With the heat of summer ending in March, Couch Golf Courses have spent the last few months undertaking Couch eradication from their greens. This has been obvious here at MCC, with the killing of grasses causing dead patches within greens. In most instances, the bent will grow over the smaller areas, whilst areas of heavy couch removal will require plugging, as this is the most effective form of recovery.
This year an aggressive application was required, as the chemical previously used was taken off the market over three years ago. As a result, couch eradication has not taken place for a number of years through the centre of the greens. Only recently a new chemical became available for golf courses.
We have had fantastic results, relative to other clubs, and some 90% success rate on the affected areas. However, if you kill grass there will be a dead patch, and it takes time for the other grasses to grow back.
Although the general health of most greens is strong, there are a few struggling, and we must understand why. With less than 2mm of rain falling over six months, there was no opportunity to flush salt through the sub surface, which impacts the health of turf. We have had some great winter rains, but it continued in deluges. Most greens can cope with climatic conditions, in addition to foreign grass control, but it highlights some greens with issues that struggle when these extremes take place. In particular for us this is 10,13 and 14.
The biggest impact is the shade. To highlight this, the practice putting green has a portion in shade that is now mud only one month into winter, whilst the area in sun thrives, and no maintenance practice can stop this. Similarly, greens in the sun, such as 9 and 18, have thrived back from the couch eradication and difficult climatic conditions, whereas hole 13 that gets no effective sunlight at all. With the green cut to a few millimeters, constantly wet in winter, and 1200 players a week, it has little to no opportunity to bounce back quickly. There are no maintenance practices that are effective under these extreme stresses.
We are looking at strategies for long-term outcomes to these particular greens. To fix ongoing winter issues there has to be some tree removal. We have made a recent approach to Council for their proactive support. In the meantime, we need to instigate some short-term practices For hole 13, we will take the green out of play, with a “Temporary Green” for a period of 2-4 weeks. This is a short-term measure, to reduce traffic, and give the opportunity for the grass to recover.
In addition, some of you will have heard about our intention of reversing the nines on the course. This has been discussed occasionally over the years, and the decision has now been confirmed by the board. The main reasons behind the change are operational. Course staff will be able to blow fairways and use mechanical bunker rakes on the first few holes slightly earlier than present, due to them not being close to boundary fences. One tee start competitions starting on the first will have less effect on course staff processes. In addition, major tournaments will be able to start on the first tee without compromising time sheet times. Lastly, all the changes to the clubhouse have improved viewing, particularly for what will be the first tee and eighteenth fairway & green.
Kind Regards
John Benbow
Course Committee Chair
Published on 16th July 2024
