We are already well into November and it is only now that the winter temperatures are starting to set in. October and the first part of November have been unusually warm and dry and that is also the reason why there have been lots of rounds of golf played on the course and there has been life in the club which is great. It only gets us through the winter faster. Remember that there is only one month left until we move towards brighter days again.
In the greenkeeper's yard, October flew by quickly. Over the course of ten long days, our new short game area was laid out together with our permanent digger. The process with the digger, architect and greenkeeper team has gone fantastically and it always gives courage and desire for more. Subsequently, the entire area had to be polished and the installed irrigation system completed and then we stood and fertilized. Thanks to the fine weather, we have had a really good germination of the grass. Now we have to take care of it, get it safely through the winter so that the establishment finally takes off in the spring and we can open the entire facility in the summer.
Winter on the track.
We play golf all year round on our course and it requires precautions to get through the winter without so much wear and tear. Because winter play costs money. Grass requires heat and light to grow, expand and repair itself and this is not possible during the period November to April. In order for the game to still be allowed, we have the following rules:
All players must use a mat from tee to green. In the rough, in bunkers and on the green, mats are not required.
The course may be closed by the greenkeeper in the event of frost, frost or rain. Information on the day will be available via the golf box and website from 0630 onwards.
Greens 1 and 18 may be closed for shorter or longer periods. It will be possible to play to a provisional green on these holes.
Driving with buggies will also be prohibited when conditions require it. Driving with buggies is still permitted at the time of writing. Driving with scooters has been suspended as of December 5, 2022.
Putting greens and par 3 courses are also closed to play when conditions require it.
We also try to “winterize” the course by:
Taking the river in from the bunkers. It happens just before Christmas
Change flagpoles, cups and tee markers to more humble versions
Turn off the ball machine so that balls for use on the range must be collected yourself
But before winter really sets in, there is still room for both daily maintenance of the course and small projects. Every morning still begins with blowing leaves on the course and by the clubhouse, flags being taken out and bunkers being torn down. The greens are tended almost exclusively with our roller, but the dew is removed on the days that it is not tumbled. This provides better playing quality, but is also important in relation to the development of fungus. The green surroundings are mowed as long as we can and the same applies to the tees. Aerating the tees. Fairways are no longer mowed. They are long-bearded, but healthy, so the plan is for them to rest to stand even stronger for the new season. Hunting for moles has become everyday life again. A number of moles have come onto the course, even in places where they have not been for many years. Traps are set up, but their passages are still deep, so success so far has been limited. But that is changing.
In addition to daily maintenance, the plan is to aerate the tees, paths and surroundings and to top-dress the driving range.
The season is not over and there are many great golf days ahead with red cheeks and full bellies in the warm lounge. Remember that we correct impact marks and we use mats.
Enjoy!
Martin Nilsson, Chief Greenkeeper