Notts Golf Club course manager, Phil Stain, has found a solution for greens compaction after years of trialling machines using the Air2G2 Air Inject.
Notts Golf Club has been in its current location for over one hundred years and is one of the top inland courses in the United Kingdom. It has once again been named as one of four courses by the R&A to host Final Qualifying for The Open Championship in July 2019.
Phil takes great pride in the prestigious course and is constantly seeking new techniques to improve the overall condition as well as specific areas.
For years Phil has trialled various methods of aeration to alleviate the compaction within the greens, but it wasn’t until a demonstration of the Air2G2 from Campey in 2018 that he found a solution.
“At Notts, we’re constantly on the lookout for equipment that can help resolve problems we encounter during the day to day management of the course,” Phil explained. “For many years we’ve struggled with compaction in greens, very fine particles in the root zone clog up air spaces, impede drainage and hinder root development. These are not ideal conditions for encouraging fine grasses.
“While we’ve tried numerous techniques over the years, we’ve had little success in relation to resolving this problem. In 2018 Campey offered to demo the Air2G2 on one of our most problematic greens, the demonstration would involve several treatments through the season penetrating the green to various depths.
“Initially we saw very little impact, after the first couple of treatments there was still no obvious sign of improvement. However, towards the end of the season, it was quite obvious that root density and depth of penetration had improved significantly.
“For us, the machine wasn’t a one-hit wonder, it’s something that will improve things gradually. To get a strong healthy sward you need an open healthy soil, I believe the Air2G2 can help us achieve this.
“Used properly this machine gives me the opportunity to work on improving the soil profile with minimal surface disruption, something that’s very important in our industry.”
Phil and his team are currently in the process of implementing a sward conversion programme. This will see a reduction in annual meadow grass in favour of bents and fescue and this transition will be greatly aided by the healthier soil profile provided by the Air2G2.
