Low winter sun levels and big shadows are now the look along with the tree leafs changing colour.
The poplar trees and silver birches are always the first to start dropping there leaves followed by the Oakes and Willow. These normally finish dropping around Christmas (hopefully).
This year I think the leaf drop has been later than normal due to the mild weather but it has started (see graph below).
We are now clearing greens everyday, blowing all over the course and now we are starting to pick them up with the Trilo. This acts as a big hover and is also great for clearing ditches.
This week we used the mini digger to clear some of the exits in the ditches but from now on the Trilo will be used.
We have had over 50 mm of rain on top of Octobers 123mm so far this month. The course is wet in places but the improvement each year on the drainage front is very noticeable but we still have a lot to do and add to get the course were I want it.
Greens that were further down on our list following the data collection back in 2008 are now showing the signs that they need to be drained or worked on like the greens that were further up the list like 16, 9, 3, 6 etc.
The 5th green has benefited from the drainage work at the rear left of the green but the front does still hold water after heavy rain. This will require some drainage work this year but this will only be a short term fix as next year the hole is due new bunkering and shaping. This is part of the five year plan but new drainage will be needed for the entire area as the levels will change (Below is a picture of the green before we remove the water in the mornings following heavy rain).
The 12th green is also one of the wetter greens on the course and will need some drainage work soon. Our moisture readings prove the green is not wetter than any other year but the other greens that have been worked on are getting drier, this is now giving us the impression it's wetter.
Other works on the course this week have included spraying the tees and greens for worms. (The rest of the course will be done in the coming days). Planting flowers and heathers around the clubhouse. We finally finished clearing the cut up trees following the storm, clearing the stump grinding debris. Finishing turfing at the 8th mound area. Clearing leafs as mentioned above, reinstating the bunkers following heavy rain and cutting the golf course (the growth rates are still really high).
In the coming days we will start to Verti drain fairways. This will help with the recovery from the hot summer. Spraying the course for worms and hopefully if the dry weather comes we can finally laser level these new tees and turf them before the winter kicks in.
Lastly here's a picture of the clubhouse set up for Presentation day. Well done to all those who won a trophy and received it today. I hope they look great on your mantle piece.
I m off now to carry on clearing leafs off the course!!!
Matt
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