Christmas Cookie Party

Tonight we hosted our 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Party.  Last year we came up with the idea of inviting our staff and their families to our shop for pizza and Christmas Cookie decorating.  The party was a huge hit last year, and tonight we carried on the tradition for what will, hopefully, be many more years of getting together and celebrating Christmas with our families.

Knolla's Pizza, tons of cookies, icing and sprinkles made for a great night.  Each family took home at least a dozen decorated cookies, along with a few that were eaten throughout the night!

We have a great group of men and women on our team, couldn't do what we do without them!  Below are several pictures from the night.

Rodolfo's son putting on the icing

Eusebio's daughter

Donna and her daughter, Angie

My daughter, Morgan with Jeronimo's son, Fidel

Jason and his wife, Kaycie

Jason's son, Bo trying out a fairway mower!

Eusebio's daughter

Jeronimo's daughter

Lupe's sons

Lupe and family

Rodolfo and his daughter

Putting on the Icing!

Donna and her granddaughter

My wife, Sally and son, Brooks.

The finished product!

Having fun!

Maintenance Down the Middle

Several weeks ago I posted an article on Twitter from the USGA  http://www.usga.org/news/2012/November/Looking-Forward-at-the-Water-Summit/.  The focus of the article was a new trend in golf, led by 
Pinehurst No. 2, focusing on maintenance down the middle with a reduced emphasis on rough/out of the way areas.  The immediate impact has been reduced inputs including fertilizer and water, as well as improved playing conditions.  Sounds like a pretty good combination!

 At Wichita Country Club, we are no different.  We are constantly looking for ways to reduce our inputs in order to create a more sustainable golf course.  Unfortunately, as I look at the off season project list, a good portion of our focus is in the out of the way areas.  Cutting down/planting trees, irrigation additions, bunkers, and improving native areas all seem to creep up the list in the off season.  The challenge is how do we stay focused on our primary objectives (greens, tees, and fairways) without letting the other areas distract from our members and guest experience.

As we desire to improve our sustainability, reducing our water usage has to be at the top of our list, considering our current source of water.  Unfortunately, the changes in management style also lead to increased Bermuda competition in the rough, more browned out/thin areas in the rough, and a generally less aesthetically appealing golf course.  However, it is not all bad news.  This past year we saw the ball bouncing and rolling down the fairways, greens were firmer with less ball mark damage, green speeds were more consistent throughout the year, and tees held up to the wear and tear better.

What stands out in the two comparisons is the positives were focused down the middle, while the negatives impact the out of the way areas.  Maintenance down the middle must continue to drive our decisions moving forward.

Syngenta Business Institute

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you have most likely seen my recent posts from the Syngenta Business Institute.  Along with 25 other Golf Course Superintendents from across the country I was selected to attend the program sponsored by Syngenta and developed by the Wake Forest School of Business faculty. 

Graylyn Conference Center in Winston-Salem

Getting ready for another day.

 

The Syngenta Business Institute is a unique, four-day program focusing on financial and human resource management, delegation skills, effective communications and negotiation skills. The program supplements superintendents existing knowledge base, allowing more productive and efficient golf course management.

The Syngenta Business Institute far exceeded my expectations.  The instructors created a useful, engaging, and challenging program that is second to none in our industry.  The opportunity to network with some of the most talented Superintendents from across the country in a first class setting was the icing on the cake. 

Along with the other Superintendents, several media representatives from our industry were present throughout the program documenting the events as well as interviewing the participants.

All in all, it was an awesome week that I know myself and my club will benefit from for years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the last few weeks, our fall/winter project list has been put on hold while we deal with the falling leaves.  Most of the trees have dropped their leaves for the year, unfortunately, the Oaks will continue to slowly drop their leaves for weeks to come.  I had a professor in college that used to say that winter is officially over when the last leaf falls from the Oak trees.  Keep an eye on that, he was usually right!

Mulching leaves between #15 and #16.

Along those same lines, we are almost finished cleaning up hedge apples for the year.  For whatever reason, the hedge trees produced a strong crop of fruit this year.  Although the hedge trees have their historical value for being the first trees on the property, they are one of the most undesirable trees for a golf course.  Picking up hedge apples has been a daily chore for the last several weeks.

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it looks like we are going to have great golfing weather the entire week.   As much as I would like to see some rain, it is tough to beat 70 degree days in November.  

From the Golf Course Management Team to you and your family, we would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Wichita Weather

In spite of a few good rains over the last couple of months, we are still in an "extreme" drought situation for our area.  As temps cool, the water shortage for the short term is not as pressing, however, the long term deficit we have experienced over the last two years is bound to have an impact on our landscape.   With an additional 9" of precipitation needed to end the drought, we could be dealing with this for the foreseeable future.

According to NOAA, 2012 YTD is currently the 9th driest year (for Wichita) since 1895.  2011 over this same time period was the 12th driest year.  I'm not sure how the two years back to back would compare historically with other dry periods, but I would have to think these last two years would be near the top of the list for consecutive years of drought.

Overall things have held up as well as we could hope.  The impact related to the trees has been the biggest problem.  We have lost trees that would most likely still be here if it weren't for the added stress.  We also struggle with the turf under the trees competing for moisture.  The range of the tree roots is clearly evident based on the turf quality surrounding the trees.

Along those same lines we have seen an increase in the amount of Bermuda that we have in the rough.  With the heat and limiting water, the Bermuda has out competed our cool season grasses.  

Looking ahead, I'm not sure the long term forecast gets any better.  This winter is predicted to be warmer and drier than normal.  Last year, the forecast was predicted to be improved conditions over 2011, unfortunately it was worse.  If this is a repeat of the 30's and 50's, there may be a couple more years of drier than normal conditions.  Either way, we have to be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store for us.

Fall Projects

With our daily routine easing up, over the last few weeks we have been able to work more projects into our daily to-do list.   Working on the troublesome bunkers has been at the top of our list.  Throughout the season, several bunkers throughout the course were getting too hard in the bunker bottom.  Failing drainage and contaminated sand are the cause of the problem, however, until we rebuild we have to make the best of what we have.  I think you will see, the bunkers causing issues over the summer should be playing much better.  Bunkers around greens that have been addressed include:  4 left, 5 right, 7 right, 8, 9 left, 11 front, 12, 14, 15, and 17.

If you've been on the course lately, you have probably noticed the tree work that has been taking place.  The tree removal behind #7 is the most obvious change.  Five Elm trees were removed for improved sunlight and air movement across the green complex.  Not only have the trees caused issues for the green surface, growing turf underneath the trees was becoming a losing battle.  So far this change has been very well received.   In keeping with Tripp Davis' plan, we will continue to remove unnecessary trees throughout the course.  At the same time, we will be planting better suited hardwood trees.   The good news is the most drastic change occurred on #7.  Moving forward it is likely you will not notice the changes.

Looking ahead, other projects to follow include drainage work in low areas on a few fairways and irrigation additions in some key areas that are lacking coverage. 

Fall Conditions

Heading into the month of October, we are wrapping up a busy month of prepping the course for winter, as well as conditions for the 2013 golf season.    Although it's still six months away, the priorities we focus on today will pay dividends for the upcoming season.

Even with such a dry year, the rough is really bouncing back in strong form.  Add in our fall seeding along with timely fertilizer applications and the rough should be in great condition in the days ahead.

As usual for the fall, the greens are almost perfect.  Although the fall aerification took longer to heal than we had anticipated, the aggressive nature of this practice was just what they needed coming out of another tough summer.  Compliments to our staff for a great year on greens.  Dragging hoses everyday from June to early September can wear down anyone.  The crew maintained a great attitude and were committed to the plans we have in place to ensure the health of the greens.

One benefit of the hot dry weather has been with the condition of the fairways.  The Zoysia has thrived the last couple of years with the mild winters and hot summers.  This is clearly the best turf for our fairways, given our heavy clay soils and extreme weather conditions.  As the Zoysia goes dormant, we ask that you limit cart traffic on the fairways when possible.

Over the last few days, we have started working on the more troublesome bunkers, specifically around greens.  Hopefully, you will see more consistency in the bunkers that had a tendency to get too hard in the bottoms.

Looking ahead, as usual, tree work will move to the top of our priority list.  Raising and thinning canopies, along with select removals, are all geared toward better turf conditions for the upcoming season.

Until then, we hope to see you this fall on the course. 

Bring on the Rain

We ended up with 1.5" of rain overnight and this morning.  Looks like more rain is on its way over the next couple of days.  With the overseeding and fertilizing on the golf course, the rain could not have come at a better time.  At this point, it looks like the weekend should be clear.

Carts will be restricted to the paths this morning.   If things dry out, we will let the carts go as soon as we can.

MGA Club Championship Final Day

Prepping the Putting Green for Final Round

Congratulations to the 2012 MGA Club Champion, Pete Krsnich.  71-67.  Well done, Mr. Krsnich!

Almost Finished

Unfortunately, the rain came a little too early.  With five greens left on our fall greens aerification we were forced to shut down today due to the rain.  Although it doesn't look like we are going to get much, the moisture prevents the sand from filling the holes properly, leaving too much on the surface and not enough in the aerification hole.

Up until today this has been a smooth process.  Prior to deep tine aerifying the greens, we verticut the greens in two directions.  I'm always amazed at the amount of thatch and organic matter that comes off the green.   Following the verticutting, we interseeded the greens with bentgrass.  This is not typically part of our procedure due to the low survival rate of the seedlings.  Thought we'd give it a try this fall; any amount of success will only help the greens in the future.

Putting Green following aerification

Barring any unforeseen weather, we will finish up the remaining greens tomorrow.   At this point, we are planning on the first mowing for the front nine greens and the practice greens tomorrow.  Back nine greens will be mowed for the first time over the weekend.  Greens will be a little bumpy over the weekend, but should be back to normal late next week.

Next Week

We have a couple of items for next week I wanted to make sure you were aware of.  On Monday and Tuesday we will be hosting the Wichita State Shocker Classic.   The golf course will open following play each day.

On Tuesday we will aerify the Practice Greens during the final day of the tournament.  We will move to the golf course on Wednesday with the front nine greens on Wednesday and the back nine greens on Thursday.  

Greens will be aerified using our deep tine aerifier with 1/2" solid tines.  With this aerifier we are able to shatter the subsurface to a depth of around 8".   The wider spacing on this aerifer along with the smaller tines typically allows for quicker healing times compared to our more aggressive spring aerfication.

Recovery of #7 Green

Below are pictures of #7 Green over the last few weeks.  The first photo clearly shows thinning and overall decline of the turf on the left side of this green.  Morning shade, lack of air movement, and poor internal drainage were all contributors during the extreme conditions we experienced this summer.   The pictures show recovery following the break in temperatures and the 2.5" of rain we received over a two day period.  What stood out in this particular case was how quick the green bounced back following the assist from Mother Nature.

#7 Green early August

#7 Green following 2.5" of rain.

2 days later

 

#7 Green today

Finally!

After a long, dry summer we are finally getting some meaningful rain.  Yesterday we had just over a quarter of an inch.  Today we are approaching 2".  Even better is the rate at which the rain has been falling.  Overall, this has been a slow soaker.  Just what we needed!

The forecast today calls for rain all day long.  Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the Club Championship, due to the current and expected conditions.  Even with all the rain, I would expect that we are able to get the course open later on this morning.  With this amount of rain, we will have carts on the path today and possibly tomorrow if this keeps up.

Golf Course Etiquette

Please do your part in keeping the course looking the best it can each day.  Repairing ball marks, raking bunkers, and filling divots with sand are all part of basic golf course etiquette. 

Throughout the summer I have continued to hear comments from players playing in the evening regarding bunkers not being raked.  Bunkers are tough enough to hit out of without having to hit out of an unraked footprint.  Respecting the course and your fellow players will go a long way in making the game more enjoyable for all.

Footprints left in a bunker.

With the ball marks, we've all heard it before.  A properly repaired ball mark will heal in a few days (or less).  An unrepaired or improperly repaired mark may take a couple of weeks to heal.  Please take the extra time to find and repair your ball marks.

Thank you for your help with these issues.    

Starting to Feel like Fall

With the cooler temps we have had lately, it's safe to say the course is in recovery mode.  Over the last month we have been doing what we can to help the course through the summer stress, ultimately, the temperatures over the last week are what really help things perk up on the golf course.

On Monday we vented the greens with 1/4" solid tines.  This has been a practice that we have stuck to throughout the summer on a monthly basis.  Clearly this practice has proven to be  beneficial to our greens.  Even with continuous 100 degree days with no rain, we are constantly fighting to keep the greens as dry as we possibly can.  This is the tool, along with our moisture meters, that help us to dry out any areas that are getting too wet.  With 62 year old greens with no internal drainage, wet greens are the quickest way for us to lose grass.

Speaking of getting too wet, last week we had a six inch water main leak on the left side of #15.  The leak was due to the failure of a ductile iron tee that feeds the fairway.  The good news is we were able to get it repaired.  The bad news is we will be digging it up again to install the replacement ductile iron fitting that had to be ordered.  On a positive note, if you were wondering why the ponds were full after not receiving any rain, this was the reason.   Luckily all of the water from the leak ran directly into the creek!

6" Water main leak on #15.

With cooler days ahead, we will begin seeding rough, possibly as early as next week.  I'd like to see a rain before we start cutting seed in the ground, but if the past few months are any indication, we may not be able to wait that long.   On that note, we are now 9.80" below normal on rainfall since May.  Hopefully with the change in weather we have experienced lately, we will also see some moisture.

August Update

When I originally started the blog, the purpose was to communicate all things related to the golf course.  Unfortunately, for the last two summers we have turned into more of a weather blog.  My apologies, but at this point that is about all I have on my mind.

Scanning through the local NOAA weather reports yesterday, I came across some information that really hit home on where we are with the weather this summer.  Since May 1st we are 9.26" below normal for rainfall in Wichita.  To put that shortfall in perspective, that would be the equivalent of receiving over a half inch of rain each week during this time frame.  The landscape of Wichita, along with our water bills, would look much different with an extra half inch of rain each week.

Currently we are classified in the range of extreme drought.  According to NOAA, we need an additional 12-15" of rainfall to end the drought.  With our current deficit, it may be awhile before this breaks.

Overall, I would say we are hanging in there.  We have a couple of greens (#1 and #7) that seem to be weaker than the others.  My best explanation here is the impact of air movement around the greens and morning shade.  #7 is completely surrounded by trees, #1 has the large Maple next to it, as well as the wall around the course that slows air movement.  

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking measures to ensure the health of the greens through the month of August.  This may impact the speed of the greens, but at this point our goal is to pull these greens through the final stretch of this brutal summer.

We actually have some positive news with the weather this week.  Temps are cooler and we even have a chance of rain throughout the week.  Let's hope for the best!

A Good Morning

Another good morning on the golf course...temps dropped down to 62 degrees!  For recovery and root growth, cool mornings are exactly what we need.  We still have plenty of summer left, but with the cooler weather and noticeably shorter days, it's starting to feel like fall is around the corner. 

This morning we are venting the greens with 1/4" needle tines.   Venting the greens has multiple benefits, but most importantly we are opening up the soil and letting the plant breathe.  With the greens pushed to the limit, holes could be more visible compared to when we vented the greens earlier in the summer.  With venting, the benefits, far exceed any short term setbacks.  Following the venting, greens will be rolled for smoothness.

 On another note, with the extreme drought we have experienced for the last two years, the newer trees on the golf course have been a concern.  To combat the lack of rainfall, we have been hand watering trees on a weekly basis.  It is impossible to replace the rainfall shortage and lack of deep soil moisture, but the additional watering should pull them through the season.  Keep this in mind for your trees at home. 

A Slight Break in the Weather

After going almost a full month without any rain, Saturday night we received .12" of rain.  It's not much, but at this point, anything will help.  Along with the rain, our temperatures on Sunday topped out at more of a normal range (94 degrees) compared to where we have been.  Best of all may have been the cool temperatures Sunday morning.  For those of you keeping score, 18 of the last 19 days have been over 100 degrees.

Looking ahead, it appears the heat wave will be moving back in early this week.  However, later in the week we should have another chance at some rainfall.  Cross your fingers...this is getting out of control!

At this point we are simply trying to hang on until the weather breaks.  Greens aren't very pretty right now, but surprisingly they have held up well.  Outside of a little thinning on the back edge of #7 green, the greens are doing good.   This time of year clearly explains why we want a pure stand of Bentgrass on the greens.  As the Poa goes off color and slows its growth rate, the Bentgrass is maintaining good color and health.  With the fairways and tees, the Zoysia has also been kept on the dry side throughout the past couple of months, fortunately, one good rain and the warm season grasses will be back to normal.

After two years of record setting heat and drought, I know we are all looking forward to a break in the brutal weather pattern we have experienced.  

Time to Ease Up

As the heat wave continues, we are taking steps to ensure that the greens survive the final stretch of the summer.  For the majority of the year we are pushing the turf to the limit.  With the weather now doing that for us, its time to ease up on our end.

Fertilizing #2 Green

This morning we are giving the greens a light application of a slow release organic fertilizer.  Add in a little extra irrigation and this should give the greens a boost for the weeks to come.  Yes, this may potentially slow the greens down, at this point we are more concerned with the health of the plant.  Along those same lines, we have raised the mowing heights on the greens.  The theory here is simple, more leaf mass equals an increase in the rate of photosynthesis.  As is often the case, these slight changes to our program may go unnoticed, however, often times it only requires minimal change in inputs to tip the scale back in our favor.

Obviously, the heat and lack of rain has been a concern.  What's almost more concerning lately are the low temps we are seeing each day.  This morning at 5:30 am, it was still 85 degrees.  In the these temperature ranges the turf really has no time to recover from the stress of the day before.  

 So far, greens are doing surprisingly well (knock on wood).  Honestly, at this point, rain may do more harm than good.  The good news is the days are getting shorter and fall is right around the corner.

The Heat Wave Continues

After the summer of 2011, I didn't think the weather could get much worse.  This summer may not be any worse, but it is certainly on par with last year's above normal heat. 

Since June 23rd we have had 20 days over 100 degrees.  The average high temperature for the last 30 days has been 101.5 degrees, with an average low of 73 degrees.  Looking ahead there doesn't appear to be much relief in sight.

On top of that we are now officially in severe drought, as is most of the state of Kansas.  Year to date we are 1.62" below normal for precipitation.  Looking at the numbers closer reveals that we are 7.2" below normal for May-June-July.

So far no water restrictions have been issued, although you wonder if we reach a point that this becomes a reality.

Topdressing Greens

Topdressing greens throughout the year is one of the most beneficial practices for keeping greens smooth and firm.  Unfortunately, during the heat of summer, the abrasive nature of the sand along with the heavy equipment used for the application can cause issues when greens are already feeling the stress of summer.

Over the last few years, we have started using our push spreaders to apply a light dusting of kiln dried sand.  The amount of sand applied doesn't need to be brushed in, yet, still gives us enough material to help with maintaining firm greens.  As roots shrink and additional water is applied, the sand helps stabilize the upper profile.

Although the video quality is not the best, you can see the minimal impact the light topdressing has on the greens.  Due to the light nature of the topdressing, the staff member is placing flags to mark the outer limit of the last pass.

Water Management

Looking down #12 Fairway

 With daily high temperatures averaging at or near 100 degrees for the last few weeks and well into the foreseeable future, water management is our most critical task on the golf course.  Mornings are spent checking greens with moisture sensors, watering to our "number" for the day.  Afternoons are all about keeping greens cool, without getting too wet.  It's all a balancing act that at times is more of an art than a science.

Over the last few years, we have made an effort to maintain the driest conditions possible, without sacrificing plant health.  With our situation, we are not only looking at the playability of the course we are also constantly aware of the expense involved with watering a golf course with 100% potable water.  As you can see in the picture above, aside from a few rains that have led to a temporary green up, the course has maintained a tinge of brown throughout the golf season.  The days of lush and green are not only impractical, due to the required inputs, but also detrimental to the type of playing surface we desire.

Cooling Greens in the Afternoon.

With 62 year old push up greens, walking the fine line of keeping conditions firm and dry is even more of a challenge.  We are finding that even with the best intentions, each day brings new challenges.  Days when its hot and humid, we struggle to avoid getting them too wet.  Add a strong wind into the mix, and its a fight to keep enough moisture in the greens.

Heading into the last month and a half of  the summer, you may notice green speed slow down a touch from our normal range.  Although we are working to maintain good speed, there comes a point where the health of the plant is more critical than greens rolling 11.5.  As roots shrink with the heat, it is inevitable that we will lose some speed and firmness.

The good news is with each passing day, the days are slowly getting shorter.   Cool mornings will be here before we know it! 

Duckweed in the Ponds

With all the challenges summer brings for our staff on the golf course, keeping the creeks and ponds free of weeds and algae is always one of tougher tasks.  This year is proving to be no different.

As you can see in the photo, we are dealing with an aquatic weed called Duckweed, throughout the creeks and ponds.  Although there are some beneficial characteristics of the plant such as removing nitrates from the water and reducing certain types of  algae, from our perspective, we would rather see clean water.  

The difficulty in removing Duckweed is due to the rapid rate of reproduction.  We have been treating the plant with an aquatic herbicide, unfortunately, the benefits are only lasting a few days.  Any amount of Duckweed not killed has the ability to quickly reestablish.

Earlier in the year, we had the benefit of the occasional flushing rain that would force the growth downstream.  Without the rains, we are fighting a losing battle.

We will continue to look at alternative methods for controlling  the Duckweed.  If anyone has had any level of success dealing with this issue I would be open to suggestions. 

Sunscreen for Turf

Every once in awhile a new product comes along that gets your attention.   This year, the new product getting all the attention in our industry is a product called Turf Screen.  Essentially, Turf Screen is sun screen for turf.  The active ingredients in Turf Screen (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are the same compounds found in most commonly used sun screen products that you and I use to protect our skin from the sun.

The active ingredients in Turf Screen block and reflect harmful UV wavelengths.  By reducing the UV exposure, we are able to reduce canopy temperatures by as much as 5 degrees, while also limiting the damaging affects of the UVB radiation.  I don't expect this to be a complete game changer for us, but anything to take the edge off the extreme conditions we experience in July and August is worth giving a try.

Although some golf courses are spraying this product throughout tees, greens and fairways, we are making our first application today on greens only.  We'll keep you posted on the results.

First application of Turf Screen

Relief in Sight?

Unfortunately, over the last few weeks there hasn't been much to talk about other than the weather.  Since June 23rd we have been at or near 100 degrees every day with no rain.  Drought severity for our area was  increased from moderate to severe.  The month of May was the second warmest May on record and the month of June brought us a 7 degree increase in average daily highs.  The only good news is depending on which weather service you trust, we may have some relief in sight early next week.  At this point, the summer of 2012 feels like a repeat of last year.

With the type of weather we are experiencing, you may notice a slight change in green speed.  Practices and techniques we utilize on the greens to push for firm and fast can quickly get us in trouble when we are dealing with the conditions that we are experiencing.   The biggest change impacting green speed is the amount of water the greens require with the current temps.  With predominantly Poa greens, we are forced to throttle back until more favorable weather returns.

Next week, we are planning on venting the greens on Monday and Tuesday.  During the summer months, we will be using a knife like tine that opens up slits in the greens that allow for better gas exchange.  As you may have witnessed last month, the openings are almost undetectable, however, the benefits directly impact the health of the turf in these conditions.

The Heat is On!

Compared to last summer, our overall weather hasn't been too bad.  Everything changed this past Sunday.  Sunday was our first day over 100 degrees, coming in at 101 on our weather station.  Since then we have had 105, 104 and 105.  As you can see, moving forward the forecast doesn't look much better.

So far the course is holding up surprisingly well.  As expected the Zoysia fairways are thriving.  With everything else its a balancing act of giving the course enough water to survive without getting too wet.  You will see our staff on greens much more frequent checking moisture readings and cooling as needed.

As the course dries down, please keep carts out of the rough as much as possible.  Our preference is for you to drive down fairways other than entering and exiting through the rough.

Fence Replacement

Please excuse our mess around our shop this week.   The fence separating the shop from the golf course was damaged beyond repair during the high winds earlier in the year.  Today we began tearing down the old fence, with the new fence soon to follow.  If all goes well, we should be finished by the end of the week.

Venting and Verticutting

With the dog days of summer quickly approaching, conditioning the golf course to handle the added stress is our main focus moving forward.  One of the key practices we utilize is a type of aerification we call "venting".  Using a tine called a bayonet tine, we are creating openings in the surface that primarily improve gas exchange.  Other benefits include better water penetration, compaction relief, and thatch reduction.  Beginning in June, we will vent the greens monthly through August.  After a rolling, the slits are still visible, although there is no impact on ball roll.

 

We are using a new machine that we just purchased last week.   Our previous aerifier lasted 14 years, so as you can imagine, we were excited to use the new machine.  The speed and precision of the new unit is off the charts compared to our old aerifier.

This week we are also verticutting the Zoysia Fairways.  One of the downsides to Zoysia is the amount of thatch the plant produces.  Verticutting helps to remove the decaying plant material, creating a firmer, healthier playing surface.  Once the debris has been removed and the fairway is mowed, very little signs of the process will be visible. If all goes well, we should be finished in a few days.

Tournament Prep

With the Roundup Member Guest officially starting on Thursday all course activities over the last couple of weeks have been geared towards providing the best possible conditions for our Members and their Guests.  For the most part, what we do during the week of the Member Guest is not much different from what we do on a weekly basis, however, there are a few tweaks to the schedule we utilize for peak conditions.

The week before the tournament we worked in one last topdressing on the greens.  Fertility on the greens has been leaned out to slow the growth of the turf.  We are also timing our growth regulator applications for peak regulation during the tournament.  All of our equipment receives a fresh grind just prior to the event for the best possible cut.  Nothing out of the normal routine, we just ensure that the timing for each practice is geared for peak conditions for the three day tournament.

The biggest change to the schedule relates to water management and rolling practices utilized during the week of the tournament.  Beginning on Monday, we are slowly drying down the greens from our normal levels.  Although we typically keep the greens dry anyway, during the tournament we make a slight change in our numbers to help firm things up.  With the rolling, we typically roll 2-3 days per week.  During the tournament, we will most likely roll everyday from Wednesday until the final day of the tournament. 

If Mother Nature cooperates, we should hit the speed we are looking for with these practices.  The next step would be double cutting greens in the morning or mowing greens in the evening if necessary.  As you can see, green speed and firmness is a high priority for the week.

Although the week is usually long and hectic, it is also a rewarding week.  Watching our team execute the plan and providing our players "Tournament Conditions" makes for an enjoyable week for all.  

 

How Much Rain?

With water rates increasing every year, coupled with the hot and dry conditions we have experienced over the last few years; the value of water has never been higher.  With this in mind, I have taken a new approach to quantifying rain events.

Last night, we had a little over three inches of rain (along with the quarter size hail).  This amount of rainfall over the 100 acres that we irrigate would be equal to the course receiving 8.3 million gallons of water over a 6 hour period.  To put that in perspective, the amount of rainfall last night is just slightly less than the total amount of irrigation water we have purchased since January 1st.

Now to really see the value of rainfall...based on our rates per 1000 gallons of water, 8.3 million  gallons of rainwater is worth $29,675.   Although a good portion is lost to runoff, there is no doubt the savings moving forward are recognized.  So the next time we are looking to drive revenue at the club, a good soaking rain may be our best option.

Topdressing Greens

Throughout the growing season, topdressing greens with sand is one of the more important practices we utilize to keep the greens smooth and firm.  Every two weeks we topdress all of the greens with a light dusting of sand.  On opposite weeks, we topdress the perimeter of the greens with a push spreader. 

The benefits of the sand are numerous.  Beyond keeping greens smooth and firm, it also plays an important role in assisting with the break down of thatch in the soil profile.  Without frequent topdressing, greens would have a tendency to get "puffy" and be more prone to scalping.  The additional sand on the perimeter is specifically targeting the greater potential for scalping that is more likely to happen on our clean up pass.

The day after topdressing the greens may still be a little bumpy, although the long term benefits far outweigh the short term set back.  With mowing heights on greens roughly the same as two dimes stacked together, it is critical for the green to be as smooth and firm as it can possibly be.

Topdressing #13 Green

Is Brown the New Green?

Over the past few years we have made a committed effort to keeping the golf course as dry as we can, while still maintaining healthy turf.  During this same time, the USGA along with other golf associations have been pushing for more sustainable practices, with water conservation at the top of the list.  For our situation, the financial savings alone is enough to force our hand into conservation mode.  With water rates increasing over 50% since '09, the potential savings are significant.

Every golfer enjoys "firm and fast" conditions, unfortunately moving away from the green and lush conditions is not as easy to communicate.  Without any significant rain over the last few weeks, the golf course has transitioned to more brown areas showing up in fairways.  As you can see from the pictures below, it may not be pretty, but this is exactly what we are looking for.

Walking the fine line of conserving our inputs, such as water, fertilizer, and pesticides is not as easy as it may seem.  Technology advancements such as moisture sensors have proven to be invaluable for gauging water requirements.  Ultimately, it comes down to our team closely monitoring conditions around the clock during stressful periods.

I don't think we're quite ready to say "brown is the new green", but it's safe to say a little brown is a good sign that we are managing our resources wisely.

Below is a link to an article from 2010 in the Wall Street Journal.

 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704370704575228253377487596.html

Busy Week

With the season in full swing, our "To Do" list continues to grow.  Today we are Grooming and Topdressing greens.  As weather allows, every two weeks we will complete this task.  These two practices combine to assist with creating smooth, firm, and healthy greens.  During the heat of July and August we will back off of this schedule, but for now this is a high priority item.

Today we are also spraying our second preemergent application on the greens along with a wetting agent.   The preemergent will keep out the Goose and Crabgrass.  The wetting agent essentially helps to make us more efficient with our watering.  By allowing the water to move more evenly through the profile and reduce the hydrophobic areas, we are able to use less water for better conditions along with the financial benefit of reduced water.  As we get into the drier months of the year, we will begin injecting the wetting agent course wide through the irrigation system.  Same benefits, much larger scale.

Following the US Open Qualifier on Wednesday, we will begin cutting out the Bermuda contamination that was killed around greens on the front nine.  Next week we are bringing in a truckload of sod to repair these areas and restock our Zoysia nursery.

Speaking of Bermuda control in the Zoysia, this past week we made our first application of a  product that helps in keeping our fairways free of Bermuda.  This is something we will do throughout the summer on a four week schedule.  The only negative, as you may have noticed, is the temporary yellowing of the fairways following the application.

Thank you for following the blog.  If there is ever anything you would like me to write about on the blog, please contact me.  I am always looking for new topics to cover.

Keep it in the Fairway!

As we head into the warmer months of the year, we would like to encourage you to keep the carts out of the rough as much as possible.  Advancing your cart down the fairway as opposed to driving in the rough is preferred.

During the hot months of summer the Zoysia is actively growing and able to withstand additional stress, compared to the cool season grasses in the rough, which tend to struggle more with the heat.

Our approach to managing cart traffic can be confusing with the changes throughout the year.   The 90 Degree Rule, which used to be our method for managing cart traffic has been replaced with a system that limits traffic in areas that are at their weakest stage of seasonal growth.    To summarize:

•  May - September:  keep the carts more on the Zoysia and out of the rough as much as possible.  

• October - April:  keep the carts in the rough and out of the Dormant Zoysia as much as possible.

Thank you for your help with this.  Small changes in how you make your way through the course will go a long way towards keeping the conditions we all desire.

Bermuda Removal

If you've been out on the course lately, you've probably noticed some dead areas around the greens in the Zoysia.  One of the constant struggles with Zoysia is keeping out unwanted Bermuda contamination.  For the past couple of weeks we have been spraying Roundup on areas in the front nine approaches.  After confirming the Bermuda has been killed, we will begin cutting out the dead areas and replace with Zoysia sod.

If everything goes as planned we will be cutting the areas out during the week of May 14th and will begin sodding the week of the 21st.  Due to the amount of area killed, we are not painting this as Ground Under Repair, however, if you choose to take relief you may do so.

We will address the back nine approaches later in the summer.

Area killed on #1 Approach

#1 Approach