The Duke’s Green Keeping

Hi all,

With Christmas behind us we are back to a full compliment of staff this week after the holiday season. A few more fallen trees to remove after more high winds last week before we start a project near the 7th and 17th greens where we are planting some trees and gorse which should take a few weeks to complete.

GREENS:

The greens are confused with this mild weather, are still growing so are requiring to be mown once a week. This is pretty unusual for December/January where the past 2 years we have been covered in snow and ice. The greens are running well for the time of year.  There is a planned solid tining with 10mm tines on the greens this month and depending on the weather forecast a light top dressing as well as an application of  granular lime to adjust the PH slightly.

TEES AND APPROACHES:

The tees and approaches have been mown when needed but the growth on these areas in minimal. some solid tining will also be carried out to help keep water moving as well as getting some air into the soil profile.

FAIRWAYS

There has been a few drainage issues on some fairways where we have had to repair some collapsed/broken pipework but this is just ongoing maintenance. The fairways have been a bit wet after heavy rain but are drying up now and top dressing on the fairways will recommence in January as well as vertidraining.

 

In December we held our annual members prizegiving dinner which I attended and was given some extremely favourable feedback on the course for the 2011 season from our members. We love what we do but is always nice to hear such positive feedback from the people that play the course the most, which in turn lays down the marker for us to continue to improve in 2012, I do enjoy a challenge!

Our Head Golf Pro Ayden has posted his first golf lesson of 2012 – dont forget to check it out along with all of his golf lessons at http://www.youtube.com/user/OldCourseHotel.  This week Ayden shares his practice drill, feet together lesson – perfect to help body rotation and show the true tempo of your swing, to get you right in to the swing of it for 2012!

Till next time,

Derek