Auchterader Golf Club

Golf Course Update - in order to keep members fully updated of developments on the golf course, we will be distributing a course update following every Committee Meeting.

Course Update - MAY 2025

After a reasonable start to the year weather wise, this has continued through the spring period with some prolonged dry spells. March had a total of 61mm of rainfall with almost half of that falling in one night.
We had zero rainfall for the first 14 days of April then 34mm, nearly the full months total, in a 6 day period.
This has continued into May with zero rainfall this month so far (at time of writing) and none in the immediate forecast, meaning we have had only 2mm since the 20th of April!
With this dry weather the irrigation system has been utilised almost every day and moisture levels monitored regularly to make sure we keep to the desired levels.
Some cold frosty mornings along with some drying winds made for some slow growth at times but things have kicked on more recently.
Looking quickly we have had 8 continuous months below average rainfall, with May also on course to be below,  I’m not sure when the last time that happened was!

Greens

• Mowing heights gradually reduced to current height of 3.75mm
• Rolling frequency has increased and allowed us to achieve smoother faster surfaces
• Spraying has moved over to our summer program, with wetting agent, plant growth regulator, liquid fertiliser, micronutrients and fungicides applied according to plan
• A spring starter (10-4-4) fertiliser was applied at the end of march to promote some stronger growth leading into the season opening days
• All recent aeration work has been carried out using our PlanetAir machine, which uses slit tines to relieve soil compaction and improve water, air and nutrient penetration with very little disruption to the playing surface

• 3 more applications of topdressing sand have been applied since the last report bringing the yearly total to approx. 53 tonnes of sand. We will continue to apply regular light dustings throughout the season
• We have recently carried out our first verti-cut of the season and will carry this on regulary, usually before our light topdressing dustings. This will help reduce thatch build up, reduce grain and promote smoother, cleaner and faster surfaces
• The new 11th green opened on the 13th of April and has performed very well so far. Height of cut is marginally higher than the other greens just now to reduce stress until the turf has fully established and acclimatised to its new ground conditions.

Tees & Approaches

• Mowing frequency has increased considerably with both areas currently being mown at least twice per week, height remains @ 8mm with triple mower
• Tees and approaches both aerated with 19mm solid tines
• Both areas have had the same 10-4-4 spring starter fertiliser as the greens applied mid-June to promote some stronger growth
• Both areas scarified to remove thatch build up, enhance surface drainage and aeration and promote deeper rooting
• Topdressing applications have started and will continue through the next few weeks
• The lower height of cut we introduced on green surrounds last year will be re-introduced in the coming weeks
• Daily divot patching of tees carried out

Fairways, Intermediate & Semi-Rough

• Fairway mowing carried out twice weekly @11mm height of cut
• Intermediate mowing also twice weekly @ 19mm
• Semi-rough mowing carried out once per week
• Fairways and Intermediate have both been sprayed twice with urea, ferrous sulphate and ammonium sulphate with a PGR also added into the second application to regulate growth
• All areas blown regularly over the period to remove leaves and debris
• Some scarifying work is planned for the fairways at 7 and 11, with conditions so dry this will be delayed until there is some moisture in the ground

Bunkers & Paths

• Bunkers raked daily with spring rakes
• All bunkers were relevelled, this will be done again in the coming days
• All bunkers were edged with a reciprocator at the start of the season
• We are aware that most bunkers require sand and levels will be topped up imminently
• Bunker banks fly mowed and strimmed every second week
• Some bunker banks have been sprayed with selective weedkiller
• Paths have been blown and tidied regularly
• Most main areas have had weeds removed this week and this will be ongoing
• Potholes will be fixed and levelled and blaize added

Miscellaneous

• The irrigation system was switched back on mid-March and as mentioned above has been utilised daily. We had an issue with one of the pumps which had a faulty control box, this has now been replaced and we are back running at full capacity.
• The on-course toilets re-opened mid-March with a slight delay due to a minor leak
• The new 11th green has established well and the fairway bunker is also now in play after being slightly behind the green complex work. Extra nutrients have been applied to these areas and moisture levels monitored closely. Height of cut on the green has come down gradually and this will continue until it matches the others
• Work has started on the flower beds around the course and more will be done as time permits
• Some divoting work on fairways will be carried out shortly possibly requiring a team of volunteers, if so, more info will be available in due course

We have had a very strong start to the season with the good weather allowing us to achieve quicker results than in previous wetter years. Long may this continue.
Feedback has been very positive from members, outing parties and individual visitors. Work will continue to improve the weaker areas with the green-staff fully invested in producing the best product we can.
Hopefully everyone is enjoying the current conditions and good luck to all for the summer golfing season.

Some new photos of the 11th below.

Shaun McNaughton