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Warkworth’s grass bowling green has been out of action for a whole season, but a remedy has been found.
Both Warkworth Bowls Club and Mahurangi East Bowling Club had problems with their grass bowling greens this season.
Warkworth’s green continues to suffer after its Star Weed lawn was damaged by cross-contamination of chemicals. It is suspected a spray container was not cleaned properly before the use of liquid fertiliser, resulting in large patches dying off and rendering the surface unplayable.
The green has since undergone a soil test and the club committee has been advised to apply a mixture of gypsum and potash, together with the usual coring and reseeding of the surface, to fix the problem.
The club hopes the surface will be back in action for its opening day on September 9.
Tournament committee chair John Hurdley says player numbers have been lost in some competitions and income is down due the green being out of action.
Meanwhile, Mahurangi East Bowling Club was subject to large amounts of rain at the beginning of the off-season, delaying the start of a major 10-year renovation of its grass green.
New grass seed could not be sown which meant the surface was unplayable until part way through the summer season.
However, club greenkeeper Peter Walker says no permanent damage has been done and there was little inconvenience caused, since they have the option of their all-weather carpet green.
Peter says the grass green is more costly to maintain, but players prefer it as it is cooler and softer to play on.
