Carnoustie Golf Links

Friday 20th January 2012

2012-01-20T14:43:00.001-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTFOR DECEMBER 2011

WEATHER

December was a decent month certainly comparedto last year, generally cloudy, with winds again predominantly westerly. Gale force south westerly winds wereexperienced on both the 8^th and 28^th of the month. Frosts were prevalent on 12 occasions andaverage noon temperatures were near normal at 6.5° C. Total rainfall for the month was a littlebelow normal at 35mm.

December was a short month as usual due toseasonal holidays in the final week and the courses were closed for two days(20^th and 21^st) due to rain water lying over frozenground.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Fairway Top Dressing

Fairway top dressing continuedearly in the month when fairways 2,3,5,7,9,10,14,16 and 17 were completed,followed by the usual brushing in.

Aeration

Verti-drain aeration during themonth involved walkways and traffic routes using 1” solid tines while lowerlying fairway areas were verti-drained using ¾” solid tines. Greens were slit-tined towards the end of themonth.

Bunker Revetments

Bunker revetments during the monthincluded:-

1 at 6^th green lefthand side

1 at 12^th approachleft hand side

1 at front of green 13^thhole.

Grow covers were fitted tocertain new bunker faces where appropriate.

10^th Fairway

Work was completed on the fairwayside of the burn on this hole with the raising of the lower flood prone sectionclose to the burn followed by returfing.

Minor Turf Repairs

A few minor turf repairs werecarried out during the month including the removal of disease scars on the 9^thand 13^th greens.

Liquid Iron Treatment

Greens and green surrounds weresprayed with liquid iron during the month.

17^th Fairway LevelAdjustments

Following completion of turfremoval, silty soil excavation was carried out, while decent re-usable topsoilwas stock piled at the start of the fairway. Sand was driven in to raise levels, particularly on the left side of thework area. Sand was also required on theright side of the fairway to match up to the raised burn wall (1 block). Following topsoil replacement and rotavation,where required, and the usual firming, a cover of fresh root-zone was appliedover the area as needed. Raking over wascarried out in readiness for turfing over.

Irrigation System

The old (1985) irrigation waterstorage tank was carefully dismantled following emptying. The concrete base was broken up and removedand the underlying pipe work uncovered. A new sewage waste pipe leading to the septic tank was installed. The fusion-welded10” pipe connections from the remaining tank feeding the pump house arescheduled for installation.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous jobs carried outincluded greens rolling, re-shaping bunker sand, salting service roads, pathsand bridges and removing the fence round the turf nursery next to the practiceground lake.

BURNSIDE COURSE

Bunker Revetments

Bunkers reveted during the monthincluded:-

6^th fairway right handside (2)

7^th greenside righthand side (1)

3^rd green front (1)

18^th greenside righthand side (2)

Burn Bank – 3^rdHole

Turfing on the burn banking abovethe stone filled gabions was completed early in the month and the boundaryfencing was replaced.

Bunker Infilling

The bunker on the 8^thfairway was infilled and turfed over as arranged during the month.

Aeration

Teeing grounds were verti-drainedusing ½” diameter tines while the semi roughs to the 6^th hole wereverti-drained with 1” diameter tines fitted. Fairways were slit-tined to a depth of 4” with the Ryan Renovaireaerator.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous jobs carried outduring the month included screening sand, spreading salt round the Starters’Box, car park and service roads, cut and roll greens, blow pine needles fromthe 3^rd, 5^th and 16^th greens and place new,mobile framed tee mats at the 9^th, 14^th and 16^thtees.

BUDDON LINKS COURSE

Bunker Revetments

Bunkers revetted during the monthincluded :-

7^th greenside (3)

9^th greenside (2)

Drainage Works and DitchClearance

The concentration of course workduring December was on drainage installation and ditch base excavation toimprove water flows.

Ditches bases on the 5^th,6^th and 12^th holes were lowered to suit appropriate runsusing a laser, while trenches were excavated for wavin-coil drainage-pipe installationacross the 10^th approach and southwards to run into the ditch behindthe 13^th green; across the front and across the rear of the 9^thgreen, both of which were connected to the previous 6” main pipe installationrunning down through the trees to the left of the 7^th hole and onalongside the 8^th tee.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous jobs carried outincluded; shaping sand in bunkers, building tee-mat frames, blowing debris fromcertain greens and cutting and rolling greens.

Environmental Work

Gorse was cut back around the 1^stand 15^th greens; right hand side of the 7^th and 9^thholes; left hand side of the 8^th; the 12^th carry; aroundthe 12^th and 17^th greens; at the 5^th tee andright hand side of the 6^th hole and left hand side of the 12^thall on the Championship Course. Broomgrowth was strimmed close to ground level in heather banks on the 8^th.9^th, 10^th, 12^th, 14^th and 15^thholes on the Burnside Course.

A number of trees were blown downon both the 8^th and 28^th of the month. These included three to the left of the 9^thhole and three behind the 9^th green / 10^th tee as well asa large branch from a pine behind the 13^th green, all on theChampionship Course. Several fallentrees were cut up to the left of the 16^th hole on the BurnsideCourse while fallen trees on the 6^th and 7^th holes of theBuddon Course were cut up and removed also. Lower limbs of birch trees on the 7^th hole along withdegenerate gorse behind the 8^th tee were removed on thiscourse. All arisings from such work werechipped or logged in the usual manner.

John S. Philp

Links Superintendent

Sunday 15th January 2011

2012-01-15T18:30:00.001-05:00

I know i say this every week but it was another productive week on the links.

At the 1st, heavily rye grass turf was killed off with a total herbicide weeks ago.

We then removed the rye grass area and re-turfed with cleaner turf from the 17th fairway,

Also at the 1st.

A mound right at the back of the green was reduced in height

and re-turfed. The mound always caused problems especially when spraying as it was tight to turn in that area.

Bunker work nearing the end. Three teams (Steve + Ross, Mark + Barry, Malcolm + Chris) completing bunkers

at the 15th

and 16th. All bunkers looking good.

Dangerman is back and full of fresh ideas!!!

Other re-turfing work going on at the 14th green.

Hard grafting!!

A simple turf replacement.

On Friday, we had a visit from the Ladies Golf Union. This was to run through course set-up for this years Ladies British Open Amateur Championship.(June 26th-30th)

We also had a visit from a photographer taking pictures of the new Kubota machinery we recently purchased.

http://www.kubota.co.uk/homep.asp?PageRef=1

Other machines that have just arrived are two Tru-Turf rollers, two Groundsman turf-cutters

http://www.truturf.com/

http://www.groundsmanindustries.com/turf_multi_cutters.htm

and three Toro Hybrid triples.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/golf/Pages/default.aspx

17th fairway getting some final prep work. Turf due to arrive on Tuesday.

Monday 9th January 2012

2012-01-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

A Happy New Year to all.

Only a hand full of guys in the last few weeks on all courses and in the workshop.

Workshop team managed to paint the floor during the festive period.

After the latest instalments of high winds, we had just the 3 trees down. The one at the 10th tee falling down on one of the foot bridges.

Other jobs going on were:

Sand was driven in to the 17th and topsoil replaced back over the top.

A bunker run-in at the 14th had the turf stripped,

raised

and re-turfed.

Today, the whole team is back minus Dangerous Jimmy(A.W.O.L.).

3 bunkers getting re-built at 15th green, holes changed, bunkers raked and greens cut.

Friday 23rd December 2011

2011-12-23T07:41:00.001-05:00

Well the weather has turned again, a little bit warmer its like spring!!

The last couple of days, we have taken the topsoil and placed to the side of the job at the 17th.

Sand has been driven into the job and levelled with the lute.

Our aim is to raise the whole area, with a slight run towards the burn. This area was prone to flooding if the burn burst its bank.

Yesterday, greens were rolled and bunkers raked. Today, holes were changed and greens/surrounds were sprayed with a liquid iron to keep diesease at bay.

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wednesday 21st December 2011

2011-12-21T10:43:00.001-05:00

This week the course has been closed on Tuesday and Wednesday so far due to a thick frost and icy puddles on the fairways from the rain.

Very slippy.

Most of the jobs this week include either cutting down gorse or trees.

12 unsafe trees were cut down at the 9th. Branches were chipped on site and logs stored at the Buddon lake.

Areas of gorse at the 6th, 7th, 9th and 12th were cut/thinned out and chipped.

It's not only golf balls you find in the bushes!!!

Another job going on is at the 10th/12th tee where we are digging out the road and replacing with hard wearing turf.

Friday 16th December 2011

2011-12-16T03:39:00.001-05:00

We are getting all Christmassie at Carnoustie. The tree is up and its the Christmas Doo today.

This week, greens and fairways were cut.

Still a lot of grass for this time of the year.

At the 10th, area was prepared.

Fairway turf going down.

Fluffy Fescue turf going down along the burn edge.

At the tractor bridge, we have put down rubber matting to reduce the amount of wear on the turf by machinery.

http://www.tebbuttassociates.com/rubbergrassmats.html

Job completed, great going by all the team this week to get it complete.

I am sure Mr Imlay will be happy with his bridges.

In the Workshop, Eric is busy with a few buggies that have been brought in.

Watch out for that ladder!!!!

Tuesday 13th December 2011

2011-12-13T03:21:00.004-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTFOR NOVEMBER 2011

WEATHER

Although mostly cloudy, November was milder than usual with an averagenoon temperature of 11.5 °C. Slightfrost was experienced on only 2 occasions and winds were generally westerlywith an easterly flow dominating the second week of the month. Rainfall was a little below normal at 47mm

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

The mild weather conditions meant for good progress in the “WinterWorks” programme and the two week course closure was fully utilised.

Aeration

Aeration work focussed on verti-drain treatment firstly on greens using8mm solid tines with medium heave followed by green surrounds, teeing groundsand certain roughs using 13mm tines. Near the end of the month verti-draining was commenced on walk-waysusing 19mm tines. Access routes to theworks on the 7^th hole were verti-drained on completion.

Bunker Revetments

A good number of bunker revetments were carried out during the month andincluded the following:-

2 on the 2^nd fairway right hand side

1 at the second greenside right hand side

1 on the 3^rd fairway (central at ditch)

2 on the 4^th fairway right hand side

1 at the 4^th greenside right hand side

5 on the 5^th hole

1 on the 9^th fairway right hand side

2 at the 9^th greenside

1 on the 10^th fairway left hand side

2 at the 10^th greenside left hand side

3 on the 14^th fairway left hand side

1 on the 18^th fairway right hand side (Miller’s)

7^th HoleRe-Positioned Bunker / Fairway Section Raising

Work commenced at the start of the month lifting turf in the area of thenew right hand bunker position in conjunction with the adjacent poor fairwaysection. Re-usable turf was storednearby while most of the fairway top-soil was stock-piled on site. Clean sand was transported to the site toraise levels (8"–10") whilst the new bunker was constructed andsurrounding contours merged into the adjacent mound. The inner bunker head was lowered and theoriginal bunker position infilled to suit before turfing over. The salvaged top-soil along with freshroot-zone mix was spread over the raised fairway section which was re-turfedwith material from the 17^th fairway along with the salvaged turffrom the site.

Top-Dressing

The 9^th green was top-dressed at the beginning of the monthfollowing the scheduled hollow-tining. At the end of the month conditions allowed for a commencement to fairwaytop-dressing involving the 1^st, 4th, 11th and 15^thfairways, followed by the usual brushing-in.

Iron Sulphate

A dressing of iron sulphate was applied to greens and approaches in themiddle of the month.

Fungicide

Greens received a fungicide application during the month with liquidseaweed and a dew prevention product added to the tank.

Turf Repairs

Several turf repairs were carried out during the month. Rye grass was “headed” out from the 1^st, 2^nd and 15^th green surrounds, whilst Yorkshire fogpatches were similarly replaced on the 12^th and 13^thgreens. Turf repairs were undertaken inthe hollow to the right of the 14thgreen and on the track to the right of the17^th green. Patching was alsocarried out at certain bridge crossings.

Imlay Bridge / Raising BurnWalling – 10^th Hole

Work continued to complete the new bridge with coping stone and thelaying of stone slabs on the walking deck. Walling was also completed by the end of the month on the vehicle bridgeon the left had side of the hole following the laying of a 6 inch concretescreed on the decking. After the removalof the existing turf along the front and right side burn bankings of the 10^thapproach sand was driven in to raise these banks as arranged. Two layers of used kerbs were laid to raisethe right side walling to suit the bridge and new banking heights while onelayer of blocks was laid on the 10^th fairway side of the burn wall,again to suit new surrounding levels. Following the usual preparatory work suitable turf was re-laid to coverthe raised bankings. Work on the fairwayside of the burn is ongoing with the aim of removing the poor quality existingturf and raising the low lying section therein, to allow flood waters to returnto the burn effectively.

Island Fairway – 17^thHole

Turf from the start of this fairway was cut and removed, some of whichwas used at the 10^th approach.

18^th GreensideFlooding

Flood water from the burn overflow was pumped from the left surround ofthe 18^th green on Monday 28^th of the month. Silt removal was also required from greensidebunkers.

Visit to King’s Quarry-Kilwinning and Royal Troon

Myself, S. Mitchell, C. Boath, P. Atkins, G. Lowe and S. Kerr visitedKing’s Sand Quarry at Kilwinning, our top-dressing sand suppliers, on the 17 ofthe month, for a tour of their very impressive facility. We then went on to visit Royal Troon, whichwas a first for the staff present, where we were shown round by Course managerBilly McLaughlin.

BURNSIDE COURSE

Aeration

Greens and approaches were verti-drained during the month followed byrolling. A start was made to verti-drainingwalkways at the end of the month. Greenswere slit-tined also as were the 12^th and 15^th fairways.

Fungicide

Fungicide was applied to greens in the middle of the month as apreventative measure.

Iron Sulphate

Greens were treated with an iron sulphate dressing at the end of themonth.

Bunker Revetment

The only bunker revetment carried out in November was that in the middleof the 12^th fairway.

6^th Fairway –Raising and Re-Turfing

This work on the 6^th fairway section nearest the greens wasthe main concentration of the workforce during the month. Re-usable turf from the area (1300 sq mts)was laid out for future requirements. Some poorer turf was re-laid behind The Golf Centre and on the burn bankat the 3^rd hole. The existingdark layer was excavated to clean sand and was placed in a low section withinthe adjacent tree plantation, awaiting future finishing for a prospectivewildflower sown out area under the “Operation Pollinator” project. Following base rotavation clean sand was drive-in to raise the area some7"–10" above original levels. Following the usual firming and shaping seaweed meal and pre-seederfertiliser was raked into the surface prior to turfing over at the very end ofthe month.

Greens

Greens were hand cut and rolled as required to fit in with verti-drainand aeration during the month.

3^rd Hole – Bridgeand Banking Re-Instatement

The bridge decking was laid on the strengthened railway line understructurewhich has been repositioned nearer the cycleway/ service road than before. 6' wide concrete decking was used in therestructure. The existing silty soil wasremoved from the banking and clean sand brought in prior to turfing over withturf salvaged from the 6^th fairway job. Finally the boundary fence was replaced.

BUDDON LINKS COURSE

Bunker Revetments

Bunker revetments during the month involved the following:

2 at 3^rd greenside

2 at the 8^th hole left hand side

3 at the 16^th greenside

1 at the 18^th green left hand side

Bunker Maintenance

Bunkers were tidied and sand shaped as required during the month.

Aeration

Greens, tees, fairways and walkways were slit-tined during the month.

Bridge Replacement

The bridge at the front left of the 8^th tee was refurbishedwith new timbers early in the month following ditch clearance work alongsidethe tee and beyond.

Greens

Greens were brushed, cut and rolled as required during the month

Course Drainage Developments

There was a major concentration on ditch clearance and drainage pipeinstallation through the month. The ditch running alongside the 6^thhole is currently under excavation to establish suitable base levels as is theextension behind the 6^th green and alongside the 13^thhole. The ditch to the left of the 7^th hole which started some yardsbehind the 8^th tee was developed southwards through the trees and upalongside the 9^th green. 6" perforated pipe was laid in thistrench, gravel backfilled and sand capped. A lateral using 4" pipe waslaid in across the 9^th green approach. A similar pipe was installedacross the 10^th green approach which was run alongside the 10^thgreen surround mounding to an outlet into the cleared out ditch behind the 13^thgreen.

Environmental Work

Environmental work carried out included gorse cutting to the left of the6^th hole, Burnside Course, and gorse chipping. Heather brashpreviously cut and collected from the Buddon Course was dried on a heatedtunnel before screening to produce “cleaned” heather seed for future coursesuse.

John S. Philp

Links Superintendent

Friday 9th December 2011

2011-12-09T10:56:00.001-05:00

Well, Hurricane "Bawbag" didn't cause too much problems on the course.

4 tree's down at the 9th, 2 of which were marked for coming down anyway.

Just a lot of mess on the 9th fairway

and on/round about the 10th green.

More sand being driven into the 10th today.

At the end of the day, the temperature feels a lot cooler. Might be a touch of frost tomorrow.

Thursday 8th December 2011

2011-12-08T10:03:00.001-05:00

The frost has stayed with us over the last few days.

Pins still on winter greens. We have started cutting/trimming gorse in a few areas.

All gorse cut so far has been chipped on-site.

Dangerman is still caressing the heather seed in the shed.

Bunker building is still going on at the 6th(above)

and at the 13th(above).

Adjustments to the bunker at 13th, they must have missed the head again!! Burt Reynolds is getting excited, Xmas doo next Friday.

At the 10th more sand has been driven in with more to follow.

Both bridges have been finished by the building contractors.

Today, it was just a little bit windy. Gusts reaching up to 80/90/100 MPH depending on who you talk to.

So far, just a couple trees on the Burnside down and Uncle Brandy's wig blew off a few times but we will just have to wait and see what the damage is tomorrow.

Tuesday 6th December 2011

2011-12-06T02:42:00.001-05:00

Little touch of frost on Friday but yesterday it was a little bit harder. Pins were put on the winter greens and it looks like they will stay there today.

At the 10th, the greenside of the burn was all turfed.

Builders have still to finish at the tractor bridge. Looks good.

http://www.dunkeldbuilders.co.uk/

Work has now started on the fairway side of the burn. Best of the turf saved and poor soil in the low area has been taken away and replaced with sand.

Other brick work going on is at the 17th, this will be our next big job.

Last week before the frost we managed to top-dress nearly all the fairways.

Only the frost stopping us from completing the final few.

Dangerous Jimmy is still at the heather seed.

More modifications to the contraption!

Last week bunkers at the 4th were completed, this week bunkers at the 6th, 12th and 13th recieve a touch of TLC.

Bunkers covered with grow sheets to give them a helping hand during the winter and to hide any shoulders!!!

Wednesday 30th November 2011

2011-11-30T01:53:00.001-05:00

We are still at the 10th this week.

Slowly working our way back out of the job.

The Imlay Bridge is complete.

The astromat walkway has been removed, replaced with hard wearing turf and rubber crumb has been spread over the area.

Hopefully by the end of the week we should have the greenside turfed.

Next on the agenda is the other side. Yesterday, the turf was cut and the best of the turf was set aside.

This year we have a dump between the 3rd green Burnside and 10th walkway Championship. All waste material from the winter will be put here, sand capped and turfed. This will act as a screen between the two courses.

Meanwhile, in the shed, Dangerous Jimmy is back after his dizzy turn. Looks like he has been thinking of new ideas when he was off.

Here, he has created a a tunnel for the blow heater to dry off the heather seed.

Genius!!

Last day of Movember today.

Tuesday 22 November 2011

2011-11-22T11:10:00.001-05:00

Its hard to believe we are still in November, so warm.

Today the temperature high was just over 13 C = 55.40 F and not a breath of of wind.

Verti-drain work now focused on the tees.

Along with the mild weather comes heavy dew. Forgot to mention last week that we put an application of iron mixed with sand on the greens by hand/spreadsheet. Hopefully this will keep the leaf a little bit drier and keep disease at bay. Yesterday, we rolled the greens. Firstly, to take the dew off and secondly to give a little bit more smoothness and firmness after the verti drain work from the week before last.

Rolling the greens allowed up to spray the greens yesterday, with a disease preventative.

Our next project of the winter is at the 10th hole next to the green. Photo above kindly provided from John's Ilford Sporti camera.

Bridge work is just about complete on the Imlay bridge (outside contractors), this allows us to get on with some work around that area . Our job is to raise the block work on the burn wall (kerb stone) by two rows and create a soft mound to stop any future flooding.

We are also taking away the astro mat walkway that leads from the 11th tee, raising the ground up and re-turfing with hard wearing turf.

Kerb stone is used from a section at the 17th fairway (another winter job) for the 10th.

Two man job to lift the kerbs.

Sand from Cotside Quarry near Carnoustie used to upfill the area once all the poor silty soil was taken away.

http://www.cotsidequarry.co.uk/

Decent topsoil from the job was put to the side before sand was driven in. This soil was then put back on top before being shaped with the lute.

First part of the job almost ready for raking, tramping and turfing.

Bunkers getting re-built this week so far are two at the 4th green.

Monday 21st November 2011

2011-11-21T11:39:00.000-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTFOR OCTOBER 2011

WEATHER

October was a typical month with close tonormal average noon temperatures (12.5° C) and a little lower than normalrainfall ((53 mm). Winds werepredominantly westerly, light to fresh, with cloud cover prevalent throughoutthe month.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Top Dressing

Greens, green surrounds alongwith winter greens were top dressed early in the month followingverti-cutting. The rear section ofcertain greens received further dressing after solid tining. Fairways sand top dressed during the monthincluded 6^th, 12^th and 18^th, the turfnurseries and Public Putting Green. Teeson the 5^th, 6^th, 11^th, 12^th and 13^thholes were top dressed following aeration while greens received a second topdressing. On the last day of the month,the 9^th green was top dressed to fill 6” deep hollow tineholes.

Aeration

A good deal of turf aeration workwas carried out during the month including cross tine aeration on fairways andgreens followed by rolling. Tees wereslit tined as were roughs and selected tees including “Hogan’s” which were alsohollow tined along with certain walkways and tracks. A start was made to greens verti drainingwith medium heave setting using

8 mm solid tines on the last dayof the month

Minor Turf Repirs

Turf repairs involved “heading–out” divot scars on winter green areas as well as a number of tees asrequired.

Mowing

The relatively mild conditionsaided some late season growth and greens were mown four times per weekgenerally and tolled as required. Thearranged programme of cutting back rough around the course was carried out at aheight setting of 3” – 4” on the rough cutting machines.

Overseeding

Certain weaker and or heaviertrafficked areas on greens were verti-seeded with a fescue / bent seed mix aswere some areas on green surrounds and including the 18^th tee. A rectangular area of rough behind the 16^thgreen running down to the burn was scarified and cut prior to disc overseedingin two directions with an ecology seed mix comprising of sweet vernal, sheep’sfescue, red fescue and wavy hair grass cultivars as agreed with

Bob Taylor and Richard Windows,S. T. R. I. This mixture was similarlyoversown in weaker rough areas to the left hand side of the 18^thhole and the right hand side of the 14^th hole.

Autumn Fertiliser

An autumn fertiliser (3-10-5 +seaweed and iron sulphate) was applied to greens and approaches in the firsthalf of the month. Autumn fertiliser(2-0-10 +iron) was applied to teeing grounds and some weaker fairway areas.

Imlay Bridge – 10^thHole

Work commenced on this new stonebridge on the 18^th of the month. Progress has been hampered by lack of stone more recently, however theraising of the burn walling has been achieved and one side of the bridge iscomplete.

Bridge Repairs – Ditches

The wide bridge crossing Jockie’sditch to the left hand side on the 3^rd hole over to the 4^thtee was rebuilt with new timbers. Thebridge in front of the 10^th white tee was moved to a moreappropriate position.

Iron Sulphate

An iron sulphate dressing wasapplied to worm casts and mossy tees as required.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with apreventative fungicide towards the end of the month.

Miscellaneous

Other work carried out includedsweeping pine needles – 9^th fairway, ditch bank repair to the leftof the 10^th tee, loosening bunker floors and shaping sand in bunkers,raising sprinklers, and turf switch repairs.

Winter Works

Winter works got underway on thelast day of the month with turf cutting on the 7^th fairway andsetting aside reusable material. A startwas made to bunker revetments on the right hand side of the 2^nd holeand the left hand side of the 14^th hole.

Burnside Course

Graden / Overseeding – 3^rdGreen

The 3^rd green wasscarified with the Graden machine followed by overseeding and top dressingearly in the month. This machine wasalso used to scarify a selection of teeing grounds.

Turf Repairs

Turf repairs during the monthinvolved re-turfing beneath the replaced protection fence at the 10^thtee and divot scars were plugged on winter greens and the 8^th and 14^thtees.

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed near themiddle of the month.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with apreventive fungicide during the month.

Turf Wetting Agent

Greens received their monthlyapplication of wetting agent (Revolution) with liquid seaweed added.

Autumn Fertiliser

Autumn fertiliser (2-0-10) wasapplied to teeing grounds and winter greens, whilst winter traffic areas weretreated with a slightly different analysis (5-5-11).

Aeration

Teeing grounds were hollow tinedalong with the re-turfed area on the 13^th fairway. Walkways were slit-tined whilst verti-drainingwas carried out on the 9^th approach, walkway to the 12^thtee and low sections on the 4^th and 12^th fairways. Deep hollow-tining was carried out to theflood prone areas on the 7^th, 8^th 11^th and 18^thfairways along with the rear of the 15^th green and 16^thapproach. A section across the front ofthe low lying 8^th green was treated also. All tined areas were subsequently topdressed.

Miscellaneous

Other work carried out during themonth included shaping bunkers, trimming round sprinklers, rolling greens,sweeping pine needles from the 5^th, 3^rd and 16^thgreens, tidying maintenance sheds and driving sand to the yard.

Buddon Links Course

Aeration

Greens were pencil-tined with 8mmtines early in the month as were green approaches. Tees were verti-drained followed by slit-tininglater in the month. Verti-draining wasalso carried out to fairways and walkways.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with apreventative fungicide early in the month as per the other courses.

Autumn Fertiliser

Greens received an autumnfertiliser as did green approaches and teeing grounds.

Ditch Work

Ditch clearance work commenced inOctober involving the ditch to the left of the 7^th hole which isscheduled for piped extension southwards to the 10^th greenapproach. Excavation also took place inthe ditch running parallel to the 8^th hole.

Mowing

Greens were mown approximatelythree times per week and rolled as required during October whilst certainroughs around the course were cut at a 4” mower setting.

Practice Tee – Artificial TurfInstallation

Preparatory work for thisinstallation involved turf and topsoil removal within a strip just over 12 feetwide the full length of the top tier. Wooden framework was installed as required and the area within filledwith road metal and compacted to form the solid even base for the tee turfmatting. The area was blinded withquarry dust to provide a smooth finish. The mat installation took place on Friday 11 November.

Miscellaneous

Other work carried out during themonth included seed divotting the 2^nd tee following DunhillPractice, bunker maintenance, blowing debris from greens and tees, and sweepingleaves from the 7^th fairway.

Environmental Work

A trial was carried out by way ofcutting in heather seed using a disc seeder on the perimeters of severalexisting heather patches on the Championship Course.

Broom was strimmed in heatherareas on the 7^th and 8^th holes of the Burnside Coursewhilst a number of dead or damaged trees previously marked for felling wereremoved from the 6^th, 7^th ,16^th triangle.

On the Buddon Course, broom andscrub growth was removed from the ditch banks and base running down the 8^thhole while gorse was removed from the ditch to the rear of the 6^thgreen. Heather seed collection wasrealised from topping heather banks on the 11^th, 15^th and16^th holes. The spoil heap tothe west end of the Links was tidied and several skips were uplifted mainlyfilled with grass cuttings.

Irrigation System Storage Tank

The old (1985) water storage tank at SouthAmerica was emptied and dismantled towards the end of the month as scheduledbeing in an unsafe and corroded condition. The concrete base was also removed and associated pipework uncovered.

Mr C Chalmers is arranging tocome and reconnect the larger storage tank to the 8” pipework going into thepump house.

John S Philp

Links Superintendent

Friday 18th November 2011

2011-11-18T11:13:00.001-05:00

Another couple of busy winter weeks under the belt and the weather is really really mild.

More bunkers completed at 5th

3rd(above) and at holes: 9th, 10th, 4th, 2nd and 18th.

The job at the 7th fairway was turfed by the end of last week and by the end of this week, all around the bunkers were turfed.

Looking good.

Doesn't seem that long ago that we were re-turfing the nursery.

Yesterday, a small team went through to visit Hugh King & Co quarry through at Kilwinning.

This is where we get our washed dune sand from.

From there we went on to visit Billy and his team at Royal Troon.

Monday 7th November 2011

2011-11-07T11:11:00.001-05:00

Mornings getting darker, we are now starting at 7.30am.

Bonfire night was on Saturday, a good chance to get rid of pallets in and around the shed.

Work still on-going at the 7th, nearly ready for turf.

"Mair sand Honeyman" was the cry.

Dangerous Jimmy creating a drainage line.

Bunkers at 14th completed, the bunker teams also finished two bunkers at 2nd and two at the 5th last week. This week sees bunkers at the 3rd, 5th and 9th getting re-built.

Tuesday 1st November 2011

2011-11-01T07:56:00.000-05:00

A little bit of heat a the tail end of last week. Fairways cut along with the greens.

This is not our new water feature on the course.

One of the irrigation tanks is emptied and dismantled. The plan is to have a new tank in a different location underground in the near future.

We have had the new Toro Triflex Hybrid on demo for the last week.

Looks good.

Derek has finished his bridge at the 3rd.

This week sees the start of our winter works maintenance. First off is re-building 2 bunkers at the 14th fairway and 1 at the 2nd fairway.

The other job started is at the 7th fairway. Here we will be re-positioning the right hand bunker out of the two and raising all the ground round about. This area is prone to flooding especially after all the rain we have had this year.

At the 9th, we have hollow cored the green using 1/2 inch side ejectors on the verti-drain. Depth going down to about 6 inches. Hopefully this will encourage more root development.

After the cores were picked up we top-dressed the green using our own dune sand.

This is the only green we will do this to this year. All the rest of the greens will be verti-drained with a 8mm tine.

Thursday 27th October 2011

2011-10-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORTFOR SEPTEMBER 2011

WEATHER

September was a mostly typical month with anaverage noon temperature of 15.5° C aided by an unusually warm three days atthe end of the month coinciding with the Dunhill Links Championship. Winds were generally light to freshpredominantly westerly and rainfall was near normal at 63 mm, a welcome majorreduction from August.

WORK ON THE LINKS

General

Routine maintenance combined withcourse preparation for both the Tassie at the beginning of the month and theDunhill Links at the end took up the majority of man hours for September.

Championship Course

Primo-Maxx

The usual bi-monthly spray ofthis top growth retardant was applied to greens at the beginning of the month.

Fungicide

A preventative fungicideapplication was made to greens as required early in the month.

Turf Repairs

Some minor turf repairs on one ortwo tees, 10^th green surround and 14^th walkway werecarried out in the first half of the month.

Putting Green Gates

The practice putting greenentrance gates were repositioned to provide a more practical access coincidingwith the new pathway to the golf centre.

Seeding – Golf Centre

Further seeding was carried outbehind the new golf centre early in the month.

Scarification / Sand Injection

Scarification combined with sandinjection using the Graden machine was carried out on certain teeing grounds.

Bunkers

Sand top up was carried out asrequired followed by rotavation of bunker floors as part of the usual bunkermaintenance procedures.

Pine Needles

Blowing and sweeper collection ofpine needles from the 9^th green and fairway in particular wasrequired on several occasions. Thisprocess applied locally to the other two courses as well.

Greens

Greens were rolled and brushedallied to mowing as deemed necessary through the month.

Fertiliser

The turf nursery areas weretreated with an autumn fertiliser (6-0-12) towards the end of the month.

Craw’s Nest Tassie / DunhillLinks

Both tournaments were held inSeptember this year and both proved very successful and popular withplayers. The usual course preparationswere carried out for both events with attention to detail once again to thefore.

Burnside Course

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with apreventative fungicide at the beginning of the month.

Minor Repairs

Minor turf repairs concentratedon plugging rabbit scrapes round the course.

Standing Water

Removal of standing water wasagain required from certain greens and approaches early in the month.

Drain Clearance

The drain line running down theleft side of the 6^th hole was flushed out to maintain flow rates.

Irrigation

Irrigation system work involvedthe construction of three concrete block chambers to house relevant bore holeflow meters including meter installation. Sprinklers were trimmed around on fairways and tees. The system was again not in use for turfirrigation other than washing in applications like wetting agent sprays orfertiliser treatments.

Aeration

Tees were slit tined during themonth to a 4” depth while certain tees were hollow tined followed by topdressing.

Weedkilling

Certain greens were sprayed witha selective weedkiller to control pearlwort development.

Fertiliser

Greens received a dressing ofAutumn fertiliser (5-5-11) near the end of the month while weaker tees weretreated with a nitrogenous fertiliser (8-0-0) with iron sulphate.

Overseeding Greens

All greens were overseeded asusual following the Senior Open from Monday 19^th of the month. The procedure involved the combined use ofthe Graden Scarifier and hollow tining for thatch removal purposes prior toseeding and working into shallow holes with the top dressing. Following brushing, greens were rolledaccordingly.

Buddon Links Course

Bunker Maintenance

Bunker maintenance included sandtopping up as required.

Greens

Certain greens were verti cutfollowed by brushing whilst brushing and / or rolling was commonly employed forgreens preparation.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with asuitable fungicide as a preventative measure early in the month as per theother courses.

Fertiliser

A few greens including greenwalk-offs were fertilised during the month where deemed necessary.

Wetting Agent

The usual monthly wetting agentspray was applied towards the end of the month and included approaches.

Aeration

The verti drain was used onflooded and other lower lying areas where required during the month. All teeing grounds were also covered using ½”tines.

Environmental Work

Broom growth was sprayed with thechemical Timbrel in relevant areas on the Championship Course whilst strongerbroom was strimmed back on certain holes on the Buddon Course.

The selective grass herbicideRescue was sprayed in rough pockets on the Championship Course and ditches werecleaned out on both the Championship and Buddon Courses. Fallen branches were cleared within the 6^th,7^th and 16^th triangle on the Burnside Course and severalwind blown trees were removed for chipping on the Buddon Course.

John S Philp

Links Superintendent

Tuesday 25th October 2011

2011-10-25T09:09:00.005-05:00

Very breezy yesterday.

Contractors still working on the bridge at the left hand side of 10th approach.

Derek works on his sleeper bridges. Here he is at the 3rd.

Today, heavy rain first thing. We kept most of the guys in doors in the morning or on tractor jobs.

Roughs still being cut. This time at the 3rd. Spiking on going behind the cutters.

Road metal is getting taken away from a road we no longer use at the 4th/5th. Once loaded up it is dumped at one of the Buddons roads for Dangerman to lute level.

Well almost level!!

In the shed, we are ready for winter works starting with plenty of compost mixed up.

In the afternoon, we managed to get out and on with some coring of the tees.

Thursday 20th October 2011

2011-10-20T08:53:00.006-05:00

Its getting ever so close to the end of the season.

The Rescue has done the trick on the clumps of ryegrass that we sprayed.

Heavy rain on the Monday brought a few balls down the Barry Burn. Thats a few Christmas presents sorted!!

Pine needles and leaves that fall at this time of year getting sweeped up with the TM.

We have stopped cutting at the weekends now due to the drop in temperature and lack of growth. This week saw the start of frost in the mornings.

Rough cutting around the course still ongoing as is the star tining of the fairways. Hopefully by the end of this week these jobs will be finished.

Yesterday, greens were top-dressed and cut after the sand was brushed in. This morning we just dewied the greens. More rain due again tomorrow night.

Congratulations to Dangerous Jimmy, who tied the knot at the weekend.

Pictures of the big day to follow.

Monday 17th October 2011

2011-10-17T01:12:00.001-05:00

Last week i had the chance to play Kingsbarns.

The course was excellent.

Back to Carnoustie, the bridge on the right hand side of the 10th fairway was taken away. This will now be replaced with a new fancy bridge.

Contractors due to start this week.

Seeding work continues on the roughs. Thanks to Panmure Barry for a shot of their seeder.

We cut the roughs before hand to allow discs to get right in.

The mix we put out on the roughs was: Sheeps Fescue

Wavy Hair Grass

Sweet Vernal

Red Fescue

A Scotia Ecology Mix

We also put some of our heather seed out which we gathered from the course last year.

This week we continue star tining the fairways and cutting down rough.

Monday 10th October 2011

2011-10-10T15:16:00.005-05:00

Another successful Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Great weather all week, with just a bit of rain on the Saturday.

A good week had by all,

including Shane Warne, Ian Botham and John Daly!!

Well done to winner Michael Hoey

Some of us managed a game at St Andrews on the Monday.

Burt Reynolds 2nd shot at the par 3 8th, yes 2nd shot!

Back to work, greens verti-cut and top-dressed.

They were then star tined

and rolled behind. Other tining work was on the fairways, which will get top-dressed after tining.

A start was made to cutting all the rough down to 3 inch, this will help the finer grasses come through.

Winter greens were marked out and divots plugged out.

A special Autumn/Winter feed mix was made up for the greens, John always says you cant beat a bit of the white stuff.

Today, the winds had died down to allow us to put the feed out.

Thursday 29th September 2011

2011-09-29T06:32:00.000-05:00

Dunhill week is here.

Unbelieveable weather this week, so hot and not a breath of wind. Course record might be under threat. Even the flags are under threat as young Barry romped through one with his Toro 1600.

It was nt just the weather that was odd, Dangerous Jimmy was not so dangerous this week.

Getting darker in the mornings now, 6.30am starts this week.

Pins ready to go.

Looks like another great day.

Thank you to all the guys from Elmwood College who helped out this week on the divot squad.

Friday 23rd September 2011

2011-09-23T04:02:00.006-05:00

Dunhill prep week

Due to the R and A Autumn Meeting at St Andrews, most of the contractors are were over here setting up the course. By yesterday, all the tee boards, score boards and posts for spectator walkways were out.

Divot squad are ready for another busy week.

Who is hiding in the rough?

Dangerous Jimmy cleaning out ditches, watching out not to harm the Yellow Bartsia.

A visit by Richard Windows and Jay Dobson of the S.T.R.I was also on this week.

Richard and The Godfather checking firmness, whilst Sandy measures trueness and Jay assesses green speeds.

Odd jobs such as repairing bunker damage were also on the list this week as we prepare for the Dunhill. Another top list of pros again for this years event.

Monday 19th September

2011-09-19T23:43:00.002-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT FOR AUGUST 2011

WEATHER

This August was the wettest I have recorded in my time at Carnoustie with a total rainfall of 148 mm, 130 mm of which fell in the first 10 days. Sunshine hours were below normal and winds were light predominantly westerly. Average noon temperature was 15.5° C, a little below normal. Flooding issues resulted in courses closure on the 7th with subsequent hole closures on the Burnside and Buddon Courses.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Tournament Tidy Up

The usual post tournament tidy up procedures were carried out which included brushing and aerating spectator routes, minor turf repairs at T.V towers and tentage areas as well as debris clearance.

Operation Pollinator

Craig Boath and myself attended a seminar at Elmwood G.C. regarding this new project designed to create valuable new habitats in out of play areas on golf courses to help address the serious decline in bumble bee and other pollinating insect numbers in the U.K. (There has been a 70% decline in bumble bee population in the U.K. over the past 40 years with three species on the verge of extinction).

Waterlogging

The intense rainfall during the first half of the month resulted in further pumping of water, mainly from bunkers in the west half of the courses, in conjunction with pushing standing water from playing surfaces as required. Many bunker floors were subsequently cultivated on several occasions followed by topping up with fresh sand as needed. These procedures were common to all three courses.

Fairy Ring

A fungicide application in conjunction with the turf surfactant Revolution was carried out on greens as a fairy ring control measure early in the month using the Hydroject machine.

Aeration

The back tee on the 1st hole, 18th walkway and the re-turfed strip in the Public Putting Green were hollow tined, the 1st tee being overseeded and dressed at this time. (Grandstand position).

Overseeding

Greens were overseeded with the usual fescue mix from Barenbrug in the middle of the month following solid tining with ½” tines. Subsequent top dressing included seaweed meal and a soil amendment product along with the usual sand application and brushing in. Greens were rolled before and after proceedings. The damaged ground to the rear and east of the Golf Centre was overseeded and rolled during the month.

Fertiliser

Hogan tees along with the 14th Ladies tee were dressed with a “homemade” fertiliser mix comprising dried blood, hoof and horn, ammonium sulphate and iron sulphate early in the month.

Greens Mowing

Hand mowing on greens was limited due to circumstances, so Triplex mowing, combined with brushing and rolling was the order of the day during the month. Groomer units were used on two or three occasions at the end of the month.

Weedkilling

Total weedkiller was used on remaining areas at the Starters’ Box, hotel and practice nets while spot treatment of selective weedkiller was carried out to fairways and certain green surrounds.

Top Dressing

The turf nurseries were sand top dressed late in the month.

Turf Conditioner

The Primo-Maxx programme on greens restarted on the 17th of the month while tees were sprayed with a mixture of liquid iron, wetting agent and liquid nitrogen along with the new turf on the 18th fairway and the greens nursery. Green surrounds and approaches were sprayed with a tank mix of wetting agent, liquid seaweed and liquid iron and greens with the monthly wetting agent (Revolution) spray combined with liquid iron and organic micro-nutrients. A similar mix with liquid seaweed added was applied to the practice putting green.

Irrigation

Irrigation work on the course was limited to trimming round fairway sprinklers and valve boxes.

Selective Rough Treatments

The “Amazone” flail mower was used to cut down sections of coarse rough and involved a large area behind the 16th green, the left hand side of the 4th hole and areas on the 7th hole. All cutting were collected in the hopper and removed from site.

Burnside Course

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed in the middle of the month followed by the usual brushing in and rolling.

Pump Hire

A 4” pump was hired from S.L.D. to help clear flood water from the 3rd and 4th holes early in the month. Standing water was also cleared from the 6th, 8th 9th and 12th holes in particular.

Aeration

Aeration work during the month concentrated on hydroject treatment on greens.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed early in the month with a fungicide mix to control disease development.

Bunker Maintenance

The normal bunker maintenance was carried out during August including additional bunker floor cultivation and sand to topping up as required.

Fertiliser

A summer fertiliser (8-0-0) was applied to the returfed area on the 13th fairway as well as worn tracks on the 1st and 18th holes. The organic based fertiliser TX10 was used on the putting green.

Greens

Greens maintenance involved the usual daily mowing allied to brushing and rolling as required.

Turf Conditioners

Greens received their monthly wetting agent application with liquid seaweed and liquid iron added to the tank. Wetting agent was also applied to tees.

Irrigation

The installation of flow meters for our six boreholes was ongoing during the month; three have now been installed. Greenside sprinklers were trimmed round as required.

Buddon Links Course

Overseeding

The left hand half of the 7th green was overseeded in the usual manner.

Turf Repair

The divot damaged area on the 1st tee used at the Women’s Open was returfed early in the month. The damaged irrigation valve behind this tee was repaired also.

Pumping Water

Standing water was pumped from several fairways, green approaches and bunkers in the first half of the month, similar to the other courses, including the practice ground.

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed and matted during the month.

Bunker Maintenance

Bunker maintenance involved floor cultivation as per the other courses, including sand topping up as required.

Turf Conditioner

Greens were sprayed with a liquid seaweed and liquid iron mix in the middle of the month followed by the monthly application of wetting agent at the end of August.

Fairway Verti-Cutting

Fairways were brushed and cut prior to verti-cutting and debris collection using verti-cut units loaned from St Andrews fitted to our fairway mowers.

Greens

Brushing greens and approaches allied to greens rolling were included alongside the usual mowing regime in greens preparation during the month.

Environmental Work

Environmental work in August focussed on cleaning out ditches and sections of the Barry Burn. The invasive Himalayan Balsam growing in the burn beside the 11th tee on the Championship Course was cut down and removed.

John S Philp
Links Superintendent

Friday 16th September 2011

2011-09-16T04:48:00.008-05:00

Well, the weather for Tassie week ended not too bad after all the rain and wind.

The GB&I Walker Cup team had a good workout on the course. I am sure the stiff wind at Carnoustie maybe helped them retain the Walker Cup.

Pine needles picked up from the 9th fairway and Dangerman blowing them off the 10th tee for the Tassie competitors.

Sandy makes sure the pins are extra tricky for the semi-final and final.

I managed to get up on Saturday to Royal Aberdeen.

The course looked amazing. Well Done to Robert Patterson and his team.

Back to Carnoustie and a really windy and wet start to the week.

A lot of guys on holiday this week so it was a depleted team. Sandy was off so i had a new wingman, Dangerous Jimmy. A wet area at the 14th walkway was our first port of call. Poor soil underneath was not letting water drain away. This area was dug out and backfilled with sand then returfed.

Other jobs on were sand injection on tees with the Graden

http://www.kensettsports.com/graden_contour_sand_injection.html

A start was made to putting up all the scoreboards and tv towers for the Dunhill. I am sure by the weekend they will all be up.

Wednesday 7th September 2011

2011-09-06T23:52:00.005-05:00

Tassie week is here and so is the normal Tassie weather.

Above pictures are before the torrential rain and high winds!!

At the tail end of last week, we made a start to cutting down thick rye-infested areas in the rough.

These areas will now be scarified, treated with the selective graminicide Rescue and then overseeded.

Back to previous overseeding on the greens, you can now see on weak areas just off the green that seed is coming through.

This week

Greens hand cut and the usual mowing everyday of all areas for the Tassie.

Only one day of rolling so far due to the high wind forecasts.

Holes changed everyday.

Today, we have special visitors to the course in the way of GB & I Walker Cup team, i am sure the windy conditions will set them up nicely for Royal Aberdeen at the weekend.

Friday 26th August 2011

2011-08-26T06:14:00.002-05:00

Another great week of weather

Last week after the seeding, we rolled the greens after cutting them in the mornings to try and smooth the surfaces even more. By the weekend the greens were rolling good.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14663911

Saw this on the news and reminded me of our Links Cat.

Really wild.

On to this week, approaches and surrounds were top-dressed. Ditches were cut and cleaned out and a start was made to cleanng out the burn.

Our monthly wetting agent programme was due on the greens and conditions were perfect for a change!

Next week we start to prepare the course for The Craw's Nest Tassie

The Tassie as the abbreviated version is popularly known has grown into an institution where amateur golfers return to Carnoustie year after year after year. First played for in 1927 it is limited to 351 golfers (or other number determined by the Links Committee) whose handicaps must be 18 or below.

In January of 1927 a meeting of influential local golfers took the decision to introduce an annual open amateur tournament to be called the Carnoustie Corporation Trophy. Two months later the organising committee adopted James Wright's (the designer of the last 4 holes on the Championship Course) proposal to name it instead the Craw's Nest Tassie, honouring the fanciful notion that the town's name had been derived from "Craw's Nestie".

The Tassie itself a solid silver drinking bowl decorated in Celtic pattern was crafted by Messrs Crabbe and McKenzie, jewellers and silversmiths of High Street Carnoustie at a cost of 100 Guineas. The designer was Murdoch McKenzie. The business operated in the town from 1912 until 1935 when it was moved to Rothesay. Murdoch died there in 1954.

Amongst the first years 124 competitors was Joshua Crane of Brookline USA, the originator of the abstruse system of rating golf courses on a handicap basis weighing up the terrain, hazards etc. He measured Gleneagles at 84.6, Sandwich at 83.8, Muirfield at 83.5 and the Old Course at St Andrews at 71.8. The first event was won by a local Mr Alexander Mann, an ex amateur champion of India who defeated Mr Len Nettlefold who was at that time the amateur champion of Australia.

Up to 1931 the Tassie was held in June but the date was switched to September with a view to increasing the number of players from England. The number of entries exceeded 200 for the first time in 1935 with 206, and rose to 396 in 1966, then 454 in 1969.

The Tassie is now always played for in the 1st full week of September each year and one of it's early participants the aforementioned Mr Crane who loved the event so much he donated several trophies to the Carnoustie Golf Club which are still competed for today. Alongside the Tassie is the Maulesbank Trophy a much younger event given its introduction in 1933.

The week begins with 2 qualifying rounds, one on the Championship Course and one on the Burnside Course. From the starting field the top 64 combined scratch scores are then drawn to play matchplay through the week for the Tassie on the Championship Course. The next 64 nett scores compete for the Maulesbank Trophy in matchplay on the Burnside Course. For those who did not qualify for either, then there is the consolation sweepstakes on Wednesday and Thursday with prizes available. By the time Friday arrives simple bounce games are played by all those who are not competing for either of the 2 trophies.

The whole week is one of cameraderie and the local clubs open their doors to the competitors and provide evening entertainment, everything from comedians to quizzes to karaoke. This is why Tassie entrants have been coming back for years and in some cases decades on end. Currently regular competitors are coming from all parts of the United States, Sweden, Holland, Spain and the UK.

Saturday 20th August - Links Superintendent Report

2011-08-20T13:19:00.000-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT FOR JUNE / JULY 2011

WEATHER

June was a changeable month with a variable airflow and light to fresh winds. Average noon temperatures were near normal at 15.5 ° C whilst total rainfall was a little above average at 68 mm.

July was a wetter month still with a total of 92 mm. An easterly flow was dominant during the month, mostly light. Average noon temperature was on the low side at 16.5 ° C.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Ecologist’s Visit

Mr R Taylor from S.T.R.I. carried out his annual ecological visit on 6 June and his report has been forwarded.

Weedkilling

Selective weedkilling continued over the two months in particular to certain roughs, fairways and bunker tops. Total weedkiller was used around the Starters’ Box, Hotel and Public Putting Green.

Golf Centre Site Work

A good deal of man hours were involved in preparatory work and subsequent turfing around the new golf centre in both June and July. The mounding on the west side of the building, encompassing the disabled access to the viewing platform, was laid in early June and included sea buckthorn and marram planting and grass-crete plastic pathway sections. Turfing continued along the front of the building, followed by the original 1st tee and the east and south sides as far as was practical in conjunction with the build for The British Women’s Open. Quarry dust was also placed as required around the Media Centre. The gas main supply trench from the 1st tee towards the Golf Centre was also turfed at this time.

Bunker Repairs

Minor bunker wall repairs were carried out on greenside bunkers on the 5th and 7th holes.

Fungicide

Further fairy ring control treatments were carried out in June and July using asoxystrobin both as a blanket spray and selectively in conjunction with wetting agent.

Greens were sprayed with a preventive fungicide, Instrata, in the middle of July along with a dew control product, Dew Clear.

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed twice during June with a further light dressing in the first half of July. Green approaches and surrounds were top dressed early in June. Previously extended fairway sections (i.e. 5th, 6th and 7th holes) were hollow-tine cored, overseeded and top dressed in June.

Mowing

The usual intense summer mowing regime involving hand mowing of greens whenever possible continued through both months to playing areas with the inclusion of fairway verti-cutting at the end of June. Local areas of coarse grasses were strimmed accordingly.

Aeration

Certain greens were solid-tined early in June whilst all greens received hydroject aeration with liquid seaweed added in early July.

Bunkers

Bunker floors required cultivation on a number of occasions following heavy rains during the two months. Sand topping up was carried out as required.

Greens Rolling / Brushing

Greens rolling / brushing was carried out in conjunction with mowing as required.

Conditioner Treatments

A number of turf conditioner treatments were carried out over the two months, primarily to greens which included wetting agent, liquid iron, a range of micronutrient products, including liquid seaweed, as well as a dew control product and water conditioner application in June.

Green approaches and surrounds along with walkways , relaid turf areas, fairways and teeing grounds were sprayed with a tank mix comprising wetting agent, liquid iron and liquid nitrogen when appropriate. Any localised ‘stressed’ patches of turf on greens were treated with a specific wetter, Aqueduct, early in June.

Primo-Maxx

The top growth retardant, Primo-Maxx was applied twice in June as part of the ongoing programme.

Fertiliser

Certain weak areas including walk-offs were fertilised early in June.

Greens received a summer fertiliser treatment in the middle of June with the usual ingredients of dried blood, hoof and horn and iron sulphate. New turf on the 11th and 18th fairways were given a light dressing of an 8-0-0 fertiliser while the greens nursery was covered with 14-0-10 fertliser application. In the third week of July, certain weak spots on greens were sprayed with a liquid nitrogen and micronutrient mixture.

Women’s British Open

The course was prepared for this main event of the year in a very similar manner to last year’s Seniors Open. Tournament mowing arrangements and general course set up procedures were trial run on the Wednesday and all went smoothly through the event. Back up equipment from Toro suppliers Lely came in very useful and the staff performance was exemplary and even extended to manually hauling a search buggy out of the Barry Burn.

Burnside Course

Aeration

Greens were solid tined early in June followed by teeing grounds late in the month and approaches in early July. Drier greens were pencil tined while selected greens received hydroject aeration at the end of July.

Weedkilling

Selective weedkilling continued on tees, fairways and semi rough areas as required. Total weedkiller was applied round the Starters’ Box, the Maintenance Buildings and Burnside Car Park.

Finishing Work – New Tea Shop

The ground was prepared around the new building following building clear up. Sand was imported to provide suitable levels and the areas prepared in the usual manner prior to turfing over. Steps at the northern end of the building were installed to combat the difference in existing levels and gravel was spread in the adjacent soak away area.

Bunker Maintenance

Bunker maintenance followed the usual pattern with faces blown, edges trimmed, and sand shaped as required. Bunker floors were loosened accordingly following heavy rains in both months.

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed in late June as were fairways following brushing and mowing.

Conditioner Treatments

Greens were sprayed with wetting agent, liquid seaweed and liquid iron on both months. Approaches were treated with wetting agent and liquid seaweed in a similar fashion. Tees were sprayed with wetting agent in June and July.

Fertiliser

Most fairways were sprayed with a seaweed, nitrogen and potash product in June.

Certain weak areas including the new 15th tee received a fertiliser dressing while greens were treated with the organic based fertiliser TX10. A 14-0-10 fertiliser was applied to the rough on the right side of the 18th hole.

Verti-Cutting

Approaches were verti-cut during June and greens in the middle of July.

Marram Planting

Marram grass was planted on the 15th tee bank.

Waterlogging

The 3rd hole was closed on the 7th and 8th of July following heavy rains. Standing water was subsequently pumped back into the burn from the area yet once again.

Overseeding Greens

During the closure week at the end of July, greens were solid tined, overseeded and top dressed followed by the usual brushing in.

Buddon Links Course

Top – Dressing

Greens were top-dressed twice during June in the usual manner.

Turf Repairs/ Planting

The re-routed irrigation pipeline which now goes round the Golf Centre was tidied –up and turfed over. A flood prone area in front of the 9th green was raised slightly and re-turfed following the introduction of fresh sand. Sea buckthorn was planted behind the 11th green and marram grass was planted in the new mounding behind the 17th green.

Aeration

Greens were pencil-tined in both months followed by rolling. Drier tees were similarly treated.

Overseeding

Certain “half-greens” involving the 16th,9th,10th,6th and 5th were tined and overseeded followed by top-dressing during July. The practice tee was similarly renovated as required.

Weedkiling

The weedkilling programme continued with clover the main target in playing areas including the practice ground.

Mowing

The mowing regime was in full force throughout both months as normal. Rolling and brushing was carried out in conjunction as required and greens were verti-cut in June.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with fungicide in late July for disease control.

Fertiliser

A 12-0-9 fertiliser was applied to the 2nd tee and previously relaid fairway areas early in June.

More recent new turf areas were treated with TX10, an organic based fertiliser.

Bunkers

Bunkers were affected by heavy rains as per the other courses requiring bunker floor cultivation as the weather dictated.

Localised Flooding

Standing water was pumped from local areas on holes 6, 7, 9, 10 and 14 on more than one occasion.

Conditioner Treatments

Wetting agent was sprayed on greens as was a tank mix of liquid seaweed and liquid iron towards the end of June.

‘Rescue’ Treatment

Patches of ‘Yorkshire Fog’ were treated with the gramminicide ‘Rescue’ on certain green collars in June.

Temporary Arrangement

The first hole was closed from the 4th of July and from the 11th, the 16th hole was split into two to provide 16 holes up to the tournament week.

Environmental Work

Environmental work included ditch clearance and spraying Timbrel on mare’s tail on the left hand side of the 6th and 18th holes. The burn wall was cleaned and the base cleared of weed on the 17th, 18th and 1st holes.

John S Philp
Links Superintendent

Wednesday 17th August

2011-08-15T06:46:00.022-05:00

I must keep the blog up to date. I must keep the blog up to date

I must keep the blog upto date. I must keep the blog up to date
I must keep the blog up to date. I must keep the blog up to date
I must keep the blog up to date. I must keep the blog up to date
I must keep the blog up to date. I must keep the blog up to date

Lets re re-wind back to the week of the Ricoh Women's British Open. The days in the lead up to the tournament week were very hot, so hot we were out hand watering the greens in the morning and at night.

With no course closure the week before the tournament, all the guys were in on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

The whole course was cut and we continued the same cutting pattern over the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and right through the tournament days.

Tournament tee's handcut Toro 1600's

Other tee's cut with Toro 3250's one direction

Fairways cut with direction of play

Approaches/surrounds cut with 3250's again cut one direction with play

Greens cut with Flex 21's and rolled with Smithco rollers

Each night and morning fairways were divotted and any divots removed.

You could n't really ask for any better weather until the Thursday morning, a little bit foggy when all the guys arrived to start at 4.30am.

It soon lifted when the sun decided to show through, just in time for the opening shot.

No real problems through the event, just one TV buggy in the burn!!

A great effort again by all staff from all three courses.

Also a Thank You to helpers for the week

Gavin and Joe from St Andrews.

After all that nice weather, last week it was back to the weather we all know and love RAIN!!,

and it was torrential. So far this month we have had 11 days of rain at a total of 139.6mm

A lot of bunkers flooded as well as fairways. We even had to close the course one day.

Coring took place on heavy trafficked areas and where stands were, they were then seeded and top-dressed.

Bailing out bunkers and squeegeing wet fairway areas were the main jobs.

On to this week, overseeding the greens.

We made a start on Monday using the pedestrian Toro 648 Procore with a solid 1/2" tine. Once opened up Fescue seed was spread along with seaweed and ceramic dust. Green rolled(to stop rutting) then top-dressed with sand, brushed in then drag matted in and then rolled again.

1,2,3,5,7,8,12,13,16,17 +18 greens all seeded on the Monday and the rest finished on Tuesday before the rain. Good going.

Other jobs on this week are trying to dry the wet bunkers out by adding more sand.

Friday 22nd July

2011-07-22T07:57:00.003-05:00

This week, maintenance on the course was intensified.

All tournament tees were hand cut and the heights of the greens were dropped a little bit.

Units set up ready to go next week.

Safety fencing at the 16th tee brought down by the mechanics.

Tented village area ready to go.

Wednesday 6th July

2011-07-06T06:24:00.002-05:00

Heavy rain throgh the night and day causing a few puddles on the course.

Today, holes changed and only the hydroject pumping seaweed into the greens were out and about.

A load of turf arrived from Inturf, Alan the driver was too keen for the rain but it will help keep the turf moist once laid.

All the turf was for the new Pro Centre.

We soon had the load (1200sqm) rolled out and the area cleaned.

Even with all the torrential rain, great effort from all the guys on all three courses

Tuesday 5th July

2011-07-05T08:39:00.002-05:00

As from yesterday, we now have G.U.R. on certain areas of a few fairways (3rd, 11th, 14th and 18th). Making these areas G.U.R. will help popular divotted spots heal up in time for the RWBO. If your ball lands in the area, you are made to drop in the semi-rough to the side and no closer to the hole.

Yesterday, saw the arrival of the contractors for the Open. They did n't waste anytime and had a handful of scoreboard frames and a start made to the hospitality area by this morning.

Out on the course, greens were cut as normal @ 4mm and a start was made to hydrojecting greens with seaweed. We were also down at the Pro Centre preparing for a last load of turf which is due tomorrow (Wednesday).

On the wildlife front, it looked like an attack of jellyfish in the burn and Dangerous Jimmy's escaped pet budgie was spotted on the 17th green.

The Scottish Open is on this week at Castle Stuart, best wishes to Chris and all his team in what is the course first tournament.

Finally, we would like to say welcome aboard to Chris Murphy. Chris has taken over the new look tea hut, i am sure all the greenstaff will be in soon to sample all his stock!!

Friday 1st July

2011-07-01T07:07:00.005-05:00

Today, greens hand cut the same as yesterday, holes changed, bunkers raked, boxes moved and a continuation of verti-cutting fairways.

Every week we try to fit in some data collection in the way of stimping greens for speed, taking readings from a moisture meter and the firmness of the greens in the way of clegg hammer readings.

Barry, has started to paint the many fences/hazard posts around the course in time for the Women's Open.

Its all go down at the Pro Centre as we try to put the finishing touches around the building in the way of turfing.

Talking of the Pro Centre here is a few photos

Nice finishing on the stone work to the entrance.

Main reception area now carpeted.

Inside the ladies locker room.

Inside the mens locker room.

The balcony.

Views from the balcony over the sea and the Buddon.

View over the Championship Course.

Wednesday 29th June

2011-06-29T08:11:00.002-05:00

First post for a long time, here is a quick look back:

Week starting the 13th June - Main jobs that week were top-dressing greens and approaches/surrounds, low areas on fairways were cut @ 6.5mm, weed killing around the course and general tidy up of course in the way of strimming/feathering areas around greens.

During the middle of that week a homemade fertiliser mix of: sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of iron, dried blood and hoof and horn were applied to the greens - this feed should see us through to the Women's Open. The rest of the week greens were dewied and cut with boxes off.

Then the rain came and it rained and rained and rained. For a while i thought i was working at Augusta, the greens (with the fert and rain) were really green!!

Week starting the 20th June - With all the rain and all the growth, we were brushing and double cutting the greens and of course rolling to achieve decent speeds for the different club championships. Fairways were sprayed with wetting agent, ammonia and iron both at light rates this was to build the grasses up before we verti-cut the following week. Work continued at the Pro Centre getting areas ready for turf. Weed killing on going.

Back to this week greens top-dressed and a start made to verti-cutting fairways and cutting behind them at 7.5 mm. Tomorrow we have a helicopter hole by hole shoot for BBC so all the course furniture has to be hidden away.

At least the sun is finally back.

Tuesday 14th June

2011-06-14T10:22:00.001-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT FOR MAY 2011

WEATHER

May was a much more unsettled month than April with considerably less sunshine hours and cloud almost ever present. Rainfall totalled 94 mm which included some heavy persistent falls, whilst average noon temperatures were no better than April at 13° C. A westerly airstream dominated for most of the month apart from an easterly spell early in the month.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Aeration

Selective aeration involved hydroject treatment to walkways and traffic routes, whilst certain greens were pencil tined. Areas previously treated with “Rescue” were midi-tined prior to overseeding and solid tining was carried out locally. Tighter, compacted tees were mini tined and high spots on fairways were slit tined with cross tines.

Top Dressing

Sand top dressing was carried out as usual, covering greens, approaches, green surrounds and teeing grounds during the month. The turf nurseries and Public Putting Green were also dressed as were new turf areas and fairway extensions on the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th holes. A considerable amount of blown sand from the Golf Centre construction had to be removed from the Putting Green more than once during the month.

Bunker Maintenance

Bunker maintenance was carried out in the usual manner which included pumping water following heavy rains. Bunker floors were subsequently loosened and certain bunkers were topped up with fresh sand.

Turf Repairs

Local turf repairs were carried out on the Public Putting Green which was opened on the 13th of the month. Some disease scars were plugged on the 2nd, 9th and 11th greens along with weaker spots within “Rescue” treated sections of green surrounds.

Turfing commenced at the end of the month on the banking at the new Golf Centre following preparation work.

Weedkilling

Selective weed killing continued as required around the course and the burn walling was cleared of weed or grass growth. Total weed killer was applied to ditch bottoms as arranged. Greens were sprayed with Mecoprop late in the month for pearlwort control.

Fungicide

Greens were sprayed with a preventative fungicide application for fairy ring control late in the month.

Nematicide

A garlic product “Eagle Green Care” was applied to certain greens to reduce specific nematode numbers identified from soil samples in the laboratory.

Mowing

Mowing regimes intensified according to growth which was inconsistent during the month due to slow improvement in temperatures. Greens were brushed and rolled in conjunction with mowing as required and hand mowing was carried out when possible.

Fertiliser

New turf areas received a fertiliser application along with walkways and some weak roughs and trafficked areas generally. Greens were treated with a light dressing of TX10, an organic based fertiliser while newer tees received a 12-0-9 fertiliser treatment.

Conditioner Treatments

Various turf conditioner treatments were carried out as usual during the month.

New turf around bunkers received an application of wetting agent with liquid seaweed and liquid iron as did green surround areas with a little liquid nitrogen added. Indications of dry patch areas were treated on greens and tees with an appropriate penetrant whilst all greens were covered with a mixture of wetting agent, water conditioner and micronutrients. Certain greens received Hydroject treatment with liquid seaweed added and tees were sprayed with a wetting agent, liquid iron and liquid nitrogen tank mix.

Primo Maxx

Two applications of this top growth retardant with micronutrient catalyst were carried out during the month as part of the ongoing seasonal programme.

Preparation Work - Tea Hut

Following the building site clearance around the new Tea Hut, preparatory work was carried out with sand infill prior to turfing over.

Irrigation

Hand watering was practised as required and sprinklers trimmed around. Irrigation pipe was pulled in to cover the mounding and peripheral area at the Golf Centre and sprinklers installed.

Fibre optic conduit pipe installation continued and decoders replaced where failures occurred.

Agronomist Visit

The Agronomist visited on the 19th of the month and asked for soil samples from all greens to be sent for laboratory analysis.

Burnside Course

Top Dressing

Greens were top dressed lightly, three times during the month, along with re-turfed areas.

Aeration

Hydroject aeration was carried out on walkways and other trafficked areas around the course. The 10th green was cross tine aerated in the middle of the month.

Weedkilling

The selective weedkiller – Mecoprop was sprayed on greens for pearlwort control. Selective weedkiller was also applied to the seeded rough on the right of the 10th hole and total weedkiller was applied round the Starters’ Box.

Bunkers

Bunker maintenance included pumping out water, loosening floors and topping up as required.

Waterlogging

Standing water was again pumped from the low lying area at the 3rd and 4th holes following heavy rains.

Irrigation

Local hand watering was carried out and sprinkler arcs were adjusted as needed.

Conditioner Treatments

Greens and approaches were sprayed with liquid iron and liquid seaweed early in the month. Wetting agent was applied to greens and approaches also as part of the seasonal programme.

Fertiliser

Teeing grounds received a 14-0-10 fertiliser whilst the new 15th tee was treated with TX10, organic fertiliser as was the new turf on the 13th fairway and the 5th green. Greens received a liquid fertiliser spray 14-0-7 with seaweed and liquid iron near the end of the month.

Buddon Links Course

Weedkilling

Selective weedkilling continued on the course as required to include the “tented village” area and the 2nd and 18th fairways.

Mowing

Greens, approaches, aprons and tees were verti-cut in the early part of the month along with appropriate brushing and rolling. Weekly mowing of additional areas such as the practice facilities and junior course was established in May.

Top Dressing

Tees, green approaches and aprons were top dressed during the month.

Overseeding

Following half green solid tining, seed was broadcast, brushed in and top dressed on the 6th, 11th and 12th greens.

Waterlogging

Similar standing water clearance applied as per the other courses following heavy rains, followed by bunker renovation where required.

Debris Clearance

Following the gale force winds on Monday 23rd of the month, a considerable amount of debris was collected and swept up from the 7th hole in particular.

Fertiliser

Towards the end of the month, greens received a fertiliser dressing comprising sulphate of ammonia, dried blood, hoof and horn meal and iron sulphate.

Turf Repair

The re-routed irrigation pipe track which was installed to divert the mains pipe to the putting green from under the new Golf Centre construction was turfed over at the end of the month.

Environmental Work

Environmental work was again limited during the month. Timbrell treated broom was removed from the left hand side of the 15th hole on the Championship Course and sections of the Barry Burn were manually cleared of weed.

Several wind blown trees were cut up from within the 6th, 7th, 16th triangle on the Burnside Course whilst 8 or 9 fallen trees mainly from the area of the 7th / 9th holes on the Buddon Course were also removed. Several blown branches were removed from trees on the 9th and 10th holes on the Championship Course.

John S Philp
Links Superintendent

Monday 13th June

2011-06-13T07:54:00.002-05:00

Well, the last couple of weeks we have had The Links Championships on the course.
Here are the results:

Final Friday 10th June

K Harper bt A Fyfe 6&4

Semi Finals Wed 8th June

A Fyfe bt A Sweeney 1up

K Harper bt G Singer 3&1

Quarter Finals Monday 6th June

A Sweeney bt J Craig 4&2

A Fyfe bt R Reyner 1 hole

G Singer bt E O’Brien 1 hole

K Harper bt S Nicoll 5&4

Links Matchplay 1st Round Friday 3rd June

A Sweeney bt J Oldroyd 5&3

J Craig bt R Wardlaw 2&1

A Fyfe bt A Reid 2&1

R Reyner bt S Norrie 1 hole

G Singer bt D Elder 5&4

E O’Brien bt D Cairnie 5&4

K Harper bt P Drummond 3&2

S Nicoll bt D Cargill 6&5

Hogan Trophy Wednesday 1st June

Best score on the night was Danny Elder with a 76. His 3 round total of 220 also won him the Hogan Trophy to be presented on 10th June in the Caledonia GC. In 2nd place was Aaron Sweeney with a total of 224.

CSS for the Hogan Trophy was 79 (Reduction Only)

Gents Links

Leading scores for the Championship Course 2nd qualifying round

A Sweeney 69, D Elder 72, K Harper 77. CSS 75

Ladies Links

Final Friday 10th June

F Gilbert bt F Millar 3&2

Semi Finals Wed 8th June

Ladies Links-Championship Course

F Millar bt C Penman 1 up

F Gilbert bt L Fenton 1 up

Rosebowl-Burnside

Final Friday 10th June

M Brown bt P Sawers 3&2

Rosebowl Semi Finals

P Sawers bt A Leiper at 19th

M Brown bt S Sneddon 1 up

Quarter Finals-Wed 25th May

Championship Course

C Penman bt C Robertson 7&6

F Millar bt K Reid w/o

L Fenton bt F Blair 3&1

F Gilbert bt J Meek 1up

Rosebowl-Burnside (full handicap difference and any extra holes are on a sudden death basis with strokes applying again)

P Sawers bt J Clark 2&1

A Leiper bt C Healey 1 up

M Brown bt Y Heap w/o

S Sneddon bt C Orr 7&6

No photos this week as my camera has bitten the dust hopefully have another one next week.

Friday 3rd June

2011-06-03T03:21:00.003-05:00

Another great day on the links.

Yesterday, temperatures reached 23 degrees and today looks like its heading that was a well.

On Wednesday, Bob Taylor visited Carnoustie for an environmental course walk.

Bob Taylor is recognised as the most experienced consultant dealing with all aspects of ecological and environmental management on golf courses. Today he was working on behalf of the Rand A.

More turf was put down at the Pro Centre.

Great effort from all the guys especially turfing up the hill, which can be sore on the back of the legs. Next stage is to plant a mixture of marram and buck thorn on the banks to stop people climbing up the slopes.

No hanging about here!

Tuesday 31st May

2011-05-31T02:32:00.003-05:00

Sunday afternoon saw the strong winds return. Another 3 flags broken at 14th, 15th and 1st.

Monday, it was back to shaping up windblown bunkers. Greens cut with triples and rolled behind as we had the Links Championship Qualifying 2nd round.

Today, a post had to be taken out of the practice putting green to let the sprayer in. We cant get in our normal way due to works on the Pro Centre.

Greens rollled with the graden today not cut and selectively sprayed behind for pearlwort.

Other jobs today were turfing at the Pro Centre and

top-dressing newly turfed fairway turf.

Sunday 29th May

2011-05-29T02:31:00.002-05:00

My turn to work this weekend, both days greens were cut, bunkers raked and markers moved.

Back to during the week, after the winds there was a lot of re-shaping bunkers and

a mini granular organic feed (5:2:8) was applied to the greens

Tees were sprayed with wetting agent and watered in.

A few weeks ago we cored and seeded weak walk off areas around the greens, here is the seed starting to come through.

NPORS Operator cards came through the post this week for the guys who have just completed tractor/forklift/digger training.

Have you seen these men?

0800 555 111

Crimestoppers

Tuesday 24th May

2011-05-24T07:33:00.004-05:00

Well, that was some wind yesterday and today is not much different. Over the three courses a few trees and a lot of branches were blown down.

On the course, we left the greens and had a big squad concentrating on blowing and cutting bunker faces and sorting out any wind blow.

Fencing at the Pro Centre and tall flags at the 14th and 15th were also victims of the 80/90 MPH winds.

One guy who was up early to avoid the winds was Mr Heron, a little bite for breakfast then off home!

Dangerous Jimmy causing more damage than the wind!!

The new Tea Hut is almost ready for trade.

Another job for the greenstaff is to re-turf around this area.

Today, greens and approaches/surrounds were cut and mid morning we were down at the Pro Centre preparing the ground for turf.

First load of turf arrives tomorrow morning.

Thursday 19th May

2011-05-19T02:41:00.000-05:00

LINKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT FOR APRIL 2011

WEATHER

April was a much drier month then normal with a total rainfall of only 7 mm. Winds were generally light, westerly until the last few days of the month when an easterly flow prevailed. Average noon temperature was 13° C which is near normal, although a couple of degrees higher than in recent years. The clement weather provided no interruptions to maintenance procedures on the course whilst it also resulted in a greater need for irrigation than normal for the month of April.

WORK ON THE LINKS

Championship Course

Aeration

Hydroject aeration involved greens, newer tees, high spots on fairways as well as traffic routes during the month. Low sections on the 7th, 11th and 14th fairways were deep hollow tined and back filled with dry sand. New turf on the 3rd and 11th fairways was tined and top dressed.

Top Dressing

Greens, approaches and tees were top dressed during the month as were the fairway extensions on the 1st, 4th and 6th holes and new turf on the 1st, 3rd, 11th, 17th and 18th holes. Turf joins in returfed areas on the 16th and 18th holes were also top dressed.

Spring Fertiliser

Greens, approaches and surrounds along with teeing grounds received a spring fertiliser comprising the usual nutrients. Greens were treated with a light organic liquid feed earlier in the month, while fairways were sprayed with a liquid nitrogen and liquid iron mixture. Walkways and other trafficked areas were sprayed with a mixture of nitrogen, potash and manganese. A spring fertiliser (14-0-10) along with a wetting agent was applied to the previously seeded-out rough between the 1st and 18th holes and the new turf on the right hand side of the 1st and the left hand side of the 3rd hole was dressed with an 8-0-0 turf tonic. Areas previously treated with the ryegrass control product ‘Rescue’ received the organic based fertiliser TX10.

Turf Nursery

The stripped turf nursery next to the lake at the practice ground was re-stocked with fescue turf from ‘Inturf’ as was the northern section of the ‘greens’ nursery adjacent to the 12th hole.

Conditioner Treatment

Greens, approaches and some newer tees, including ‘Hogan’ tees, as well as new turfed areas on the 3rd, 11th, 17th and 18th fairways all received wetting agent treatment during April as required, in certain cases with liquid nitrogen added. Greens were sprayed with a water conditioner in the latter half of the month, mainly to counter the alkalinity of the bore hole water in use in the dry spell of weather. An initial spray of a Primo-Maxx and micro-nutrient, top growth control programme was carried out to greens at the end of the month.

Local Overseeding

The fairway extension areas of the left hand side of the 1st, 4th and 6th holes were verti-seeded with the usual fairway fescue mix in the middle of the month. A few other local areas were hollow tined, seeded and top dressed also.

Weedkilling

Selective weedkilling application commenced towards the end of the month with spot treatment to the fairways and white tees. Growth retardant was applied in the rough around the trees to the left of the 10th hole whilst total weedkiller was used around the Starters’ Box area.

Mowing / Rolling / Brushing

Mowing frequencies increased through the month along with a gradual lowering of cutting heights on greens in between the various other maintenance treatments. Greens rolling and brushing was carried out in conjunction where deemed appropriate and hand mowing took place as the situation arose. Greens were lightly verti-cut at the end of the month, and the usual strimming work was also underway during April.

Irrigation

The dry, relatively mild conditions necessitated irrigation particularly to re-turfed areas as well as main playing surfaces especially in the latter half of the month. Hand watering was common in conjunction with overnight automatic irrigation. Sprinkler repairs and decoder replacements were carried out as required by the irrigation engineer and new trainee, Duncan Cairnie. Drinking fountains were brought into operation along with pipework adjustments outside the new refreshment shop. Fibre optic conduit pipe was also pulled in as required to link the new service supply at the east end of the Public Putting Green to the Burnside Starters’ Box.

Barenbrug Seminar

The green staff attended a seminar arranged by Barenbrug, the Dutch seed breeder, held in the Carnoustie Hotel on the 14th of the month which was most informative.

Burnside Course

Minor Repairs

A few minor repairs were finished off early in the month including a flood damaged area adjacent to the 4th tee and rabbit scrapes generally.

Aeration

Aeration work focussed on verti draining walkways, weaker areas and sections of previous flood damage. Sections on the 14th and 18th greens were mini-tined near the end of the month.

Fertiliser

Spring fertiliser was applied to greens, approaches and teeing grounds as well as re-turfed areas and weaker sections in roughs. Green walk offs and tee to fairway walkways were treated as required as was the previously seeded area to the right of the 10th hole.

Top Dressing

Greens and approaches were top dressed in the first half of the month along with the
re-turfed 13th fairway area and 15th rear tee. Bunker heads were also top dressed as was the matting leading up to the 15th tee, which included rubber crumb.

Conditioner Treatment

The wetting agent ‘Revolution’ was applied to greens as part of the monthly programme. Seaweed liquid was also applied to greens and approaches while ‘Osprey’ wetting agent granules were applied to bunker heads.

Overseeding / Planting

Overseeding was carried out on the 4th winter tee and a few other worn areas. Marram grass was planted on the 15th tee bank following the removal of the grow covers.

Irrigation

Overnight watering and local hand watering was carried out as required, similar to the other courses. Greenside sprinklers were trimmed round and low ones raised accordingly.

Mowing / Rolling / Brushing

Greens were rolled and brushed in conjunction with mowing, which increased in frequency during the month. Roughs were also brushed and mown and greens were verti-cut at the end of the month.

Buddon Links Course

Aeration

Solid tine aeration was carried out on greens and the 6th, 7th, 9th and 14th fairways by way of verti-drain and Toro Procore equipment. Green approaches were also pencil tined.

3rd / 18th Tees

Pathways to this tee development were completed and surfaced with road metal and quarry dust whilst bankings were turf revetted as required. Mounding was formed to close off the existing rear exit from the 17th green followed by seeding out and some marram grass planting. Grow covers were placed on the high north facing bank.

Spring Fertiliser

Spring fertiliser was applied to greens, tees and approaches in the usual manner. Previously re-turfed fairways were fertilised (6, 7, 9, 14). Greens were sprayed earlier in the month with a liquid nitrogen and iron mixture. The organic fertiliser TX10 was used on walkways around greens and new turf areas.

Top Dressing

Top dressing was carried out on greens, approaches, all new turf areas and the practice tee.

Minor Turf Repairs

Turf repairs were carried out behind the 17th green, adjacent to the 6th tees and on the rear of the 2nd tee following diesel spillage from the Senior Open which necessitated root zone removal as well.

Conditioner Treatment

Liquid seaweed was sprayed on greens in addition to the monthly application of wetting agent.

Overseeding

Overseeding was carried out on the 5th, 9th, 10th and 17th greens, following solid tining to one half of each green, completed with top dressing, brushing and rolling. Certain smaller thin areas from previous ‘Rescue’ treatment were also seeded following hand forking to create surface openings.

Mowing

Mowing progressed as per the other courses with greens verti cutting, carried out selectively i.e. 1st, 18th, 7th, 8th and 15th initially. Fairways were brushed prior to mowing and roughs cut as required.

Bunker Maintenance

Bunker maintenance was carried out as normal, including sand shaping and face blowing. Relaid turf around bunkers was hand watered as required.

Consultants’ Visit

Mr R Taylor, Mr M Ebert and Mr J Koster carried out a full day visit on the 20th of the month as arranged covering the area of the two new proposed holes including the practice ground. Relevant reports are forthcoming. Test holes at the practice ground were filled in thereafter.

Environmental Work

Environmental work was again limited during April although some young gorse bushes were planted in the carry from the 9th Championship tee. The burn wall was hand cleared of moss and weed in several areas whilst the unsupported grass banking on the 3rd and 4th holes of the Burnside Course was strimmed. The trees planted to the right of the 13th hole on the Buddon Course were also strimmed around at the end of the month. The pile of chippings in this area was removed to the main courses material arisings stock pile.

Operator Training

Mr N Christie, our provider of N.P.O.R.S. certification training (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme), carried out the necessary safety awareness and digger operational skills training and testing for successful candidates, M Reynolds, A Pickard and C Salvin. We now have 17 staff members certificated operators of our two 180° diggers and fork lift.

John S Philp
Links Superintendent

Monday 9th May

2011-05-09T07:22:00.002-05:00

The calm after the storm. I'll start off with an apology, i did n't wish for that much rain, honestly!!

Over the weekend we had just under 50mm of rain, this was enough to close the Burnside on the Sunday morning.

Today, greens were hand cut and rolled. Holes changed, bunkers raked and tee markers moved.

Fairway were also cut.

A good few bunkers have water in them from the rain and this was another job for the guys to tackle today.

Sad news at the weekend was the death of Seve Ballesteros.

Seve, started his dream of playing in The Open in 1975 at Carnoustie and in 2007 he was back to where it had started to announce his retirement.

Me with Seve at 1999 Open.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seve_Ballesteros

Thursday 6th May

2011-05-06T06:49:00.004-05:00

Well, the rain we hoped for arrived last night.

Back to yesterday, hand watering on the course on-going, fairways cut and greens rolled.

Dry weather allowed us to mini core weak areas around greens.

These areas were then applied with fescue seed, seaweed and rubber crumb. The application is then raked in using an old style bunker rake and rolled behind.
The rubber crumb acts like a cushion as it settles round the crown of the plant and drops into the tine holes. This relief of compaction and reduced surface hardness not only saves the grass but helps in keeping walk off areas strong and playable.

http://www.tebbuttassociates.co.uk/crown3.html

Our seasonal staff for this year are :

Garry, Kevin and Michael (who is here for only 6 weeks).

Today, 1st and 11th greens were pencil tined and sprayed with a liquid soil catalyst. These are two of the weaker greens.

Greens hand cut at 4.25mm.

This weekend is the turn of Carnoustie and Dalhousie Golf Clubs for their Spring Meetings.

http://www.carnoustiegolfclub.com/

http://www.dalhousie.co.uk/

George looking for litter!!!

Big marquee at the Caledonia Golf Club, who are hosting a wedding for the first time today.

Forgot to mention last week that all the greenkeepers wish Caddymaster Martin Roy a speedy recovery. I am sure he will be back with us in no time at all.

Wednesday 4th May

2011-05-04T07:53:00.003-05:00

Another week of glorious weather so far.

On Monday, i had a chance to have a look how building work was getting on in the new Pro Centre. Above the main entrance.

Left - Pro Shop Right - Main receptoion area.

Out on the course greens were hand cut Monday/Wednesday(today) at 4.25mm and rolled yesterday with the Graden rollers.

A few boys were out hand watering around the greens and newly turfed areas.

A start was made to weed-killing fairways.

Sandy stimping the greens.

http://www.biggacentralsection.org.uk/articles/The%20Stimpmeter%20isn't%20Everything.pdf

Good article.

This morning, a touch of frost halted things for a short spell.

Once the frost lifted holes were changed, greens cut,

tees cut

and walkways were fed with an organic based compound fertiliser.

Rain forecast for the next two days.

Sunday 1st May

2011-05-01T03:15:00.002-05:00

This weekend brings the first of the spring meetings ( Caledonia, Mercantile and New Taymouth Clubs) and my first weekend rota of the summer season.

Greens were cut on Saturday and rolled today.

At the weekend we also move the tee positions and rake all the bunkers.

Websites for clubs below:

http://www.carnoustiecaledonia.co.uk/

The New Taymouth Club also run from the Caledonia clubhouse now.

http://www.carnoustie-mercantile.co.uk/

Thursday 28th April

2011-04-28T08:56:00.009-05:00

What a rare spell of weather we are having right now, is it wrong to hope for a day of rain!!

This week greens were brushed and double cut ahead of homemade feedmix being applied.

Homemade mix which included dried blood, hoof and horn, sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of iron was put out by hand and switched in after it was spread.

Oops, how did that photo get in there?

Hopefully, Dunfermline will secure the league this weekend.

Swans making a nest at the 11th tee.

Very heavy dew every morning this week so we have been out with the dewies before we cut.

There was even a touch of frost this week.

Semi rough being cut and feathering around the course took place.

Fairway and Rough Technicians (F.A.R.T) take care of the divot damage,

after the fairways are cut.

The tea hut is nearer completion.

After the feed this week, we have been cutting with the boxes off to ensure that any feed thats on the surface is put back in.

What is Dangerous Jimmy up to now another invention!!

Another busy week in the workshop, playing hide and seek and fixing ladies buggies.

John (MBE) has been away for most of the week as he is taking part in The Royal Wedding, he has been keeping a video diary and sent up footage of the dress rehersal.

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/Kav0FEhtLug

Friday 15th April

2011-04-15T05:06:00.004-05:00

Busy Busy Busy

We'll start off the blog with a Congratulations to Sandy Reid and his wife Catherine on the safe arrival of Harriet Jean ( 8lbs 5oz ) on Thursday past. Sleepless nights to look forward to!!

On the course, weather has been good with plenty of heat helping the grasses to grow.

Jobs on the course included keeping on top of growth in the way of cuttings tees, surrounds, fairways and greens. A light top-dressing was applied to the greens on the Monday.

A mole pops up to see how we are getting on.

Three lorry loads of turf have been brought in from Inturf to fill up our nurseries for next winter.

Chris tries to keep his eye on the job.

Dangerous Jimmy still up to no good.

Carnoustie Golf Links staff are proud to hand out another couple of cheques this week from the staff charity fund.

First cheque of £400 to Commando 999 www.commando999.com .

The second cheque of £1000 to Help Ayley and Chloe Walk Fund http://www.facebook.com/helpayleyandchloewalk.

Since the staff charity started in 2002 we have raised over £20,000 pounds for local Charities £22,647 to be exact.

2011-04-01T09:18:00.003-05:00

I was down at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

How bloody green is that, must have had an early false spring this year!!

Back on the course, greens had a light dusting of top-dressing and newly turfed areas were midi-tined.

Replacement of a cracked pipe at the 9th/12th

Low fairway areas were deep cored with the verti-drained and hand filled with sand.

Only one week in and a chunk out of one of the greens.

Greens hydro-jected with seaweed added in.

Divot team are back 5 men with a combined age of 634

Sad news as Stuart leaves the Championship and moves to the Buddon, we ll miss his squint lines on the greens.

Friday 25th March 2011

2011-03-25T09:34:00.004-05:00

Start of the season today.

All the summer course furniture put out: boxes/tee markers, benches, flags, new hole cups, etc.

Bunkers raked, holes changed, surounds and approaches cut.

Greens hand cut.

http://www.guideandgazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/life_saving_device_donated_in_memory_of_david_1_1537452