Using locally sourced compost to amend native dunesand rootzones

2021

In 2016 we began trialling a locally produced compost to see if our 10 year old Tifeagle Tee decks on 'push up' native dune sand could benefit. The initial trial at 1kg/m2 and 2kg/m2 did not produce any adverse reactions, turf loss, weeds etc and so we expanded our trial to include two applications on the Fire Course. These are traditionally managed less intensively then the Earth Course and have both Needle and Root-knot Nematodes active.

Previously we have had to returf several of the tees on the Fire Course each spring from Nematode damage, however, after two applications of compost at 1kg/m2 we did not experience any turf loss. In 2018 we have included the Earth Course tees and have now started applying to our weakest fairways. It is our long term goal to apply compost to all primary playing surfaces (excluding greens) by 2020 to significantly reduce our reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.