Fexco Easter Hamper – Sunday 25th March 2012 CSS: 72
1st – Adrienne O’Sullivan (32) – 71
2nd – Gillian Mangan (27) – 72
3rd – Eileen Breen (18) – 72
Cat A – Joan Harmon (12) – 72
Cat B – Margaret O’Donoghue (20) – 73
Cat C – Betty Jo Dennehy (28) – 73
Fixtures: 8th April Ruby’s Singles open timesheet in bar
9th April Invitation mixed foursomes timesheet in bar
Club Fourball 24th / 25th March 2012
1st – Edward Deniel (13) / Yves Deniel (18) – 49 pts
Next Sunday 1st April – 3 man team invitational Best 2 scores at each hole – non-members € 25.00 (€20.00 green fee and €5.00 competition fee) to be paid in the pro shop
Dooks Mens Golf
Results – Bianconi Spring League – Sunday 18th March 2012
Winners Team H: Mike McGillycuddy, Enda Curtayne, John Cahillane, John Galvin, John Breen & Chris Galvin
2nd Team M: James Long, John Long, Joe Long, Kieran Foley, John B Dowling & Garry Long
3rd Team K: John Houlihan, Pat Bowler, Ed Horan, Tom Pickersgill, Pat Healy & Pat O’Riordan
4th Team B: David Marmion, Peter McLaughlin, Vincent Devlin, Pat O’Neill, Fergus O’Connor & Jim Guirey
Singles Sweep: Winner Chris O’Riordan (10) – 40 pts.
Fixtures: Sunday 25th March 4ball
Cromane Seafood 4ball - Sunday 8th April - Timesheet in shop from Sunday 25th March.
Fexco Killarney Exchange Sunday 15th April Online Timesheet is now open.
Ladies
Beauty Within – 18th March 2012
1st – Kathleen Woods (26) – 37 pts.
2nd – Adrienne O’Sullivan (32) – 36 pts.
3rd – Catherine Doyle (11) – 36 pts.
Cat A – Maura Shanahan (15) – 33 pts.
Cat B – Brenda Brick (22) – 35 pts.
Cat C – Ciara O’Sullivan (32) – 35 pts.
Fixtures: Sunday 25th Fexco Easter Hamper GOY
Presentations to date at 5.30 p.m. on 25th March.
Mixed Foursomes – Saturday 17th and Monday 19th March 2012
1st – Diarmuid Murphy (15) / Clare Lyons (35) – 46 pts.
2nd – Leon Seidler (24) / Ciara O’Sullivan (32) – 42 pts.
Best Sat: Pat Bowler (15) / Nollaig Kelly (24) – 39 pts.
Best Mon: Shane O’Sullivan (15) / Shivaun Shanahan (23) – 36 pts.
Greens
The greens I believe have wintered well and are in good shape coming into the spring. This is pleasing especially after the wet winter and increase in golfing numbers on the course. It is evidence that the overseeding programme is working well and the influx of the finer grasses is still increasing throughout the greens. Over the last couple of weeks the greens have been overseeded and sanded during the milder dry weather. The sand topdressing was applied heavier than normal. This is done so as to give us a good starting base and will allow future dressings to be lighter and more frequent. Again, because of the milder weather, it has allowed us to carry out the maintenance earlier in the growing season which will help in getting better putting surfaces earlier in the playing season. Why do we sand? Sanding is an important part of our maintenance because it helps to make our greens smoother, prevents the build up thatch and keeps our greens firmer. Why overseed? As it is our policy to keep the course as close to links as possible our aim is to have a more dominant species of finer grasses that will help to provide better and more sustainable surfaces in our environment.
The height of cut on the greens is presently at 6.5mm. This will be lowered gradually as both the weather and the growth improve. The frequency of cut will also increase. Over the next week or so we will begin a wetting agent programme. This will continue at monthly intervals throughout the growing season up until October. A wetting agent is a substance which works in two ways. It is a penetrant that allows water to enter into the putting surface and helps to retain a certain amount of moisture. This is important so as not to allow the root zones become hydrophobic during dry, windy periods.
Approximately 10-14 days after the overseeding a granular fertiliser 4-3-4 will be applied to the greens. This is done as a base feed and also to help the germination and establishment of the young seedlings. The greens will receive foliar applications of sulphate of Ammonia and seaweed throughout the season when required aiming for about 5g/m2 of nitrogen over the year.
The greens have been solid tined twice since Christmas. This will be done again in April with ½ inch tines to a depth of 8 inches approximately. This is done so as to relieve compaction, aerate roots, allow moisture into the root zone and prevent greens becoming too firm and inhibit the development of any black layer into the root zone.
The greens will be hand weeded over the season frequently so as to prevent the invasion of weeds. By hand weeding, it prevents the use of herbicide on greens. The use of herbicides can under the wrong environment conditions have an adverse affect on the health of the grass plant put it under stress.
The holes will be changed as required and again will become more frequent as the number of golfers and competitions increase.
The repair of pitch marks continues to be a problem, but hopefully with the addition of extra signs golfers will begin to learn the importance of this procedure in helping to maintain better putting surfaces in Dooks. The greens will be ironed using the Thru Turf Iron as required to keep surfaces smooth especially during the different growth periods of the different grass species.
Tees
Over the last few weeks the tees have been sanded so as to allow to keep the thatch levels low and to dilute any debris on the surface and to help the surfaces level and firm. The tees will get another sanding over the next few weeks once growth increases. The tees have been spiked with ½ inch tines and this will be done again over the next couple of months. The tees will be assessed and worn areas will be overseeded and the other tees will be done as markers will be moved back onto the main tees.
A spring granular fertiliser will be applied, a 6-2-8 compound, to the tees. This will be followed up with foliar applications throughout the season when required.
Before the main season commences, the tees will be squared off and reshaped. The tee markers and posts will be cleaned and freshened up. Divot boxes put out on the par 3 tees.
The markers will be moved daily and broken tees picked up. The tees will be cut as required with the frequency increasing as growth increases.
Fairways
The fairways, like the greens, have come through the winter very well. The introduction of the finer grasses and having new, fresh seedlings will be of great help to the course. All the fairways have been vertidrained using ¾ inch solid tines. This is done so as to relieve compaction, increase root growth and improve drainage.
All the fairways have been overseeded with fescue seed using the slit seeder in two directions. Fairways 1, 2, part 7 and 12 received a herbicide rescue last Autumn. This herbicide was used so as to remove the undesirable rye grass species. These fairways received extra overseeding and topdressing using the dimple seeder.
Due to time and staff levels, only certain parts of fairways received sanding. We concentrated on the wetter parts of fairways 2, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. Because of the higher amounts of thatch and organic matter, these fairways are more susceptible to moisture retention therefore making them more favourable to the undesirable weeds and grasses. If time and weather allow, it is hoped to do more of the same. The fairways will receive an application of 7-6-17 fertiliser as soon as the weather becomes more favourable. This again will benefit the overseeding and help to thicken out the sward density of the fairways.
All distance markers have been repainted over the last couple of weeks. It is hoped to be back on full fairways over the next couple of weeks once the seed lines have knitted in sufficiently.
Fairways (contd)
Again, the use of mats and dropping to the side has been a great help in the condition of the fairways coming into the spring.
Once the fairways are back in play they will be required to be divotted regularly. During the month of May or earlier if environmental conditions allow all fairways will be spot treated with an herbicide. Fairway 6 (part of) and 10 will require a full blanket of herbicide as there is evidence of an infestation of chickweed.
An application of wetting agent will be applied to certain parts of fairways that are prone to drying out. The fairways will be cut as required at a height of approximately 14mm. Again, the frequency will be determined by growth levels.
Aprons
The aprons are the areas around the green. Where possible, the maintenance programme for the greens will be carried out onto these areas. Again, some of these areas have been spiked, seeded and sanded. This will continue over the next couple of weeks as weather allows. The aprons will then receive a light application of 6-2-8 granular fertilizer. The height of cut will be lowered to approximately 10-12mm. These areas will all receive an application of wetting agent where and when it is required. The will receive a light dressing of sand at monthly intervals over the growing season. With the help of new, smaller signs, it is hoped to manage traffic routes around the green complexes. All temporary fencing will be taken down as the main season begins. We will continue to also keep using white lines in helping to keep and manage traffic routes away from the green complexes.
Pathways
The grass pathways have been overseeded over the last few weeks. We will continue this over the next few weeks where it is required. These areas have been roped off and rested to allow germination and recovery. We will remove the fencing as they recover and be back on the paths as soon as possible in time for the main season. The hard surfaced pathways will be freshened up over the next few weeks. Potholes filled, weeded and edged. We plan over the next couple of months to resurface the pathways at the first. At present, it has become unsightly. This work may also be incorporated with the removal of the hedge along the first tee. This will be discussed along with the safety aspect with the Course Committee. We are also looking into the refurbishment of the pathway off the men’s 7th medal tee. Other pathways will be assessed and will be done if budget and materials allow.
Bunkers
Over the last couple of months, the bunkers have been tidied up. Some of the edges have been re-turfed and the faces have been consolidated. Over the next couple of weeks it is hoped to tidy up the remainder of the bunkers. We are also going to assess each bunker regards it difficulty for golfers to enter and exit each bunker. We have carried out work on one of the bunkers at hole no. 13. This kind of softening work will be carried out on other bunkers shortly. I believe that this is the best method to carry out this process. I believe the use of steps would add more danger and risk to golfers.
Over the next few weeks before the main golfing season all the bunkers will be assessed regarding sand levels and will be added and reshaped where required.
We are currently awaiting the trial of new rakes from our supplier. These rakes will have shorter teeth and will provide a more flatter and smoother finish to the sand.
The bunker being a hazard will be raked and shaped as often as staffing levels allow.
Roughs
At present after the winter the roughs have been dormant and have not started to grow yet. There is also some moss to be found in some of the roughs. These areas will be treated with some sulphate of Iron over the coming weeks. This will help to knock back the moss and allow fresh growth of grass through. Over the winter we cut back and collected a lot of the grass from the roughs. We do this so that we can thin out the roughs and produce a lighter and whispier sward in the roughs. This will also encourage the finer species of grass that are more desirable on a links course. It is important that the grass clippings are collected and removed so as to keep nutrient levels at a minimum. It also helps to prevent thatch build up and the regeneration of the more undesirable weed grasses. If time and weather allow it is hoped to further thin out these areas through scarification.
We also continued with our management plan on the gorse bushes on the course. This is evident in the areas between 12 and 14 and around the 13th tee. It is important that the gorse is managed properly as it can become very invasive and take over areas. The gorse plants also after a period of time become leggy and straggly and eventually die away leaving areas very unsightly. The debris from these plants will allow areas become very fertile and eventually briars and weeds will take over. The process of cutting back the gorse is known as coppicing. This where the gorse plant is cut back to between 6-18 inches. This will allow the stem to regenerate providing more uniform and balanced bushes. It can look unsightly at first but once they start to grow one will begin to see the benefits of this process. Over the next couple of months we will continue to cut back and clear out smaller buses that have grown on hills around the links. If these are allowed to take over they will take a lot from the beauty of the topography of the course. The second section of the trees between holes 16 and 17 have been cleared and pruned back so as to mirror that of the first section. Further thinning out of these areas will continue as time allows. The population of rabbits have again increased over the links and the damage they cause can be seen quite evidently. The amount of burrowing and scrapes has increased substantially. It is very difficult to control the population of rabbits nowadays so we are dependent on the natural predators in the area. The areas around the ponds at number 15 has been cleaned and cut back over the winter.
We will continue, as time allows, to follow the recommendations set out in the environmental plan which was set out by STRI a number of years ago. This is a detailed hole by hole plan of how to manage, protect and get the best out of these areas. These areas being, the rough, ponds, gorse, heather, marram, coastal erosion and the flora and fauna. It is our responsibility as management, staff and members not just to have a golf course but also to protect and maintain the whole environment at Dooks Golf Links.
Irrigation
Over the next few weeks the irrigation system will gets its annual maintenance. Over the winter months the whole system is drained. This is done so as to protect the pipe system and sprinklers from frost damage. The whole system will be flushed out and re-pressurised. The water tank will be totally cleaned out physically. Again, this is done because of the large amounts of Iron in the water. This is time consuming but will allow less chance of water nozzles being blocked during the main season. It also helps in preventing the pump parts from getting corroded and help in the system being more efficient when in use. Other work to the irrigation is to keep the pop-ups trim, clean and tidy. Some pop-ups will have to be raised back up to ground level.
Drainage
Over the winter the drainage system has been flushed out when required. A lot of Iron sediment builds up in the drainage pipes due to the nature of the soil. They have also been checked for any breakages and repaired where required. The drainage pipes in Dooks are now getting old with more breaks and blockages occurring every winter. This is something which will need to be addressed coming into the winter months in the future so that we can keep the wetter areas of fairways drier and playable during the winter months.
Clubhouse Surrounds
When time allows, we continue to do as much as we can to maintain the surrounds of the clubhouse. It is hoped that with the planned work day on Good Friday that this area will get a good clean up. On this day, it is hoped to get all the beds weeded and cleaned out, cleaned along the kerbs and footpaths.
Over the last couple of months the area right of the road to the first tee has been cleaned out with the topsoil added. We are looking to both plant this area with heathers and grass so that it will be maintenance friendly and also look more aesthetically pleasing to golfers as they walk to the first tee. The bank outside the bar window has been lined with sleepers. It is also our plan to plant lower growing heather to this area.
The broken drainage pipe in the lower car park has been replaced and area re-tarred.
The hedging and tree at the end of the old putting green will be removed. We are doing this so that the air shoe cleaning system will be in view from the bar. At present, this machine cannot be used, as it being out of sight it does not comply with what our insurance company requires. It is hoped that this work will be sufficient and will not require us to move the machine closer to the clubhouse. The brushes on the shoe cleaner will be replaced and relocated to this area as well.
Machinery
The machines at present are getting their annual spring maintenance. Each machine is getting a full service, with oil, air and fuel filters replaced. The machines are being fully greased, hydraulics checked, and operation checked. The cylindrical mowers are being sent off to be re-sharpened. This is done on a rotational basis taking into consideration when the machine is required and the topdressing programme. The sand from the topdressing can cause the edge on the cylindrical mowers to blunt very easily. It is critical to keep the mowers as sharp as possible so as to have a clean cut. If the mowers are blunt it can put the grass plant under severe stress, weaken it and pull it out of the ground.
Staff
On Friday last, March the 16th, Brendan Clifford took redundancy from the staff at Dooks. Brendan has worked on the course for the last 22 years and previous to that on the FAAS work schemes here at Dooks. During his time here Brendan was a very valuable staff member. He showed great pride and had an exemplary attitude to his job. He will be a big loss to the staff on the course. This was very evident in his work ethic, punctuality and his availability to work, especially cutting greens at the weekends. May I wish Brendan the very best in his future and thank him greatly for all his contribution to Dooks.
The loss of another staff member will have an effect on the work programmes on the course. Going forward this will entail us to prioritise certain aspects of work giving more emphasis and priority to the main playing areas of the course.
Conclusion
So this is a report of what we will be doing on the course over the Spring period and going into the early Summer period. We do hope to achieve the majority of what is set out in this report. I hope it will also help you, the members, to understand the work that we are doing and what we are trying to achieve out on the golf course. After all, people come to Dooks to play golf on the Links. This should, and always should be, the major priority in Dooks.
Micheal Shanahan
Head GreenKeeper
Spring League Round 3 – Result
1st – Pat O’Neill (17) – 45 pts
Fixtures Sunday 18th March
Spring League Final
8.00 – Team Mike MicGillycuddy v Team James Long
Plate Final
8.30 – Team John Houlihan v Team Dave Marmion
Singles Sweep Timesheet Starts 9.50 please ring pro shop
Cahillane Meats – March 11th 2012
1st – Jane Hickie (30) – 37 pts
2nd – Anne Lawlor (22) – 37 pts
3rd – Brenda Brick (22) – 35 pts
Cat A: Joan Harmon (12) – 33 pts
Cat B: Aileen Curtayne (26) – 33 pts
Cat C: Adrienne O’Sullivan (32) – 33 pts
Fixtures: March 18th Beauty Within – 18 hole Singles Stableford GOY.
Mixed Foursomes on Saturday 17th and Monday 19th – Timesheets in Bar.
Bianconi Spring League Round 2 played 3rd and 4th March 2012
Fourball betterball
Enda Curtayne (15) / Chris Galvin (21) – 46 pts.
Next Weekend 10th / 11th March 2012
Bianconi Spring League Round 3 – Singles Stableford
15 Hole Club Sponsored Singles
Sunday 4th March 2012
1st – Catherine Spain (20) – 34 pts.
2nd – Ciara O’Sullivan (32) – 29 pts.
