Oakmere Park Golf Club

Green Keeping Newsletter May 2009

The key areas that I would like to address in this issue are imperative components of any golf course; grass and trees. There will also be a précis of the winter work that has been carried out, along with an outline of future work that is to be undertaken.

Trees form an integral part of golf courses. They can be seen as the framework around which a course can be set. Most woodland on a golf course is restricted by mowing practices, therefore reducing the effect of natural regeneration. (Perfect example of this is woodland copse to the right of the 16^th Tee no mowing has occurred and self seeded pine trees have established themselves). This regeneration at the margins is normally thwarted. As a consequence to sustain the woodland margins requires a management policy. This will ensure quality, health, structure and continuity of landscape.

With advice and site visits from the Sherwood Initiative Trust a woodland management planned has been established. A systematic removal of trees has to occur. More than 1000 trees have been removed from the Admiral’s course throughout the winter months. These have been removed to ensure the continued growth of all the species on the site. On closer inspection many of the trees in the plantations were beginning to die or at the very least show signs of stunted growth, simply due to the excessive competition for light, nutrients and water. If these trees were not removed then it could lead to the loss of a vast number the trees from these locations.

The trees have been removed with log piles created and the branches taken away from in play sites. These long piles create an excellent habitat for a wide range of animals, insects and fauna.

This process will have to be undertaken on a yearly basis to protect the huge variety of trees that are currently growing on the courses. Essentially overall loss in numbers will ensure a positive gain in quality.

Like the trees the grasses at Oakmere require a long term management policy. The basis for this policy evolves from the R&A’s sustainability document. There definition in relation to golf course development and management is:

“Optimising the playing quality of the golf course in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment under economically sound and socially responsible management”.

The R&A consider sustainable development and management to be fundamental to the future success of golf.

To achieve these aims significant changes have to occur with regards golf course management. In this article I will be focusing on the development of the rough grasses and why they are so important.

The soils on this site will naturally support the once indigenous grass species, the finer fescue grasses. Just by leaving isolated spots over the last two years these fescue grasses have spread over a significant portion of the courses creating fantastic definition. These grasses are important for a variety of reasons. Once established they are extremely hard wearing creating a tight low bottom sward with the thin wavy shoots. This density at the base prevents ingress by weeds and other invasive grasses. This is an important factor with significant changes in pesticide regulations already in progress. A number of the staple herbicides used have already had their licenses removed. In addition to this the remaining products are extremely expensive and time consuming to apply to such a large area. Dandelion invasion is especially prevalent with large fields next to the courses being a major source of weed invasion.

The fescue grasses due to their extremely deep rooting system are far more drought tolerant, as a consequence will recover quicker during the periods of limited water. These fescue grasses also require limited fertiliser applications. Their growth cycle is far slower than rye grass or meadow grass therefore they don’t have to be cut at such regular intervals again saving money on fuel and time.

These grasses in conjunction with the aeration and light seaweed fertilising are also responsible for the improvements to many of the fairways. The self seeding process that has been occurring has improved the density on a large number of the fairways on both of the courses. This is a massive financial saving with one 25kg bag of fairway mix fescue grass seed costing approximately £150. This bag would not go very far on a fairway the size of 13^th on the Admirals or the 4^th on the Commanders.

Once established these grasses will spread rapidly I have recently tried to scarify them in an attempt to thin them but this just removed all the seed heads. This must therefore be done in October time after the plants has dispersed it seeds. The locations behind the fescue sites will also scarified in October to help create a seed bed and improve germination. This will then reduce the need for the lower cut rough behind the fescue sites. Already I have a number of fairways where this problem has already been eradicated and the rough is cut as normal. E.g. 1,4,7,11,13,14,15 on Admiral’s and 1,3,4,6,9, on the Commander’s. Further spraying work will be carried out in the next few weeks to remove the unwanted remaining rye grasses and Yorkshire fog that inhabit some of these areas.

I hope this highlights the importance of these grass areas and that they are not simply a whim that I have. Anything worthwhile invariably takes time to come to fruition.

As well as the woodland management work carried out on the courses, significant work has been carried out on a number of the bunkers. Experimental bunker faces have been put in place each using different techniques and materials. The results so far have shown the principle that we are working with is sound but will just require further modifications. The 6^th greenside left bunker on the Admiral’s and the 4^th Greenside left bunker on the Commander’s have both had upside down turf layer in the base to see if this will prevent some of the stone heave. These bunkers will be carefully monitored to see if it is a viable option for other bunkers.

Future project work will include the relocation of the 1^st tee path. Work on this will commence when the growing season starts to relax around July time.

In the next issue I will continue with the sustainability process that is ongoing with the greens and the reasons for this. My I wish you all an excellent golfing season and thank you for all your continued support.

Richard Bond

Richard Bond

Course Manager

Autumn 2008.

As the course manager my aim is to provide the optimum playing surfaces all year round. After considerable experimentation and assessment it would appear that the days of the temporary tees and greens are limited to extreme situations. Alteration of heights of cut, types of cutting, aeration techniques and fertilisation programmes throughout the year have enabled us to improve the grass swards and create a healthier grass plant that can sustain the wear and dormancy periods throughout the winter. Weather patterns have also had a considerable bearing on the plants ability to remain healthy. This highlights the importance of continually assessing your management techniques many courses still stick to temporary greens because “they always have done.” Experimentation is the key to development and progression onwards, not staying stuck in the past.

The winter development programme for 2007-08 involved a wide variety of construction projects such as heather scrapes, bunker reconstruction, tee construction, practice area construction and tree removal. All this work whether in the short term or long term will significantly enhance both courses.

An evaluation of the course requirements is essential. Throughout this year I have received many compliments on the condition of the courses, these are very welcome, but I must concentrate my attention on improving areas of criticism. The key area for improvement has to be the bunkers. This has been an ongoing project for the last 4 years with bunkers being constructed, reconstructed and others removed, this will be a continual process, they will always require vast amounts of time and maintenance.

The primary complaint appears to be the lack of sand or the stones within the bunkers. With both problems there is no all encompassing solution.

The stones are a direct consequence of the local geology there is no way of getting rid of them. The soil heating and cooling throughout the year will lead to expansion and contraction of the top100mm of soil this will heave stones to the surface. This process also occurs when the ground becomes frozen. At the surface levels needle ice will form and will again heave stones to the surface.

To accentuate this process further the vehicle used to rake the bunkers also dislodges the stones brought to the surface. An easy remedy has already been introduced, limiting the mechanical bunker rake to the larger bunkers, whilst hand raking far more of the smaller bunkers, this of course takes a more time.

In addition to this, a programme of levelling the bases, and lining the floors of the bunkers particularly susceptible to stone ingress with a good quality, fibrous upside down turf should prevent stone invasion for a number of years. How long exactly is unclear at present. Certainly after this process these bunkers will not be able to be raked with the mechanical bunker rake.

The second issue with regards the bunkers is the volume of sand in them. The solution is not as simple as simply putting more sand into the bunkers. Excessive sand will be blown out as well as being splashed out via play. This sand will smother the grasses on the bunker faces and surrounds; it will also burn and cook the grass (due to sand particles having a magnifying glass effect throughout the warmer periods). This will then lead to the bare lies and uneven grass swards all around the green surrounds. A sparse high sand content soil will consequently stress out very quickly leading to poor rooting and therefore far higher levels of damage from pests such as rabbits, leatherjackets, chaffer grubs and general weed invasion. A blower is now used to remove as much of the excess sand from the bunker faces; this is now carried out on an almost weekly basis.

The winter development work this year will involve the bunker amendments already highlighted as well as modifications to the large 4th fairway bunker on the Commanders course. In addition a heather scrape will be located in between the 4^th and 5^th fairways on the Commanders. Preparation work for the opening of the new 11^th will also have to be completed; this will involve bridge construction, and steps installations.

As members of Oakmere Park it is essential that I do get feed back from the membership whether positive or negative, only then can I attempt to act on these issues. For instance the member’s assistance and knowledge is essential to inform the greens staff of bunkers that are low on sand. Also I intend for the practice area to be of the same specification and quality as the rest of the courses greens and surrounds, for this to occur extra care has to be taken whist using it. Finally, the 1^st tee, will ALL members please walk on and off the tee from the entry point not step over the chain fence or walk off the front. This causes excessive wear at these points and continually brakes the chain. I’m sure my list of three grievances are small compared with some of your own but it would be greatly appreciated. I am a firm believer that by working together the overall quality of the complex will improve year on year.

In the next newsletter I will be explaining the reasoning and development plan established for the rough and how it all links with the R&A best practice guidelines and the sustainability of golf.

Richard Bond

Course Manager Oakmere Park Golf Club.

Green Keeping Autumn Newsletter 2007

Golf courses are living entities and as such develop and change over time. It is therefore imperative that a development programme is established that will enhance the progression of the golf course. A golf course will naturally evolve and this we have very little control over, what we can influence are the future construction projects, maintenance schedules and techniques employed. We need to work in conjunction with nature not fight it, understand what is possible and where.

Progression in technology and equipment has enabled us to eradicate die back on the greens after aeration without the use of expensive fungicides. Regular fairway aeration, top dressing and the use of products such as recycled Green Spread and Seed Aid have helped to transform poor grass covering on fairways such as 9,10 and 16 into an excellent playing surface. Developing things further though, the initial grass seeds used on these fairways were not particularly drought tolerant hence the die back and poor recovery witnessed throughout dry spells, further development in grass seed technology has made new cultivars available which are more drought tolerant, a tighter sward and improved natural colour. The grass seed now used on the 9^th is the same as that used for the new Wembley Turf.

The green surrounds were generally rather bare with patchy grass covering. The last few years they have improved considerably, again with an aeration, fertilising and over sowing programme. To enhance the surrounds further a replacement for the previous surrounds mower has been purchased. This piece of machinery is a multi-functional rotary mower essentially it will be used for the green surrounds. This allows us to raise the height of cut around the greens improving definition from green approach to surrounds. It will also reduce the stress on the grass during dry spells and periods of dormancy throughout the winter. All this will lead to an improved playing surface throughout the whole year.

Further development planned for this winter is the reconstruction of the Practice area. This will involve construction of a green with irrigation and a new bunker. This will be maintained as an extra hole on the course and as such will need extra care when being used.

This winter the Commanders 7^th Greenside bunkers will be redesigned. At present these are far too large and penal. They will be made smaller and more shaped to improve appearance of the hole. The approach will also be widened improving wear and playability.

The final project that will begin this year is the ambitious new construction for the 11^th tee on the Admirals Course. This hole is to be converted into a fantastic new Par 5 hole. This will involve the conversion of the old green into a tee and the removal of a large number of trees bordering the current 11^th tee site. Further winter tees and ladies tees will also have to be constructed. A project of such size will take a significant amount of time to complete and as such will not be in play until at least 2009.

In addition to the tree removal on the Admirals 11^th, further tree management will also have to begin. To ensure healthy, well-established trees continue a significant number of the current stock will have to be removed. Already forty trees have been removed from the planted area left of the 1^st fairway on the Admirals course. This has not detracted from the appearance of the hole merely ensured the continual good growth and establishment of the trees.

Following the success of the heather scrapes on the Commanders course a number of scrapes will be established on the Admirals course in between 13^th and 14^th fairways and areas between the 11^th and 12^th . These are essentially in out-of-play areas and will only enhance the course in the long term. The downside is the heather does take a long time to establish. The 13^TH Admirals tee scrape is just beginning to show signs of the small heather plants becoming visible. To reduce the impact of these scrapes they will be planted with broom and gorse for appearance and for extra protection of the juvenile heather plants.

The application of the insecticide “Merit” has again proved very successful no areas that had the insecticide applied were attacked. It would appear though that a number of new sites e.g. 6^th fairway on Admirals and the banking on the 2^nd will have to be included into the programme. A second insecticide “Lorsban T” will have to be applied to all the greens and some fairways. This will eradicate the Crane Fly Larvae that were in evidence (empty cases sticking out of the ground September) these will otherwise evolve into leatherjacket grubs, which can cause similar problems as the Chaffer Grubs in the Spring.

The final area of development will be the continued programme of bunker renovation a number of the bunkers will revetted or reshaped to ensure continuity and safety for the golfers.

In addition to all the development work that will be carried out the regular maintenance of the courses will take priority. In no way will the quality of the courses be sacrificed for any of the new development projects.

I hope that this gives all the members an idea of the work that is being carried out throughout the winter months and the reasons for the work. I would like to thank you all again for your continued support and encouragement. We are all dedicated to improving and developing the quality of Oakmere Park Golf Club.