In December we completed the soil nutrient testing of the greens, tees, fairways, rough and the green surounds (on Henley only) across both golf courses.  The testing was to verify improvements from the issues and treatment previously reported.

Nutrient testing provides an indication on an array of nutrients and levels that are both required to sustain healthy turfgrass but also how they affect the health of turfgrass and its gorwing environment.  We also sourced a consultant to complete a thorough testing of the irrigation water supply on the respective golf courses.  Water is the day-to-day lifeline to the turfgrass during the hot dry months, however the quality of the water greatly influences the affect on the growing environment of the turfgrass.

The outcome of the green's nutrient test results indicated moderate improvement in some areas and raised major concerns in other areas.

St John Course:  Greens

The pH and bicarbonates have moderated, while Sodium and Chloride have increased and are at a high to excessive level respectively.

Henley Course:  Greens

The pH and bicarbonates have moderated, while Sodium levels have increased to an excessive level.

Green Surrounds:
The pH and bicarbonates are at a moderate level, while Sodium and Chloride have increased to an excessive level.  The Henley green surrounds are the most affected playing surface across both golf course and this can be seen in their decline in the playing surface in last 6 months.  Noting - the green surrounds are on the same fertilizer program as the greens.

(The above commentary is indicative of all playing surfaces in some way or form)

The Affect of Sodium and Chloride:

High levels of Sodium and Chloride weakens the turfgrass plant and reduces the performance of the turfgrass plant during periods of heat and drought. It also reduces the plants ability to with stand wear, such as foot traffic and ball marks etc.  While high Sodium levels within the soil and sand profiles reduces water infiltration, this causes the surface to seal when dry and plugging when wet.

In the last 6-24 months (more so since July 2009 to improve green firmness) we implemented programs to counteract this increasing issue.  This included synthetic acid and Calcium applications to help offset the Sodium and Chloride.  The lack of success is explained below.

Water Supply Testing:

Our water supply is totally unique and unfortunately not to our advantage.  Testing identified the following issues from the water supply of the two golf courses:

• High in Sodium and Chloride
• It has a high ability to strip Calcium from the soil profile

In summary the water supplies the Sodium and Chloride to the soil and sand profiles, and then strips the soil / sand of the nutrient used to treat the imbalance - Calcium.

As the water supply is the day-to-day lifeline in the hot dry months, Sodium and Chloride levels increases via regular water applications through these months before dissipating during late autumn and winter with increased rainfall and minimal irrigation applications.  In late spring the cycle commences.  Another water test will be completed in March when quality is at its poorest due to lack of rainfall to recharge the lakes.

Control Measures:

The greens across both golf courses and the green surrounds across on the Henley Course have been applied with additional applications of Calcium (Gypsum) to provide immediate action to the problem.  At present we are investigating the injecting of Calcium into the water to help offset the Sodium / Chloride issue.  Other responses to this issue are in the initial stages.

I will keep you updated.

Sam Myott

Golf Course Superintendent