Is it really December?

Thursday, December 15, 2011

With today feeling like late October, I find myself out of the Holiday spirit.  We still have not seen winter.  If it wasn't for all of the leaves on the ground or the Fraser Fir in my living room, I wouldn't have a clue that today is the fifteenth of December.  The staff is busy with seasonal work including bunker adjustments, leaf removal, and equipment maintenance.  Unlike a normal winter, we are still mowing greens regularly, rolling greens and applying fungicides on the greens.  I was rolling greens in the dark this morning in order to stay ahead of the crew spraying greens. 
The only negative to a mild fall pertains to the bermudagrass.  The plant really needs consistently cold temperatures to harden off properly and enter dormancy.  To date, we still have a lot of green grass in the fairways.  The plants have stopped growing but are not fully dormant.  Keeping traffic off of the turf will be even more important this year even though it has been very nice.  Tuesday began our winter cart path restrictions.  Our team will make daily calls regarding cart path closures.  Thank you for your patience during this dormant season.
It has been a very uncharacteristic fall but we will take it.  There were more rounds played in November than June.  The blog has eclipsed the 10,000 page view mark and over 80 people follow the blog on email or twitter.  The greens are progressing nicely and have taken the extra traffic very well.  We are starting to prepare for next year and I am very excited about the projects planned for 2012.  As we move into the end of December, we hope to see you at the club and want to wish every one a happy holiday season. 

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River Stays Within Banks

Friday, December 09, 2011 River

After a wide variety of predictions, the river has crested right at 15'6".  The river has not come on to the golf course but the creek to the left of #4 has started to spill on to #4.  The bridges at #17 are under water and that hole will be played to a temporary green.  There is a heavy frost this morning and in turn a long frost delay.  Due to wet conditions, carts will be restricted to the cart path.  Play will start as soon as possible.  Have a great weekend.

With the river so high, the course is not allowed to drain and the water has come over the bridges on #17.

The river came close to #5

Water near the cart path on #16.

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River Crest Update

Thursday, December 08, 2011 River

The predicted river crest has been lowered to 15.1 feet.  We are installing sand bags to prevent silt from coming on with the water.  The river should stay around 15 feet between 7:00 p.m. tonight and 7:00 p.m. tomorrow.  If this prediction holds true, the golf course will be in good shape with minimal flooding.

River level at 13.9 feet: 12:30 p.m. Thursday.  Click on graph for updated prediction.

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Storm and River Update

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Quick update from the field:

As of 8:15 am Thursday, the river is at 11.5 ft, rising quickly, and expected to crest at 16 ft.  If this happens, the golf course will take on water and a few holes may have to briefly close.  Will continue updates via twitter and blog.  You can follow twitter feeds from blog as well.

Course made it through storm well.  Bunkers in tough shape but only lost 3 non critical trees, well out of play.  Lots of debris on course and no leaves left on trees.  Overall, we are in good shape...flooding will determine if we end up with any other damage.

The club has power if you do not.  Have a great day.

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Changing Weather and River Update

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

The weather system that is currently moving through our area looks to bring heavy rains and cooler temperatures.  Winter may finally arrive.  I know that I have been thankful for the beautiful Fall but all good things must come to an end.  If the projected overnight lows are correct, frost will once again be prevalent and in turn, frost delays.  The projected lows over the next 5 days are 37°F, 28°F, 32°F, 26°F, and 28°F.  We will have frost and we will have frost delays.    

Frost on the grass blades tells us that the water inside the leaves is frozen.  Water is the primary component of plant tissue. When this water is frozen, traffic on the turf causes the ice crystals in the cells to puncture through the cell walls, killing the plant tissue. Little damage is done to the crowns (growing points) or roots if only a light frost appears; however, when the frost is heavy, cell disruption may occur at the crown, thus killing the entire plant. Frost damage symptoms include white to light tan leaves where traffic has passed.  Even if you do not see frost on the practice putting greens, we may have frost on a few greens on the golf course.  Shade and location both affect how long it takes for frost to burn off of greens.  Frost delays affect every tee time but overall membership satisfaction, quality of the turf and golf course conditions have to be taken into consideration.  We also have to allow time for maintenance ahead of play so thank you for your patience on these cold mornings. 

Foot traffic damage as a result of walking on frost covered turf.

This weather system is also bringing heavy rains.  The river looks to rise over the next few days to a crest of 13.7 feet.  The golf course begins to take on water at 15 feet so initial projections are good.  The best resource for river level information is the National Weather Services Westham Gauge. 

This graph is current as of 4:00 pm on December 7.  Click here for a current river level prediction.

Our staff has been busy this week with post emergent herbicide applications, bunker depth adjustments, leaf removal, Pennywort (the floating aquatic weed in the ponds) removal, and routine maintenance.  REMINDER: Carts will be restricted to the path beginning Tuesday, December 13.  The policy on exceptions to winter cartpath restrictions can be found here.  Carts may be restricted to the path between now and December 13 due to wet conditions.

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2012 Planned Projects and Winter Cart Path Restrictions

Thursday, December 01, 2011 Projects

Last night was the final Green Committee meeting of the year.  The committee voted on projects for 2012 based on the best utilization of the operating budget.  The four projects were selected from a master list of top 20 projects that has been developed over the course of 2011.  The projects that were selected include hardscaping the areas around the water coolers, renovating the area to the left of number nine fairway, renovating the area between the tenth hole and the twelfth hole and renovating the rough around the twelfth tee.  The rest of the master list includes but is not limited to bunker renovations (asphalt liner installations), tree line renovations, drainage installations, and turf conversions.  When the committee chooses a project, the project is meticulously planned and priced by our management team prior to the committee placing the project on the master list.  These projects are then prioritized based on price, condition of area to be renovated, and playability.  Acts of nature such as flooding will impact the completion dates of these projects.  The 2012 planned projects are described and pictured below.

1. Renovate the area between the tenth and twelfth fairways.
Goals:  a. Remove dead or decaying trees
b.  Remove trees to increase sunlight and allow for turf installation
c.  Create mulch beds around remaining trees to promote tree health
d.  Create an aesthetically pleasing, playable area through the installation of turf

Work will begin to the left of #10 tees.  This leaning Pine was struck by lightning and will have to be removed this winter.

The area between 10 and 12 is poor and needs to be renovated to improve playability.

This project will begin almost immediately.  Tree work is always a winter focus but the dead, decaying, and weak specimen trees will be remove this winter to allow for better growing conditions.  The remaining trees will be grouped into mulch beds with the remaining areas being sodded and sprigged to T-10 bermudagrass.  This area has always been poor and barren and this project will provide a much needed improvement.  

2.  Renovate the area to the left of the ninth fairway.
Goals: a.Allow more sunlight onto #9 fairway
b. Remove dead or decaying trees
c.  Remove trees to increase sunlight and allow for turf installation

d.  Create mulch beds around remaining trees to promote tree health

e.  Create an aesthetically pleasing, playable area through the installation of turf
f.  Remove ditch/hazard to the left of the cart path on #9

This project was started by adding topsoil and cleaning up the area of underbrush.  Seed was planted to control erosion of the new topsoil.  This established turf was a cheap, easy erosion control method that leaves the area aesthetically pleasing until the project is completed.  The turf will be sprayed out in order for the area to be sprigged and sodded.

This picture was taken at 10 a.m.  The ninth fairway stays shaded most of the day.  This leads to poor, wet conditions and a potential for winterkill.

Dead and decaying trees will be removed as well as poor specimen trees to allow for good bermudagrass growing conditions.  Mulch beds will be installed around the remaining trees.  The ditch in this tree line will be removed and pipe will be installed to maintain proper drainage.

This project is already well under way.  Underbrush has been cleared and drainage has been installed.  Topsoil was added to level this area while we had some extra time this fall.  The seed was established as an erosion control method to prevent the new topsoil from wind and water erosion.  This grass will be sprayed out so that T-10 bermudagrass can be installed.  The new T-10 will be installed from the bridge at #17 green to the tees at #13.  The area behind #14 green that was intended to be fine fescue will be converted to T-10 as well.  This entire area needs improvement and the increased sunlight in #9 fairway will promote turf quality and limit cart path restrictions.

3. Renovate the entire area surrounding #12 Tee Complex
Goals a.  Replace Fine Fescue with T-10 bermudagrass
b.  Replace Tall Fescue with T-10 bermudagrass
c.  Remove unnecessary mulch beds and replace with turf
d.  Improve aesthetics and playability of this area

The area between #12 tees and #14 tees will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.

The tall fescue in front of the twelfth tee will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.  The TifSport walking trail will remain intact.  This area will connect this project to the project planned between #10 and #12.

The area between #10 Green and #11 Green and #12 Tees will be renovated to T-10 bermudagrass.  The intended turf in this area was fine fescue.  This was not an acceptable playing surface for this area.

This is a much needed project and will really change the landscape around the eleventh green, twelfth tee complex, and thirteenth green.  All of the old fine fescues will be removed and T-10 bermudagrass will be installed with sod and sprigs.  The T-10 bermudagrass will add some contrast to the landscape vs. the TifSport bermudagrass and will provide a much better playing surface than the mowed down fine fescue. 

4. Hardscape Installation around Water Cooler Stations
Goal:  Create a consistent, clean look for all of the golf course amenities.

Our team will install a cobblestone hardscape around each of these water cooler stations to develop a crisp, consistent look.  The mulch beds will be removed or adapted for landscaping.  The locations of these amenities will remain the same.  You might have noticed unnecessary mulch beds being removed around the golf course this year.  

Two last notes

Chipping and pitching are prohibited on the practice putting green at the driving range.  Chipping and putting are allowed on the practice putting green behind the clubhouse.

Carts will be restricted to the path starting Tuesday December 13.  This protects the dormant turf from traffic while it is not actively growing.  Handicapped flags will be allowed when weather permits.  The Policy on Exceptions to Carts on Path Only During Winter Dormant Season can be found here.

Have a great weekend.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Holiday season is finally here.  Thanksgiving gives us a chance to enjoy family, food and a little football.  The golf course has seen a wet, warm autumn and most of the leaves have fallen.  Due to the wet conditions, our staff is having a difficult time with leaf removal.  It is impossible for us to use large blowers and leaf removal equipment so we must stick to smaller equipment.  This obviously slows down the process but we are working hard to keep tees, landing areas, bunkers and greens leaf free.  This is an impossible task.

The staff is busy with several other projects outside of leaf removal.  The team has finished removing undesirable plant material from around the ponds and has begun removing the invasive aquatic plant, pennywort.  We want to encourage a natural stand of cat tails, sedges, rushes and wispy grasses around the ponds but we still have to manage these areas to prevent contamination of invasive species.  The pennywort is removed by hand and if left unmaintained would quickly take over the ponds.

Pennywort is the invasive aquatic weed pictured above.  The plant floats and will quickly take over a pond.  The sedges and cat tails pictured are desired but have to be managed as well.  I am glad to capture native bird species in this picture including ducks and blue heron.  We encourage a habitat for these species while trying to discourage the invasion of non-migratory Canadian Geese.

Last night's storms brought us a considerable amount of rain and even though the golf course held up well, the surfaces are very wet.  Even with a windy, sunny day today, I wouldn't expect to see cart path restrictions lifted for a few days.  The recently saturated turf will take much longer to dry out due to these factors.  

1. Shorter days (less sunlight)
2. Lower Sun angle (longer shadows, less sunlight) 
3. Colder temperatures (less evaporation)
4. Dormant turf (far less water uptake than active growing conditions)

Please bear with us as we take our time to clean up the golf course during these saturated conditions.  Cart path restrictions are designed to protect the playing surfaces, not to disrupt the golfer's experience.  Thank you for following the restrictions and our goal is to always provide the best experience possible.  If you hit your ball into an area of leaves and cannot find it, please continue playing without penalty.  The leaves will be removed as quickly as possible.  Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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Continuing Education and the Results of a Heavy November Rain

Friday, November 18, 2011

Bobby, Kevin and I traveled to the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Education Conference and Trade Show.  We each took three classes between Monday and Tuesday covering a wide array of topics associated with our industry.  The Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association does a great job with their enrolled classes, general education and trade show.  The three of us brought home a lot of good ideas that will be implemented on the golf course.  We are very thankful for the opportunity to study under some of the best professors in our field and to network with our peers and industry leaders.

Stan's regional USGA update...very timely:  The Value of Education 

While we were away, the course received 2.4 inches of rain.  The result is normal; washed bunkers, wet conditions and a lot of downed leaves.  With the wet conditions and cold weather reports, expect frost delays and cart path restrictions this weekend.  The turf will not dry out very fast this time of year.  The staff has worked diligently and bunkers will be put back together this afternoon.  The staff will work on hand raking bunkers and continued leaf removal this weekend.  Our entire staff will be in this weekend to make up for lost time due to rain.  Due to the wet conditions in the fairways, we cannot use our large equipment to blow leaves.  Removal will have to be done with back pack blowers and rakes. 

Heavy rain and wind brought down a large volume of leaves this weak.   Wet turf conditions eliminate the use of large leaf removal equipment which slows progress.  We will be focusing on landing areas and green complexes.

 

Before bunkers can be repaired, the leaves have to be removed.

Even with fabric liners, the steep slope of our bunkers make them prone to washouts.  All of this sand has to be replaced with rakes and shovels.  This is a labor intensive process.

Sand that has eroded from the faces of the bunkers has to be replaced by hand.

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Shutting down the Irrigation System

Friday, November 11, 2011

Today, we began the task of shutting down the irrigation system.  We winterized all essential pieces and parts of the system.  We will still be able to use the system for a few more weeks until we get consistently low night time temperatures.  At that point, we will drain the water out of the entire system. 

This is a picture of the control panel for the irrigation system.  In the analogy of the irrigation system being the life blood of the golf course, the pumps in the quarry are the heart of the system and the control panel is the brain.  This panel controls which pumps run or if both need to run based on demand of water and the amount of hours each pump has run.  It also limits damage by shutting down the system if there is a leak in the field or a low pressure situation.  This control panel has many functions and a lot of expensive pieces and parts that have to be winterized every year.  We can run the system manually without it for a few weeks until we get into deep freeze situations.

If you have not noticed, there is a new Twitter Update section on the right side of the blog.  This will give you the twitter feeds that I send out concerning frost delays, cart path rulings, pin placements etc.  It makes the blog a little more dynamic in the fact that I can easily post quick bits of information.  It will be of great help through the colder months with frost delays.  I hope this helps.  Have a great Veteran's day and weekend.

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Cleaning up Around Ponds and Bunker Work

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The staff has been busy this week with leaf cleanup and the removal of undesirable plants around the ponds.  We want to encourage a natural buffer of native aquatic plants around our ponds including sedges, rushes and cattails.  All of these plants have to be managed and any hard woods have to be removed to stop the ponds from re-foresting themselves. 

We are now trimmed down to our winter staff.  We have eight full and part time employees that will work through the winter months on the golf course. With a smaller crew, all of our time in the morning is devoted to golf course set up with the afternoons being utilized for project work.  Next week, we will begin the work of adjusting bunker depths.  Our team will check all of the bunkers for the proper sand depth and add, remove or move sand accordingly.  This is a labor intensive process that has to be done every year.  Sand is constantly shifting in and out of the bunkers due to play, wind, rain and the removal of contaminated sand after heavy storms.  Please bear with us as our goal is to finish this work by January 20, 2012.  Once bunker work is complete, tree work, drainage installation and other winter projects can commence. 

On a final note, the club was kind enough to host a lunch for our staff today to thank them for all that they do.  Our team greatly appreciates it and the staff loved the opportunity to eat a great meal prepared by the culinary team.  A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Bliley, Mrs. Hable, and Mrs. Williams for all of the wonderful desserts.  We didn't let any of your hard work go to waste.  Thank you for lunch and thank you to all of our Veterans.  Remember to thank a Veteran for everything they have done for this Country.  Happy Veteran's Day.  

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Frost Delays and Bridge at #16 Green

Thursday, November 03, 2011

It is the time of the year for early morning frost.  When the temperatures dip into the 30's we are prone to frost.  Frost (frozen water in and on the plant) settles on the taller grasses first as they are more exposed and the leaf moisture is further from ground (air cools faster than soil.)  Tighter surfaces such as greens, tees and fairways stay insulated a little longer by the soil.  Once temperatures get into the low 30's we will see frost on these areas as well.  As long as the greens do not have frost on them, frost should not delay play.  Carts are restricted to the path until the frost thaws in order to prevent damage.
Here are two blog posts from last year regarding frost.
USGA Turf Twisters  
The Four Letter words of Golf: Frost Delays and Cart Path Restrictions

The new bridge from 16 green to the tees at 17 was completed last week and has been well received so far.  We look to have a few showers tonight and into tomorrow morning.  These showers are always a nuisance but they lead to other issues.  With any sloped walkways like the area leading to the bridge or wooden surfaces/bridges, please watch your footing when walking.  We will be improving the walk ways to this bridge next year when we can plant actively growing TifSport bermudagrass sod. 
Stan Zontek, our USGA agronomist, dropped in today and was very pleased with the putting surfaces.  The turf is holding up well to play and the membership is doing a great job fixing ball marks.  Thank you and have a great weekend.

Cart damage from driving on frost covered turf.  When the water inside of the plant is frozen, cart and/or foot traffic can literally shatter the leaf blade.

You can already tell that the taller bermuda is going dormant (turning off color.)  The frost has been heavier in the rough so far and has led to the rapid change of color from vibrant green to a khaki/green blend.

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Deer Activity on #18 Green

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Well its that time of year.  Frost, falling leaves and active deer.  This is the damage that we found this morning on #18 green.  Bobby is working quickly to fix the disturbed area and the green will be ready by the time play gets to it.  No long term damage to the green, just part of being in nature.  There is a heavy frost on the taller grasses but nothing on greens so the golf course is open this morning.  Carts will be restricted to the path until the frost lifts but then we should be 90 degrees the rest of the way.

Deer hoof and antler Damage to #18 Green.  This will be fixed before mowing and play.

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90 Degrees, Ball Marks and Green Speeds

Monday, October 31, 2011

It is finally here.  Barring any frost tomorrow morning, the golf course will re-open at 8:00 a.m. to normal tee times.  Frost looks unlikely with a chance of showers and overnight lows in the low 40's.  We will open with normal cart rulings and will only restrict carts to the path if weather dictates.  Once temperatures and the weather decline, we will go to permanent cart restrictions just like every winter.  This week looks to be good for 90 degree cart traffic unless we get rain tonight.

The greens have come full circle and are back in good putting shape.  The on-deck putting green at the first tee has taken a little longer to grow in so it will remain closed to finish growing in.  The greens are currently being mowed at .150", which is where we would normally like to be going into the winter.  The speeds will be slow.  Let me repeat that, the green speeds will be slow.  Speed is and always will be a secondary concern to turf health.  There is no reason to push the greens any lower or roll any more to gain a little speed for the next few weeks.  While the greens are healthy and dense, the 12 week old turf will benefit from limited mechanical traffic.  Once the temperatures warm back up in the spring, we will begin to make a push for better putting green speed. 

The greens should receive balls well but we will see a greater impact from ball marks.  During this time of continued recovery, fixing ball marks will be more important than ever.  The greens are not growing as fast right now so any ball marks that do not get fixed will be visible for quite some time.  Fixing your ball mark plus one more will make for smooth, consistent putting greens.  Hold the players in your group accountable for their ball marks as well.  Please watch this instructional video from the USGA on ball mark  repair.

We hope that you are as excited as we are to reopen the golf course.  The course is in good shape with a few new additions and a lot of healthy turf.  We look forward to seeing you out there.

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Prepping for November 1

Thursday, October 27, 2011

The golf course will reopen next Tuesday, November 1 and we could not be happier.  We are ready to put this behind us and get back to normal.  We are busy prepping for next week and wrapping up some new additions to the golf course.  The staff has mowed out fairways with our lightweight Triplexes that are normally reserved for tees and approaches.  These machines provide a better quality of cut than the fairway units because these new mowers are designed to mow at a higher height of cut if needed.  The reels on these machines have 11 blades as opposed to the 7 blades on our fairway units which also helps.  We have raised our fairway mowing height to protect the turf as it goes into dormancy. 
The staff is installing ball washers at 4, 6, 8, 13, and 14 tees.  The ball washers will be located directly next to the water coolers.  Our management team has been busy spraying for winter weeds and building a bridge to connect 16 green to 17 tees for easier walking access.  The herbicide will be a split application to catch any poa annua or other weeds that have germinated in the last few months.  The first application of herbicide has been completed and the bridge and ball washers will be completed tomorrow.  Subsequent applications of herbicide will follow in November and February.  And of course, we are busy with final putting green preparation and leaf removal.

Mowing #2 Green

New Ball Washer

Working on #16 Bridge

Jorge operating the leaf sweeper

Mowing fairways with our smaller Triplexes to increase our quality of cut.  This takes a lot of time and would be impractical on a daily basis without increased labor and equipment.

Bobby spraying winter weeds.

The tractor blower and leaf sweeper at work.

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Leaf Removal and USGA Article

Friday, October 21, 2011

Mid Atlantic Update
Keith Happ, Senior Agronomist
Its That Time of Year; Recovery and Rejuvenation is a priority!

This article from the USGA is very relevant to what we are doing right now.  We are neck deep in leaf removal and are wrapping up any seeding of fescue areas.  Today, we are spraying for winter weeds, removing leaves and continuing work on the irrigation system before we shut it down for the winter.  Greens are receiving applications of lime and topdressing behind the mowers. 

Please remember that you can follow the blog through twitter or our email feed.  You can also easily sign your friends up to receive the email feed.  Have a great weekend.

Chuck spends most of his day in the Fall on leaf removal.  The large willow oak trees in his area make this a daunting task.

Greens have to be blown off for other work to be completed.

Xinyi is tilling the soil to begin the seeding process next to the restrooms.  The leaves will have to be removed, the soil ammended, seed planted and straw added.  The two MSU interns have been very involved in all seeding projects.

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Quick Greens Update and a lot of Pictures

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

#1 Green

Greens are progressing beautifully.  We are at our winter height of cut and finalizing any topdressing, fungicide, and fertility applications.  Every green has full coverage outside of a few blemishes on the on deck putter and the clubhouse putting green.  We will continue to improve those areas but the 18 greens on the golf course are our main priority. 

Stan Zontek, our USGA agronomist visited yesterday to follow up on our progress.  Stan agrees that the greens are progressing well for their age and will only improve over the next few weeks of good growing weather.  The greens were topdressed and received a gypsum application yesterday and will receive an application of organic fertilizer today.  Other ongoing projects include irrigation head leveling, bunker renovation, fescue seeding, leaf removal, and cart path improvements.  Once the golf course is open and the leaves start to fall, the majority of our focus will shift to leaf removal.  When temperatures drop in December, the focus will shift to tree work, winter weed eradication and other winter projects.

We finished this bunker on #9 last week

Besides wreaking havoc on our irrigation system, the recent lightning storms have left some unique damage to our trees.

Areas where we had poor seed germination have been tilled, soils amended and reseeded.

Great germination and new growth to the left of #9 cartpath.

Over time irrigation heads settle and the continual topdressing of fairways makes them sit too low.  Our staff is leveling the irrigation heads that are too low.

Installing rock and cement to limit cart damage around sharp turns in the cart paths.

#9 Green

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Productive Week

Friday, October 07, 2011

We are trying to pull together a good week of grassing, winter preparation and renovation.  The golf course is in great shape going into dormancy and the greens are progressing wonderfully.  Our staff has taken advantage of the perfect weather this week and really completed some good work.  Poor conditions along the cartpath on holes 2, 3, and 9 are being graded and seeded this week and the left fairway bunker is being renovated.  The second pound of potash was applied to holes 10-18 and this application will be finished on Monday.  The potash supplies potassium to the plants and helps them survive dormancy.  Dormancy is the plants natural protection method to survive Winter.  Potassium is particularly important because of its contribution to root growth, environmental stress tolerance (cold and dry) and wear tolerance.  The stronger the turf is going into dormancy, the greater the chance of winter survival. 
The growth of the TifSport and Tifton 10 (T-10) bermudagrasses has really slowed down and they will begin to turn off color (go dormant) over the next few months.  As the bermudagrass stops growing, the cool season grasses continue to thrive until soil temperatures really drop.  Leaf season is right around the corner and we want to get all of the fescue seed established before we have to shift focus to leaf removal.  Enjoy the Autumn weather and have a great weekend.

Re-Lining the left fairway bunker on #9.  Sand will go in on Monday.

We have started to see some germination in these areas along 9 cartpath.

Weeds and rocks are removed and the ground in tilled.  Topsoil is then applied followed by fertilizer, seed and straw.

Prepping for seed.  This area between 9, 13, and 14 will be a main focus for us next year.

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Greens Topdressing and Fertilization

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

This morning we mowed greens at .180" and followed that with sand (topdressing), gypsum and fertilizer applications.  Our staff is also renovating the left fairway bunker on #9, aerating and seeding fescue areas, and converting poor areas and unused mulch beds to turf.  They will also be edging cart paths, sprinkler heads, and tee yardage plates.  Greens and bunkers were edged last week to prevent bermuda grass infiltration.  As temperatures continue to drop and bermuda grass growth slows, we will see less and less of a need to edge the bermuda grass runners.   

Our staff turns the walk mowers on lattice to reduce mechanical damage to the bermuda collars as the TifSport enters dormancy.  This process is done October - May to prevent damage when the TifSport is not aggressively growing.  Greens were mowed at .180" today.  We are closing in on our target goal of a .150" winter height of cut.

Following mowing, greens were topdressed with rotary spreaders at a rate of 180 lbs of sand./1000ft².

Bobby and Edgar fertilizing #9 Green. 

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