TURF MANAGEMENT ENHANCED

Highwoods Golf Club in East Sussex say they have adopted a tailored liquid nutrition strategy to improve turf health and presentation across the site.

Head greenkeeper Jamie Melham (pictured above), who has led the club’s greens team for over eight years, has worked closely with Rob Welford of Consolidate Turf to develop and implement the programme.

Jamie, who began his greenkeeping career 20 years ago and previously worked at Dale Hill and Lamberhurst, said a key motivation for the change was addressing inconsistency in granular fertiliser prill sizes from a previous supplier. After consulting with Welford, Highwoods transitioned to a liquid-based programme, starting with Consolidate Plus to promote early season growth on greens.

The full liquid package now includes seaweed, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients, with formulations adjusted annually based on leaf tissue and soil analysis. A separate schedule is in place for greens, approaches, and fairways, tailored to specific requirements.

“The results speak for themselves,” said Jamie. “We’ve seen consistent improvements in colour, plant strength, wear tolerance, disease reduction and recovery times.”

Rob Welford confirmed the programme is bespoke to the site’s needs, using a controlled nitrogen source to support protein and amino acid development while reducing the risks associated with conventional fertilisers. Regular analysis helps monitor uptake and ensure targeted delivery.

The STRI also plays a role in the club’s approach, conducting annual soil analysis that informs ongoing adjustments to the nutrient plan. Rob said the structured and data-driven system has helped maintain standards while offering reassurance to the club’s board.