Welcome to Scarthingwell Golf Club

Views from the Rough

According to rainfall records for Yorkshire and Humberside, 270mm of rain has fallen across the region since January 1^st. making this year the driest since 2006.

While the long sunny days have been pleasant to play golf, and even work in, the golf course is looking rather sad and very brown. This has resulted in the need to stop mowing the grass from one week to the next. For instance in the last month we have cut the fairways twice, on alternate weeks. This is to preserve the grass cover and save on fuel and wear and tear on expensive machinery.

While we have continued to mow the greens on a regular basis, it has also been necessary to miss out on the occasional cut, to avoid stressing the grass in the hot weather. Oh. And before you ask, yes we are watering the greens.

But too much water causes problems of its own. The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed an attack of Fusarium about 3 weeks ago. While this is not an uncommon occurrence, it was most certainly not welcome. The grass growth was still weak at the time and coupled with the heat was susceptible to an attack of Fusarium. An application of Fungicide was applied and within a week the grass had recovered and hopefully all is well again.

Now we have Fairy rings on the greens, which are generally harmless but can cause cosmetic problems. Let me explain.

Fairy Rings are not classified as a disease, that is to say they don’t directly kill grass as say, Fusarium would. Fairy rings are a common sight on any golf course, and as many as 65 fungal species can cause them to appear. The most common found on greens are ‘Type 2’ fairy rings. These are dark green in colour and can have fruiting bodies, called basidiocarps or mushrooms within its margin. The dark colour is a result of the Fungi within the soil ‘locking up’ Nitrogen and Iron to form areas of stimulated grass growth. The mushrooms are a result of the Fungi sprouting out of the turf surface.

Until a few years ago nothing much could be done to prevent them occurring and even less could be done to get rid of them, except for digging out the soil and replacing it with sterile soil. I have used a product called ‘Heritage’ for a couple of years with good results and this was applied two weeks ago.

The areas of clover still on either the fairways or the semi roughs are proving difficult to eradicate as the plant is deep rooted and tenacious. Over the next week or two I shall be spraying these areas for the second time and hopefully getting rid, till next year! The new European Pesticide Directive will continue to make this task more difficult as more chemicals are withdrawn on ‘Environmental’ Grounds. But that’s another story!

Enjoy the rest of the summer playing golf

John HGK

PRESIDENT'S DAY 
Saturday 24th July

Two shotgun starts

Sandwich buffet included after the round

Individual stableford.

The overall best score on the day wins the President's Cup trophy, and name on the honours board in the clubhouse.

Prizes for nearest the pins, longest drive straightest drive etc.

Entry sheet is expected to be on the notice board  Saturday 10 July."

The President hopes you all enjoy the day.