This week has seen some better weather, though the course is still very wet. The western side of the course is in much better condition then the eastern side. The eastern side is taking much longer to dry out and to get machinery onto.
This week we have been able to make two applications on the greens, directed at winter grass suppression. The majority of tees have had a herbicide application for kikuyu suppression. All greens collars have been spot sprayed for winter grass and kikuyu. We have started repairing bunkers, removing silt, weeds, fixing faces and are up to the 14th green side.
Mowing of all primary playing surfaces has been done. The fairways that cannot be mowed with the fairway mower, are being whipper snipped by hand. The rough on the western side has been cut where feasible to do so. The rough on the eastern side is in the process of being cut, but is still very wet. We have had to utilise our zeroturn mower to mow the rough as it is the least disruptive, due to the reduced weight. Barriers on the 14th bridge, washed away in the floods, have been re-installed. The 12th bridge installation of barriers has started.
The weather forecast doesn't look promising for early next week, as showers are predicted. This will only contribute to an already soaked soil profile. The water has no where to go and the cooler temperatures are not doing much in the way of evaporation. This makes programming work extremely limiting and challenging. Unfortunately, most golf courses in Sydney are in the same condition and will continue to be, until the rain stops.
Thank you
Course Superintendent
Justin Doyle
