The courses again continue to play and present well with all surfaces presenting consistently and in alignment with our expected standards for member/guest events, club championships and pennant rounds.
Focus and priority remains with delicately positioning the turf surfaces for the cooler months. A strong emphasis on a conditioning preparation is required here to ensure the plant health and recovery potential extends as long as possible up and into the winter period. This intent will minimise the dormancy period length of the warm season grass areas of green surrounds, tees and fairways that shut down during the deep winter period (June – September). Several important autumn and winter turf programs (some applications have begun this week) will be implemented within this period and are listed below in the future turf programs.
EPA Noise Pollution Investigation Update – We are pleased to report that we have been advised verbally that the EPA will close the case file on the Noise Complaints emanating from the maintenance facility during early morning operations. The EPA are satisfied that our operational risk controls and initiatives satisfactorily meets our obligation to the GED (General Environment Duty). This will also be issued in writing in the coming weeks. The complainant will also be notified of their position and case review closure. The EPA have recommended that we diligently continue to adhere to our controls and continue observing/monitoring/recording all risk control programs. All programs will remain in place as requested.
Rainfall – In our last report, very low rainfall had been recorded in the months of February (8mm) and March (6mm). April has seen quite the opposite, with 88mm of rain recorded. 55mm of that falling on the 1st of April.
Pro Shop Putting Green
The re-seeding of the Golf Shop Putting Green has commenced. This green required re-seeding remembering that it was the only green sodded in as a temporary green during the transition from the temporary marquee to the clubhouse. It subsequently had several non desired and poor subground agronomic performance with associated challenges. The re-seeding importantly fulfills our intention to have this green play, perform and react to the same management input as all those on the course proper without compromise. The project commenced on Monday 8th of May in the following sequence of events.
- Turf stripped
- Site laser levelled flat
- Fescue Border installed
- Amendments applied
- Green Seeded
The green will be out of play for approximately a 16 week period. All 5 other site putting greens will remain in play. This green restoration upgrade aligns with our course policy guidelines along with our mantra of Pure Excellence No Compromise. This putting green is often the first experience a guest will encounter at PK and is arguably our most important premium green surface that need to be consistently performing at its best. A low profile timber stake and rope barrier will be used to secure and protect the area until the green re-establishment is complete.
Green Collar Treatment Program
This week we recommenced and will continue our control program to alleviate warm season grass (couch grass) encroachment into our greens collars.
The program will selectively control/contain the warm season grass without impacting the desired bent grass turf. The program will require 3 applications two weeks apart.
Expect to see a strong highlighting of the target plant impact when the program is in the early weeks of implementation. The tips of the target plant will turn “bright white” before it decays. See below photos of the program is autumn 2023 that shows the program effectively working and also the application taking progress.
TURF PURITY PROGRAMS
Turf purity and health programs continue as key priorities at present.
One of our highest priority and focus program is our pre and post emergent control of Wintergrass (Poa annua) management within our warm season grass areas. This includes greens surrounds, tees and fairways. The first of 4 monthly applications has been made across the property in the recent week with results likely to become noticeable in 4-8 weeks but fully understood post winter. Weed resistance to available products continues to be the greatest challenge with our programs on Wintergrass eradication and control. We continue working closely and diligently with global turf weed professors and experts to find a sustainable product solutions that minimises, or eliminates our targeted weed species to ultimately combat the challenge of resistance.
Creek Banks Treatment
This week we have begun 1 of 2 applications of selective herbicide on our creek banks. This is targeted to suppress/remove all non desired weed and grass species. Removal of the target weeds will enable the creeks to be placed in a clean and aesthetically pleasing position heading into the cooler months.
Future Turf Programs
- Nutrition and Turf Colorant applications to strengthen the turf sward and lengthen presentation levels. (April & May, In-progress)
- Preventative fungicide applications across all warm season grass areas of green surrounds, tees and fairways to control and prevent fungal pathogen incidence in the growing seasons. (April & May, In-progress)
- Couch encroachment control program continuation with-in the greens collars. (April and May, In-progress )
- Pre and post emergent herbicide applications across all warm season grass areas of green surrounds, tees and fairways to control Wintergrass (Poa annua). (April, May, June & July, In-progress)
- Bunker Maintenance and Renovation program continuation . (Autumn, Winter & Spring)
- Annual Drainage program continuation. Target areas 9N Fairway, 2S Teeing Complex and other selected smaller areas
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses