Greens
This year we have, for the first time on greens, seen a disease occur over July and August that is new to Bowood. Dollar spot has been very common and disruptive in north America and the southern parts of Europe for decades but has not been a problem here on UK greens until recently. There has been discussion amongst my peers in the southern half of the UK recently but incidence on greens has been low until last year.
We have been watching areas affected to learn what we can about how it progresses on site here and when control measures would be most appropriately applied.
There is long-confirmed evidence that a regular rolling programme reduces the incidence of dollar spot which we implement anyway. Maintaining regular fertiliser inputs and reducing leaf wetness also contribute to reduced incidence, again fitting with existing practices, but there is no doubt that a fungicide application will need to be applied to reduce the impact of the disease.
Bunker Rakes
Following my post in May Members’ News, on-course bunker rake numbers were reduced for a number of reasons, one being that regardless of the number of rakes on the course, golfers were not raking after play from a bunker. We have some firm feedback that there were not enough on the course and we have increased the number of rakes again. Please use them.
A reminder that we are renovating greens, week beginning 30 September, holes will be temporary, placed on fairways.
See you on the course.
Jaey Goodchild
Head Greenkeeper
