TerraCottem® Brand Ambassador, Nathan Straume, got the privilege to interview Dylan Keam, Bundaberg Golf Club's Superintendent. Dylan has done a fantastic job over these past years. Dylan has turned this golf course from a dry turf into an outstanding competition course with a limited budget, limited staff and inflation. Here is the interview.
Nathan: Dylan, tell us about your first experience using TerraCottem®.
Implementing TerraCottem® Turf
Nathan: Tell us more about the process of adding TerraCottem® to the profile of the 14th tee.Dylan: We first established the level, hand spread the TerraCottem® (at the recommended label rate) over the top of the profile, then we rotary-hoed the tee down to a depth of 200mm so that we could get TerraCottem® into the profile. We then reconsolidated the tee and put turf (couch) on. Since then, it's established an intense, dense root system. That will allow the tee to be a lot stronger throughout the coming years, especially during dry periods. We have a good amount of rain at this point, so the tee is holding up even better.
Results
Nathan: Yes. So, the tee was built in October 2021 (last year). We had an insurmountable amount of rain between October and January. It was nearly close to a meter of rain over that time frame. One of the things I've seen on that tee is that you can get on it, when no one else can get on any other tee. I was talking to your staff, and they say it's the best tee they have ever mowed as they don't slip off it. They don't have any issues bogging down on it. It holds an excellent shape, and it has a lovely colour. Would you agree with that?
Dylan: Yeah, it's correct. We've noticed it when we have a substantial amount of rain. We struggle to get onto a few tees because they are push-up tees. We've also added the amendments with TerraCottem® and established a good tee. Looking at it now, these tees should last up to 10 years, if not more. We'll see good strength in the root system and healthier dense grass. And for playability, if we can have the turf looking good and play better, the golfers will love that.
Nathan: Fewer members' complaints?
Dylan: Yes, it's always good!
Natural Revegetation
Nathan: Okay, So you've used TerraCottem® on the 14th tee. What other applications have you used TerraCottem® in, other than TerraCottem® Turf?Dylan: We've also used TerraCottem® Universal in our trees.
We did a revegetation Goodwood Gum replanting as they struggled around the area. We decided to revegetate these areas and a few other sites as well, by making a dry rainforest in the regions where members shouldn't play much golf, so if you do happen to go out that way more, you've gone well past the playing area.
With TerraCottem® Universal, we have helped these trees out and improved the areas visually.
Dylan: Really well! When we planted, it was pretty wet. Since then, we have had such a dry period, but with TerraCottem®, the trees have taken off. Moving forward, they will hold up well as well.
Dylan: Well, the biggest thing for our club is because we're putting through so many rounds of golf. Many of our par 3 tees in the men's area are getting utilised a lot more. We're losing turf in regions because of divots play, and the unevenness in the turf could be better. So, we're going to re-construct a few tees. Again, when we do that, we're going to utilise TerraCottem® Turf in the profile. Being in Bundaberg, we get the dry periods, and it can be warm. 30 degrees by nine o'clock and the evaporation transpiration rate is through the roof. If we can retain that moisture level in profile, we're better off.
Nathan: And TerraCottem® helps you do that?
Dylan: Definitely!
(Update: Since this interview taken place, Bundaberg Golf Club, under Dylan’s supervision has started putting TerraCottem® in their 8th tee, see below!)
