General Course Update
The courses have largely held up well for the majority of the winter period but are presently being challenged with some areas of damp conditions. This is a result of the continuous and high percentage of winter rainfall days. In the areas that have had drainage installed in recent years we are seeing significantly improved and drier zones. The current damp areas have been mapped and future drainage programs will be centered on these areas. Several of the damp areas zones will be drained within the current Course Audit Work Program.
The use of carts continues to be very closely monitored and their use restricted if the courses require further protecting during these damp periods.
Vegetation Management
This year’s planting season remains in progress and will once again see 30,000 native indigenous heathland plants, grasses, trees and shrubs installed. Highlighted on the map below and in blue is the selective screen plannings of key boundary and import zones that is part of this seasons program.
Starting Monday 29 August, our seasonal thinning program in several areas (highlighted on the map below and in purple) will commence. The areas were identified in the course audit program for thinning out woody weeds and undesirable plants together with improved regenerative support for the selected desired plants and materials. This has been very successfully undertaken in past years and forms part of our strategic vegetation management plan. The initial view of the work zones after completion will appear quite raw but the new plant regeneration in the months following will provide a significantly improved aesthetic appearance with a more prominent plant diversity presence displayed in the treated areas. An excavator with a mulching head will be used to perform the works commencing in the area on the left side of 7 &18 North/car park zone.
Course Care
The final part of our Course Care Series featuring a video illustration and information will target Greens – Pitch Mark Repairs.
It is proposed that we delay the release of this video and information to the members until the greens have fully healed from the upcoming coring renovations. It is important that the KEY messaging is timed well and the desired impact is gained. This will not be possible when the greens are in recovery and presenting with high sand levels post the renovations. The timing of the video release to the members along with the new pitch mark repair tools will be best suited in early October.
We will amplify our course presence, education, and marshall observations to support this initiative.
Greens Renovations
Important preparation work for our upcoming Greens Coring Renovation Program have been in progress in the lead up weeks. The preparation work has included detailed soil testing to ascertain the nutrient status that identifies any deficiencies that may require plan and correction, selective nutrient inputs to stimulate turfgrass growth and recovery, detailed scanning and physical removal of any existing Winter grass (Poa annua ) plant existence that avoid the need to use chemicals and their associated risks, together with the servicing and setup of all mechanical equipment and tools required to undertake the program. All is now well set, and we hope the climatic conditions present with minimal challenges to enable a successful program outcome.
Please note the course under renovation will be closed during this program.
North Course
– Monday 29th August
– Tuesday 30th August
– Wednesday 31st August
South Course
– Monday 5th September
– Tuesday 6th September
– Wednesday 7th September
Undertaking the renovations in back-to-back weeks will have the greens all under recovery at the same time, but beneficial in that it will only have the one impact on members and leave the main growing season clear of invasive maintenance practices.
Process and Recovery Times
The program of our green renovations will be similar to previous seasons. The process will consist of coring the greens (10mm hollow tine), apply amendments to correct any soil deficiencies or to benefit turf health, apply sand then a deep verti drain of the greens (8mm solid tine) to complete the program. The full recovery time of the greens will be approximately 4-6 weeks. Please note this a vital yearly task that must be undertaken to ensure our greens remain to a consistently high standard all year round.
WARM SEASON GRASS AREAS
A non-selective herbicide program targeting Winter grass (Poa annua) plants has been carefully applied across the fairways whilst the turf is in full dormancy. This program is important to assist in the management of Winter Grass (Poa annua) existence in our warm season grass areas and minimize any potential transfer into our green surfaces. The more delicate areas on green surrounds, tees and high traffic areas remain in progress and being undertaken via a spot spraying method. The above programs are once again showing very encouraging results.
The current stage of the program has the targeted poa plants turning bright yellow before they are expected to soon decay and become less prominent. A follow up pre-emergent treatment program will be applied in spring to minimize any further winter/spring non desirable plant and weed germination.
We continue to work very hard with the objective to produce the highest achievable level of turf purity in the warm season grass surfaces. This is becoming increasingly challenging for all clubs in Victoria, particularly with poa plants building very high levels of resistance to most of the available selective herbicide products.
BUNKERS
Bunker maintenance and restoration works remain a high priority and will continue throughout the winter/spring months. The ongoing improvement works have a focus on wall and floor contouring, face firming, entry/exit point adjustments and lip repairs. The bunkers requiring the more urgent repair, modification and maintenance have been prioritised first. See below photos of the recently completed works on 8N, 10N, 11N and 14N. 41 of the 100 bunkers on the North Course are now complete, whilst 17 of the 79 Bunkers on the South Course are now complete.
Our important and detailed wholistic review on bunkers, in conjunction with OCM as part of our quarterly Course Audit Program, is well underway. The review will cover all aspects of bunkers, inclusive of the recent the member survey responses, and will be presented to the Course Advisory Group in September.
Rainfall and Conditions
Our newly designed and in-house built timber stakes and rope are strategically being placed on the courses to manage the wear, protect damp areas, and guide ideal traffic flow. This is particularly important for the courses protection when winter presents with high levels of rainfall and over many days like this year. The ground water table remains high and will subside when the air temperatures increase, and a lengthy run of drier weather presents.
Director of Courses,
Glenn Stuart