Green update

Following on from the pre season meeting the rainfall figures compared with last year is remarkable

February 2023 had only 0.6 inches

February 2024 had 9.6 inches 245%above normal and the highest since 1871!

Combine this with the October to February rainfall which was the 4th wettest 5 month period on record !

In a normal year the green has coped, just, and we have been able to carry out the normal pre opening preparations i.e. lowering the cutting height, scarifying off the thatch which collects on the surface spiking and Verti cutting on a regular basis to allow oxygen down to the roots, we reseeded the bare patches but below average temperatures and waterlogged ground has stopped germination , even Applying fertiliser has been less effective because heavy rain tends to leech nutrients away .

This really only applies to the half of the green next to the club house and renewing the drainage there should avoid a recurrence of the waterlogging next year .

We will over the next 2 weeks, at every opportunity , be working on the green, I have been growing turf in seed trays in my greenhouse and as soon as the conditions allow we will use this to fill in the bare patches.

I cannot give a date for opening of the green it will depend on the weather in the next 2 weeks .

I will keep you updated.

I will report on conditions next Saturday 13TH

Please contact me at steveandkath@live.co.uk if you want more information

The greens team Steve, Chris, Da

ve