https://www.facebook.com/stclement.greenkeepersperspective.7
1st June 2018,
Over the next couple of months, we are going to start an intense regime of coring and sanding all the greens, this is work usually carried out in the spring and autumn, but I believe this is the right thing to do, this time of year, at least for this year.
For those who have played St Clements will know, the greens get very wet very easily. This is not ideal for working sand into a surface. With the grass growth at a high the recovery should be quick also.
Why are we doing this?
Excessive thatch (organic’s) this has built up majorly over the years and soaks up water like a sponge causing no end of issues such as;
• Spongy winter greens
• Little to no water infiltration past this layer
• Shallow rooting (poor drought tolerance)
• More susceptible to disease (as this layer remains damp)
• Believe me the list goes on……..The idea of sand is that it should remain porous (dilute and replace the thatch layer) and is also a great rooting medium.
The work will be carried out conscientiously possibly one to two greens a week. If you have any concerns please have a look at the academy greens 1 and 2. The work on the 2nd green was carried out on Wed 23/5/18 and the 1st green was Tues 29/5/18Also strategies are being put in place to thin the extreme rough.
Best Regards
Chris Powell
Head Greenkeeper