Greetings from the Course, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cneedle tine\u201d 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 \u201cprocedure\u201d, after a cut and roll the next day, it\u2019s 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\u2019d be the talk of the town. Greens need constant maintenance, top-dressing, aerating, scarifying, and nurturing to perform at their optimum all year round!)<\/p>\n
Enough of that, meanwhile, we are making strides on the out of play holes with the 11th<\/sup> Tee completely turfed, the 12th<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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 (20th<\/sup> Creek, and RHS of 12 Hill).<\/p>\n Happy golfing, stay safe.<\/p>\n Alex Blakely\n
\nAssistant Course Superintendent<\/strong>
\nThe Brisbane Golf Club<\/p>\n\n\t\t