Golf Course Maintenance

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWSLETTER’
JUNE 2008

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendents News Letter’ sent to you in April which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana course in May, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in June 2008.

Hollow Coring Greens May 20th & 21st

The greens have been hollow cored as per the schedule with 6mm tines and top-dressed and have recovered extremely quickly providing the putting surface with which we are accustomed at Desert Springs.

Hole 2 Irrigation Modification & Grass Extension

The new irrigation system for the enlarged green approach has been completed. The new approach grass area is currently being grown in.

Irrigation Modifications

Modification work to the irrigation system on green surrounds 1 and 18 and on tee complexes 5 and 15 to improve the efficiency of the irrigation coverage and thus the quality of the grass has begun and will continue into June.

Irrigation Modifications

Modification work to the irrigation system on green surrounds 1 and 18 and on tee complexes 5 and 15 will continue. Trenching machinery and other equipment will be used in these areas, which shall be identified for the golfer, however please be aware of open trenches whilst this work is carried out.

The preventative and curative fungicide summer spraying program of all grass areas will begin in June. This safeguard helps protect the course against strong summer turf grass diseases. Signs will be placed on fairway 1, green surround 1 and fairway 9 to remind players that spraying is in progress. The reception staff will also advise players before play if spraying is in progress. Please remember to wash your hands after play.

Hand Watering

Throughout the hot summer month’s hand watering of ‘Localised Dry Spots’ will take place. Please be advised that this is a crucial part of summer turf maintenance. Hand watering cannot be stopped during play for this reason.

Foreign Grass Encroachment

During the summer months warm season grasses and weeds flourish in this warm climate. Over the following months the areas that have encroachment; fairways, roughs and green surrounds, will be sprayed with ‘Roundup’©. These small areas will appear white and dry and will be deemed ground under repair. Re-establishment of these areas will be ongoing throughout the summer and autumn.

Hole 2 Grass Extension Grow In Program

The new approach area is being grown in. This involves multiple irrigation cycles per day. Please be advised that the fenced off area of the new approach may be soft. Please tread carefully if entering this area to retrieve golf balls. This area is deemed GUR. The introduction of the remaining plant material will be carried out shortly.

Important Maintenance Schedule For 2008

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible with respect to particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the outstanding scheduled dates for ‘Greens Hollow Coring’ during 2008:

November 24th & 25th

This particular programme is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website www.almanzora.com or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.