Yesterday I received a phone call informing me my good friend Stan George had passed away. Stan had been the Superintendent at Prairie Dunes Country Club for over 20 years. As with everyone else who was hearing this news on Saturday, I was shocked and saddened to hear this awful news.
Stan was a mentor to many superintendents and individuals in the golf industry. I never had the pleasure of working with Stan, although after years of leaning on him for advise, he clearly was a mentor to me. Even after all these years in the business, Stan was constantly looking for new ways to do a job better or more efficient. Rarely would you talk to Stan without hearing about something new he was trying out.
I will most miss our annual grudge match, The Director's Cup, between Wichita Country Club and Prairie Dunes. For the last 13 years the home and home matches have been one of the highlights of my year, as I got to spend half a day with Stan. Stan was easy going on the course with his self deprecating sense of humor, although I knew the competitor in him wanted to close me out early!
Stan was a true professional; humble, hard working, and dedicated to the course he managed. He will be missed by many.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Golf Course Update
In spite of the weather, this past week we finished up all of our spring aerification. Up to this point, we have aerified all of the greens, tees, primary rough and Driving Range rough. On the greens and tees, we pulled a core and topdressed with sand. The Driving Range and primary rough, were both deep tined using 1/2" tines to a depth of 8".
As I had discussed in a previous post, the weather this year has been quite a change compared to our last couple of years. My best guess is that we are around 3 weeks behind our normal weather schedule. The good news is we have used only minimal water so far this spring. Unfortunately, the weather has limited our rounds. I would expect this to change soon.
As far as projects are concerned. The greens drainage project on #5 and #7 was a big success. Moving forward our next project is the expansion of #12 tee (both lengthening and widening). In this same area, we are removing the mulch bed short of #15 green and will be sodding and leveling for improved playability.
Looking forward to warmer weather. We'll keep the weekly 1/2" rains!
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| Aerifying rough left of #10 fairway |
As far as projects are concerned. The greens drainage project on #5 and #7 was a big success. Moving forward our next project is the expansion of #12 tee (both lengthening and widening). In this same area, we are removing the mulch bed short of #15 green and will be sodding and leveling for improved playability.
Looking forward to warmer weather. We'll keep the weekly 1/2" rains!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Greens Drainage Installation
Yesterday we were able to get started installing drainage in #5 and #7 Greens. Although we made good progress on Tuesday, the weather has temporarily stopped the project.
With 63 year old (mostly original) greens, internal drainage is the key component we are lacking to ensure the health of the turf during stressful periods. About five years ago, we contracted XGD Systems out of Florida to add drainage to #10 green. After great success with this green, we brought them back a year later to add drainage to #16 green. Once again, the drainage was instrumental in creating healthy turf on the previously troublesome greens.
Moving forward to the last couple of years, the greens on #5 and #7 were showing signs of drainage related problems. Excessive wetness following rain events in the low areas leading to weak turf. Last fall the decision was made to move forward with the drainage on these two greens.
Below are pictures from yesterday on #7 green. Hopefully we are back at it tomorrow.
With 63 year old (mostly original) greens, internal drainage is the key component we are lacking to ensure the health of the turf during stressful periods. About five years ago, we contracted XGD Systems out of Florida to add drainage to #10 green. After great success with this green, we brought them back a year later to add drainage to #16 green. Once again, the drainage was instrumental in creating healthy turf on the previously troublesome greens.
Moving forward to the last couple of years, the greens on #5 and #7 were showing signs of drainage related problems. Excessive wetness following rain events in the low areas leading to weak turf. Last fall the decision was made to move forward with the drainage on these two greens.
Below are pictures from yesterday on #7 green. Hopefully we are back at it tomorrow.
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| Removing sod for main line installation. |
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| Mainline and outlet to drainage basin installed. |
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| Trenching lateral lines. |
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| Close-up of pipe in the trench. |
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| Back-filling new greens mix in the trenches. |
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| Drainage installed, sod back in place, ready for clean up. |
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Weather Delays and Upcoming Projects
I wanted to give you a quick update on a couple of items concerning the golf course.
The weather this week has caused a delay with our scheduled Greens Aerification. The Practice Greens are finished, unfortunately, we still have four greens to topdress on the front nine and all of the back nine yet to complete. As long as the weather holds up for tomorrow, I expect to be finished with the entire course by the end of the day.
As for golf tomorrow, we will open what is available, but I can't guarantee that we will have a full nine holes until later in the day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be business as usual, although expect sandy, bumpy greens.
Next week we are scheduled to begin the greens drainage project on holes #5 and #7. This project was originally scheduled for February. Due to the 21.2" of snow, we were forced to push the project back. Weather permitting, we will start on Monday and should be finished by the end of the day on Thursday. Look for updates of this project on Twitter or the blog, as this is quite a process to witness.
Thank you for your understanding with these projects. We look forward to warmer days and a full golf course!
The weather this week has caused a delay with our scheduled Greens Aerification. The Practice Greens are finished, unfortunately, we still have four greens to topdress on the front nine and all of the back nine yet to complete. As long as the weather holds up for tomorrow, I expect to be finished with the entire course by the end of the day.
As for golf tomorrow, we will open what is available, but I can't guarantee that we will have a full nine holes until later in the day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be business as usual, although expect sandy, bumpy greens.
Next week we are scheduled to begin the greens drainage project on holes #5 and #7. This project was originally scheduled for February. Due to the 21.2" of snow, we were forced to push the project back. Weather permitting, we will start on Monday and should be finished by the end of the day on Thursday. Look for updates of this project on Twitter or the blog, as this is quite a process to witness.
Thank you for your understanding with these projects. We look forward to warmer days and a full golf course!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
What a Difference a Year Makes!
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| April 2, 2013 |
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| April 2, 2012 |
Interesting comparison between a warm year and a cooler year. Zoysia is slowly starting to come around in the top picture, at this point last year we were already green.
Great find by Assistant Superintendent, Dallas Cockrell.
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