Course Update

It’s hard to believe that Tuesday will be the first of August. This time next year we will be preparing to host the Boys Amatuer Championship.

Both courses have continued to improve this year and improvements can be seen through all of the new areas throughout the links as these greens and tees mature and blend well with the original links.

Over the last 2 weeks all 53 greens throughout the links were dimple seeded with fescue and topdressed, germination of seedlings can be seen below.

The greens will receive a light application of nitrogen this week to encourage establishment of new seedling fescue.

This week we plan to spike all of the grass paths and overseed worn areas. Some fertiliser may also be applied to new paths.

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Open Championship

We had a brilliant 2 days at Royal Birkdale viewing course setup in the mornings and evenings. 

Andy Barr, who is one of our full-time, qualified Greenkeepers has travelled over to Birkdale and worked for 2 weeks to assist and also gain valuable tournament experience. Andy is on Rickie Fowlers right.

The Course is in super condition and I’m sure all of the team are proud of their efforts. 

All the very best of luck to Chris Whittle, Rob and the team for the remainder of the week. 

North of Ireland Amatuer Championship

Players couldn’t have asked for better weather conditions this week for the North of Ireland Amatuer Championship.

Qualifying scores over the Dunluce and Valley links have been quite varied but Caolan Rafferty was best qualifier on -10 par for the 2 rounds and carded a magnificent -7 par over the new Dunluce layout. 

Both courses were played from the medal positions but for the remainder of the week Dunluce is set up from all Championship tees, bar the new 7th.

Green staff have been working hard from 5am preparing the courses for play this week.

All surfaces have been mown daily with greens also ironed. 

Dunluce greens were stimping at 10′ at the beginning of the week and 10′ 5″ this morning.

The weather forecast is favourable for the rest of the week with some light breeze for the final on friday. 

Irish Open

Beautiful day for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club. 

Justin Rose pictured walking down the 18th.

Best of luck to the players and to all involved at Portstewart Golf Club for the final day tomorrow.