T sandy loam soil profile of Cardigan Golf Club mean
GOLF COURSES
Cardigan Golf Club overcome exposed conditions with bespoke Johnsons Sports Seed mix
he exposed location and
T sandy loam soil profile of Cardigan Golf Club mean
the links course is subject to harsh conditions , yet the greens and fairways have never performed better according to Course Manager Stuart Adams – who attributes the improvements in visual merit and plant health down to the bespoke seed programme delivered by Johnsons Sports Seed .
Steeped in over 100 years of Welsh history , the hilltop location of the 18-hole links course offers picturesque views over the Teifi Estuary . “ Our clifftop position leaves us extremely exposed to the elements , meaning we tend to dry out very fast with the warm sea breeze we experience in the summer ” explains Stuart , who heads-up a greens team consisting of two full-time and three-part time greenkeepers , together with an artisan worker . “ When it comes to seed selection , we have to find cultivars that will suit our site and predominately choose hard , strong and slender creeping fescues .”
“ Our fairways have a track-record for struggling from insect damage and the stresses of longer , hotter
Other brands cannot compare with the high germination rate , purity and overall results we achieve with Johnsons . We get consistent , strong and healthy grass , even in our high traffic areas , and our greens simply speak for themselves !” summers so I discussed options with my DLF Technical Manager Ian Barnett , who suggested a mixture based around Johnsons J Fescue with the inclusion of additional Hard fescue to suit our situation .”
A 100 % fine fescue blend , J Fescue incorporates top-rated cultivars to provide a high drought and salt tolerant mixture for a sustainable sward that requires lower inputs of water and fertiliser . The inclusion of Hard fescue – known for its tolerance to a broad range of turf stresses – has resulted in a mix delivering outstanding resilience and recovery . J Fescue forms part of a comprehensive line-up of fine turf fairway mixtures including J Premier Fairway - incorporating 10 % Hard fescue and 10 % Sheeps fescue – and a new mixture for 2024 , J Sustain Fairway , specially formulated with 40 % Hard fescue to deliver a high-performance , sustainable surface with a foundation of natural strength .
“ Our fairways look remarkable and are showing incredible improvements in sustainable management .” He explains , “ Other brands cannot compare with the high germination rate , purity and overall results we achieve with Johnsons . We get consistent , strong and healthy grass , even in our high traffic areas , and our greens simply speak for themselves !”
With enhanced diversity of both cultivars and species within the sward , Stuart is well-placed to overcome the challenges of the new season . “ Not only has our overall quality improved , but we ’ re building up increased resilience to the range of stresses we now have to overcome from the climate and ongoing reduction in chemistry at our disposal .” He concludes , “ I ’ d recommend Johnsons as the first choice on any budget .”
www . johnsonssportsseed . co . uk
GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | March / April 2024 25