185mm rainfall for the week and 368mm for the month thus far with rain being recorded on all but two days.  And from the start of November we have had 812mm.  That's over 32 inches of rain.  😢

The combination of the heat, humidity and moisture has the grass growing as furiously as it can.  The constant rainfall has us weeks behind in our spraying programmes, particularly the growth regulator which is one of the most critical applications we make.  Virtually every profile of any type of greenkeeper asks the question ''what is the one product you could not live without'' and the most common answer is growth regulator.  

Everything is in readiness for the 9R green works that will start on Monday.  The sand has been stockpiled in the lower carpark and the road to the green completed today to allow for truck and vehicular access to the green site.  We are lucky as 9R is probably one of three greens we could do given the sodden state of the courses with its proximity to the carpark and hardstand.  All going well the green should be finished next Thursday but won't be planted until February 6 due to stolon availability and delivery issues amongst other reasons.  Grow in should be very rapid given the weather although heavy rain that causes wash is the great fear at this time of year.

The road to 9R.

An annoying start to the week with a tree coming down on to the entry road on Monday morning.  It was on a tight bend and with traffic control deployed as well as chainsaws and trailers, 6 men spent 2½ hours out there when they could have been on course on one of the few dry mornings we got for the week.

 

With no further overnight rain carts should be allowed on the River course tomorrow but the West is very unlikely.  Website will be updated before 5.30am Saturday morning.