Coring collars

We've started coring the collars on the big course with 1/2 inch hollow tines down to 4 inches. This will help to reduce the thatch and also get some air into the profile.

Coring

The big greens got cored with a 3/8 tine down to 2.5 inches. We then blew the cores to the edge and collected. The greens have been cut today to lift up any remaining debris, this also helps to smooth the surface out.

The greens were then sprayed with medallion as we had a little fusarium starting to kick off and the weather forecast is to change to cold with a chance of snow.

Course open

The flooding has eased off on both courses. There are a few puddles and the ground is a bit soft but both courses are open. Bunkers are GUR and its preferred lies.

Flooding

The big course was hit pretty hard with flooding today, the water was puddling in areas I've seen before! Towards the end of the day the rain did start to ease off and the flooding started to go down. The wee course was very wet but the greens stood up to the rain and we managed to get golfers out. I'm hopeful the courses will be open tomorrow but will probably have a few puddles and standing water in low areas.

Frosty

With the frosty mornings we have carried on preparing the newly levelled ladies tee at 10. It's not that big but it's a par 5 so it doesn't need to be too big.

When the frost has lifted in the day we have carried on cutting the course and keeping the presentation levels to an acceptable standard. Toro have also brought in the new 3420 greens triple, we have got it for a few weeks so it will let us have a good look at it!

Wee greens

We cored the wee greens today with a 3/8 mini core down to an inch in depth. We don't need to go to deep or big in these greens as they are relatively new usga spec greens. We take a core out to prevent a thatch build up also it helps to get air into the soil. We then verti-cut up the cores and blew of any remaining debris.

I plan to core the big greens with the same size if core next week weather permitting.

Wet and windy

We were hit with some horrific weather at the start of the week with strong winds and heavy rain. The course held up not to bad with only small branches coming down. The greens did get flooded quite badly, they did generally dry up but we had to keep the pins in the drier areas so this meant a couple were quite tough as we had to keep them away from old hole plugs as well. The biggest problem when the greens get wet are foot prints, on some greens we need to protect these areas when they are a little soft. All the top dressing, coring and graden work will eventually aid in firming up the surfaces after periods of wet weather and all ready the greens are a lot firmer than they where a couple of years ago. The holes are being changed for tomorrow (sunday) morning as the greens are now fully dry and firm.

I've cut and lifted the turf on the ladies tee at 10, this is so we can level it and make it a better teeing surface for ladies and juniors.

The growth on all surfaces has slowed right down as well, we will carry on with regular maintenance to keep the courses tidy for the rest of the season.