Author: John Kellow

Leamington

Congratulations to Margaret Holden on reaching the semi-final of the singles before losing out to the eventual winner.

Congratulations also to our Ladies Senior Fours, Margaret, Hazel Alice and Lesley, who unfortunately lost on an extra end in their semi-final against Ryde Ladies.

Green Sweeping

Hi,
At this time of year and over the winter, the green can get problems (such as Moss and Redthread) due to water/moisture lying on the grass all day.
Having the moss & redthread leads to dead patches and uneven surfaces, which in turn creates bumps and varying speeds for players.

To help overcome this we swish/sweep the green over the winter months in the mornings to get rid of excess moisture. This year we are already having issues.

The green keepers sweep the green on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we are looking for volunteers to to do the same on the spare days of the week starting ASAP.
Obviously you would only sweep the green when it is not raining, frosty or snowing so that rules out quite a few days that you will not have to do it and missing an odd day for an appointment is OK.
Sweeping the green with the large greens brush takes about 10/15 mins and should be done in the early morning eg between 8am to 10am.

If you would like to volunteer for this please advise and which day you prefer. Your duty would start ASAP and and go on until the bowls season starts again in Spring 2024.

Training can be given if required and will take approximately 10 Minutes.

Regards
Kenneth Ward
01420 543662

Birds Pecking Holes in Green

Hi members,

As you will be aware the birds are pecking holes in the green again. They are after Shafer grubs to eat which are buried in the soil, the grubs can damage the roots of the grass so in a way they are warning us of the presence of the grubs, which is good, I Think (always look for the positive).
I have ordered some nematodes, when I say some I mean 6 packs of 250 million nematodes per pack, which Eric and I will apply in two lots, these little beasts will eat all the grubs.  Unfortunately you can only apply these at certain times of the year, like now,  and again in 14 days time, and we will see the benefit next year not now. We have to keep the green moist to keep then alive and help them travel around underground, which will not be a problem currently.
The greenskeepers are repairing damage every time we cut the green and on some other occasions, however we cannot keep up with the birds.
What can you do to help.
When you come to play if there are holes on the green, I have left a brush, bucket and a shovel under the eaves at the side of clubhouse where we keep machines, you can use this to sweep up debris. Also there is a container with top dressing and seed which you can use to fill holes (there is a little trowel to help in the container), but do not create a bump/hill. Surface should be flat or slight depression just press in with your foot and scuff the surface.
Sorry that this is happening, but that’s nature.
Regards
Ken Ward

Golden Pairs

Congratulations to Gordon Summerhill and Dave Atwell on being Northern Area Winners. Next playing Tuesday 10am, 8th August at Banister Park in semi-final and hopefully final in the afternoon.