Great rainfall followed by Sod Work and a Save the Date

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Drainage, Fertility, Projects, Putting Greens

This Monday, we were scheduled to lay sod around the greens where the collars are weak.  Our plans were changed when the golf course and the sod farm received 2 inches of rain.  This rain was very beneficial and really helped the golf course but delayed the sod until Tuesday.  On Monday we cleaned up from the storm, core aerated collars, and prepped for sod around the clubhouse putting green and the driving range practice green.  Come to think of it, we also spiked greens, and...

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Collars and Spring Dead Spot and Following up on Two Projects

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Our collars and the spring dead spot on tees and fairways are the two most unsightly issues we have right now on the golf course from tee to green.  There has been very little winterkill, the greens are in great shape, the bunkers are consistent, we are making improvements to the exteriors of the golf course, and playing surfaces are in good condition for April.  With all that said, the collars and spring dead spot on tees and fairways have dominated our attention.  They have been...

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A Friend Goes to Congress and Another Accepts a new Position

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Environmental Efforts

Today is National Golf Day and our industry is presenting the values and improtance of golf to Congress in Washington DC.  Peter McDonough is a friend, colleague, and leader in environmental stewardship.  The Golf Course Superintendent at the Keswick Club in Charlottesville, Peter has a passion for the profession of the Golf Course Superintendent and has advocated the profession for many years.  Today, Peter represents our national association, the Golf Course Superintendent's Association...

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How to Use the Blog

Monday, April 16, 2012

I currently have four or five topics that I need to write about either from my own thoughts, our team's ideas, the green committee or other various members.  I love the feedback and the use of the blog's reach, I just need to make more time for it.  I did want to go over one big topic that I talked to a few people about last week.  How to Use the Blog.  More specifically, how to communicate with us or send feedback. Quick history.  The blog was started in 2011 in hopes of...

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Drainage Project, Collars, and Putting Greens

Monday, April 09, 2012 Drainage, Projects, Putting Greens

This Monday has been driven by projects.  Chuck Cassick, our Horticulturalist, and his team have been working diligently in the parking lot spreading mulch.  The majority of that work will be done today.  Chuck still has a little more to do but the mulch will be finished by next Monday if all goes as planned.  Chuck's Grounds department consists of himself and one seasonal employee.  The golf course staff supplements labor as needed during big projects, plant installations...

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Masters Week, Bud's favorite Day of the Year, and The Elephant in The Room

Tuesday, April 03, 2012 Questions

Masters Week.  The best and worst week of the year.  The tournament is incredible, the fans knowledgeable, and the course is meticulously perfect.  I love the Masters.   I have been lucky enough to walk the golf course during a practice round.  I have seen the perfection and marveled in it on television.  Not a pine needle out of place, azaleas in bloom, greens perfect, and not a single blemish in the fairways.  It takes a lot to get the golf course there but there...

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Wind Prevents Applications while Dry Weather Allows Much Needed Drainage Work

Tuesday, April 03, 2012 Drainage, Projects

Yesterday was a fantastic Monday.  Our team had planned to spray greens and finish a herbicide application in the fescue but the wind prevented that from happening.  The wind and drying weather did allow for a lot of mowing and other work.  We mowed all of the fairways and got a dry cut on the greens.  After examining mowers this morning, I can say that the dry cut helped and we are finally starting to see a decent cut on greens following aeration.  Our equipment manager,...

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