Greens News - April 2018
1 May 2018

It has been a difficult start to the year for all clubs up and down the country. Here, saturated ground conditions made it impossible for the greens team to access and complete winter projects. We are at present 4-6 weeks behind schedule and consequently playing catch-up.

This month we have completed aeration of the fairways and grass paths to help dry out the course. Tees and approaches have also been solid tined. Approaches have been fertilised with ‘Coldstart’ 11:5:5 + 8% fe to generate a bit of growth and colour.

The greens have also received an application of Terralift Ca Mg. Again as with the humates last month it has been applied to build CEC in the soil. To increase the ph but reduce leaching of nutrients in the soil which I believe to be the issue with the Annual Meadow Grass (Poa) being weak last year.

Tees will soon be fertilised by a new product to Hornsea called Polyedge (17:7:12). It is a controlled release fertiliser lasting 3-4 months. As well as the NPK analysis it contains Polyhalite a naturally occurring mineral which has a rich source of potassium, magnesium and calcium. Thus enhancing colour and plant health.

This summer the fairways will receive 3 applications of liquid feed and a plant growth regulator. The theory being to improve the turf with a NPK feed but also encourage lateral growth with the ‘PGR’. This will help to reduce grass clippings and improve density of the turf.

Finally most areas on the course have been cut. However with the high temperatures and plenty of moisture in the soil, growth has been excessive. At present we haven’t attained summer heights of cut but we are experiencing high yields of clippings. Once conditions calm down this will be maintained with either collection or blowing.

Rainfall 51mm

Gareth Williams, Course Director

Back to News Articles