Course Information Update for 05.11.2012

Hi and welcome to this weeks blog.

Drainage was on the menu this week and no doubt for the foreseeable future to.
This week our staff were busy upgrading the main pipe and lateral drainage on the first fairway approx 100yds from the green.
This is one of a number of areas throughout the course where we have seen water lying for longer periods than usual contributed by the poor wet summer we had this year.
The existing 150mm main drainage pipe has now been renewed with all new and existing lateral pipe drainage being connected to the main drain.

During excavating, we noticed the extensive thatch and black layer build up within the soil profile as highlighted in the following picture;

A simplified explanation of thatch is basically the accumulation of dead plant material that has accumulated over a period of time.  Thatch restricts oxygen circulating within the root zone producing a black layer beneath the thatch layer which leads to poor turf health.  Thatch also effects percolation rates by decreasing water flow through the root zone, therefore surface flooding occurs.

With this being identified, we will now require to increase our aeration, hollow coring and topdressing activities to include this area, also in-conjunction with applying thatch degrading products on a regular basis throughout next years growing season we should see an improvement in surface drainage and turf health.

This week (12.11.2012) we will continue with our drainage installation and begin installing additional drainage to the l/h/s and rear of the 7th green linking this to the beginning of the 13th fairway.

I have estimated we will have this completed on or around 26.11.2012 should no rock removal be required.  Extremely doubtful for cathkin braes!!

For our green staffs safety the temporary green will be in play during this time (Monday-Friday) until work is completed.

We will also be looking into maintaining the existing clay tile main drain that flows from the ditch on the r/h/s 15th down towards the concrete sump located at the r/h/s 15th green., now that we have this outlet flowing.  Once we are satisfied with the flow in the clay tile drain we can begin to clear the ditch on the r/h/s of the 15th approx 240yds from the green hopefully with our own machinery, if not hired equipment will be necessary.

Thank you for your attention.

Douglas McIntosh





Course Update 29/10/12

1. Now that we have completed our Autumn renovation to our greens it has allowed us to concentrate on the open drainage areas this week to the 1st and 12th fairways.
To date, the 12th has been excavated, new drainage pipe installed, back filled with gravel and root zone installed to turf level.  We have also included vertical storm drains to the lowest areas to cope with flash flooding.
It is my intention to delay turfing to the top of the drains until February or March 2013 prior to the competition season starting, as I feel this will act as a sealant and reduce perculation rates, therefore we will not benefit from the new drainage system.  However once the new turf has been applied and given time to establish we can begin to aerate.

1b. We are currently installing a new 150mm main drainage pipe across the first fairway which flows to the concrete sump to the right hand side near the boundary wall.  The main pipe is in need of renewal and I also intend to install lateral drainage with additional storm drains to cope with the increased rainfall we are now experiencing. If weather permits we hope to have this completed by 09.11.2012.

 

1c. Drier ground conditions this week has allowed us to access the area to r/h/s 15th green with our machinery to continue excavating an open ditch which connects to an existing ditch further into the old practice ground.
Further investigation has revealed the main drain from the 16th fairway was connected to an existing clay tile drain.  The clay tile drain was found to be blocked with tree roots.  We have now by passed the clay tile drain and connected the 16th main drain to the open ditch.  Water flow has dramatically increased from the two inlet pipes from the 16th fairway, however we will continue to monitor how effective this has been and if no significant improvement on the fairway is seen we will continue to investigate existing drainage.  I also intend to remove the thatched turf on top of the existing drains so that further surface water can enter the drainage system at a faster rate.
To date we have had two drainage consultants looking into this area and other areas throughout the course and we are awaiting the reports.

2. 7th green/13th fairway drainage

As of the week commencing 12.11.2012 I intend to begin installing further drainage to the l/h/s and rear of the 7th green and also connecting o the start of the 13th fairway.
As i mentioned in a previous blog the problem is the depth of drainage.  As you know I have excavated open drainage tracks to the existing drainage system in the green.  Unfortunately this is not deep enough to install additional drainage to the rear of the green and to the start of the 13th fairway.
My intention is to connect to existing deeper drainage to the r/h/s of the 8th tee and excavate back to the 7th green.
On the basis we do not occur any rock excavation, we hope this will be completed by 26.11.2012.  The temporary green will be in play during this time.

3. Fairway Protection

As of week commencing 05.11.2012 I will be introducing fairway protection.  As I mentioned last week blue lines will be installed to indicate the start and finish of the area of fairway we are protecting.  This applies to all of the fairway's marked with blue lines.  Please comply with fairway protection as this is extremely beneficial to the condition of the fairway's in spring 2013.

Thank you for your co-operation
Douglas McIntosh