A Game of Practice

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The weather has been beautiful and the golf course has been packed.  The course is holding in well despite the extra traffic.  We are on pace to have about 30,000 rounds this year.  That is about 25% more than normal.  I have noticed more ball marks being fixed and definitely more filled divots.  That is apparent by the amount of empty sand bottles at #6 tee box.  Please remember to fill divots on tees where sand is provided.  The one place that is wearing out...

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USGA Update and Course Care Reminder

Friday, May 25, 2012 USGA Green Section Updates

This is a regional update from the USGA.  I think it is a great way to get young people excited about the game and to teach course care.  Please be mindful of these course care techniques when playing the golf course.  Filling divots, raking bunkers, fixing ball marks (properly), being mindful of your cleats impact on the putting surface are all part of the game.  Here is a great article about course care.  Please remember to mark your calendar for Monday, June 4 from...

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Mark Your Calendar: Monday June 4, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Course Care Committee and the Golf Course Maintenance Department cordially invite you to a Golf Course Walk and Open House. June 4, 2012:  5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. We will be walking the top 9 holes of the golf course to fill divots, review course care and talk turf.  The walk will be concluded with an open house tour of the golf course maintenance facility and dinner.  Beer, soft drinks, bottled water and dinner provided.  Sign for drinks at dinner. Please RSVP...

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Air Movement and Fan Video

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

This video was taken this morning, Wednesday, May 16 at about 9:00 a.m.  The device used in the video is a Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter.  The device is about 4.5 inches tall and is accurate within 3%.  The device was propped up and was measuring wind speed 4.5 inches off the ground.  It would be logical to assume that the lower this measurement was taken, the lower the wind speed.  The Kestrel 3000 was located in the swale that runs through the middle of this green. ...

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Fans, Collars, and Golf Course Projects

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Fertility, Projects

If you have played the golf course since Tuesday afternoon, you have noticed the large, gas powered fan mounted on a trailer behind #1 Green.  This fan will be used all over the golf course as necessary.  It is being used on #1 because that is perennially, our weakest green and receives poor air movement. It is currently in use while we wait on approval from the city inspector for electrical permitting.  Once this is approved, the permanent fans will be installed on holes 1, 4, and...

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Course Drying very Well

Friday, May 11, 2012 Drainage, Projects

The course is drying out very well following Wednesday afternoon's 1.5" of rain.  The golf course has drained extremely well and the new drainage on 4, 9, 12, and 13 is paying great dividends.  Last year's drainage projects on #1, 3, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 16 are still working very well.  It is safe to say that we would not have been dry enough to mow or drive carts off of the path without the renovation to the golf course and this additional drainage.  Today we are able to mow out...

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Irrigation Audit, More Sod Work and a Ton of Mowing

Wednesday, May 09, 2012 Projects, Putting Greens, Questions

Like every week, Monday and Tuesday have been very busy. Monday was our last closed day for maintenance until the day after Memorial day so we wanted to take advantage. The poor areas around greens 1-8 were sodded on Monday and greens were lightly topdressed. Greens also received soil amendments including Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium based on soil tests. Yesterday greens were sprayed with a growth regulator which will help reduce top growth and encourage root growth.  ...

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Green Speeds, Tee Markers, Virginia Tech Research and #12 Drainage

Friday, May 04, 2012 Drainage, Projects, Putting Greens, Questions

Yesterday's blog post sparked some real concerns about greens.  For this, I apologize.  We are all concerned about greens for the same reason.  We care about the golf course and we know that we cannot suffer the same results as last year.  But this year, we should be proud of the greens.  They are in great shape.  Stan, our USGA agronomist has been by and says we should be very pleased.  Our roots are good.  Just yesterday, the turf pathologist from Virginia...

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Busy, Busy Week of Projects and Maintenance

Thursday, May 03, 2012 Drainage, Projects, Questions

Spring is here and with it, a very busy schedule.  I have been consumed with work and scheduling and have not posted lately.  This post will provide a quick insight into the last week or so. Last Saturday was the 'Meet me at The Rock' event.  I hope everyone who played received a new ball mark repair tool.  We appreciate the initiative the golf committee has taken in course care and member education.  I enjoyed reconnecting and meeting many of you on Saturday.  Monday...

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