Here is our latest golf course update from Nathan Cooke, Course Manager at Tilgate Forest Golf Centre.
After what has been an incredibly wet winter, we are optimistic that better weather is now with us to stay! The persistent rainfall has delayed some of our winter projects however we have taken the opportunity where we can to make improvements around the golf course.
I really appreciate your understanding over the winter months and the closures we have faced, which most importantly protects playing surfaces. We are confident the greens will be in great shape for the season ahead.
Here is an update on some of the work we have recently done around the course and our plans for the next few weeks:
For 3 weeks in February we had a tracked chipper onsite so Callum and Jason were able to make some brilliant progress on certain areas of the course with reducing overgrown foliage. The work will hopefully help speed up play where less time is spent searching for golf balls. It has also helped us locate drainage ditches and increase airflow which helps the turf dry faster during wetter periods and in turn improve health. The photos below show an example of the improvements on the right hand side of the 6th hole.
During the short window of dryer weather we had just before Easter, we were able to apply a Spring Feed, Iron, a Wetting Agent and Phosphates. The timing of this was important before the rain returned over the Bank Holiday weekend. This will help with the greens fighting disease and importantly show signs of healthy growth.
Looking further ahead we are planning our greens renovations commencing 29th April. This will include hollow coring, top dressing and depending on weather conditions we hope to complete a scarify and verti-cut as well. The timing of this is later than originally planned, however carrying out this work further into Spring (with higher temperatures) will help speed up recovery. It’s really important we aerate the soil during these periods as this is key to the greens maintaining their health going forward.
From May, we are also planning on introducing a thatch eater product which will be applied on a monthly basis. As well as the standard greens maintenance, this will also help break down the thatch below the greens surface, and in turn boost soil health and drainage.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience through what has been a very challenging winter for the team here at Tilgate Forest. We’re doing everything in our control to get the course back in seasonal condition as quickly as possible so most importantly you can enjoy this fabulous tree lined golf course!
As always, the team and I welcome your feedback so if you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to email tilgate@glendalegolf.co.uk
