CARTS on the path

1.7", that is the number of inches of rain we had in 2 hours this morning. Carts are on the paths, all mowing is suspended and bunker reclamation has started.

Hydraulic Oil Leak....

Well it happens...with all the equipment on the course, which run on hydraulic oil, we occasionally have a machine break a part. We did on the approach mower on #12 green.

This area was re-sodded to keep golfers from tracking the oil on the course.... This area is ground under repair.

Thanks

Poa annua…..

This last week people have been asking about the Poa…Well, Pencross was the variety of bent our greens were planted to in fall 1995. Pencross is also the variety of bent that is currently on the Tees. It is an old variety of bent that is not as aggressive as the newer bents. So here is my spiel on Poa:

Poa loves the colder, wetter seasons that we’ve had the last few seasons. (Yes, the 2010 season was warm; we had to use additional water to cool plants). We will be scaling back on overhead sprinkler applications of water, expect to see more hand watering.

Poa will start growing when the soil thaws. Bent prefers 55 degrees. Bent will change color but not normally grow much until then. Currently, we are approaching the high 50’s on putting surfaces. Depth of temp is measured at 4”.

Poa is a prolific seed head producer, up until a handful of seasons ago; there was a limited few choices in the controls of seed heads. I’ve applied a proven combination of growth regulators on the putting surfaces to control seed heads this season, so far so good.

Poa is the only grass that is on ALL seven continents of the Earth. It is highly adaptable to growing and cultural conditions. Oakmont CC in Pittsburgh mows Poa at .080” (no typo) everyday.

Poa hates extended heat and humidity (days, not hours.). Period.

Poa doesn’t like a growth regulator called Paclobutrazol, it will cause the Poa to look off color and grow shorter. I’ve used this in the past and will continue its use in the future.

So this season, expect to see the greens aerator on a more rigid schedule of venting. The topdresser will be seen at least once every 14 days, with rates of sand varying at times.

And finally, this next weekend is our first adventure in a 2 day tournament at the Sanctuary GC. The I-80 Am is currently full. The greens are putting nice and expect some difficult pins.

The Sun makes an appearance

Well today is Friday, the Sun finally decided it wants to come out. The turf is responding to it. However, we have plenty of wet spots and plenty of golfers. and the creek has been receding most of the day.

Today the carts are still on the paths. The carts are probably going to be 90 degrees tomorrow. Just as a reminder 90 degrees means you can drive from the path to your ball, hit your ball and return to the path. Other wise the carts turn into a bunch of free range turf predators...leaving ruts and scaring healthy turf. I would appreciate that the golf carts are kept under control, because there's always a group of rebellious carts that need to have an attitude adjustment.

Thanks, and enjoy this thing called the Sun.

Rain .....

Rain…again.

This week has not been good to the course, NO flooding but exceptionally wet. We’ve had rain in the gauge everyday for the last 10 days. Rain is still predicted for another 2 days.

So turf will be mowed only if it can support mower, bunkers work will continue as needed; IE pumping and plowing sand.

So we’re back to projects again.

Until further notice, Sorry , CARTS on the PATHS

Here we go again...

As I sit here and write this, it seems that I can’t get on the same page as Mother Nature this year. Rain, again, and again, and probably again. BUT no snow.... So that means projects with the staff this time of the season.

Completed:

• Edging of the bunkers
• Solid tine aeration of tees and fairways
• Needle tine aeration of all the putting surfaces
• Tree trimming and removal on the 14^th hole near the tee box, should have done this years ago…
• Tree removal near the 6^th green, much improved airflow.
• Fertilization of the putting surfaces
• Pre-emergent weed control of the roughs and deep rough
• Through cleaning of the shop.
• Resurfacing of the tee markers

All the playing surfaces have been mowed at least twice, and the green a half dozen or so times.

We are planning a heavy topdressing in the near future, weather permitting.

Chipping green is open, along with hitting off the grass on the range.

14 Tee, This is before, last fall, courtesy of the Clubhouse.

After:

The better picture:

I guess I'm going to do this full time....

After mulling over this type of social media for over the last year and a half, I've decided to do it.

Here is an update for the course for the week of April 10th. today we are hosting the second day of the MAJGT Junior Golf tournament. Area players from the surrounding area aged 13-18 are playing. Low score was 68, 4 total players under 72.

The organizers are very good at running this tournament. Only moved a few hazard stakes, painted all the hazards lines, and setup the range for the players.

As for maintenance concerns this week, we will be finishing up our tree trimming on #14 tee, fertilizer on the greens and rough, do some mowing, topdress putting surfaces, and finally be off the grass on the range tee.

As people know, I submit a Board report for the Park District, and one of the biggest concerns was snowmold and winterkill from ice. Needless to say, i've been here 15 seasons and finally had to break ice on greens. #2, #3, #6 and #11 greens ice was removed. As for winterkill, I can only say we had minor killing on #6 and the putting green. I expect a full recovery.