Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club Monthly Management Report

By David Aplitt

Course Management Summary

General maintenance of the course continues with Greens currently rolled twice a week (Thursday and Saturday), Greens are cut at 3.5mm 4 times a week and holes changed 4 times per week, Surrounds are cut twice a week at 12mm, Fairways are cut at 14mm once a week, Collars and tongues are cut at 10mm twice a week, Tees are cut at 12mm once a week, Roughs are cut at 38mm once a week.

Climate Update

• The month of September had 15 days of rain with a total of 101.6mm
• Last 3 months rainfall:

• The course is wet again with over 4 inches of rain falling over the month
• The start of Spring has been wet with a few days of bright sunshine which is what we all need, including our turf surfaces. Forecast for later this week isn’t looking good.

 Greens Report

•  The greens are in good condition although a little bumpy, our 5^th application of herbicide was applied to eradicate Poa Annua on 19^th of September. You’ll notice the Poa Annua has become yellow and in some areas become bare, this is normal and what we are aiming to achieve. You’ll also notice the greens are different between front 9 and back 9, this is because of the treatment to back 9 greens last year resulting in less Poa Annua in these greens this year so less surface disruption. Light topdressing of sand will be added over the coming months.
• All greens will continue to improve after topdressings.
• Applications of fertilisers, insecticides and fungicides for plant health and recovery were applied during the month of September.

Tees Report

• The tees have a good coverage of grass but thinning in some areas due to excess wear and minimal growth at this time of year. Course staff filling divots on a weekly basis. Driving range mats are being used on driving range tee as couch grass growth has slowed and recovery won’t occur until Spring weather returns.
• Tees were aerated during the month and will have a fertiliser application soon.

Bunkers Update

• Bunkers out of play are 6^th greenside and numerous others throughout course and are marked with a white stake.
• Levelling and addition of sand is ongoing, due to rainfall and pumping.
• 13th greenside bunker is back in play

General Staff Update

• We currently have 9 fulltime and 2 casuals @ 3 days a week. Currently looking for more staff.

Machinery Update

• Maintenance on all machines was undertaken as per schedule.
• Machinery order from Toro, expected delivery April 2023.

Irrigation Update

• Communication problem on holes 2 – 5 has been rectified and back to normal operation. Repairs on sprinklers etc. are done as needed.

General Update

• Paspalum and Kikuyu is being sprayed in fairways and rough lines.
• Footpath on 2^nd is in play, 14^th path not yet in play as areas off the path are too soft for cart traffic
• A few areas on course are very wet so please be mindful driving in these areas.
• Poa annua in fairways, roughs and surrounds is being treated but not having the desired affect on the plant, we’ll keep treating with different chemicals. Recent trial work was also unsuccessful.

 October 4^th, 2022

Dave Aplitt – Course Super

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Course Management Summary

General maintenance of the course continues with Greens currently rolled twice a week (Thursday and Saturday), Greens are cut at 3.5mm 4 times a week and holes changed 4 times per week, Surrounds are cut twice a week at 18mm, Fairways are cut at 18mm once a week, Collars and tongues are cut at 12mm twice a week, Tees are cut at 12mm once a week, Roughs are cut at 38mm once a week.

Climate Update

• The month of August had 5 days of rain with a total of 21.4mm
• Last 3 months rainfall:

• The course has dried out with less than 25mm for the month.
• The start of Spring has started with rainfall, 12.5mm to date.

Greens Report

 The greens are in good condition, our 4^th application of herbicide was applied to eradicate Poa Annua on 17^th of August. Next application due on 14^th of September if required. You’ll notice the Poa Annua has become yellow, this is normal and what we are aiming to achieve. The greens surface will become uneven during the transition of the bent grass growing into the void left by the Poa Annua. Light dustings of sand will be added over the coming months

• All greens were aerated, and a light top-dress was applied on the 29^th of August. Amendments were also applied at this time, after soil test results.
• Applications of fertilisers and fungicides for plant health and recovery were applied during the month of August.

Tees Report

• The tees have a good coverage of grass but thinning in some areas due to excess wear and minimal growth at this time of year. Course staff filling divots on a weekly basis. Driving range mats are being used on driving range tee as couch grass growth has slowed and recovery won’t occur until Spring weather returns.

Bunkers Update

• Bunkers out of play are 6^th greenside, 13^th greenside RHS
• Levelling and addition of sand is ongoing, due to rainfall and pumping.
• We have some drainage problems being rectified on 13^th & 14^th, once achieved we’ll have that bunker back in play and drain sumps repaired in 13^th rough lines.

General Staff Update

• We currently have 9 fulltime and 2 casuals @ 3 days a week. Currently looking for more staff. Staff will be taking regular annual leave during these non-growing period months.

Machinery Update

• Tractor delivery update, we’ve cancelled our order and purchased a 2^nd hand tractor.
• Maintenance on all machines was undertaken as per schedule.
• Machinery order from Toro, expected delivery April 2023.

Irrigation Update

• Communication to irrigation is interrupted now on holes 2-6, we are sourcing the problem. Repairs on sprinklers etc. are done as needed.

General Update

• Paspalum and Kikuyu is being sprayed in fairways and rough lines.
• Trial that was conducted on Poa Annua on 1^st hole didn’t achieve the desired results.
• A few areas on course are still soft but drying out so please be mindful driving in these areas.
• Fairways and tees have been aerated with 19mm solid tine.

 

Dave Aplitt – Course Super

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