County Louth Golf Club Advisory Report on the Golf Course Report Date: 23 July 2015 Consultant: Ian McClements

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CONFIDENTIAL Date of Visit:

17th July 2015

Visit Objective:

To review the current condition of the golf course with particular emphasis on the putting surfaces and to address specific concerns relating to a number of greens.

Present:

Mr Frank Gannon – Vice Captain Mr Finbar Ronan – Member of the Green Committee Mr Paddy McGurk – Club Professional Mr Liam Murphy – Secretary/Manager Mr Paul Malone – Course Superintendent Mr Jerry Byrne – Sports Turf Practitioners Dr Ian McClements - STRI

Contents Executive Summary

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Key Observations

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Key Recommendations

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Greens

Greens Greens Approaches Fairways Rough Management

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6 8 9 10

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Executive Summary •

Greens have been bumpy and inconsistent through the early spring period but following recent reductions in mowing height and the implementation of some sward refinement there has been a recent improvement.

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The proceses of refining leaft bent and Yorkshire fog should continue.

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There has been an excellent response to the spring seeding of the 1st, 5th and 6th greens.

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Strategies for graminicde application and further overseeding were discussed and are summarised in the report.

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Fairways supported a good cover despite the dry spring. Wetting applications should be continued in preparation for a late summer graminicide application and seeding.

Key Observations Greens The spring has proved to be a challenging time for most links courses, particularly on the east coast, with a delayed resumption of natural growth and a prolonged dry period through May and June. Surfaces as a consequence have been slow to transition over this period and this has been a contributing factor in the difficulties experienced in recent weeks. The inconsistencies in growth characteristics and lack of uniformity has been responsible for the lack of surface smoothness. The bentgrass element has been a little leafy and the surrounding sward components have been slow to transition into normal growth patterns in the prevailing weather conditions. Green surfaces have been poor to put on, bobbly and inconsistent but now that the height of cut has been reduced from 4.5 to 4mm and sward refinement work has commenced, there has been an improvement. On a positive note, the prevailing conditions have also represented an opportunity to pressurise the annual meadow-grass content and to create conditions that are much more conducive for the germination and establishment of desirable grasses introduced through the spring overseeding programme.

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Figure1:- Excellenet results from the spring overseeding.

In respect of the spring seeding that has been implemented, the Club has achieved great strides as a consequence of the technique deployed with the most successful results that I have seen to date at County Louth. Whilst there has been agronomic progress there has been a minor impact on playing quality that highlights the care that needs to be taken when timing future overseeding work. Nonetheless if progress is to be made in improving the quality of the putting surfaces then overseeding in the short term is a real necessity to replace less desirable sward components with those that will confer more uniform sward characteristics that will benefit playing quality. Colonies of perennial ryegrass also remain probematic and need to be removed with graminicide applications.

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Figure 2:- Dieback of yarrow following the recent application of selective herbicide

Broad leaved weeds have recently been sprayed with a selective herbicide and it was apparent that this treatment had initiated the removal of unwanted weeds, pearlwort and particularly the yarrow through the 12th. This is a weed can that be difficult to control and any re-growth should be quickly controlled with a further application if needed. Yorkshire fog is a grass species that is prevalent to a number of greens at Baltray particularly on the 12th. Recent sward refinement treatments have helped to check the spread of this species and refine the texture of the colonies. Rather than seeking to remove this through chemical methods at this point, it was suggested that it would be prudent to build up an understory of finer grasses initially in tandem with further refinement practices before contemplating chemical control. Leafy bentgrass also needs to be refined mechanically although it can adversely impact on the fescue component and needs to be implemented with care. A number of sections are regarded as being thinner where winter moss has died back in the prevailing dry conditions for example in the front left hand corner of the 4th green and here some localised seeding would be beneficial such is the need for a diligent hand watering programme to avoid drought stress or a loss in surface uniformity. Sward vigour was considered to be close to ideal with the annual meadow-grass content slightly weaker than the more desirable grasses. Liquid fertiliser inputs can be used to maintain steady growth rates without over stimulating this particular sward component.

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Topdressing also needs to be implemented with sufficient frequency and intensity that it matches grass growth rates. The profiles are visually well diluted and it would be prudent to sample a selection of greens to ascertain the organic matter levels to determine if the topdressing programme is achieving the desired results. Topdressing is important for diluting organic matter as well as levelling out minor surface imperfections such as ball marks or slight dips in the canopy. The indigenous dune sand is quickly absorbed by the sward cover with minimal impact on playing quality. The most recent dressing was applied using borrowed equipment, but lacks uniformity.

Figure 3:- Green profiles are generally well diluted at Baltray

Key Recommendations Greens The immediate priorities for the maintenance programme are to continue the mechanical sward refinement work, allowing the sward to recover with a little nutrient will facilitate some further light dustings of topdressing to promote further improvements in ball roll. •

Sward Refinement – Use the mechanical grooming reels on the hand mowers to refine the leafier bent component. Ensure that the grooming reels are set up at the correct height to catch the bentgrass and that the lines are just visible on the surface following a single pass. Only groom in straight lines and omit the clean perimeter clean up cut. Allow the lines to disappear before repeating the process. In the absence of grooming, the brush attachment should be set to lightly flick through the sward to lift up any leafy growth into the path of the cutting units. Use the brushes on a continuous basis

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when not grooming only disengaging when the greens are top-dressed or the sward cover is stressed due to drier weather conditions or low vigour. •

Nutrient Inputs – Monthly applications of seaweed extract and the small input of chelated iron are acceptable, but small input of nutrient will be needed on occasions to support growth to facilitate topdressing and mechanical operations. Plan to apply in the region of 5kg of nitrogen per hectare using ammonium sulphate or potassium nitrate.

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Topdressing – During periods of active growth plan to top-dress the greens on a ten day cycle, applying a light dusting that is quickly absorbed by the sward cover. It is important that the topdressings are applied uniformly and evenly to the surface as practiced in previous years and integrated into the surface with the dew brushes. Incorporate the collars and aprons into the topdressing programme to develop runoff conditions as well. Uniformity of application is essential.

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Aeration – Use the HydroJect to aerate the greens at a four to six weekly cycle over the summer period. This has the added benefit of rolling the surfaces to improve ball roll whilst keeping the surfaces open and receptive to moisture. This will also create some fissures within the profile that will help rooting.

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Rolling – The rolling of greens is used to develop pace and smoothness, but the necessity to roll should be determined objectively by measuring the green speed of a selection of putting surfaces on a regular basis. Average green speeds for links courses that participated in the STRI Programme in 2014 was 9ft 2”. Try and maintain the height of cut at the present setting (benchmark 4mm), cutting with the pedestrian cylinder mowers and rolling on one or two occasions each week if needed. Excessive rolling can be detrimental to the fine grass component and does require care.

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Seeding – The seeding technique deployed in June has been particularly successful on the 1st, 5th and 6th greens and a further overseeding would be desirable in August immediately after the Captains Prize so that the surfaces can be restored in time for your busy golfing months in September.

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Growth Regulator – Using Primo Maxx on a monthly basis at 0.4L/hectare included with the liquid feed can help to keep the bentgrass component tighter and better refined, helping to promote smoother surfaces for ball roll.

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Overseeding Strategies – The greens were assessed for their botanical composition and categorised according to overseeding requirements. This is detailed in table 1.

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Organic Matter Levels – It would be prudent to assess the organic matter content of a selection of greens so that we can benchmark this against ideal levels for links greens and determine the success of the topdressing programme and maintenance requirements. This will also help to identify any changes over time with future assessments.

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Green 1

2 3 4 5

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7

8

9 10

11 12

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14 15 16 17 18 PG

Description of Botanical Composition Weak central section with a higher than ideal meadow-grass component and showing good results from the June 2015 overseeding. Further over seeding required to improve the botanical composition of this central area. One to two small patches of perennial ryegrass that can be removed by plugging. Take to green perimeter and incorporate in to collar removal programme. Five or six relatively small patches of perennial ryegrass that can be removed through a graminicide application. Minor impact upon playing quality Three or four smaller patches of perennial ryegrass that can be removed with a graminicide. Minor impact upon playing quality. A weaker, but improving central section showing good results from the June 2015 overseeding containing a higher than ideal annual meadow-grass component. Further overseeding required to improve the botanical composition of central area. Weaker central section with a higher than ideal annual meadow-grass content and one or two very small regenerating patches of perennial ryegrass, but showing good results from the June 2015 overseeding. Further overseeding required to improve botanical composition of central section. A few small patches of perennial ryegrass in the front left hand corner of the green above the bunker can be incorporated into the ryegrass surround programme through localised graminicide application. No colonies of perennial ryegrass were identifiable but the sward contains some problem colonies of Yorkshire fog through the green centre. To focus on sward refinement to discourage yorkshire fog and build understory first. A number of small ryegrass colonies on the mid right hand side of this surface that can be removed with graminicide. Perennial ryegrass prevalent on the immediate collar on the front and rear of the putting surface can be removed as part of the graminicide programme to collars and aprons. An occasional patch of Yorkshire fog. Two small patches of identifiable perennial ryegrass that can be plugged to the green perimeter. Relatively large and prominent colonies of Yorkshire fog through the green centre and to the rear. Here the objective is to build up an understory of fine grasses through overseeding keeping the Yorkshire fog in check through mechanical treatments with a decision of graminicide application deferred for a least a further season. Overseeding required to build understory to Yorkshire fog patches and to replace dying yarrow. Larger patches of perennial ryegrass, in particular on the left hand side of the surface with a good response to the recent sward refinement programme on the Yorkshire fog colonies. Die back of perennial ryegrass will necessitate potentially two overseeding operations this year. Two to three smaller patches of perennial ryegrass. Three to four smaller patches of perennial ryegrass prevalent through the centre of the green. Only one or two small patches of perennial ryegrass combined with three or four colonies of Yorkshire fog. Three or four small patches of perennial ryegrass combined with three or four colonies of Yorkshire fog. Three or four small patches of perennial ryegrass. No evidence of perennial ryegrass through the putting surface, but the green collar is worn at the access point and it would be very useful to be able to vary the entrance through the surrounding fenceline to spread wear.

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Category 1

0 2 2 1

1

2

0

2 0

0 0

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2 1 2 2 2 0

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Category 0 1

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Description No graminicide application required Putting surfaces should be sprayed with graminicide in August to coordinate with the Captains Prize that will allow overseeding as soon as possible thereafter. This also opens up the opportunity to implement further seeding if deemed necessary in late September. These surfaces can be sprayed in mid/late September with the objective of overseeding if time when the impact upon playing quality is of a lower concern. The preferred overseedign technique is to utilise the ‘plant pot’ technique as completed in June unless disruption to the surfaces is a very significant concern then stitch seeding with the Vredo can be contemplated, but it should be appreciated that on heavily trafficked greens this will have a lower success rate.

Green Surrounds & Approaches •

The quality of the collars and aprons varies from being excellent, such as can be found on the right hand side of the 8th or very poor, e.g left hand side of 14th. Coarse grass contamination is endemic and a strategy should be developed for improving the quality of the collars and the aprons to improve the playability.

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Where there is a dense stand of ryegrass then removal will result in the development of bare ground and very a very difficult process to restore a grass cover from seed. In such areas it may be more appropriate to remove the sward and to replace this with an imported fine grass dominated turf. Where the stand contains a blend of ryegrass and finer grasses as an understory then graminicide applications represent the most appropriate way forward. Tretament would occurtowards the end of the summer with adequate time to allow seeding and grass establishment.

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Further overseeding should be planned for 2016. The Club should acquire a Toro Procore at the earliest opportunity to facilitate this work as the procore will more easily follow ground contours than tractor mounted equipment and help to perforate the surface to create a seed bed into which fine grasses can be incorporated (by hand or with a dimple seeder).

Fairways •

The regular applications of wetting agent are helping to avoid undue stress during drier summer weather and speedier recovery when the rains return. It is important that the applications are maintained on a four to six weekly cycle through to the early autumn period.

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Figure4:- Good definition between fairway, semi and fringing rough.

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Overall applications of graminicide are planned for the end of the season and should be dovetailed with general overseeding. Ensure that good quality seed is used with the seeding completed when ground conditions are suitable to maximise seed germination and establishment. Plan to oversow at a minimum rate of 250kg/hectare.

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The extended fairway on the left hand side of the 18th fairway should be cored with the cores broken up and matted back into the surface to help develop levels. Followign the procedure blow off or remove any organic debris remaining and follow up with a general seeding.

Rough Management •

The Club has in recent years developed a rough management programme to create a thinner, wispier stand of desirable grasses just off the main lines of play. Strategies on most links courses would normally involve treating a band 3 – 5m either side of the fairways beyond the semi-rough, developing fringing rough to faciliate ball retrieval without being too onerous to play. These stands can be extended slightly in more highly played areas, but there is little merit in extending the programme deeper into the course without good reason.

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Figure 5 Fern encroachment on the 18th with section of rough treated as part of the management programme (right of centre) compared with thicker untreated rough (left of centre)

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Scrub invasion along with fern (bracken) encroachment are two types of vegetation change that do need to be tackled in an appropriate manner and I would refer you to our publication Bracken and its Management Studies on Golf Courses Number 5 which provides a comprehensive and detailed review of management strategies.

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I would also encourage the Club to contact our Ecologist, Bob Taylor who can provide a course specific environmental management plan of the golf course, looking at the management of the course “through the green”. This will help to formulate a long-term plan that will take the course forward in terms of the most appropriate strategies for rough management. This will also help the club achieve environmental acreditation as part of any award scheme.

Signed

Ian McClements, BSc, PhD, MBPR, RIPTA Senior Consultant Email: [email protected] STRI is completely independent and has no alliances to commercial products, services or contractors. This ensures that our design, project management and advisory services provide the best solutions for each individual client. •

The STRI Programme provides golf courses with measurements and data that help to monitor and assess golf course performance. The R&A has recently developed CourseTracker (www.coursetracker.org), a free, online business management tool for golf courses, to record, review and analyse golf club performance across many areas of your business, including the golf course. STRI believes The R&A CourseTracker combined with the STRI Programme provides the tools you need to objectively monitor and assess your golf course performance.

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