week 8
I am attempting to change the way I approach the blog updates for members after a few asked for weekly updates not just on major issues on the course as has been the trend. I cant promise anything, it is very time dependent so lets give it a go.
The 16th green is making steady progress, it is now being cut at the same height as the other greens (3mm), there are still some patches to recover which we have helped along by plugging / turning in of patches, I would like to thank the members for their patients during the recovery period your understanding is appreciated.
Another hot dry and windy week had the irrigation system operating at full capacity along with additional hand watering and other protective measures for greens, with temps around the mid 30's the last week and continuing for yet another I m delaying lowering the heights for increased green speed for the upcoming Capel Classic till the last possible moment, at this stage likely to be the Wednesday prior, not ideal but will still give time to condition the greens for the event.
We usually do not get much precipitation through summer, dry summers are the norm but this one is shaping up as one of the driest on record, it is probably the windiest as well that we have experienced which places extra pressure on the irrigation system by way of effecting the throw patterns hence why some dry areas develop in fairways near sprinkler points.
To top it off, the temperatures whist not to the high end of extreme have consistently been warmer than average, more so the run of days above 30 with out relief of the occasional drop in temperatures we usually experience for a few days to give the greens some respite and recovery time has not occurred this places the greens under a higher degree of climatic stress, growth is lacklustre which makes other issues more noticeable and slow to recover from any instance of injury requiring extra monitoring to ensure any issues are dealt with immediately minimising the possibility of loss of turf.
Finally even grand Augusta National is at the mercy of Mother Nature a winter ice storm damaging and causing the removal of the tree that Eisenhower himself could not get removed, the iconic Eisenhower Tree on the 17th was severely damaged during the storm leading the decision to remove it. To read the article click here http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/augustas-eisenhower-tree-removed-after-ice-storm/
The 16th green is making steady progress, it is now being cut at the same height as the other greens (3mm), there are still some patches to recover which we have helped along by plugging / turning in of patches, I would like to thank the members for their patients during the recovery period your understanding is appreciated.
Another hot dry and windy week had the irrigation system operating at full capacity along with additional hand watering and other protective measures for greens, with temps around the mid 30's the last week and continuing for yet another I m delaying lowering the heights for increased green speed for the upcoming Capel Classic till the last possible moment, at this stage likely to be the Wednesday prior, not ideal but will still give time to condition the greens for the event.
We usually do not get much precipitation through summer, dry summers are the norm but this one is shaping up as one of the driest on record, it is probably the windiest as well that we have experienced which places extra pressure on the irrigation system by way of effecting the throw patterns hence why some dry areas develop in fairways near sprinkler points.
To top it off, the temperatures whist not to the high end of extreme have consistently been warmer than average, more so the run of days above 30 with out relief of the occasional drop in temperatures we usually experience for a few days to give the greens some respite and recovery time has not occurred this places the greens under a higher degree of climatic stress, growth is lacklustre which makes other issues more noticeable and slow to recover from any instance of injury requiring extra monitoring to ensure any issues are dealt with immediately minimising the possibility of loss of turf.
Finally even grand Augusta National is at the mercy of Mother Nature a winter ice storm damaging and causing the removal of the tree that Eisenhower himself could not get removed, the iconic Eisenhower Tree on the 17th was severely damaged during the storm leading the decision to remove it. To read the article click here http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/augustas-eisenhower-tree-removed-after-ice-storm/
