The men’s Australian Open makes a highly anticipated return to Royal Melbourne Golf Club this December, with the iconic Composite Course hosting the tournament after a 34-year hiatus. Starting in the 17 October edition of The Cut, Royal Melbourne links crew members Michael Clavin (West Course assistant) and Mat Isbester (East Course assistant) kicked off a series of regular updates that will provide an insight into course preparations as the tournament nears. 

Read on below for the latest update...

With just 18 days to go until tournament week, Melbourne has delivered its trademark unpredictable weather, with steady rain over the past few days and more likely to come. The rain has been helpful for all turf but has changed the rough from a February appearance four weeks ago to a typical greener, spring look.
Contractors are now fully established around the course and maintenance facility, and more structures are appearing. Hospitality and spectator viewing areas on holes 16,17 and 18 are the first to rise, taking shape swiftly. The rain softened ground has made the management of the build more critical in protecting turf from the intense forklift and truck activity.
The spray equipment (pictured below) has endured a heavy workload recently and this week was no exception. Two liquid fertiliser applications were completed on fairways, incorporating Liquid N (urea, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate), kelp and humate. The other was carried out on greens and surrounds via the fish mouth, combining nitrogen, potassium and magnesium products. Following on last week’s work, the remaining tees were fertilised, encouraging divot recovery, particularly on tees impacted with shade and tree root trouble. 
 
With a rare quiet Monday for golf, the hydrojects were put to work completing all greens on the East and West Courses. After the recent consistent rain, the hydrojects will assist to keep surface water to a minimum and provide some aeration of the profile. The quieter day also allowed us to work safely and efficiently in landing zones continuing with tree work, focusing on pathways and areas where spectators will move throughout the tournament. 

Mowing frequencies are adjusting with growth but cooler temperatures are keeping couch cutting frequency from ramping up, despite good soil moisture. As the tournament approaches, mowing intensity will increase further, with both tees, green surrounds and approaches transitioning from ride on mowing to hand cutting. Bunker maintenance is ongoing, with trimming and edging progressing steadily across all holes.

With play areas in good order, attention to outside the ropes, tree lines, walkways and the clubhouse surrounds are all seeing increased activity. Contractors are in the process of trimming the extensive Cypress hedging in the clubhouse precinct, to ensure they are looking their best for tournament week. 

The recent rainfall has reduced the need for hand watering, allowing time to focus on finer details such as bunker tongue repairs, path maintenance as well as work outside the tournament holes. Our nursery was recently stripped, fumigated and reseeded last Friday and we have also spent time nailing mowing patterns to ensure clean and consistent presentation.
Behind the scenes, the superintendents have been finalising rosters and logistics as we move into the final stages of preparation. Staff are now operating an overtime roster to achieve extra hours on the Composite Course which is assisting in completing the extensive list of tasks in the last few weeks of preparation. It’s a big effort from all involved and the excitement is building for what we anticipate will be an exciting week of golf at Royal Melbourne.

- Michael Clavin (Assistant - West Course) 

 
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO READ EARLIER RMGC COURSE UPDATES

Week 4 (7 NOVEMBER): Marquees going up as Composite cops 52mm READ...
Week 3 (31 OCTOBER): Club champs conclude as Open preps ramp up READ...
Week 2 (24 OCTOBER): Welcome rain freshens up Composite Course READ...
Week 1 (17 OCTOBER): Exciting (and busy) times ahead for RMGC crew READ...