GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
NEWSLETTER
MAY 2021
Dear Member / Property Owner,
Following on from the Golf Course Superintendent’s Newsletter 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, 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 May 2021.
APRIL COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Cleaning of Desert & Tee Areas
Works to clear and clean the pond and river that runs along the left-hand side of the 18th hole have been completed. All canes and sediment have been removed with new gravel and stones introduced. The result has brought this particular scenic area back to its original beauty.
During April, works to clear and clean the island on hole 14 also commenced.
Verti-drain and Topdressing of Greens
The greens have now been verticut in two directions, verti-drained and top-dressed. The process of the verti-drain was very successful, resulting in the de-compaction of the sub surface down to 20cm, with the holes then filled with sand and soil amendments, with the putting surface then smoothed. Anticipated full recovery of the greens after this intensive maintenance procedure is 7-days.
Verti-drain Fairways and Roughs
The verti-draining programme has been completed on both the fairways and roughs. Verti-draining is the process of aerating the soil with extra long tines that can penetrate the soil up to 25cm ensuring proper drainage, helping moisture reach a deeper soil profile that will promote root growth. The alleviation of soil compaction with a soil wetting agent has been added to assist in maintaining moisture levels for a longer period which also reduces water usage.
Overseeding of Tall Fescue in the Roughs
All roughs have now been completed with the overseeding of the tall fescue and have fully germinated. This will now create a denser rough, that once at a consistent height of cut, will produce a superb playing surface.
MAY COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
Cleaning of Desert & Tee Areas
Designated areas of the desert and tee and green complexes will be cleaned of old plant material and undesired vegetation and if needed new planting will be added.
Fertilizer Applications
During the next six-months, regular foliar applications of a liquid fertilizer with added bio stimulants will be applied to all fairways, to ensure that all of the product is absorbed by the leaves of the plant reducing wastage. This particular programme is for the benefit of the Paspalum that was seeded last summer. Paspalum does not need very much nitrogen but does require the potassium and bio stimulants such as seaweed extract and amino acids.
Verticuting and Aerification of Approaches and Collars
The approaches and collars will be aerified with solid micro tines of 8mm (this will not affect play) and thereafter verticutting will be completed to remove the unwanted rye grass from the approach and remove organic material from the collars.
Bunker Restoration
This month we will commence the programme of restoring the bunkers. The borders of the bunkers have deteriorated and need to be restored. Also, over the years and due to the extreme winds that can be experienced on occasion, bunker faces have grown due to sand accumulating on the grass above the bunker. Where it is possible, we will be removing the sod and then the excess sand to restore the bunker faces to their original design. With the roughs having been converted to tall fescue and due to is strong root system, maintaining bunker edges once they have been restored will be a simpler task.
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
