Greystones Editor

STRI Visit.  Last week we had our annual visit from our course agronomist.  We have been taking various measurements on 3 sample greens for the past 4 years so that we can collect and analyse the data to ensure that our maintenance regime is correct and highlight any areas which could be improved.  The results have been encouraging with improved figures year on year and the initial results from this year again showing an improvement on green smoothness and trueness.

I will post some more details once we receive his full report.

Rainfall.  We have had 48mm of rain over the last week.  While this rain was needed, it would have been better for the course if it had fallen as persistent light rain rather than very heavy showers, as it tends to run off  before it has a chance to soak down to the roots.  Control of the moisture content in the greens has largely been taken out of our control which means that they are a little softer and running a bit slower than I would like but the putting surface is still in excellent condition.

Maintenance.  Bunkers are included in this weeks maintenance program.  All bunkers will be edged, smoothed, stones removed, sand pushed back onto the faces and sand levels checked and adjusted.  This is a very labor intensive job which takes three men two days to complete.

Greens Update Greens were tined on Tuesday 16th June to soften the putting surface as it can get a bit too firm during weather conditions that we are currently “enjoying”. Simply increasing water applications can lead to soft lush growth which encourages disease, increased thatch, and spongy slow greens when the weather returns to normal. Currently our greens moisture content is between 25%-30% .  Our target range is 15%-20%