Rough mowing

Our new flail mower had its first outing today, cutting and removing clippings in the long rough.  For the time being we're only cutting a few areas where the rough is very thick.  The outside of the dogleg on the 14th and the area just in front of the 7th tee were done today.

Top dressing

The greens have been top dressed today, the dry conditions we're experiencing are ideal for incorporating the dressing into the turf.

Spreading top dressing

Using a drag mat to work the dressing into the turf

Tawny Owl

The Tawny Owl that we ringed on the course in May 2012 was found dead in Aldringham on the 16th of April this year.  It seems that it was hit by a vehicle - a far too common fate for Tawny and Barn owls.  A typical lifespan for a Tawny owl is 4 years but the oldest recorded is 21.

Weather summary for May

May was a mild and very wet month.  The average temperature was 12.9⁰ compared with 10.6⁰ in 2013 and a long term average of 11.8⁰.  The highest temperature was 22.3⁰ on the 20th and the lowest 2.3⁰ on the 4th.
It was one of the wettest Mays on record with a total of 86.2mm, the wettest was in the year 2000 when 96.4 mm was recorded.  Of the 86.2mm recorded, 65mm fell between the 21st and 27th and of that 30mm fell in one day on the 27th.  There couldn't be a greater contrast between the springs of 2013 and 2014 in terms of grass growth.  This year we were further advanced in March than we were at the end of May 2013.