Royal Aberdeen Golf Club – Golf Course Blog

Tag: Organic Matter

  • Balgownie – Application of Symbio Thatcheater

    Due to the High Organic matter content within the profile of our surfaces, we decided to apply a granular product called Thatch eater which is typically done to biologically manage and reduce thatch without the need for aggressive mechanical removal through the main playing season. The Thatcheater was applied directly after aeration was carried out so the product was incorporated into the soil profile. We have been working hard since Spring 2024 to get our Organic Matter levels back within target levels and this product added to work along side regular maintenance practices such as aeration, verticutting and sand topdressing.

    Below are some of the reasons we chose to apply Thatcheater:

    1. Thatch Reduction Without Disruption
      • Excess thatch (a dense layer of organic matter between the grass and soil) can hinder water infiltration, gas exchange, and root growth.
      • Thatch Eater contains beneficial microbes that naturally break down this organic layer without the need for aggressive scarification or hollow coring.
    2. Improved Rootzone Health
      • The microbial action helps convert dead organic material into humus, improving soil structure and nutrient retention.
      • Healthier soil biology promotes deeper rooting and more resilient turf.
    3. Enhanced Drainage and Surface Firmness
      • As thatch breaks down, water moves more freely through the soil profile, reducing the risk of disease and soft, spongy surfaces.
    4. Supports a Biological Management Program
      • Thatch Eater is often used as part of a biological or low-input turf management approach, reducing reliance on chemical fungicides and synthetic inputs.
    5. Reduced Risk of Disease
      • Thatch can harbor fungal pathogens and pests. Its breakdown reduces disease pressure, especially during humid or wet periods.
    6. Improved Playing Conditions
      • Firmer, smoother, faster greens with consistent ball roll—without major downtime from mechanical thatch removal.

  • Balgownie – Pot Seeding Fescue

    Over the last 14 Months we have worked hard to provide the perfect environment for fine links grasses to thrive. The composition of grass species within the surfaces in early 2024 was a Bent / Poa mix varying in quantities from green to green and our plan was to introduce more fine leaved Fescue grass species into the surfaces and reduce the amount of Annual Meadow Grass content.

    After Hollow coring our greens and approaches in October 2024 we carefully studied the early season competition calendar and found the perfect window of opportunity to carry out a spring maintenance operation to cause as little disruption to play as possible, during a period where soil temperatures and growing conditions were on the rise, allowing recovery times to be kept to a minimum. We hope that both these maintenance operations along with many other maintenance operations carried out over the last 14 months will have helped reduced any excess organic matter in the top 20mm within the profile.

    We took the decision to apply a mix of Barenbrug Bar Fescue and Origin R117 seed which are both a 50/50 blend of Chewings and slender creeping fescues which offer the best solution for year-round performance. The mix contains both the top-rated Chewings and slender creeping cultivars for greens use. Firstly we ran the TORO Procore across the greens to create as many 10mm holes as possible to a depth of 25mm, a process called “pot seeding”. We then broadcast the fescue seed before we worked any excess into the holes using low pressure switches and covering the seed within the holes with our indigenous dune sand topdressing to provide the seeds with the correct growing medium and some protection from the elements. During the first 3 months of 2025 we have manged to get over 100 tonnes of topdressing incorporated into the 2 hectares of green and approaches on Balgownie links. We Overseeded with around 360kg of seed which should germinate within 21 days and establish nicely in the warm spring conditions. To achieve maximum seed establishment and rapid surface recovery without creating a flush of growth that would negatively affect playing characteristics we applied a granular 5-0-0 +2.9fe fertiliser and also a mix of GBR residual wetting agent and utlimax SL seaweed. These products have proven to be effective in maintaining turf health and vigour without any negative effect on playability.

    Fescue is the most appropriate species to links sites across the UK and with adequate management will provide characteristics that are typical of links golf here at Royal Aberdeen. The practice of overseeding is a vital aspect of what we are trying to achieve at and will now remain part of our annual maintenance at least twice a year.

     A botanical change, although a little disruptive for a short period we have been able to work ahead of a busy early season competition schedule, daily member and visitor golf. Although disturbance is minimal please be patient as we attempt to change the grass species composition of the sward to a more desired species and in turn finer links like surfaces. This short term disruption will give us long term benefits giving us firm and true surfaces all year round.

  • Balgownie – Autumn Maintenance

     Our Annual Autumn maintenance took place between 21st – 23rd October 2024 and gave us the opportunity to Hollow Core the greens and surrounds . This practice was carried out to remove a large percentage of organic matter, relieve compaction, increase root development, improve drainage and provide the material to create a playing surface for our new contingency first green and approach. By removing the accumulated fibre it allows us to exchange the poorer soils to a better one through a straight sand topdressing helping to firm up all surfaces providing true links like conditions.

    We also took the decision to apply Chewings and slender creeping fescues which offers the best solution for year-round performance. A combination of a drop spreader and vredo disc seeder was used to apply the fescue seed before we worked any excess seed into the holes using  switches to cover the seed within the holes with our indigenous dune sand topdressing. This provided the seeds with the correct growing medium and some protection from the elements. We Overseeded with around 200kg of Fescue and the seed should germinate within the next month due to the slightly cooler conditions. To achieve maximum seed establishment and rapid surface recovery without creating a flush of growth that would negatively affect playing characteristics we applied a granular feed called C Complex 4-3-4+5CaO+3MgO . We chose this product as it has proven to be effective in aiding recovery while maintaining turf health and vigour without any negative effect on playability.

    Fescue is the most appropriate species to links sites across the UK and with adequate management will provide characteristics that are typical of links golf here at Royal Aberdeen. The practice of overseeding is a vital aspect of what we are trying to achieve at and will now remain part of our annual maintenance at least twice a year.

    The Maintenance procedures were carried out at this time of year when the air and soil temperatures are ideal allowing recovery times to be kept to a minimum. This short term disruption will give us long term benefits giving us firm and true surfaces all year round.