Sunny, Cold Morning

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Ginny earning her Kibble

No frost delay this morning.  After .35" of rainfall over the past two days, the fairways are still too damp for handicapped flags.  Please contact the Pro Shop for more information.  With temperatures dipping into the upper 20's tonight, we could see a long frost delay tomorrow morning.  Have a great day.

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Irrigation System Blowout Complete

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The draining and winterization of the golf course's irrigation system has been completed.  The system is drained and essential elements, subject to freeze damage, have been removed from the pumps and pump controller.  Systems that cannot be removed have been filled with anti-freeze to protect them.  This winter shutdown protects the club's investment in our irrigation system and allows us time for maintenance necessary to keep our pumps and controller under warranty.  Our golf course management team wishes you a happy holiday season and we hope to see you on the golf course soon.

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Mid-Atlantic Regional Update from Stan Zontek

Monday, November 15, 2010

Stan's articles are always insightful and interesting.  

Mid-Atlantic Regional Update

We have had some beautiful fall color, however, we have had some tree decline and early leaf fall as well.  Only time will tell how this season will affect the long term health of our tree population.

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Good News and Bad News

Monday, November 15, 2010

The good news is that we expect a much needed rain tonight through Wednesday morning.  The rain will help protect the turf from dessication as it goes into dormancy and allow us to finish up all fertility applications today.  The bad news is that rain usually leads to cart path restrictions.  This time of year, we have to be especially careful in regards to traffic as the turf is going into dormancy and cannot recover.  On Monday, November 22 we will go exclusively to carts on path in order to protect the dormant Tifsport fairways and our membership's investment in the golf course.  Please click on the links below to read about exceptions to the cart restrictions and why we restrict carts to path.  The other good news is that despite a few cold mornings, this week looks to be unseasonably warm for late November.  Next week, I look forward to Thanksgiving Turkey, family, and football.  I hope you enjoy your holiday season and every thing Willow Oaks has to offer during this time of celebration. 

Greens/Golf Committees: Policy on Exceptions to Cart Path Restrictions during Turf Dormancy
Frost Delays and Cart Path Restrictions

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Frost Delay and Winter Maintenance

Friday, November 12, 2010

A little frost out there this morning but it looks to be a beautiful day. Winter maintenance of our equipment fleet has begun and we are working diligently to finish our Potash applications before we shut down the irrigation system. During winter maintenance, every piece of equipment has to be power washed, inspected and repaired as necessary.  The inspection, preventative maintenance, and sharpening of every essential part of equipment includes reels, bedknives, rotary blades, bearings, rollers, grease fittings, tires, safety switches, and hoses.  Winter maintenance also includes the changing of oils, filters, and fluids.  Our fall Potash application helps the turf overwinter and thrive during dormancy.  Enjoy the beautiful weather and your weekend!

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A season to forget

Sunday, November 07, 2010

The oyster bowl brings us to the end of a 2010 golfing/growing season that few golfers will forget but even less will want to remember.  Our golf course faced flooding, record snowfall, drought, excessive heat, and torrential rains.  Overall, I am very proud of our staff and the golf course this year, despite our challenges.  There is always a silver lining and we turned these challenges into opportunities by rebuilding 19 flooded bunkers, renovating the area between #3 green and #4 tees, draining and renovating the area between #9 and #18,  and renovating the areas to the right of #10 and to the right of #14.  We followed through with commitments to change grass lines based on playability, traffic tolerance, shade tolerance, and irrigation requirements.  2010 reminded us to always be forward thinking and encouraged us to change some vital maintenance practices to lessen our dependency on water, reduce our impact on the environment and reduce our mechanical impact by eliminating the use of large equipment on our putting greens.  We will continue to to surge forward and with your support and a little help from Mother Nature, 2011 will be a year to remember.

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First Freeze

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Expect freezing temperatures tonight and frost in the morning.  There is a freeze warning from 2:00 a.m.. - 9:00 a.m. Daylights saving time is also tonight.  Have a great weekend and good luck at the Oyster Bowl.

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Beautiful Friday

Friday, November 05, 2010

This morning we received the last small amount of rainfall from this weather system.  Overall, the golf course received 1.5 inches of a nice slow rain.  The bunkers and greens held up tremendously but carts are restricted to the path on every hole today.  We should get close to 60° today so please enjoy the golf course.  Our crew is  working hard removing leaves, mowing greens and raking bunkers.  This weekend looks nice and dry but expect frost delays with lows near freezing.

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Wet Thursday

Thursday, November 04, 2010

We arrived to work this morning in a light rain with a 1/2 inch already in the rain gauge.  So far it has been a nice slow drizzle but we expect rain all day.  We will work as long as we are productive.  Pins will be in location 3 and carts are restricted to the cart path on every hole.  Drive safe and have a great day.

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Greens Venting

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

We will complete a venting of the greens on the golf course today.  The three putting greens as well as 1-9, 12, and 16 were finished Monday.  The rest of the greens will be completed today.  Greens venting allowing gas exchange, water infiltration and air movement.  This process will help extend our growing season and allow the greens to dry out.  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, a phosphorus enhancer, and Potassium were applied to the greens following venting to promote root growth and plant health.  The greens will be rolled and mowed following this process to ready them for play. 
Please view our Glossary of Employed Agronomic Practices for more information.

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Frost this Morning

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

November is here and with it the frost.  Frost delay this morning.  Play will be delayed until front lifts.  Carts are restricted to the path of #3.  Have a great Election day.

Maintenance will begin at 9:00 a.m. so golf can begin at 9:30 a.m.

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