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.