Weather Impact and Water Warning.

Due to the recent weather conditions the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued a water warning for most of Scotland.

Updates can be read from the following link :- https://beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/previous-reports/08-may-2025/

Rainfall Jan – April 2025

Rainfall has continued to be below average for most of the country. In the south of Scotland there are areas that received less than a third of average rainfall. This follows on from the below average rainfall over autumn and winter “

Bigga have also written a report on the ongoing weather / ground conditions and can be read on the following link:- https://www.bigga.org.uk/news-listing/uk-greenkeepers-on-lack-of-rainfall-this-spring.html

Dry Period Challenges / Counter measures

This extended dry period has posed significant challenges, with areas of the course not naturally filling back in from winter damage, Divoting has been initiated in these areas and will continue over the next few weeks, its success is highly dependent on a change in weather conditions to provide the necessary moisture for seed germination.

Various applications, including fertilizers, wetting agents, and amino acids, have been administered to the greens / Tees to ensure their health and vitality. The 3^rd,13th and putting green have received extra treatments specifically aimed at encouraging root and foliar growth.

We are now entering a drought situation and the aim is now to keep as much grass on the surfaces as possible, the following actions have been already implemented or will be shortly:-

Reduce cutting frequency.
cutting height increased.
Reduce rolling to avoid compaction (to maintain water infiltration rates)
Hand watering with wetting agent.

Upcoming Workload in May

Ongoing maintenance including :-

1. Regular brushing of Greens.

2. Verti cutting of Greens. (when the weather allows).

3. Topdressing of Greens.

4. Fertilizer / Wetting agents.

5. On going summer maintenance.

Major maintenance operations will be communicated via the BRS to keep all golfers informed of work taking place.