Ballinascorney Golf Club, Kilmashogue Lane, Dublin 16 | Phone: (0)1 493 7755
Ballinascorney Golf Club

 
 
 
 
Updated 20/01/2012
 
Course Notice
 
 
Temporary Tee Boxes
·      1st/10th and 8th/17th
 
Temporary Greens
·      1st/10th, 2nd/11th and 7th/16th
 
Extensive Drainage & Sanding On Course
·      Free drop not nearer the hole at nearest point of relief
 
Roped Areas
·      Refrain from entering these areas with trolleys
 
Drop Zone 8th Green
·      In operation for newly Sodded & Sanded area
 
Respect Your Course
·      Please use pathways
·      Replace divots
  • Repair all pitch marks
 
 
 
End of Year Report
 
For
 
Ballinascorney Golf Club
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Prepared by:
Gerry Byrne
Position:
Director of Agronomy
Document Version:
0.1.
Date:
14/11/2011

 
 
 
 


 
 
Contents
 
  1. Greens
 
 
  1. Tees
 
 
  1. Fairways/Rough
 
 
  1. Bunkers
 
 
  1. Trees
 
 
  1. New construction
 
 
  1. Staffing
 
 
  1. Additional works
 
 
  1. Summary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.         Greens
 
The condition of the green surfaces during the course of the year varied from good to fair at times as a result of some disease issues which occurred in the mid to late season.
 
Cutting heights of the greens still remain very high and well above industry standard because of the badly sloped nature of the green surfaces on a number of greens. This was agreed following the comments in 2010 and a joint effort to try to get an affective green speed which would make the more sloped greens playable. This is however affecting GCMS chances to fine-tuning the surfaces as we would prefer but player comments was largely favorable with this joint decision. The greens will however have a broader leafed appearance than any other golf course in the country which is unfortunate but unavoidable.
 
The greens were affected by two diseases different diseases, take all patch which affected the 4th green and Microdocium patch which affected all greens in September. Take all patch is a difficult disease to eradicate because it is a soil borne disease and spraying with a fungicide is not fully affective in curing the problem. We predict that the disease may have been caused by the increases sand topdressings that were applied in 2010 to address surface levels. A reduction of topdressing this year coupled with a preventative fungicide application will help to address the situation going forward.
 
Microdocium patch or more commonly known fusarium patch is an air borne fungus which occurs in prolonged spells of cool wet weather which is a common thread of weather which was experienced in September/October. In addition the most effective fungicide to treat the problem is now off the market for environmental reasons and the current treatments are slow to eradicate the problem. Spraying with a fungicide is continuing and surfaces are recovering. The disease has affected many golf courses this season due to the late autumn but with the final onset of winter temperatures the optimum conditions for the spread of the disease will ease.
 
There is no long term damage caused by the disease as once the fungicide is sprayed and dries up the plant recovers normally with growth.
 
The three new greens improved over the course of the year especially following the drainage programme which was carried out over the winter of 2010/2011. The new 2nd green is still the weakest green and holds water after heavy rain. Additional sand is been applied and aeration will be carried out over the winter as well as additional drainage if required. 
 
Aerification was carried out in the form of deep tine vertidrain in February which helped to relieve surface water. Hollow core aeration was not carried out in spring as it was felt the surfaces were sufficiently dry and firm. Topdressing applications was reduced to approximately 100 Tonnes as a consequence of the take all patch but still kept the surfaces level.
 
2.         Tees 
 
Tees are being divoted regularly and are well fertilized. The overall size and smoothness of the surfaces does not lend itself to the quality we would aspire to as they suffer constantly with extensive wear and tear. The 6th tee struggled throughout the year and it was decided to remove some of the evergreen trees to introduce some light to the surface. This will hopefully facilitate some grass growth and recovery from play.
 
Unfortunately many tees are very uneven and too small for the level of play the course receives. We would recommend that a rebuilding programme be adopted by the club to render them more suitable for modern golf.
 
3.         Fairways/Rough
 
Fairways were fertilized in early April using Scott's 19.5.18 with Trace Elements at a rate of 35grams per sq. metre. This has worked exceptionally well in restoring the colour and vigor to the canopy. In addition the recovery from divot damage has accelerated giving very good playing conditions.
 
Weed infestation was experienced during the spring and early summer which was treated for and quickly eradicated.
 
Rough was maintained to an agreed height of cut with only a minor issue in mid summer when the Ballinascorney mower required a new clutch. A replacement mower was delivered to Ballinascorney and maintained the rough for 6 weeks whilst the mower was being repaired.
 
4.         Bunkers
 
Bunkers are in good condition with the only ongoing issues being stones and drainage. Stones are a persistent problem with the bunkers which have no bunker lining. They migrate to the surface on an ongoing basis which has to be hand pickled by the crew. An extra 30 Tonnes of fresh bunker sand was also brought in to top up all bunkers during the course of the year.
 
5.         Trees  
 
No issues to deal with. 
 
6.         New construction
 
Peter O’ Brien and Sons Landscape worked closely with Peter Murphy and myself to complete the works at the new field. Additional drainage was installed as well as opening up the waterways to allow for a better flow during winter. We also installed a holding lake at the 3rd which will also help for drainage purposes. Extensive topdressing was applied throughout the summer period to the drain lines in order to level the surfaces for play. This was a slow process but the results of the drainage can be see through the recent dry spell of weather with the areas drained suitable for play
 
7.         Staffing
 
Our superintendent Darius Jardonek has continued to make every effort to keep Ballinascorney in the condition that we have set our promises on. The only issue has been the disease attacks which have affected the greens surfaces which are unfortunate but as outlined will recover with no long term affect. Whilst we would concede that some mistakes were made throughout the year they were with good intentions and Darius will now strive to ensure these mistakes will be rectified and learned from.
 
Our seasonal workers have done a good job this summer with very little issues with illness or downtime.
 
In addition we have undertaken a full health and safety audit of the maintenance facility and we are now compliant with a full safety statement and risk assessments carried out by our industry partners Olive Safety.
 
8.         Additional works
 
·         GCMS was delighted to sponsor the new 'Welcome to Ballinascorney' sign at the front gate
·         Installed new dignitaries parking signs
·         Additional repair and installation to the wash bay
·         Additional tree surgery works at the 6th tee
·         New clutch installed into the ford tractor
·         New clutch installed into the rough mower
·         Reconditioned the sidewinder banks machine
·         New cutting cylinders put into the Toro greens mower
·         Replacement equipment for all down time was supplied by the k club to ensure that no loss of service or turf quality was affected
·         New embroidered flags and additional directional signage.
·         Additional flowers for major events and along the main entrance
·         First aid station/fuel storage/chemical storage installed to ensure health and safety compliance
·         Additional greens mower/topdresser and sod cutter is now kept at Ballinascorney to ensure a quick turnaround in case of emergencies
·         A note of explanation on the clutches going on the tractor/rough, this is as a consequence of the hilly nature of the land and the age of the machines.
 
All additional works was carried out at the expense of GCMS
 
9.         Summary
 
 
We have had much success in the overall look and presentation of the golf course at Ballinascorney GC. Fairways, bunkers and rough presentation have all improved which has been gauged by player reaction and committee approval.
 
Unfortunately we have had some issues with greens presentation in the later part of the season following a very good 1st and 2nd quarter. Thankfully we are getting on top of these issues and would expect good winter conditioning.
 
Staff quality has been good with Darius caring out his duties very well and accommodating where possible any requests from the membership. Seasonal employees also settled in quickly with a total of 2 seasonal dedicated to Ballinascorney. One seasonal who was due to begin his contract in mid march only started in April which allowed us to hold onto the extra seasonal until late October which helped with our autumn works schedule.
 
Going forward for 2011 we plan to introduce our new regional superintendent Iain Ritchie to visit Ballinascorney on a weekly basis to fine tune the agronomy practices and further educate the staff to player awareness and day to day schedules of work. We are delighted to have Iain on board the GCMS team as he has extensive knowledge of the golf course industry having been superintendent at Portmarnock golf club for 17 years and successfully prepared for two Irish opens and the Walker cup matches in 1991. His micro management at Ballinascorney will be a true asset to the club.
 
 
 
Gerry Byrne
Director of Agronomy
Golf Course Maintenance Services
Ballinascorney Golf Club
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