GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT’S
NEWS LETTER
August 2017
Dear Member / Property Owner,
Following on from the Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in June, 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 July, 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 2017.
JULY COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Hydro Jet Greens
The process of hydro jetting of greens has been completed as per the maintenance schedule.
Fresh Water Irrigation
The use of fresh water irrigation to reduce the impact of salty irrigation water and salt accumulation on the putting surfaces has been completed.
Hand Watering Greens and Tees
The hand watering of the greens and tees was completed as per the schedule and will continue throughout the summer months.
AUGUST COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Hydro Jet Greens
The greens will be aerified with the “Hydrojet” machine. This system of aeration creates small pin sized air holes in the green by the use of high-pressure water, improving water and air movement throughout the soil profile. There will be no adverse effect to the quality of the green playing surface during this time.
Fresh Water Irrigation
To reduce the impact of salty irrigation water and salt accumulation on the putting surfaces, the golf greens will be hand watered with fresh water irrigation. The large volume of water used will help flush soluble salts beyond the root zone and increase soil aeration. Hand watering will take place early in the morning and disruption to play will be kept to an absolute minimum.
Bermuda Grass Encroachment
During the summer warm season grasses flourish and encroach into the playing surfaces of the golf course. Applications of a non-selective herbicide will be used to treat certain areas of the golf course. The small areas sprayed will turn white and have a dry appearance. These areas will be marked as “GUR”. Area treated, close to the putting surfaces, will be turfed and rough area seeded in September.
Solid Tining Greens
The Indiana golf greens will be solid tined with 5mm pencil tines, increasing oxygen uptake to the root system, which will reduce the negative impact of accumulated salts within the soil profile. These holes are only open and noticeable for 2 days. There is also no noticeable effect to the playing quality of the green’s surface during this period.
2017 Greens Hollow Coring Dates
In the knowledge that all Property Owners and Members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the green’s surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the remaining hollow coring date of 2017. These dates are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Last Hollow Coring of the year:
With the PGA qualifying school falling on our normal hollow coring date in November. I am looking into using the Dry jet hollow coring method. The provisional date is 11th September 2017. The recovery rate of the dry jet is faster than hollow coring.
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 much more, by visiting either our official website www.desertspringsresort.es or by contacting the golf 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, Kind regards,
Alfonso Castiñeira Anthony Brooks
Golf Operations Manager Golf Course Superintendent
