The sprayer has been out and about on the course in the last couple of weeks,catching up with our spraying programme.The greens have been treated with a wetting agent,this aids water penetration into the root zone profile breaking down the waxy coating  in the soil caused by fungi that can inhibit water movement.This is known as an hydrophobic soil in that water is repelled from the soil rather than absorbed and this makes it unavailable to the plant roots .Dry patch areas on the greens appear in high temperatures when the grass plant does not have enough water to maintain plant function and therefore signs of drought stress occur,even irrigation does not always directly help so using these wetters allow the soil to become re wetted and water is then available to the plant.We also use wetting agent pellets when hand watering specific areas on the greens.
A liquid feed mixed with a growth regulator was applied to maintain plant health without excessive growth .We have continued with our maintenance  of regular brushing and sarel rolling the greens this helps with uniformity of the surface as well as aiding water and air into the surface.

In the roughs a mix of three similar products of selective weed control were applied giving a broad control of a wide variety of weeds(plants that are growing where we don't want them to) this keeps these areas clean  and aids finding your ball.
More areas of the the environmental rough have been cutting down which reduces the time spent looking for "lost balls" there by speeding up play, and giving those golfers who play more wayward shots an easier round and a better feel good factor and perhaps a desire to come and play South Essex again.

            Ornamental Poppies with a view to the 9th green vixen from the road into the carpark