The old adage 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' rings true at Came Down Golf Club in Dorset, which for over 30 years has used a nutritional system from Suståne blue, resulting in controlled growth, outstanding color and improved plant health year after year.
Established in 1896, Came Down is a chalk-downland course near the county town of Dorchester with strong historical links to some of golf's most important institutions, including the R&A, the Ryder Cup and the Open Championship. Although James Lockwood has been at the site for 18 years, and Head Greenkeeper for the last three years, he admits that the club's relationship with Suståne goes back a long way.
“We think Suståne has been used here for almost 35 years, making us one of the first clubs in the UK to use their products,” he says.
Lockwood's current program, developed in conjunction with Suståne's Russell Riley and local distributor Agrovista, includes Suståne 10-1-4 as a spring starter, 5-2-10+Fe applied at low rates and regular intervals throughout the summer and 5-2-4 to keep vegetables moving in winter.
“This is a tried and tested combination that works well for us,” Lockwood said. “First of all, it's good that everything is organic. The club is committed to using sustainable solutions and this program, along with some of our cultural practices, has greatly helped us to eliminate the use of fungicides.
Second, we love the control it gives us – no vigorous growth, just a strong, healthy growth pattern that leaves the green looking clean and playing well all year round.
Lockwood adds: “We have a few green plants in shady areas that have had Fusarium problems in the past. With a little trial and error, we found that increasing the level of Suståne 5-2-10 in late summer, and 5-2-4 in winter helped limit the impact on these specifics. locations. It is increasingly important that we all try to solve these problems using science and smart microbiology rather than relying on chemicals.”
“One thing we like is that the granules are nice and neat which means we can use them where we need to without risking disruption to play.
“It's a testament to the ongoing quality and results that we rarely deviate from the plan that has been so important to things here at Came Down for so long.”
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