Winter Break?

During the winter months I am always asked what our staff does all winter long.  The easiest way to answer the question is with the comparison to an athlete or a sports team during the off season.  The majority of the time, the team that puts in the hard work during the off season is the team that is successful when it counts!

We are no different.  From planning, to projects, to managing the details, we are busy taking care of everything that will make a difference as we move into the upcoming golf season.  Not only do we break down every piece of equipment we own, we also refurbish all of the course accessories.  All of the benches, ball washers, cooler stands, and teak furniture are brought back to like new condition each season.

Painting Ball Washer Stands in temporary Paint Booth

Accessories prepared for painting

Due to the weather we've been experiencing, we have spent more time on the course compared to a usual winter.  Without any major project this year, we are primarily focused on tree and bunker work.  Although the bunkers are past due for a renovation, we have been able to extend their life by blending in a high quality bunker sand into our existing sand.  This helped with the plugged lies and overall consistency of the bunkers last summer.

As for the management team, we start the off season working on budgets.  Beginning with the Operating Budget, we then move to the Capital Budget, evaluating purchases each year based on long term needs.  The majority of our time is spent evaluating our programs from last season.  Behind the scenes, there is much more going on than you probably care to know about.  From our perspective we are trying to give you the best possible conditions, in the most financially responsible manner, while considering the environmental impact of every decision we make.

So each year as the season cranks up in April, our team is prepared for the variety of challenges that will inevitably come our way.

Time to Water?

Watering #2 Green

With almost no moisture for the last month along with the warmer temps we've had, we were forced to fire up the irrigation system this week.  The moisture sensors that we use during the summer months also come in handy in the middle of the winter.  With moisture readings around 5% and no rain or snow in the forecast we decided today was a good day to get some water out.

In the 12 years that I have been at WCC, I can't recall a year where we continue to mow greens in mid January.  Typically, the greens will require an occasional rolling to keep them smooth.  This year, we are still mowing (at a higher than normal height) once a week.

Crazy year so far, although I wouldn't count out a big snow before winter is officially over!

Winter Cart Traffic

With a relatively mild winter leading to above normal rounds, managing cart traffic on our Zoysia fairways becomes more critical.  Although Zoysia is an ideal turfgrass selection for our area, one of its weaknesses is the ability to withstand heavy traffic during periods of dormancy.

Short of keeping carts on the path all winter, we would ask that, when possible, you keep your cart in the rough as opposed to advancing the golf cart down the fairway.  This is one topic that is always confusing, due to the fact that we ask the complete opposite of the carts during the summer months when the Zoysia is actively growing.

As a reminder we have installed signs on the driver's side of the golf cart, as seen below. 

Employee Christmas Party

Last night we hosted our first cookie decorating Christmas Party.  All of our current employees along with wives and children were invited for a night of pizza and decorating sugar cookies.  All together around 50 of us gathered to celebrate Christmas!

Lupe Barrera and family showing off their cookies!

Jeronimo Soberano's family decorating cookies.

Francisco Lamas-Neri's family putting on the finishing touches.

Luis Ortega and his son, Alex.

The night was a huge hit with for all who attended. Along with the pizza and cookies, the kids got to see where dad works and even sit on the equipment. The highlight of the night may have been the indoor soccer game that finished off the night! 

Following the night, my only regret is that we didn't think of this idea sooner!

Finally!

Rain gauge measuring 3" total rainfall

Coming out of an unusually hot and dry summer, the last thing we needed was for the drought to continue into the fall.  Finally, after a couple months of more below average rainfall, we received the rain event we have been looking for.  Over the last couple of days we have had 3" of total rainfall.

As expected, the bunkers were completely washed out, the creek made a mess of the property, and the course was generally unplayable, but still we couldn't have been happier seeing the course get some much need moisture.

Although we have had to run the irrigation system more this fall compared to a typical year, even with the irrigation, you're still taking a step backwards each day.  Irrigation is designed to supplement rainfall, not replace it.

As the course continues its transition into winter dormancy, we certainly feel much better knowing we have reestablished some much needed moisture in the soil.

Greens Aerification

Close up of Aerification Hole

We are currently in the process of wrapping up our fall greens aerification.  The picture above is a close up of the soil profile following aerification.  As you can see, with our deep tine aerifier, we are able to punch a hole through the profile, which is then back filled with sand.

Aerification is the cure for many issues we struggle with on the greens.  Compaction relief, improved gas exchange, increased percolation rates, and thatch reduction are all direct benefits of aerification.  Although the practices typically take place when greens are looking their best.  With 60+ year old greens, without aerifcation, we would certainly see a decline in turf conditions.

Compared to our spring aerification, we typically are slightly less aggressive with the amount of holes and the size of the hole.  Due to the inconsistent weather patterns in the fall, we have found this type of aerification allows for a quick recovery without the risk of not healing over prior to the onset of dormant conditions.

Greens will be a little bumpy over the weekend but should be getting back to normal by the first of next week.  With rain in the forecast for the weekend, we may have timed this one perfect!

Record Setting Weather

It's official, the summer of 2011 will go down in the records books as the hottest summer in Wichita!  The good news is that it appears cooler days are just around the corner!

Although multiple records were broken this year, the two that stand out the most are the number of days over 100 degrees (currently at 52) and the average daily maximum temperature.  The average daily max is the average high temp from June 1st to August 31st.  During this time period our average daily max was 98.3 degrees.  To put that in perspective, the 6th hottest summer was a full 4 degrees cooler than the summer of 2011.

The good news is, with cooler temps on the way, its safe to say we have survived the record breaking heat wave of 2011.