Planned major maintenance tasks on the track in October:
Week 40: The par 3 course's greens are being patched.
Week 40: Training greens are dotted.
Week 40/41: Fairways reseeded.
Week 40/41: Fairways are fertilized.
Week 41: Teeing ground at driving range is being renovated. Will subsequently be closed for the season.
Week 41: The course's foregreens and green surroundings are being pricked, reseeded and topdressed. Expect disruption to play during the work.
September has offered fantastic weather for golf and greenkeeping and despite two rainy events that delivered a total of 133 mm of rain it hasn't taken away the feeling that the month has been wonderful. Sunny days just make the dwindling daylight not feel so depressing.
The last 60 mm of rain came in the days leading up to the Royal Trophy, the last major event of the season, if we ignore the Cross-Country at the beginning of November 😊. I am still amazed at how well our course takes large amounts of rain. The bunkers were full of water on Thursday and Friday, but on Saturday morning only a few were out of play and we had firm fairways and greens that could deliver a championship. It was a tough round for the players and our own Magnus Becker triumphed in the windy weather.
In October, autumn really begins on the course. The shorter days, dew, leaves, deer fighting, fleeing or eating chestnuts, beech and so on characterize the course and its care. The greenkeepers' main focus is to reduce disease pressure on the greens by keeping them as dry as possible and not working on them as much. This fits in well with the fact that the grass is growing less. We are switching to less mowing (which can promote disease) and switching to more tumbling (which can reduce disease). Blowing leaves and fruit away from the grass areas is a large and time-consuming task, but it helps us reduce damage from deer and ensure light and air.
After this weekend's committee and sponsor match, the driving range's large tee will close for the season. It needs time to recover after another long season. For the rest of the season and until spring, training will be held in front of the tee and mats will be used.
We are betting on a dry, sunny and preferably windy October because it will provide plenty of good golf days.
As always:
Correct your impact marks
Use divot bags on fairways
“Play it forward”: Find a teeing ground that suits the season and weather. Then golf is more fun.
Enjoy!
Martin Nilsson, Chief Greenkeeper