2022 Course Renovations @ Nikanti Golf Club
2022 saw a very different approach to our renovation program and something we have been working towards for the past 4 or 5 years. This year is the first year we did not need to conduct a major aeration on greens, tees, or approaches!
Over the past few years, we have been dialing in the sand applications and growth rates to keep soil organic matter from rising outside of our set threshold levels. Last year’s renovation also saw soil organic matter levels in the top 20mm drop by 0.8%, keeping us within these set parameters.
We have been testing soil organic matter concentrations in the greens via the #OM246 method since 2017, and it has been revolutionary in our approach to course maintenance. Last year (2021) was the first year that we extended the #OM246 testing to also include the tees, approaches, and fairways, as the improvements we have seen to the greens, operational efficiency, and long term benefits to the business, now justify the same approach on other surfaces.
Based on the information above, as well as other course performance and turf health data, we were in a position to forego any major aeration on the aforementioned surfaces. We utilised the extra time and money saved to focus even more time on our efforts to reduce soil organic matter in the fairways and rough. The fairways in particular will be a big focus point over the coming years with regard to organic matter reduction.
This strategy is still an ongoing trial that will continue to be evaluated. If we cannot match our sand applications to the growth rate moving forward, and soil organic matter levels increase above our set parameters, then we will most definitely schedule another major aeration. The point is to collect and use objective data to make informed decisions on your maintenance programs. In uncertain times like these, where many golf courses are struggling financially, objective data collection can help you make accurate, unbiased decisions that will have positive long-term effects on your club and operation.
A step by step run-through of the 2022 renovation program.
Below is a listed summary of the full program completed this year on all surfaces. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Greens
Vertical mow at -4mm in 2 directions, up and back on the same line
Double cut at 3mm up and back on the same line
Topdress
Brush in the sand with Coco mat
Heavy roll
Soluble fertiliser & wetting agent
Tees
Graden (scarify) at -10mm
Mow at 6mm
Heavy topdress
Brush in sand with Coco mat
Heavy roll
Fertilise with SOA 21-0-0
Approaches
Vertical mow at -5mm in 2 directions, up and back on the same line
Double cut at 9mm up and back on the same line
Triplex cut at 7mm
Heavy topdress
Coco drag mat smooth when sand is dry
Heavy roll
Fertilise with SOA 21-0-0
Fairways
Terra Rake
Circle cut at 7mm
Terra Rake again
Circle cut at 7mm again
Graden (scarify) at -20mm
Steel drag mat
Mow at 7mm
Topdress
Aerate with 16mm coring tines at 2.5” x 3” spacing
Steel drag mat
Heavy roll
Fertilise with SOA 21-0-0
Rough
Mow from 40mm to 20mm
Aerate with 16mm coring tines
Fertilise with SOA 21-0-0
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions with regard to this year’s program, would like to chat about your cultural programs, or if you’d like to submit any #OM246 organic matter samples for analysis.