Report Date: 25th August 2017 Consultant: Adam Newton

KILSPINDIE GOLF CLUB

Advisory Report on the Golf Course incorporating the STRI Programme

Making great sport happen

Kilspindie Golf Club

Kilspindie Golf Club

Date of Visit: Monday 14th August 2017 and data collection on Wednesday 23rd August.

Visit Objective: To carry out an agronomic review of the course, collect greens performance data and confirm ongoing maintenance requirements.

Present: John Anderson – Club Captain Keith Martin – Secretary Manager John Arbuckle – Head Greenkeeper Ewen Smith – Deputy HG Gordon Burns – Greenkeeper Gordon White - Greenkeeper Josh Gilholm – Greenkeeper Adam Newton – Agronomist, STRI Ltd

Weather: Overcast and cool with intermittent showers. Temperatures around 12°C.

Headlines

• The course is in good condition despite challenging weather conditions this year. • A leaner approach to nutrition is favouring finegrass populations on the greens. • Organic matter levels have seen a positive reduction over the last year but values remain too high. • Ball qualities were very acceptable, with smoothness and trueness in target ranges. The surfaces had

softened in response to recent heavy rainfall, highlighting the need to further reduce organic matter. • Fairy ring and thatch collapse is less evident this year but still an issue on some greens. • Course presentation and definition was first class. • The 16th tee has improved but still needs further textural refinement work or re-turfing in the future. • Fairways are of good quality but an increase in textural refinement work would be beneficial. • Creating thinner, wispier and more playable golfing roughs should be a key objective.

Key Actions • Implement Graden sand injection and intensified sanding to manage organic matter content. • Careful irrigation management to avoid soils drying down below 20% VWC. • Maintain a leaner feeding programme to greens with annual nitrogen inputs of 75 – 85 kg/ha. • Elevated micro aeration with the new Procore, coupled with autumn verti-draining. • Drill-and-fill the central low-lying section on the 4th to aid water infiltration and percolation. • Introduce brushing to the fairways to improve sward texture and lift laid growth. • Pre-germinate seed to speed up divot recovery on Par 3’s. • Cutting and clipping collection to golfing roughs in autumn to reduce grassland productivity and

improve playability. Purchase of a flail collector should be considered.

Objective Measurements

Measurement Average Target Range

Soil Moisture (%) 27.5% (range 25.1 – 31.3%) 15-25% Hardness (Gravities) 94 Gravities (range 92 – 95g) 100-120 g Smoothness (mm/m) 23.8 mm/m <25 mm/m Trueness (mm/m) 9 mm/m <10 mm/m Green Speed 8 ft 2 in 8.5-10.5 ft Organic Matter 0-20 mm (%) 8% 4-6% Organic Matter 20-40 mm (%) 4.7% <4% Soil pH 7.0 5.0-7.0 Phosphate (P2O5) 134 mg/l >10 (mg/l) Potassium (K2O) 119 mg/l >30 mg/l

Key: In Target Marginal Variance Out of Target

Kilspindie Golf Club

Photo Observations and Comments

Figure 1: The greens were in good condition and showed a strong consistency across the course. Weather conditions have been challenging this year but after a difficult start, the greens are performing well.

Figure 2: A leaner fertiliser programme is working very well and producing less productive swards this year. The surfaces received a feed after the first visit which improved vigour. This leaner approach to nutrition should certainly continue.

Figure 3: Finegrass populations are far more prominent in the swards this year as a result of lower nitrogen input. Botanical progression will continue with this approach, coupled with organic matter reduction and overseeding.

Figure 4: Basidiomycete activity is less conspicuous this year but some greens are still affected e.g. 11th. This is likely to have resulted from soils drying down too far during the dry period in spring.

Figure 5: Tighter turning on the back-left perimeter cut on the 16th is causing grass cover to thin. The mowing lines should be adjusted here to soften the turn and ease pressure on the turf.

Figure 6: A similar loss of cover can be seen on the back-right perimeter on the 1st, however this has resulted from inaccurate irrigation delivery.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Photo Observations and Comments (continued)

Figure 7: Organic matter levels have reduced over the last year (see appendix) but values remain too high in the top 20mm. Graden sand injection is to be deployed this autumn but ongoing solid tining and sanding is still required to dilute buried organic layers.

Figure 8: The 4th green has responded well to an intensified programme of work over recent years. Organic matter levels are now the lowest of the indicator greens and turf quality and performance have notably improved. The low-lying middle section is still water retentive (hence the yellow tuft in the photo) and requires further micromanagement.

Figure 9: The 16th tee has improved over the last year in response to intensified verticutting but ryegrass populations are still visually prominent.

Figure 10: Rough grassland management remains an area for improvement. Implementation of a cutting and collection programme would see these areas fine-down and become more playable. The extended area of semi-rough to the right of the 2nd would be far better as thin, wispy fringing rough.

Figure 11: The fairways were immaculately presented and authentic in character. Improving the texture of coarser grasses in the sward is a key area for improvement.

Figure 12: The definition across the coarse is excellent. Mowing lines are well judged and the contrast between fairways and rough is ideal.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Recommendations

Greens

• The SSD feed was applied following the first visit and has suitably boosted turf health. Unfortunately, the accuracy of delivery was quite inconsistent and so areas where overlap have occurred have responded better than where application rate has been lower. Keep these areas closely monitored over the next couple of weeks and if they don’t recover suitably, then apply a light ammonium sulphate feed (10 - 15kg/ha rate) with the next Porthcawl application.

• Apply a light verticut (-1mm) over the next couple of weeks to all greens, with a double pass being carried out on the grassier 4th green.

• Adopting a leaner approach to nutrition is working well and keeping growth quieter and allowing the finer grasses to flourish. Maintain this approach moving forward, aiming for annual totals of nitrogen to be at 75 – 85kg/ha.

• Avoid heavy application of nitrogen at all costs through the autumn as this will only encourage disease. The 24:0:0 Nutri-Pro feed applied last year should be omitted and replaced with a product with low nitrogen analysis and no iron. A product such as C-Complex 4:3:4 would be ideal and should be applied immediately after the Graden work to assist sward recovery. Apply at a rate of 35g/m2; this will provide 15kg/ha of nitrogen.

• Chemical analysis results were favourable and showed a slight increase in soil pH and satisfactory phosphate and potassium levels. There is no need to supplement either of these nutrients for at least another year. I would highly recommend that you also carry out independent laboratory analysis to assess the current status of other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and micro nutrients. This will inform whether application of these nutrients is necessary or not.

• Sustain sanding at the current intensity, with the aim to apply a minimum of 150 tonnes/ha annually. Look to coincide sand applications with micro solid tining wherever possible to allow sand to be keyed into the profile.

• Organic matter reduction remains a key objective and Graden sand injection is to be carried out in early October to help accelerate reduction in the top 20mm of the soil profile. Use 2mm diameter blades to a depth of 22-25mm (no deeper) and look to inject browntop bent seed through the Graden at a rate of 4g/m2.

• Further light sanding may be required in subsequent weeks to top up surface levels and smooth out ball roll. An increase in cutting height will also be necessary to aid sand integration and assist recovery. Elevate rolling frequencies (if conditions suit) to restore ball roll quality.

• A preventative fungicide should be applied prior to Graden work to protect the surfaces. Banner Maxx would be a good option. Follow this up with application of Instrata towards the end of the October/early November.

• I was delighted to hear that the Club have recently acquired a Procore. This will be an excellent asset and should be used to elevate micro solid tining inputs through the year. Verti-draining is required again this autumn to all greens once the surfaces have settled down after the Graden work.

• With organic matter levels reducing considerably on the 4th (see appendix) and overall green quality improving, we agreed that intensive micromanagement can be reduced on this green for the coming year. That said, I would still recommend that the low-lying central section is still drilled-and-filled in autumn to improve water infiltration rates. This should be implemented with the verti-drain and 19mm tines to full depth (and no heave). Kiln dried sand should then be utilised for backfill. This process can also be repeated to localised water retentive sections of the 13th.

• Increasing finegrass populations is a key objective and I was pleased to hear that 3 overseeding treatments have been applied over the last year. The focus should continue to be on browntop bent

Kilspindie Golf Club

seeding for the time being, with fescue overseeding re-introduced as organic matter levels reduce and the upper profile becomes sander and drier.

• Basidiomycete fungi are extremely complex and managing their symptoms on greens is notoriously challenging. The thatch collapse on the greens is not as prevalent as in previous years but is still a concern. Careful moisture management is essential and it can often be early in the spring when the damage can be done. Ensure that soils do not dry down excessively at any point and aim to keep VWC at 20% where possible.

• Irrigation delivery is a key element here and it is very evident that the system at Kilspindie does require further upgrade moving forward. In the meantime, check water distribution from all sprinklers to ensure accurate water delivery is being achieved. The sprinkler to the back-right of the 1st should be checked as a priority. Restore grass cover in this area through pot seeding and relaxing perimeter mowing in this area.

• Adjust the perimeter mowing line to the back-left of the 16th as soon as possible to incorporate a softer turn. The acute turn at this point is currently stressing and thinning the turf.

Green Collars, Surrounds and Approaches

• Introduce reverse cutting and additional refinement to the collars and approaches where possible to refine sward texture and lift procumbent growth.

Tees

• The 16th tee has improved since my last visit in response to an elevated refinement programme, however ryegrass populations still stand out visually and are inconsistent across the tee. This can be attributed to a poor batch of turf during laying last year. It was agreed that the

• Continue intensified verticutting to the 16th tee to refine ryegrass populations. Progress should be reviewed again next summer and a decision made on whether re-turfing is necessary.

• The seed mixture for the tees should remain a fescue/dwarf ryegrass blend, with the dwarf ryegrass element providing greater wear tolerance and divot recovery.

• Pre-germinating grass seed prior to application would be of benefit to the Par 3 tees to help speed up the germination process. As a guideline, the process for pre-germinating seed is as follows:

§ Put the seed into a large container or bucket.

§ Pour in sufficient warm water to cover the seed and allow to soak for 12 hours. During this time, monitor the seed and stir if necessary. The aim of soaking the seed is for water to imbibe the seed coating and initiate germination.

§ Then allow the water to drain from the container for 12 hours. This can be done through creating a small hole in the base of the container that will allow the water to drain through.

§ Once completed, cover the hole in the base and soak the seed with warm water again for 12 hours before allowing to drain for a further 12 hours. One of the easiest methods for carrying out this cycle is to soak the seed overnight and allow to drain during the day whilst at work.

§ The seed is then ready for mixing with the rootzone before application.

Fairways

• Give consideration to the purchase of out-front brushes for the fairway mower units to improve the quality and texture of turf.

• Look to also introduce reverse cutting on occasion to lift procumbent growth and refine sward texture.

Kilspindie Golf Club

• The introduction of sanding to the fairways would be a great addition in the future. This would take the performance, resiliency and condition of the fairways to the next level.

• Change the divot mix from the current dwarf ryegrass and fescue blend to straight fescue moving forward. This will be far more in keeping with indigenous grasses and avoid further introduction of ryegrasses. The BAR 20 Fairway mix would be ideal.

Rough

• Implement cutting and clipping collection to productive areas of rough this autumn to encourage thinner, wispier and more playable swards.

• We have previously discussed the merits of the Club purchasing their own flail collector to carry out this work more frequently and effectively. Units such as the Wiedenmann Super 500, Amazone or Ryetec would be ideal.

Signed

Adam Newton BSc (Hons), MBPR, FQA Regional Turfgrass Agronomist Official Agronomist to the R&A Championship Committee t. +44 (0)7545 439908 e. adam.newton@strigroup.com www.strigroup.com

STRI is completely independent and has no alliances to commercial products, services or contractors. This ensures that our design, project management and advisory services provide the best solutions for each individual client.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Objective Data

Objective Data Graph 1: Moisture content was towards the higher end of target range but have reduced by nearly 10% over the last week. Heavy rainfall has been challenging this summer but the greens appear to be coping well. The 4th green remains the most moisture retentive.

Objective Data Graph 2: The surfaces have softened down in response to recent rainfall. This demonstrates the impact of the excess organic matter content beneath the greens. As this reduces further the surfaces will retain better firmness when wet. The consistency of firmness between the greens was very impressive and these results are the most consistent since testing began.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Objective Data (continued)

Objective Data Graph 3: Smoothness values were very acceptable, with the 1st, 12th and 18th greens offering a very similar level of trueness and within target ranges. The 4th was the anomaly and the least smooth.

Objective Data Graph 4: A similar trueness trend was observed with the 1st, 12th and 18th greens being within target range and the 4th just outside. This surface was grassier following the recent feed and in need of some additional refinement.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Objective Data (continued)

Objective Data Graph 5: Green speeds were lacking following heavy rainfall through the previous night and a wet cut as a consequence. The exception was the 1st which was quicker and within target range.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Soils Laboratory Data

Soils Laboratory Graph 1: Organic matter content in the top 20mm has seen a pleasing reduction over the last year, particularly on the 4th green. Average values have reduced from 8 to 9% over the last year. These values are still too high and support the notion to Graden sand inject the greens.

Soils Laboratory Graph 2: Values at 20 – 40mm depth have also reduced, with the exception of the 12th which have slightly increased. The trend of reduction over the last 8 years has been impressive at this depth.

Kilspindie Golf Club

Soils Laboratory Data (continued)

Soils Laboratory Graph 3: The 4th and 18th have reduced at this depth but the 1st and 12th have increased. Values are more favourable but some further dilution would be desirable. The 4th green is now within target ranges.

Soils Laboratory Graph 4: Values at 60 – 80mm depth have reduced (except the 12th) but remain higher than ideal.

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