From Matt - Head Green Keeper
Due to the very mild temperatures, sunshine, and a bearable amount of rain, the course still has a vibrant green appearance and is continuing to grow. We’re therefore still cutting all areas of the course as often as needed to maintain presentation standards and ensure consistent playability across the surfaces.
Fusarium on Greens
We had an outbreak of fusarium disease on some of the greens around three weeks ago.
For those who may not know, fusarium is a fungal disease that damages turf, appearing as patches of yellow-brown grass often covered in a white or pink mould. It is caused by the fungus Microdochium nivale and thrives in cool, wet, humid conditions—especially when there is heavy dew, poor drainage, excessive nitrogen, compaction, or stress from low mowing heights.
We applied a fungicide immediately to control the outbreak, and the affected areas have now almost fully recovered. We have one further application available if required before Christmas, and we will continue to monitor the greens closely as conditions become more changeable.
(Photo below shows what happens if untreated.)
Tree Work
Several areas around the course have been identified as needing attention. Due to the ongoing demands of the mowing schedule, we’re tackling these projects in phases over the coming months.
- The hedge line along the right of the 1st fairway
- Trees on the right of the 4th fairway
- Trees at the front of the 9th tee
- Overhanging branches around the 10th tee
We still have a few more areas planned, which we will work through over the remainder of the winter. Keep your eyes peeled for this ongoing work.
Photos below shows 1st fairway hedge before and after
Driving Range
Regular winter range users will know how much heavy rain affects the outfield due to the compacted clay underneath. This means our greenkeepers have to hand-pick a large portion of the first hundred yards to minimise damaging the turf with the mechanical picker.
Unfortunately, this is unavoidable—so please bear with us over the next few months if the range needs to close temporarily for maintenance or safety.
Tee Steps
The steps on the 15th tee were identified as a potential slip hazard due to the surface becoming extremely slippery in wet conditions. We’ve now improved the grip by using the recycled astro turf we saved after the new mats went down—very useful!
Fairway Spiking
We began spiking the fairways last week and will continue throughout the winter. This process improves surface drainage, encourages deeper rooting, and helps release toxic gasses from the soil—setting the fairways up nicely for next season.
Winter Tees – From 3rd December
We’ve had a good run this season keeping all tees in play, but as temperatures drop, recovery time for the turf slows dramatically. Therefore, winter tee mats will come into use from 3rd December.
- Protect the natural tees from excessive wear
- Allow the turf to recover properly for next season
- Maintain consistent playability even in wet or frozen conditions
We will Verti-Drain all tees before and after Christmas and raise the height of cut to help them thicken up again before spring.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for your support and understanding as we move into the winter season. These next few months are vital for protecting the course and preparing it for next year.
Happy golfing this winter, everyone!
Matt
Head Greenkeeper
