Enville Golf Club Course Management Update

January and February so far have been productive months on both courses with maintenance progressing well.

The winter aeration programme has continued with weekly slit tining and sorrel rolling, the combination of both of these practices presents great aeration of the soil profile with little disruption to the surface. In fact once the greens have been pedestrian cut or rolled after the aeration you would struggle to experience any disruption to the putting surface, however, the results to the turf and soil are invaluable.
The picture below shows the sorrel roller in action and a good view of the close pattern of the tines, the tines penetrate to a depth of 3cm giving great aeration to the surface.

During this winter period we have for the first time completed winter top dressings. Normally this would be an operation we would complete from early spring through to the end of the summer period. By completing winter top dressing we are continually adding to the root zone and diluting any organic matter build up. this top dressing combined with the aeration mentioned above helps to integrate the dressing into the soil profile. Also the light dressing we apply helps the smoothness and trueness of the surfaces and over the long term improves the free draining nature of the root zone. This process has worked very well and we will be continuing with this through to the spring when conditions are correct. We use a 80/20 mix which is 80% sand and 20% humus rich soil. The humus element also lightly feeds the soil creating a healthy soil, this combined with improving the free draining characteristics of the soil produces the correct environment for the finer grasses and in term surfaces which are playable for the majority of the year. below is a picture of the 3rd green Highgate after dressing, once dry the dressing will be brushed into the surface. the amount we apply at this time of year is around 7 tonnes per 18 greens.

This month we have experienced some very wintry weather with heavy frosts dominating February so far. During this type of weather when we are restricted in the work we can do on the course we take time to renovate the course furniture. All tee balls, 150 markers and litter bins get a bit of a make over.

In my last blog i posted the Environmental Management plans we are working with, again at this time of we we make sure we are on top and on schedule with woodland management and heathland management. it is very important that we embrace and management this very rare site so therefore we place great importance on the management of the environment which makes Enville so special.

 

 

 

When conditions are right we try and keep the course presented as well as possible during the winter months. Greens are cut at least twice per week with pedestrian mowers at 5.5mm, collars and aprons are cut when needed at 10mm and tees are pedestrian cut at 10mm when needed.

 

 

On going winter projects this month are as follows: renovation of 9th White tee on Lodge, Drainage to the second half of the 8th fairway Highagte and the construction of three target green on the Practice Area.