AGRONOMY UPDATE

STUART HORWOOD, Golf Course Superintendent AGRONOMY UPDATE

Dear Members,

Over the past two months we have continued the landscape upgrades on the golf courses. I’m sure you’re enjoying the ease of finding those stray tee shots on some holes as well as the improved presentation. This will continue with a longterm vision of completing all areas of the course.

In the rough areas you may see different shades of green. We are consciously encouraging an early transition from the rye grass back to Bermuda this year. The main reason is to have a longer window of control for the tropical signal grass weeds as well as better grass coverage going into winter. The photo shows the light green Bermuda grass and the dark green rye grass.

General etiquette has improved recently but we can always do better with bunker raking and pitchmark repairing. After speaking with Steve Drake our Captain at JGE there was some general improvements that were not so obvious, like picking up your broken tees and leaving them in the golf buggy or ensuring the sand is level after filling a divot. Leveling divots correctly helps the turf recover quicker.

We have now finalized a summer plan for the reduction of weed grasses on both courses. This has been presented to the committee who are aware of the approach we will take as well as the impact this will have from April - September to the golf courses.

Best Regards, Stuart Horwood