Despite seeing more rainfall in May (96 mm/4 inches approx) than in any other month since I started work at PPGC, the 8th green seems to be standing up really well to some adverse weather.
When I started, the 8th green was out of play and a temporary green was in use. It would puddle at the merest hint of rain.
Since then, we have micro tined the 8th green 6 times, slit tined 3 times, verti drained once, hollow cored twice and heavy top dressed 3 times with sand.
March, April and May were not exactly dry months to say the least! However, the 8th green now seems to be draining much better. Testament, I believe, to punching holes in the surface and backfilling them with sand too. As the photo above demonstrates, it is now looking fairly good too.
Likewise, the other greens are almost recovered from hollow coring. From talking to sales reps, it is clear that leatherjacket grubs have been particularly troublesome this spring at many golf courses and I'm quite sure that they have had an impact on the recovery of the greens following hollow coring.
Leatherjacket grubs feed on grass roots and stems, causing stunted growth. I have noticed patches on the greens that show typical leatherjacket damage around coring holes. After applying an insecticide last week, I hope that we have curbed their activity.
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