Course Conditions

You can obtain course condition information at anytime from our weather line by calling 01636 626666.

August Course Report

Since my last course report we have been very busy keeping on top of growth.  The summer weather conditions have allowed us to present the course in great condition. By this I mean good definition of fairways, semi and rough.  The greens also have been rolling at a good consistent pace.  The greens are cut daily at 4mm and groomed and rolled as and when possible.  On the heavily used tees we have been trialling a liquid which encourages root growth and thickens the grass.  This has helped to reduce cutting time from 3 times a week to 2, saving man hours.

Recently we had an agronomist to check out the patches on the 18th green.  These patches come every year and are a fungal condition which repels water in summer conditions.  We tend to just replace the patches, but have taken advice and will be trialling a fungicide and wetting agent together to relieve the problem green.

Other major maintenance jobs that have been carried out are divotting of fairways, topping up and removal of stones from  bunkers, spraying for weeds on fairway, semi and rough, woodchip on paths and on going aeration of greens.

Then came Maintenance week !! This usually follows straight after the Newark Open every year.  The process we have used for several years now is to verti drain the greens first.  This relieves deep compaction.  Then we hollowcore the surface which enables us to reduce thatch levels.  Then we topdress with a mixture 70% sand and 30% soil.  This is then mixed with seed and matted and brushed into the holes.  Finishing off with a roll and cut.

The question we are always asked is;  "why do you do this when you just get the greens right".   In reply - because it enables a quick recovery and gives ample time for the seed to germinate.  The relief of compaction is most effective at this time of year, completed now it greatly benefits the greens for the winter period. 

In the coming months we will be installing a winter practice area on the driving range, hedge pruning, installing two winter tees at the 5th hole and reconstructing the 10th and 15th hole in the course development program.

Please can you keep up with the repairing of pitch marks on the greens and don't forget to repair your divots on the tees.

Graeme Macdonald

Course Manager