Course closure update.

Update on course closure.

The continued wet weather has, in no doubt, tested the patience of both the golfers and greenkeepers in most parts of the country in recent weeks. With one of the wettest winters on record, we are in a state of saturation (when the soils are full of water) in most areas on the golf course.

This has meant it has restricted the amount of work being achieved out on the course. Not only has it restricted some maintenance regimes but it has put a stop or hold to any winter works, such as bunker, tees, greens and path construction works.

The wet weather has culminated in us having to close, with no golf being played due to wet and waterlogged greens and fairways and walkways.

It is  just a case of waiting for the course to dry out naturally and being patient.

Although some areas on the course are drying, the majority is still saturated again leaving them prone to flooding and lying wet, keeping play off surfaces until they are again playable is very important.

We have reduced vehicle movement around the course, especially when ground conditions are wet and saturated. Working on and in wet conditions will, and can, do untold damage to grass surfaces.

When play is again possible we need to control the amount of golf buggy and trolley movement with carrying only being the preferred option, or restrict them to designated paths to reduce unwanted wear and tear and serious damage which with close to freezing temperatures will offer no recovery before the major competitions, we must realise the importance of not damaging the course prior to these events.

We have been carrying out aeration where possible to provide a suitable environment for plant growth.  

The correct balance of these components is critical for sustaining healthy plant growth. The spaces between the particles of solid material are just as important to the nature of soil, as are the solids themselves. It is in these pore spaces which create the environment for the plant to obtain the necessary nutrients, air and water it requires to respire and grow.

 These pore spaces can vary in size and are generally classified into two sizes - macro pores (larger than 0.08mm) and micro pores (less than 0.08mm). Macro pores generally allow movement of air and the drainage of water, and are large enough to accommodate plant roots and micro-organisms found in the soil. The ability to retain a good balance of macro pores in soil structure is essential for maintaining grass plant health. It is when these macro pores are either reduced in size, or filled with water, that we see deterioration in surface playability and resistance to wear.

The main contributing factor that reduces and damages pore spaces in soil is compaction, typically caused by compression forces normally associated with play and use of machinery, particularly during wet weather periods. Over time, these compression forces reduce the pore spaces so that air, water and nutrient flow through the soil profile is restricted, and leads to the many problems associated with compaction.

Compacted or sealed surfaces can also promote anaerobic soil conditions that, once formed, reduce root growth and restrict microbial activity.

The above conditions will adversely affect a surfaces performance in many ways, such as ball bounce, ball roll, reduced ball speed, player welfare and, in the long term, damage the soil structure.

The major concern also is that we can also lose grass cover down to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). When a rootzone becomes saturated it contains less oxygen because water is filling some of the pore space normally occupied by air. If this water-logging continues whilst temperatures are mild enough for the grass plant to continue growing (as they typically are in our mild autumn periods now) the process of grass growth will further compound the problem. If you look at how a grass plant produces energy it breaks down carbohydrate molecules manufactured by photosynthesis, utilising oxygen as it does so and producing CO2 (Carbon Dioxide).

So if we have a rootzone that contains low soil oxygen because it is saturated with water and the grass plant continues growing, it will deplete the soil oxygen level and increase the soil carbon dioxide level. If uncorrected this leads to plant death.

So where are we now? Unfortunately totally unplayable at the moment.

We will see progress I hope in these next few days in the reduction in the water table I hope but before any play is possible these playing surfaces must be allowed to dry out properly reducing the risk of damage and compromising the condition of the golf course for this season which is a very important year for us.

 1^st green surrounds,saturated!

2nd walkway

2nd appraoch

 4^th walkway, totally unpassable.

cant get off the 5th tee

7th fairway

 The impassable 9th walkway

The 10th walkway

The start of the 10th fairway!

The 11th walkway, thats a hand wheel mower mark, imagine 100's trolleys and golfers through that area, mudbath!

The 12/13 th walkway, unpasssable!

The pumping from12th/13 tee area

the very wet 13 th walkway

13th fairway

14 green to 15 tee walkway

15th walkway

16th fairway

17th fairway

18th hole

 As you can see the golf course is in an unplayable condition, the Links Team have been working hard to pump,keep drainage clear and aerate wherever we can.

What must be noted though is that this is a water table issue now and we must wait for this to lower, all the drainage is working well. It is also simply the volume of water that is in the ditches that we must also be patient with.

We aim to get the golf course back open as soon as possible but as I noted earlier that we must only open when the saturated ground conditions have gone so we do not damage the playing surfaces and risk compromising the condition of the golf course for the year ahead.

Your patience, cooperation and understanding is greatfuly appreciated.

Rhys Butler, Links Manager, Royal St David’s Golf Club.