Then it was March and we are fast approaching April and the spring we have all been waiting for. We want sun and warmth and bright green leaves on the trees and the smell of freshly cut grass.
The way February and March have gone so far, the conditions have been reversed. February was soaking wet but relatively warm, while March has been dry and cold. April is usually dry and icy, so maybe the weather has moved forward so that April will be like May? Not a bad development if it turns out to be the case. Because both the greenkeepers and the course are ready for spring. There is a lot of work and maintenance planned for the next several weeks and it is only morning frost that is holding us back.
Major maintenance tasks planned in March:
Week 11:
Greens: mow for the first time. Apply a weak fertilizer afterwards. Flag on the greens.
Tees: Spring preparation with aeration, seeding and top dressing.
Week 12:
Greens surroundings and foregreens: Spring preparation with aeration, seeding and topdressing
Bunkers: Spring preparation is completed. Bunker rakes come out
Week 13:
Fairways: Spreading fertilizer
The irrigation system has been restarted a little earlier than usual because we need to protect our bunker edge repairs around the course. The drying out on all grass surfaces is enormous, but the afternoon heat is OK, so we will try to water so that the establishment will be better and faster. The same applies to the greens and tees. A little water and heat and a little fertilizer will bring the start of the season and growth forward.
Unlike last year, the greens and fairways have come through the winter well. There hasn't been much disease on the greens. This is how the seasons fluctuate and it becomes even more evident on a course like ours. There has been a significant improvement on the fairways. There hasn't been that much corona winter play, but it has been crucial that we have used mats throughout the winter season. How good have you been. It has really been a boost and coupled with the fact that our fairway program is starting to bear fruit, we have a really good foundation for this season.
At the driving range we still need a lot more warmth and days of growth before you can be let loose on the newly renovated teeing ground. The driving range is also still wet, making collection difficult and therefore the ball machine is still closed. The situation is being monitored daily and we will of course open when it is safe to do so.
There have been changes again in the greenkeeper's yard. Nicolai Jørgensen, who has been greenkeeper at KGK since 2008, has moved pastures to The Scandinavian. We will miss him. Nicolai's move means that we will employ a greenkeeper on a seasonal basis until the end of September. After that, we will start working on finding a permanent replacement for Nicolai.
A part-time job opportunity: Nicolai Jørgensen has been our mole man since the late Erik Peitersen resigned from the job. If you are up for hunting our moles on a voluntary basis, you are very welcome to contact the undersigned. Nicolai has kindly offered to provide your training so that it follows the tradition from Peitersen's time.
As always: Remember the mat, remember to align your teeing ground and remember to keep your distance from the greens, i.e. follow the white lines.
Good golf and have fun.
Martin Nilsson