeping it healthy! Much like our Greens, they need constant opening up, to fend off the bad build up, and allow room for the good stuff. (Now, imagine if you were to never wash your face again, and leave it unattended for extended periods, you’d be the talk of the town. Greens need constant maintenance, top-dressing, aerating, scarifying, and nurturing to perform at their optimum all year round!)

Enough of that, meanwhile, we are making strides on the out of play holes with the 11^th Tee completely turfed, the 12^th slope filled and turfed, and our new Bee Hive pad installed (awaiting Queen Bees). With some more work going into the bunkers on 12 and 13, there is still a bit to do before we re-open. The rough on 11, 12 & 13 have also been targeted with multiple herbicide applications to attack the ever-persistent wire-weed or paramatta grass (Sporobolus africanus), which is why they are looking slightly yellow. The Wintergreen Couch is expected to bounce back and we are hopeful we can eliminate a good portion of the weed population in the roughs going forward.

The Ventrac has been getting good use in the landscape areas thus far and is allowing us to tidy up those areas that we can’t get our regular rough mower into due to excessive debris/trees & stumps. This will keep us in good stead heading into summer to keep on top of weed growth. We will also look to tidy up some areas that have been neglected (20^th Creek, and RHS of 12 Hill).

• Greens are healthy, rolling at 12ft on the Stimp as of 30^th July, keeping consistent throughout the week with multiple cuts and rolls. Putting us in a good spot for our home Pennant games.
• Fairways & Tees still cut at 10mm, showing great colour and coverage. Select Tees are struggling a little with the excessive shade and wear but overall, fairly pleased for this time of year. We are trying to utilise Tee space as best we can, which means markers are being brought forward to give certain areas a rest and the extremities of the Tee being used if possible.
• The Rough has certainly checked out, giving us a great contrast between the Rough and Fairway. This should start to swing back in the coming weeks now that we are out of the winter peak.
• Bunkers are still being attended to a few times a week. Obviously after the rain events they are holding more water than we would like them too, but once we can get the water to drain, we are pushing them back up and fluffing the bases as best we can. We still ask that members be courteous to other players with their bunker use, ensuring you leave the bunker in as good if not better condition than you found it. This also includes the practice bunker.
• A busy few weeks ahead for the club hosting 3 home Pennant games, will see us try and keep the course in top condition. Looking forward to seeing you all out there showing support.

Happy golfing, stay safe.

Alex Blakely
Assistant Course Superintendent
The Brisbane Golf Club