Course Report – July 2009

WEATHER

There was 69mm of rain and three frosts which closed the course until 9am.

COMPLETED WORK

  • The two pines in between the 6th and 7th fairway were cut down and removed for firewood.
  • The out-of-bounds lines were sprayed with Buster and mowed.
  • An  irrigation blow-out on the 5th fairway was repaired.
  • Two non-return valves have been installed on the two main lines at the pump station to relieve the back pressure at the pump.
  • Mat Fogden came and trimmed the car park hedge and the 18th tee hedge. He also trimmed the willows next to the 4th and 16th greens.
  • The trimmings from the hedges, willows and pines have been burnt and the dump site cleaned up.

COURSE GROOMING

  • The greens were cut every second day, but rolled everyday.
  • Fairways were cut weekly.
  • Tees were cut weekly.
  • Rough was cut twice this month.
  • Blackberry around the 3rd, 6th and 13th tees have been cut out and weed-eated.

GREENS

  • Sprayed greens with DITHAN 20kg per/hec, High P/K Ultra 5ltrs/hec.

TEES

  • Sprayed with N/32 60 ltrs/hec, and CYHELA 40 ltrs/hec

MACHINERY

  • 4320 Tractor had a leaking radiator. Ethan and I repaired it with fiberglass (to replace with a new one would have cost the Club $800)
  • The 24-inch Chainsaw had its’ clutch springs replaced.
  • The back-blade that was sitting at the back of the green shed has been fixed at a cost of $350, and is now usable.

AUGUST AGENDA

  • Spray around trees and paths.
  • Clean up hill next to the 12th green (to remove drop zone).
  • Soil tests on fairways, tees and greens will be taken.
  • Remove liner from the bunker on the 1st, and fill in.
  • Install a drain box in the front of the 7th green.

MISCELLANEOUS

Greens Staff:

Luke Delahunty has just returned from two weeks annual leave.

Tony Deverill took a weeks absence to attend a family bereavement.

I am using up some of my annual leave accruement by taking the odd Friday off.

Ethan and I attended a Seminar on the 30th of July at the Awapuni Race Course held by PGG Wrightsons,  where they had two international speakers talking about turf nutrition, wetting agents and turf breeding.  We found this very informative and worthwhile attending.

ANDY RUTTER – Course Superintendent