Update and Annual Meeting Notes

Friday November 4 BIG Cup Weekend

I have posted below a summary of my comments to the Annual Meeting last week. Thanks to the Board of Governors for allowing me to speak! Feel free to call or email your comments or questions.

Greens were treated with dark green organic fungicide Civitas this week. The fungicide protects plants from snow mold fungi infection and cold November winds. The dye will last a week or so and then fade. The green protective paint that we’ve used to protect greens the last few winters will be applied with final plant protectants later in November or early December.

We will work to improve a few bunker edges next week as we wait for the majority of remaining leaves to fall from trees. We plan on preparing many of these areas beforehand, then plant sod during one or two days late next week or the week after. Thanks for your patience during the process!!

Soil samples were taken this week that will help us better manage essential element nitrogen. Besides telling us how much nitrogen is present in soils, these tests will reveal its pattern of release. Plants need a known amount of nitrogen monthly. Test results will reveal exactly when the nitrogen will become available for plants and will direct us to apply just the proper amount needed. Applying the exact amount will save funds and may prevent excessive nitrogen runoff into ground water and surface waters of Narragansett Bay. Technology rocks!!

Irrigation system will be shut down and pipes prepared for winter during the week of November 14.

A down payment is currently holding our second electric greens roller. A fleet of two practically new rollers to use next year will significantly improve greens conditioning.

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful support during 2011. We are already looking forward to 2012!!!



Golf Course Report 10/27/2011
Patrick Gertner CGCS

2011 REPORT
• Fairways had minor ice damage but recovered nicely during April and May.
• Springtime roughs were thick and penal partly because of 6.5” of April rainfall. In the future, we will be quicker to address this problem when it arises.
• RIGA Stroke Play tournament conditions were well received.
• August and September were wettest on record and among top ten in warmth since weather records have been kept. (119 years)
• Member donated roller arrived at Potowomut in September.

FAIRWAYS
• In July, back nine fairways were weakened by a growth regulator application. This chemical will NOT be used again.
• All fairways and some roughs were damaged by Grey Leaf Spot (Blast) disease in September.
• GLS’s pathogen is extremely rare most years; although common to RI golf courses in 2011 that have ryegrass present in fairways.
• Late season disease hits ryegrass only, one of three of the most common Potowomut fairway grass types.
• Commonly seen in hurricane years due to the warm and wet conditions they bring. (9.50” rainfall at Poto from Aug 28 to Oct 4.)
• Best remedy is to plant non-susceptible turfgrass varieties. (creeping bentgrass) Fairway overseeding completed on 10/12/2011, used 500 lbs. seed. (2.5 billion seeds) More seeding may be necessary in spring. Rough seeding projects are ongoing.
We are looking to purchase two different seeding machines this winter to be able to quickly address golf course seeding needs.
• Fairways were fertilized early this year (October 17) to speed recovery and again in spring 2012 if recovery is not progressing at satisfactory pace.
• Fairways will be in excellent condition for spring 2012, barring winter weather turfgrass damage.

2012

2012 Golf Course Maintenance Operation

The golf course will still be a joy to play next year for members and guests. The proposed budget includes equipment purchases. We plan on controlling turfgrass pests just as we have in past years. You will still play on lush fairways and tees and fast greens. Greens will be mowed or rolled daily and the driving range will have its divots seeded regularly with more aggressive and disease resistant creeping bentgrass. Growth regulators will continue to be used on greens, tees, and fairways for excellent playing surfaces. Above all, we will continue to strive to make Potowomut the best it can be, where you will be proud to bring family and friends.

2012 Greens operating budget highlights:

Health and playability of the golf course remains the top goals. 2012 spending budget is being built from the ground up addressing products and services for turfgrass health first.

• Green, tee and fairway disease management will be unchanged.
• Greens will be painted with the waxy green protectant for winter.
• Crabgrass will still be controlled using same chemical program used in 2011. 100% coverage
• All other weed control programs remain unchanged.
• Insecticide program will be maintained for all turf areas, upgraded on fairways where weaknesses showed in 2011.
• Includes 100% coverage for grub control; identical program as 2011.
• Hyperoides weevils (annual bluegrass weevils) control on golf course fairways and roughs to be significantly upgraded.
• Growth regulators, which are used to provide excellent playing surfaces, will be unchanged.
• Maintenance of irrigation system will not be neglected.
• No changes to rough mowing, green and bunker surround frequency. (New mowers will improve quality)
• Use of greens rolling will be expanded for increased playability.
• Use of weekend labor continues at or above 2011 levels.
• Intermediate rough maintenance will be upgraded. On many procedures, intermediate rough will get more intensive fairway maintenance, as opposed to being treated as rough turfgrass as in the past.
• Early ordering of ALL golf course chemicals will save Potowomut thousands. Newly available generic (off patent) products will be used.

2012 ADJUSTMENTS

• Frequency of mowing may be adjusted to twice per week on fairways and tees many weeks. This change may be imperceptible to golfers because stronger growth regulator program will better slow turf growth.
• Greens will be mowed at height of cut they’ve been mowed at from Aug 25 until aeration.
• Triplex greens mower will be used in shoulder seasons of April through early May and again in October and November. Labor saver.
• Greens will be rolled only many days instead of mowed and rolled. Labor saver. (Have located, and are looking to purchase 2nd greens roller.)
• Greens fertilizer program will utilize less expensive materials. Greens may not be as deep green in color as we are used to, but playing surfaces will be excellent.
• New equipment purchases will decrease funds needed for equipment repair.
• Hurricane Irene cleanup work will be saved for after this season which will enable us to apply those 2012 labor charges into insurance claim.
• Thousands of dollars in labor savings have been identified that have the least impact on the golf course. More part time employees.

We are already excited about 2012 plans. Problems that arose in 2011 have given us awareness to address golf course issues that need to be strengthened. 2012 budget provides for these changes. New equipment pieces will give improved golf course conditioning and will allow us to become more financially efficient.

2012 CAPITAL PLANNED PURCHASES
Highlights of new equipment include:

New fountain for pond
(2) New rough mowers
Topdresser
Fairway bunker rake
(2) Seeders for greens and roughs
2nd greens roller