November 2023

A meeting was held recently regarding the final report for 2023 from our Agronomist Joe Bedford .  In attendance were –

Captain David Kearney, Lady Captain Charlotte Boote, Vice Captain Seamas Fitzpatrick, Pat O’Neill, Joe Scriven, Joe Bedford & Eddie Scally

The meeting was very comprehensive and informative – covering the following points: –

Gowran Park- Golf Course (end of year update)

Although one of the wettest years on record, the course at Gowran has seen good improvements from an agronomic and management standpoint. All the playing surfaces have a good sward of grass, with a specific winter management programme to the intention to retain this density over the winter months. Our end of season notes for each area are as follows.

 Greens

• Firm and dry. Small outbreak of fusarium which was quicky treated. No moss present.
• The putting surfaces will receive 2 x light fertiliser applications up to Christmas, along with dew remover and penetrating wetting agent.
• Plant Protection Products (PPP) will be applied as preventatives.

 Green approaches/Surrounds

• These areas have been fertilised as part of the fairways programme
• Follow the signs, avoid wet areas, by taking your time getting around greens, to the next tees.

 Tees

• The mature trees have badly affected the teeing surface on the 4^th and 10^th tees due to over-shading.  The blue tees & ladies tees on the 4^th and the blue tees on the 10^th will be re-turfed.
• The tees will be liquid fertilised over the winter on a monthly basis.
• Divoting is scheduled weekly.

 Fairways

• 5 liquid applications of fertiliser were applied on the fairways over the summer months.
• After the very warm spell in late May and June we decided against a granular application. However, with wetter conditions from July to September, it was decided to apply an autumn granular application.  This will help to reduce the mudballs and improve playing surfaces by the Spring.

 Bunkers

• All bunkers are now edged and sand will be added where required over the winter months.

Irrigation Line

• Further upgrading of our existing irrigation line will take place ahead of next season to include both 6” and 4” main line.

 I would like thank Joe Scriven (Course Superintendent) and his greenkeeping team, who have driven the programme of works so diligently and to Eddie Scally (General Manager) for all his support.

 

Pat O’Neill on behalf of the Gowran Course committee would like to extend sincere thank you to Joe Scriven, Eddie Scally and all the Gowran park team for their excellent work this year and great collaboration with the members and committee. Also a note to all our volunteers who participated over the evenings during Spring and Summer, thank you for giving up you time and effort to improve the course standards, all these evenings have had a really positive impact and are invaluable.

Lets hope the weather gods are kind for 2024 and the course is in same fantastic condition again for the year!

 

Happy Golfing

Gowran Park Course Committee