The Loss of a Friend and Mentor

Friday, August 31, 2012

If you are a consistent reader of this blog, the name Stanley Zontek should ring a bell.  Stan has been our USGA Green Section Agronomist for the past 4 years.  Stan has been a friend, mentor, and overall support system for our team over the years and specifically last year.  Stan has made countless visits, scheduled and unscheduled to consult, advise and just generally check on things.  On Tuesday morning, Stan passed away after a massive heart attack.  He will be sorely...

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Drill and Fill Q & A

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Next week (September 4-6) is the scheduled time for fall core aeration.  This year we are adding a second process to core aeration known as drill and fill.  The green committee sent out this Q and A letter this morning addressing the process and purpose. Have a great day, Jordan Booth jbooth@willowoakscc.org Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE ...

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What Happens on Closed Days?

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Today was a scheduled closed day for maintenance and fairway topdressing.  This scheduled fairway topdressing was cancelled and the funds slated for topdressing were reappropriated for the drill and fill process next month.  We still made the most of the closed day. First and foremost, we took the opportunity to spray our winter weed pre-emergent herbicide.  The pre-emergent herbicide prevents winter weeds and specifically poa annua on tees, fairways, and surrounds.  You may...

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Fall Aeration and Care of the Course Event

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Labor Day is less than a month away and with it brings the routine practice of fall core aeration.  This process will be completed over three closed days, September 4, 5, and 6.  This will really breathe fresh air back into the greens and allow complete recovery from a long, hot summer.  During this time of aeration, another agronomic practice will take place known as Drill and Fill.  This process is basically a large scale core aeration.  Our typical core aeration removes a 1/2" diameter core about 3-4 inches deep. ...

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Sprigs Growing in Well

Thursday, August 02, 2012

It is finally August and I felt like July would never end.  July showed its teeth this year as it was the 2nd hottest July on record.  The rain over the past few nights has been well received and the course is responding well to it.  Our project work is wrapping up and by next week, all of the sod that will be installed to the left of #9 will be finished.  Mulch bed installations will continue in that area and over time we will find a balance between a natural area and bermudagrass. ...

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