Bunker damage due to severe rains.

This damage in these bunkers is due to some heavy rainfall that the course experienced (48mm in 24 hours)

Verti-drain fairways

Evidence of blocked nozzles during iron application

Although not entirely visible, there is evidence of lighter areas on the fairways after an iron application using a boom sprayer. Given that the product was applied chiefly for aesthetic reasons, it is fortunate that no harm was done.

This does however highlight the need to regulary check nozzles between different holes one the course. This includes fairways, greens, aprons and tees, or any other areas for that matter.

Flowerbed edging

The lawn at the edge of the flowerbeds directly outside the clubhouse dining area was rather overgrown. Although, there are gardeners that are contracted to maintain these beds, they seem to do the bare minimum. Given that there are so many things that a head greenkeeper is responsible for, it might be a good idea to create a master list of tasks, each associated to particular areas (if necessary). From this list, it will be possible for the head greenkeeper to either allocate individual tasks or possibly even responsibility of specific areas or groups of tasks to certain staff members.

 

OPM Removal

In London, and some surrounding areas there is an insect called the oak processionary moth and at a certain stage in its lifecycle it becomes a hairy caterpillar. These hairs are fairly long and can become airborne and if contact is made, they have the ability to cause alergic responses in certain people. This means that in some cases, the nests of these will need to be manually removed.

This should be done using an industrial vacuum cleaner, a portable blow-torch and the correct PPE including nitrile gloves, coveralls and a facemask.

The procedure includes, vacuuming the nest and all its contents (usually caterpillars), then using the blowtorck to burn off any remains of the nest. The contents of the vacuum bag at the end of the activity should then be incenerated. 

This seems a very inhumane way of dealing with unsuspecting creatures, however these were my instructions. Perhaps another option would be to relocate them, but perhaps the would then pose a risk to other people.

One thing to note, is that when in the process of vacuuming up the nests, the operative should always look up the tree to see if there is a risk of any travelling caterpillars falling, and if so he/she should be weary of this.

Slit-seeding a fairway with sparse growth due to worm cast's created over winter

OPM spotted on the course