Course report Feb ’24
Published on 13th February 2024 in UncategorisedCourse Report – February 2024
With the assistance of 70mm of rain the week before the 1st practice round of the Australian Amateur, the course produced true and consistent playing conditions across the property. Planning to have surfaces in prime condition and to deal with any sudden storm or rain events, the course stood strong with what mother nature delivered in the days leading in and during the event. The staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to showcase Keysborough to golfers from all over the world and positive remarks about the course and club made the staging and co-hosting of the event a success.
GREEN COMPLEXES
Greens following the Australian Amateur have recovered well from the intense mowing and rolling schedule combined with reduced moisture inputs to best produce the characteristics of Keysborough putting surfaces. Thinning of usual greens 1st & 14th occurred due to the increased stress and notably in the leadup to the event with high golfing numbers, shotgun starts and satellite irrigation box issues. Tree roots again caused significance stress to these greens and with the planned root pruning to take place in the cooler months, these greens should be considered for bentgrass oversowing as the competition underground for nutrient and water severely impacts the Poa annua more than the larger root mass of bentgrass. Areas of prolific bentgrass infestation require less fertiliser, water and fungicide to maintain and produces a far superior surface. We are seeing a quality blend of the 2 grass types now on the greens. Heights remain at 2.8mm after being raised following the event and this is in part due to the increased humidity and disease pressure that affected neighbouring clubs early this year. 6mm solid tines in late January went across the greens to help alleviate fairy ring scarring and assist lateral water movement and faster infiltration into the profile. This helps the turf combat the higher temperatures that are usual for mid-summer. Dusting of greens has recommenced to assist the surfaces particularly when higher irrigation is required on greens and the growth rate is strong. Grooming/dethatching of greens may be required following the Pro-AM as cooler overnight temperatures and daytime conditions relive summer stress and allow increased health and growth of the plant.
TEES
Tee complexes have been double scarified to a depth of 10mm, spiral cut and blown. Increased mowing will be carried out to continue to tighten and fine the leaf for rapid recovery. Nutrition, Insecticide and growth regulator will be applied in coming weeks. This renovation was scheduled due to the improved health and growth rate of the surface and to reduce thatch levels and maintain firmness. With large amounts of traffic and recovery required through most parts of the year, it’s important to remove a percentage of dead and decaying plant material to aid water infiltration, increase fresh growth which in turn allows faster divot recovery and assists in general surface presentation and aesthetics. An earlier than normal pre-emergent herbicide application is planned due to the openness and reduced density of the couch whilst in recovery mode. This would have presented a favourable and large opportunity for Poa to germinate and establish with the warmer weather and increased inputs to the tee surface. This herbicide will only have a short longevity which is less harsh on the couch and once the tee is back to full cover, an application will follow with a greater longevity of protection.
FAIRWAYS & SURROUNDS
The winter renovation last year in Verti-draining fairways with 12mm tines has greatly assisted in the playability, health and consistency of the fairway surfaces. The early profile interruption has aided infiltration and drainage through rain and high irrigation events. The success of post emergent herbicide once again in early December has allowed greater coverage of couch grass throughout the course. Growth regulation is being applied monthly with nitrogen and iron and will assist in less interruption to Golf with reduced mowing. Heights have now been raised to 10mm in line with previous years adjustments, this will allow optimum health going into autumn playing and growing conditions. Pre-emergent along with late season wetting agent and insecticide are being applied along with post emergent to surrounds for various weed types. Verti-draining fairways will again take place this year following greens renovations in May.
ROUGH
With delays to parts for rough mowers, we are now on top of growth following the Australian Amateur. The decision to leave rough at height for the event instead of treating with herbicide for presentation, was largely due to the humidity and rain that was present in the lead up to the event. We are now seeing a great contrast in height with the perimeter lap (25mm) compared to the general rough height (51mm). With dry conditions present, we again will attempt herbicide to rough in coming weeks to coincide with Women’s Division 1 Pennant and the Pro-AM in March.
BUNKERS
Bunkers are scheduled for weed control prior to the Pro-AM. Recent success in pre-emergent applications have been pleasing and will continue throughout the year. Further works in restoration to access points will be undertaken once key events have been played. Moving excess sand off faces, bunker base levelling, trimming of edges and exposed matting removal will also be undertaken prior to the key March events. Machine raking is carried out throughout the week and regular hand raking of bases on Saturdays are planned if course set up tasks allow. Rake placings have now been marked with a black “T” and efforts in returning the correct position will make maintenance for ground staff easier and assist in speed of play.
IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE
Generally, the system has been operating satisfactory. Recent repairs on the 1st hole have been due to shallow pipe being hit with the Verti-drain last year. We continue to have an issue with the satellite box on the 14th hole. The age and model of the control system make it only in a handful of current systems in Australia. This makes upgrades and/or changes critical. Watering of areas in the section of the course have been done manually from the satellite. The performance of the pump system has been good despite having a larger pump out of action since late last year. This will be looked at once Irrigation season draws to a close. The upgrades to the control system and with an additional smaller pump installed, this has negated the need to rectify the issue straight away. With the temporary freshwater line change at the roundabout, we have now lost access to the lawn section. Manual watering will be ongoing until the upgrade is completed. The upcoming months will see a focus in sprinkler upgrades and satellite wiring maintenance. Isolation valves on course have greatly assisted and we will continue to audit areas where additional valves are required. Additional quick coupling valves have been installed in greens where the length, access to prone dry and traffic areas require more water and with recent dry weather, it has greatly assisted in maintaining these areas with less interruption to play. Following the Pro-AM we will start drainage projects whilst the couch is capable of recovering. The area behind the 9th Men’s tee will be prioritized so we can rectify and repair the pipework. If needed, drain clearing with contractors prior to the onset of wetter and cooler conditions which makes travelling to and from difficult will be scheduled.
TREES & PLANTATION AREAS
Weed control with the assistance of volunteers, is a weekly scheduled task with knapsacks and a larger volume tank. The current objective is to remain on top of germinating grasses and weeds which will assist in the visual presentation of garden beds and tree lines. Lomandra removal adjacent to tee complexes notably 3,6,14,18 will assist in improving these areas and allowing greater access to control unwanted grasses and weeds. Work completed to the section of trees between the 9th Women’s tee and 8th hole is the theme and style we envisage to follow. It allows a “blanket application” of herbicide over the mulched area and reduced maintenance from volunteers and staff in weeding and spot spraying. Once we are in the cooler months, we will focus on tree works with the assistance of contractors. Prior to the Australian Amateur we removed overhanging limbs on the left-hand side of the 11th carry. This was planned to open up the hole and encourage better use of the left side of the tee complex particularly with shade and poor turf quality on the right side. Other areas where uplift and limb removal were carried out, was in front of the 4th fairway bunker and inside dogleg on the 6th hole
MACHINERY
Our fleet managed to remain operational and in great working condition during the Australian Amateur, since then we have had untimely breakdowns particularly with tyres, rough mowers and cutting units. Our ageing collection of utility vehicles are now constantly having issues and with the amount of mowing machines we have currently, a focus will now be on updating our day to day course vehicles. We will replace a smaller utility vehicle in coming days and may need to schedule another 2 for this year’s machinery replacement program. We used the new walk behind greens mowers in the lead up and during Januarys Amateur and the quality of finish allowed us to produce great putting surfaces. Reduced tyre imprinting and weight gave greater consistency across the greens. Both John Deere and Toro are experiencing a 6-month turnaround on order and delivery for new equipment.
STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Our staff and volunteers must be congratulated on the condition and amount of hard work to present the course for the Australian Amateur. With increased hours spent on course, quality control and extra effort in tasks, ultimately this raised the condition of the course to elite standards and believe matched that of our co-host Yarra Yarra. We had volunteers from Cranbourne and Spring Valley Golf Clubs and a trade representative from Brandt. The extra assistance boosted our numbers during the morning to 13. We are currently at 7 fulltime staff and 3 part time including our mechanic. We are looking to employ a 1st year apprentice and currently advertising for the role.
RAINFALL
Total 2023 659.7mm
Total To this day 97.1mm Feb 13th, 2023
Total YTD 85.5mm