A full week of work was tiring, but fun. The cold weather has yet to leave. Days start cold, getting warmer during the days, but not very warm for the high. With the intense sun even on a mild day sun burn is a possibility. The only thing I can compare this to is windy days where it feels cool and in reality is not. 

This week tees were completely core aerated, blown off, and topdressed. The process was done over 3 days. An update on the greens: they are coming back nicely. The cold weather is not helping, but a few days of warmish temperatures and the color is returning to them. The Amitrole treatment is very harsh. Warm weather is best for the recovery of the grass, but with the NZ Open in March Brendan said that the greens need to be treated as early as possible to insure full recovery by tournament time. Part of 18 fairway was cored as well. Brendan hopes the soil temperatures raise to help in the recovery of these disruptive cultural practices. Also all irrigation heads were edged and tee meter markers.

Fairways have lots of Thatch. The lighter area on my top 3 fingers is thatch.

On Saturday, my 2nd weekend work, bunkers were a priority. Rain came in heavy the previous night so many bunkers had wash outs and standing water. A funny story about the bunkers. When Michael Hill built the course he figured it would be for him and a few friends so they would not be playing during or after the rain. Therefore no drainage was placed in the bunkers. Drainage can be an issue I have been told so this past winter some bunkers had modified drainage put in. The drains are basically large holes in low spots filled with gravel. In theory the water will move into the "hole" and will be able to take a lot of water on. A drawback is that extreme rains or over a few days the water does not go else where, only up if it cannot drain out the bottom fast enough. When the ground becomes saturated the drain may not be able to do as good as a job. So far so good, but time will tell.

Today I took a 3 hr. hike along New Chum Gully and Arrowtown River Trail. The hiking around Arrowtown is endless and breath taking at the tops.   

Water Lines Supplying Arrowtown

Arrowtown: A Gold Mining Town