Greenkeepers Update: Preparing the Course for Autumn and Winter

Continued investment in the course as we recover from a challenging summer

The Greenkeeping Team have had another busy and productive couple of weeks, with much of their work focused on recovering the course following an exceptionally hot and dry summer, improving turf quality and preparing the playing surfaces for the cooler months ahead.

With the recent rainfall and the introduction of our new fairway irrigation system, conditions have become much more favourable for important recovery and improvement work across the course.

Work completed over the past two weeks

Fairways 11–18

Fairways 11–18 have now been disc-seeded as part of our wider fairway improvement programme.

Following the prolonged dry weather, this is an important stage in improving the quality and resilience of the fairways. New, drought-resistant grass varieties are being introduced to improve turf density, appearance and performance over the longer term.

The timing of this work has been helped considerably by the recent rainfall and more favourable growing conditions. With continued moisture and suitable temperatures, we hope to see the new seed establish before the colder winter weather arrives.

Importantly, the new irrigation system has also allowed the team to run fairway irrigation programmes overnight, providing much-needed moisture and substantially supporting the recovery of the grass.

Greens

The greens have received a light topdressing to smooth the putting surfaces, dilute organic matter and maintain good drainage.

This has been supported by an application of granular fertiliser, providing the nutrients needed to encourage healthy, controlled growth and aid recovery from the stresses of the summer.

The greens have also received a preventative fungicide application. As temperatures fall and conditions become cooler and damper, the risk of turf disease increases, so taking preventative action now is important in protecting the health and quality of the greens through the autumn.

Tees and green surrounds

The tees have been scarified and verti-drained.

Scarifying helps remove unwanted thatch and organic material from the surface, while verti-draining relieves compaction and creates channels that allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate more effectively into the root zone.

Although this work can result in some short-term disruption, it is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient playing surfaces.

A liquid fertiliser has subsequently been applied to the tees and green surrounds to support recovery, strengthen the grass plants and improve overall turf coverage.

Looking ahead to the next two weeks

The fairway seeding programme will continue, with fairways 1–10 scheduled to be completed.

Once this work is finished, all 18 fairways will have been seeded as part of this significant course improvement project.

The tees will also be topdressed and overseeded, with particular attention given to worn and high-traffic areas. This will help improve surface levels, drainage and soil structure, while new seed will encourage stronger grass coverage and support the recovery of damaged areas.

The tees and green surrounds will receive a granular fertiliser application, providing longer-lasting nutrition during the autumn growing period.

Further work on the greens

The team will carry out verticutting on the greens, followed by another light topdressing.

Verticutting removes lateral growth and excess organic matter, encouraging the grass to grow more upright and helping to produce a smoother and more consistent putting surface. The subsequent light dressing will help restore surface levels and support the recovery process.

The greens will also be overseeded to introduce fresh grass plants, improve turf density and strengthen the overall composition of the surfaces.

Establishing a dense and healthy grass cover is particularly important as we head into winter, when slower growth, wet conditions, disease pressure and regular play can all place additional stress on the greens.

A positive step forward

The timing of all maintenance work will continue to be carefully managed around the weather and growing conditions, meaning schedules may occasionally change.

Some of the work will inevitably result in short-term disruption to playing surfaces, but these measures are essential to improving the long-term condition, resilience and performance of the course.

The combination of the recent rainfall, earlier fairway seeding and the ability to irrigate the fairways overnight through the new irrigation system has provided the team with an excellent opportunity to make significant progress this autumn.

We would like to thank members for their continued patience and support while the Greenkeeping Team carry out this important programme of work.

Andy McEvoyGolf Course Manager