The Williamwood Golf Club Course Managers blog: November course update

Well it is amazing the difference a year makes.

Just a quick recap on the weather and course growing conditions to date for 2013
Please see the link below for rain record we keep for the course
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_dsdjUppW9HWHI2SXF5WlBoek0/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_dsdjUppW9HeW4zNkJBLU5FbmM/edit?usp=sharing
As you will see it was a excellent year which allowed the course to be presented to its full potential.

Although we did have another relatively slow start with temperatures remaining low until mid May after that we never looked back. From a personal view I was extremely happy to have a good growing season and see many areas of the course that have been week due to the amount of rain over the last two seasons finally turning the corner.
The lack of rain did mean the irrigation system was being used and this showed on the pond level at the 12th & 14th. In over 10 years working at the club have never seen the pond maintain such a low level for so long in the season. ( I am not complaining )

All main playing areas performed well during the good growing season and all analysis and visual inspection show we are well down the road of a sustainable approach to the way we are managing the course. Our main goals are still to encourage the finer grasses into all main playing areas and keep a fair balance of aeration work with a view to the members enjoyment during the main playing season.

Course up date Nov 2013

The month of November is when we start some of the restrictions we put in place to give the course the best possible start to next season. The blue stakes out on the fairways highlight a area were unless you are using a winter mat you must move your ball to the semi and play your shot from. Ropes are put out around most greens to keep approaches and areas close to greens from winter wear.

Allot of time is dedicated to leaf removal during this month as it is important not to let areas build up as this will damage the grass which will not recover until late spring.