GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2021
Dear Member / Property Owner,
Following on from the Golf Course Superintendent’s Newsletter sent to you in July, 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, 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 August 2021.
JULY COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Verticut of Fairways and approach
Several fairways and approaches have been verticut to promote new growth of stolons, to reduce thatch build up and maintain a healthier and denser turfgrass. Fairways 9,13 and 4 have been completed as well as the approaches on holes 2, 8, 4 and 13.
Fairways and Tees Fertilized
The fairways and tees have been fertilized with a liquid fertilizer and bio stimulants weekly this last month. This process is completed weekly to ensure that the paspalum has all the nutrients it needs directly absorbed into the plant and is immediately available during its optimal growth period.
Irrigation Optimization
A complete review and optimisation of the irrigation system from the irrigation computer programme to the satellites and finally the sprinkler heads has been completed.
Paspalum requires up to 45% less water than ryegrass and tall fescue can reach up to 30% less usage. With this in mind we have adjusted the irrigation system programming to irrigate more efficiently.
AUGUST COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
Aerification and Verticut of the Tees
Due to time restrictions this process was not completed in July and will be completed this month. The tees will be aerified and heavily verticut to ensure proper drainage and promote new stolen growth of the recently established paspalum. Thereafter the tees will be heavily topdressed to smooth out the playing surface.
Verticut of Fairways and approach
We will continue with the process started last month of verticutting the rest of the fairways and approaches. The newly established paspalum will be heavily verticut in one or two directions depending on thatch build up. This agronomic process will stimulate and promote further new stolon growth and reduce thatch build up which can lead to disease and maintenance issues.
Topdressing of Fairways
The fairways will be heavily topdressed with sand this month during the very active growth of the paspalum. This will greatly help reduce thatch, improve water movement in the soil profile and strengthen the density and health of the paspalum.
You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social calendar, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much more, by visiting either our official website www.desertspringsresort.es or by contacting the resort reception at Desert Springs.
We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.
Kind regards,
Zachary LaPorte
Golf Course Superintendent
