The recent thunderstorms early on Tuesday morning flooded the carpark for a brief period,but quickly drained  and replenished our irrigation pond behind the clubhouse after concentrated use through the very hot period when we were watering the greens.

 

The heavy rainfall of 23mm in just a few hours highlighted a problem on the 9th green vixen.Here the water was reluctant to flow away quickly when near the gully pot at the front of the green.Investigation found the old solid pipe blocked and broken .This was dug out and removed and a a 80mm drainage pipe was installed with clean shingle.this will move water from the front of the green away to the pond on the right of the green

During these periods of hot weather we rely on our irrigation system for automatic as well as manual water of the greens,but failures do occur which must be quickly repaired if possible, decoder and wiring breakages are a common repair in the irrigation boxes situated near greens.

decoder testing

On the greens we control any weed invasion by removing them, when seen by the staff ,by hand.This saves on money by not blanket spraying the greens with chemical and is more environmently friendly.Moss problems on the greens have to be sprayed as often cultural controls are not always effective.This is done by using either a hand held applicator or knapsack and only targeting the moss rather than spraying the entire green

 

 

 

New to South Essex was Football Golf played recently on the Vixen on a Sunday Afternoon ,no clubs required only the ability to kick a larger ball into a larger hole  on an 18 hole specially laid out course.

Sean digging out one of the holes with a Pick Axe (not our usual hole changing equipment )

 

We have had to have a contractor in to remove over hanging branches from some of the dead trees on the 3rd, and 9th holes Vixen and 9th hole Heron.Althought all dead trees are a valuable habitat and food sourse for many animals and  plants, Health and Safety considerations to golfers and staff meant we had to act as there was a risk from dead branches suddenly breaking off,we have kept the main trunks  were possible to contine as wildlife habitats.

 

 

 

3rd vixen

 

One pleasing aspect not seen by the golfer but essential to the playing quality of the green is root growth and better still deep root growth,the picture below was taken this month on the first green of the Hawk

 

Finally a couple of pictures of wildlife on the course,a Common orchid and red tailed bumble bee with a friend