General Course Update
An improved stretch of weather has been pleasing with the course slowly coming out of its winter dormancy. Some of our heathland plants are starting to flower and our recent treatment of the Poa annua (wintergrass) is showing positive signs of an encouraging result. We begun our first member Maintenance Facility tour this week and we now turn our full focus to the renovation of our greens, starting this coming Monday, August 26 on the North Course. Please see link below on the process of our green renovations.
ASR / MAR Water Project Update
After receiving feedback and requests for further information from the Regulators in late July relating to our Project Applications in March, the requested information was compiled inclusive of an updated MAR Water Project Plan has been provided in August. The regulators review and processing of this requested information is now in progress. The next project milestone (Regulatory Approvals EPA/SEW) are expected to be provided in 6 weeks.
An update of the MAR Project status inclusive of an indicative budget, project schedule and other associated information has been provided and presented to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee will provide their recommendation to the Board upon the completion of their review of this information.
Pro shop putting green update
We are pleased to report the putting green is now advancing well and the increase in soil temperature is assisting in lateral growth that was difficult to encourage during the cooler months. We expect to open this green in early October.
Improvements to High Traffic path ends
Our team have been busy improving some of our worn “high traffic” areas. An extension of timber sleepers from the 5th South bridge have been installed to assist with turf wear and damage when exiting the bridge. On some select holes, we are trialing a synthetic strip of grass that intertwines with the turf to aid with the protection of these areas.
Vegetation improvement projects
Work remains in progress on this year’s vegetation planting program. In excess of 20,000 native heathland plants, trees, shrubs and grasses are once again being installed throughout the courses. Transplanting using onsite material in selected areas is also in progress and forms a key part of our overall program. The transplant material will be sourced between holes 1 and 3 North.
It is to be noted that several planting zone areas will be stripped of surface organic matter using an excavator prior to the native soil/plant transplanting and plant installations. 18S/11S and also 7N RHS have now been completed. 6S is currently in progress and on target to be complete by the end of the week.
Fairway Patch / BF1 Turf disease initiative and PK research participation
Through the VGCSA (Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association) and as an extension of our ongoing collaborative work with leading industry professionals, a new research project is being undertaken to better understand the factors that promote these turf diseases. This involves collecting detailed maintenance data and collecting samples for laboratory diagnosis. Once this data is collated and peer reviewed, trials will be established to determine the most effective methods of minimising/controlling the disease. 9 other Victorian clubs will be participating in this research project.
Patch Diseases caused by Ectotrophic Root Infecting (ERI) fungi have become a significant concern on Couch Grass turf on Victorian Golf Courses. At their worst, the Patch Diseases of Couch Grass can spread over large areas of turf and result in considerable damage to the playing surface. BF1 is a relatively new ERI disease and has proven to be unpredictable in its occurrence, it can damage large areas of turf and the control strategies are poorly understood. The work of Dr. Percy Wong over 2 + decades has been instrumental in developing a better understanding of the pathogens involved with these Patch Diseases and in particular the more prevalent BF1. However, there has been no progress related to understanding the occurrence of these Patch Diseases and the relationship with maintenance practices. Nor is there any product control.
Holmesglen Student Turf Management Visit
This week we welcomed 30 students on a tour of our facility in support of our turf management industry. The 30 strong group joined Ben Payne (Course Manager) and myself on a 2-hour visit of our facility.
Maintenance Facility Tour
The first of 6 tours took place on Monday 19 August. A group of 12 joined myself and Course Manager, Ben Payne on a 1 hour tour on a behind the scenes look into our Maintenance Operation. The tour included presentations of the interesting operating systems. These include the following – Toro Watering System, Task Tracker Job Delivery System. EZLocator Pin Placement System. Nearmap Aerial Mapping System and more. There are still 5 dates remaining, and we encourage any members to attend.
Flora and Fauna Initiative – Microbat Project
The Microbat Project at PK is significant for both the club and the community, as it naturally controls insect populations, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, and enhances biodiversity. The project also raises environmental awareness and fosters a sense of stewardship, while encouraging community involvement through education and volunteer opportunities. Golf courses like PK, with their diverse landscapes, mature trees, and water sources, provide ideal habitats for microbats. By preserving these habitats and installing bat boxes, PK can support microbat conservation, serve as a green corridor, and contribute to the overall environmental health and biodiversity of the area.
Microbat Project – Report by Vegetation Staff Member David Hoctor
In April this year, Flinders Christian Community College (FCCC) in Carrum Downs shared a social media post looking to donate their Microbat nesting boxes. The boxes were purchased by the school, and assembled by the students as a learning exercise about Microbats and the role that they play in the ecosystem. I saw this as a unique opportunity for Peninsula Kingswood to provide a suitable home for the boxes. After reaching out to the school, FCCC were generous enough to donate seven Microbat boxes to PK.
After consulting with The Royal Botanical Gardens Cranbourne and Frankston City Council we were recommended a company called Humane Animal Solutions to conduct the installation of the boxes. Humane Animal Solutions have been operating for over 10 years and they specialise in the installation of a wide range of nesting boxes. Their expert knowledge in native animals and arboriculture ensure the best outcomes for habitat protection and increased chances that the boxes will be utilised.
On Tuesday 13th of August, the microbat boxes were successfully installed here at PK. Humane Animal Solutions kindly donated two extra microbat boxes bringing the total number of boxes installed to nine. Six of the boxes were installed in the strip of vegetation that lies between the 16th South fairway and the 12th South fairway. Three of the boxes were installed between 3 & 4 North just off the maintenance track.
Microbat habitat boxes are different to other boxes as they do not have a traditional entrance hole and are narrow in comparison. There is also an internal partition as Microbats use their toes to hang upside down in the roost. The habitat box needs to be mounted in an area that is clear of branches and other obstructions so that the Microbats have a clear flyway to and from the box.
We recognise our responsibility as landholders towards native fauna, and through collaboration with FCCC and Humane Animal Solutions have successfully provided extra habitat for microbats, in the pursuit of conservation.
Microbat Information
Microbats are small, mouse-sized bats that grow to 4-15cm long and weigh only a few grams. Most microbats have black, brown or grey fur and wide grey wings. They are mammals that feed their young milk. They feed by echolocation (the location of objects by reflected sound) consuming around 40% of their body weight of insects each night. It is estimated that the Little Forest Bat consumes around 1,000 mosquitoes per night. They play an important role in the ecosystem, acting as a great natural pest controller! Some microbats fly above the trees catching insects, while others fly close to the ground sometimes even landing to snatch a juicy grasshopper. Most microbats roost in tree hollows or under bark during daylight hours. These tiny creatures generally live in small colonies. Once the nights become cooler and the insects disappear, the microbats lower their body temperature and go into a state of mini hibernation until their food returns in spring.
There are seven species of Microbats in the Frankston area that may use habitat boxes – from Victoria’s smallest Microbat, the Little Forest Bat weighing as little as 3 grams to one of the largest, the Whitestriped Freetail Bat at nearly 50 grams
Frankston Microbats
Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii)
Chocolate Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus morio)
Lesser Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus geoffroyi)
Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris)
White-striped Freetail Bat (Tardaria australis)
Large Forest Bat (Vesperdelus darlingtoni)
Southern Forest Bat (Vespadelus regulus)
Little Forest Bat (Vespadelus vulturnus)
CURRENT & FUTURE COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
- Bunker Maintenance and Renovation program continuation (Winter & Spring).
- Vegetation maintenance programs that include slashing, burning, pruning, dead tree and woody weed removal in selected areas (In-progress).
- Planting program commencement – 20,000 native plants to be installed throughout winter once again (In progress from June – October).
- Wintergrass Control Program with-in warm season grass areas (In progress until October.)
- Course Renovations (August, September and December).
- Annual Drainage program continuation. Target areas 9N fairway, 2S teeing complex and other selected smaller areas (Timings to be confirmed).
- Selective hedge removal & replacement (including sub-base soil) surrounding the bowling green and lawn precinct. (Recently completed)
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses