GREENS

This spring the greens will be aerified using two different machines. 

Beginning on March 30^th, the Verti-Drain will be used for deep aeration. The machine is set up with 18mm in diameter solid tines and will go 225mm into the rootzone.  These holes will allow water to move away from the playing surface, resulting in a firm putting surface. If you are playing a hole where aerification is in progress, please play to the approach and pick up your ball.

On April 4^th & 5^th the greens will be aerified using hollowcore tines.  These tines are 13mm in diameter and will remove material from the top 100mm of the rootzone.

The main reasons for aerification are that it:

- Relieves soil compaction.

- Allows for deeper, faster penetration of water, air, sand and fertilizers into the rootzone.

- Increases rooting by constructing a rootzone more conductive for active root growth.

 

Parts of the process involve spreading and brushing seed and 40 tonnes of sand into the holes. The greens will be rolled to help get them back in play.

 

The work performed this spring allows the greens to perform to high standards during the summer.

Schedule could change depending on weather conditions.

 

 It will be necessary to close the front nine/ back nine as the work proceeds.

Please take notice of signage on the tee boxes.

 

Please be aware of repairing ball marks. This is particularly important following hollow-coring as the greens are softer and more susceptible to marking.

 

TEES    April 11^th-13^th

The tees will be aerified using solid micro tines.  These tines are 9mm in diameter and will go 50mm into the rootzone.  Coming out of a wet winter the focus is to get a good seed bed to aid in the recovery of the teeing surfaces.  The tees will be seeded and sand spread to fill in the holes.  A fertilizer application will be applied at this time.

The course will remain open during the aerification to the tees.

 

FAIRWAYS  March - April

Fairways are currently being aerified with the Verti-Drain. The introduction of aerification to compliment the sanding programme has greatly improved the playing conditions of the fairways. Sand is scheduled to be spread in April.

 

Thank you very much for your support and patience during this vital process to improve the playing conditions on your golf course.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

 

 

Best Regards,

 

Jason Podris

Course Manager

 

 

In addition the greens convenor has posted a message on the members only section of the website that can be accessed here www.fortwilliamgc.co.uk/authenticate_login.aspx