Admittedly, the rough has been extra penal this spring. Sincere apologies from your golf course staff. Let me explain why the grass is extra long and feisty and tell you what is being done.
Let's start with a mini review of the problems with rough's soils.
1. Rough soils are extremely deficient in many important nutrients. Soils are deficient in plant available calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Soil pH is low, as are soluble salts. In summary, the supply in the soil for plant available soluble nutrients, or put another way, the amount of "gas in the soil's tank" for proper turfgrass growth is on empty. Let me provide quotes from March 2009 soil reports provided us by Harris Labs of Lincoln, NE.
a. "Immediate attention is required. Root growth has stopped...resistance to heat stress is poor, and membrane function is failing."
b. "Plant functions are in jeopardy of failing. Stomate (a plant cooling mechanism) is minimal so expect poor movement of water and nutrient throughout the plant."
To correct soil nutrient deficiencies, applications of proper fertilizer materials have been made, both last fall and again this spring. As these materials are slowly released to soils, plants are using them. Turfgrass in the rough is reacting positively or negatively, depending on your point of view, by actively growing with increased vigor during April and May.
Obviously, our long term goal is to improve the chemistry of rough soils. When soil can provide the nutrients plants need when they are needed, the rough can perform by providing an excellent playing surface for our members and guests.
Combined with fertility, the wet spring also aided aggressive growth of rough turf. 7.78" of rain has fallen on Potowomut since April 2, twice the normal amount.
We have two employees who each mow rough almost 40 hours each week. On Monday, we usually begin mowing rough on #11. Going in order they complete the rest of the back nine by Wednesday, and mow holes 1 through 10 Thursday and Friday. Each week, the rough is mowed once. Rough height differs depending on what day it is mowed.
Finally, both mowers' height of cut was lowered a half inch today. This adjustment should improve the situation a bit. We also plan on adding a third machine as time permits. We will do our best to continue knocking down the rough through May and June, when warmer weather should begin to slow growth.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 8
Just a few notes from the week:
Greens spiking is nearly complete. Only #7 green remains to be done next week. This spiking process took the place of the heavy duty aerification and topdressing we normally do in early May. We spiked all greens in two directions, using our John Deere aerators set up with a slim "bayonet" shaped tine. We did not pull a soil core this spring, the spiking opens up the greens to improve soil and oxygen exchange.
For members who have not seen the greens since spiking, the surface disruption was minimal during this process. Greens are putting close to normal as of Friday evening.
We installed tournament cup liners today. The cup lines is an insert that sits on top of the cup, and simulates the painted cup look common on televised tournaments. Let us know if you like them...or not!!
Rough is extremely penal this spring, due our very wet spring and plenty of soil fertility. 7.63" of rainfall has fallen on our weather station since April 2nd. Waterlogged soil combined with 55 tons of lime and a nitrogen based fertilizer application to the rough last December are responsible. Growth should even out during the next three weeks.
All pre-emergent crabgrass applications are complete, as is a plant protectant applied to control Hyperoides Weevils, a potentially destructive root and crown munching small insect.
Play well!!!
Greens spiking is nearly complete. Only #7 green remains to be done next week. This spiking process took the place of the heavy duty aerification and topdressing we normally do in early May. We spiked all greens in two directions, using our John Deere aerators set up with a slim "bayonet" shaped tine. We did not pull a soil core this spring, the spiking opens up the greens to improve soil and oxygen exchange.
For members who have not seen the greens since spiking, the surface disruption was minimal during this process. Greens are putting close to normal as of Friday evening.
We installed tournament cup liners today. The cup lines is an insert that sits on top of the cup, and simulates the painted cup look common on televised tournaments. Let us know if you like them...or not!!
Rough is extremely penal this spring, due our very wet spring and plenty of soil fertility. 7.63" of rainfall has fallen on our weather station since April 2nd. Waterlogged soil combined with 55 tons of lime and a nitrogen based fertilizer application to the rough last December are responsible. Growth should even out during the next three weeks.
All pre-emergent crabgrass applications are complete, as is a plant protectant applied to control Hyperoides Weevils, a potentially destructive root and crown munching small insect.
Play well!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Miscellaneous Ramblings....
Greens aeration will be performed next Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting. As mentioned in an earlier blog entry, we are significantly changing our method this spring. We will aerate with a solid tine, a tine that only pokes a hole into the greens' surface. No soil will be brought to the surface, making this much less intrusive than in the past. We will topdress the greens lightly and roll the greens to return smoothness. If all goes to plan, greens will be back to normal by Friday or Saturday.
This aeration process will help the greens by providing air to soil. A healthy soil is comprised of 50% soil particles and 50% air space. Aeration is our method of returning the air component after golf traffic, equipment and weather compress soils and remove air over time.
Wednesday we aerated over half of our golf course tees. We expect to finish either tomorrow or Friday.
With recent warm weather, soils are warming quickly after a slow start. Warm soil temperatures turn the millions of crabgrass seeds present in soil from not viable to viable, ready to germinate, establish itself and cause headaches for both you and me. We treat 95% of our turf areas with chemical materials to prevent this crabgrass seed from germinating. Earlier than previous years, we are almost finished applying these chemicals to prevent this weed grass. This weekend, after your golf of course, would be a great time to apply pre-emergent crabgrass materials and fertilizer to your home lawn!! Remember to water this material in with a half inch of irrigation or natural rainfall within a few days of application.
Greens were sprayed today for disease Anthracnose, potentially destructive insects hyperoides weevils, and were treated with growth regulator. The growth regulator will help to add speed to greens for this weekend's Phil Tally tournament.
We continue our project of severing aboveground tree roots. This is proving to be a slow moving process, but we will continue to be diligent to get rid of the roots!!
Please enjoy your golf course, and email me if you have any questions!!!!
Greens aeration will be performed next Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting. As mentioned in an earlier blog entry, we are significantly changing our method this spring. We will aerate with a solid tine, a tine that only pokes a hole into the greens' surface. No soil will be brought to the surface, making this much less intrusive than in the past. We will topdress the greens lightly and roll the greens to return smoothness. If all goes to plan, greens will be back to normal by Friday or Saturday.
This aeration process will help the greens by providing air to soil. A healthy soil is comprised of 50% soil particles and 50% air space. Aeration is our method of returning the air component after golf traffic, equipment and weather compress soils and remove air over time.
Wednesday we aerated over half of our golf course tees. We expect to finish either tomorrow or Friday.
With recent warm weather, soils are warming quickly after a slow start. Warm soil temperatures turn the millions of crabgrass seeds present in soil from not viable to viable, ready to germinate, establish itself and cause headaches for both you and me. We treat 95% of our turf areas with chemical materials to prevent this crabgrass seed from germinating. Earlier than previous years, we are almost finished applying these chemicals to prevent this weed grass. This weekend, after your golf of course, would be a great time to apply pre-emergent crabgrass materials and fertilizer to your home lawn!! Remember to water this material in with a half inch of irrigation or natural rainfall within a few days of application.
Greens were sprayed today for disease Anthracnose, potentially destructive insects hyperoides weevils, and were treated with growth regulator. The growth regulator will help to add speed to greens for this weekend's Phil Tally tournament.
We continue our project of severing aboveground tree roots. This is proving to be a slow moving process, but we will continue to be diligent to get rid of the roots!!
Please enjoy your golf course, and email me if you have any questions!!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
INVASION!!!
We have become concerned with the ever-spreading cattails (genus Typha) present in our ponds on #2 and #18. Our concern is focused on the cattail's ability to choke off water flow between the two ponds, which would limit the amount of water available to us for golf course irrigation.
To irrigate the golf course, we use the "pump and dump" system. Our 60' deep water well, located near the stone wall bordering Potowomut and Goddard Park, "pumps" ground water and "dumps" it into our pond at the rate of 140 gallons per minute, until it is needed and moved to turf by irrigation pumps located inside the green pumphouse. We have the ability to store around one million gallons of water in our ponds for irrigation.
Because both ponds are utilized for water storage, it is important that water flows continually between them. The invasive cattails potentially could slow, or even stop this water flow, making it necessary for us to begin these control measures. No herbicides will be used; we plan on slowing the spread by frequent cutting back of the shameless invaders.
Thpha invasion!!
To irrigate the golf course, we use the "pump and dump" system. Our 60' deep water well, located near the stone wall bordering Potowomut and Goddard Park, "pumps" ground water and "dumps" it into our pond at the rate of 140 gallons per minute, until it is needed and moved to turf by irrigation pumps located inside the green pumphouse. We have the ability to store around one million gallons of water in our ponds for irrigation.
Because both ponds are utilized for water storage, it is important that water flows continually between them. The invasive cattails potentially could slow, or even stop this water flow, making it necessary for us to begin these control measures. No herbicides will be used; we plan on slowing the spread by frequent cutting back of the shameless invaders.
Thpha invasion!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
16th tee hazard
Good morning,
We forgot to mention that we will be planting trees left of the 16th tee to protect golfers from errant shots played from the 17th tee. We will use Pitch Pines, similar plants to the trees present there already.
This work will be done during April.
We forgot to mention that we will be planting trees left of the 16th tee to protect golfers from errant shots played from the 17th tee. We will use Pitch Pines, similar plants to the trees present there already.
This work will be done during April.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Spring '09 Update
Happy Spring!!!
We are happy to see everyone returning for some early season, yet mostly cold, spring golf. Rumor has it that warmer weather will arrive soon, despite its absence to date.
The golf course survived its winter rest in excellent shape. Our programs to improve and maintain the golf course continue to reap the benefits we spoke about since we began in 2005. We do, however need to continue and build on our success. A famous Golf Course Architect once told me "any golf course standing still, resting on its laurels, is in fact going backward." We have plans to go forward, despite less funding for golf course maintenance for 2009.
Because we have fewer funds for golf course maintenance, there will be changes in our operation. The changes will be due mostly due to using fewer labor hours to maintain the golf course. 65% of our operating budget is for labor and related expenses, and the dollars we have been asked to save versus last year's spending budget are significant. Some of the changes include the following: Maintaining the intermediate rough will be eliminated this year. Bunkers will not be raked as often. (Please be more vigilant raking bunkers after a bunker shot this year!!) We will use a triplex (larger) greensmower on some days. Tees will no longer be hand mowed; we will use a larger triplex mower. Greens may be only rolled some days, instead of mowed and rolled as in the past. Divots will not be filled as often. Some trimming tasks may be delayed.
Grass will still grow despite challenging economic times. Therefore, we will mow 95% of the golf course as often as in the past. Also, we are NOT eliminating or changing expensive fertilization or pest control programs on greens, tees, fairways or roughs. We will not compromise the health or quality of playing surfaces. Grubs and crabgrass will be controlled. Diseases and pests will be controlled using the best technology available. We will irrigate as we always have. We will continue to improve roughs, and will again apply lime this spring to repair severe calcium and magnesium soil deficiencies. Later this year, we will have home grown rough type sod available to us from a turfgrass nursery we established in the driving range area last fall. Finally, aeration programs will be altered in May. Greens aeration programs will not be as aggressive, saving funds by eliminating expensive sand topdressing. (I figure we may get some applause for this change...) We have plans to use a solid tine that pokes a smaller hole to the greens, bringing no soil to the surface. A lighter application of topdressing will be applied versus past springs. Decisions about our method of greens aeration for September will be made during August.
You may have noticed the painted lines placed on fairway edges. We are re-shaping fairways a bit, as they have enlarged over the years, according to some members and last year's Grounds Committee. Fairway mower operators tend to enlarge fairway edges over time, so the comments were not surprising to hear. We will not shorten the length of any fairway by reducing them at the tee side. Bringing fairways back to original size will also help us to control costs, because slightly smaller fairways will be cheaper to maintain. The new boundaries are not set in stone, as I expect to make some changes to the changes as the season progresses.
The drain by the clubhouse front door will be repaired during April. Somehow, water is not entering the drainage system as it was designed. Soon after the repair, the area excavated will be repaired with new asphalt.
We have plans to improve the quality of cut on fairway this year. Perennial ryegrasses comprise close to 50% of the turf species present on Potowomut fairways. Ryegrass grows quicker than the other species present, and like your dog, does not like to be trimmed. While being mowed, ryegrass leaves tend to be shredded, instead of being mowed clean, unless the mower's reels are perfect cylinders and adjusted perfectly. When fairway mowers go out for their first mowings in March, the reels are in this condition. Over time, however, after mowing acres of turf and encountering sticks, small stones, soil clods and sand present in divots, the reels become far from perfectly round. When in this negative condition, it takes Mechanic George four working days per mower to properly grind and adjust them. Based on our need to keep each machine operational all season, the result is poor cut quality almost all season. Our USGA representative Jim Skorulski spoke and wrote about this situation during his September 2008 visit.
Newer spin grinders from Great Britain will enable George to take a mower out of service at 7:00am, completely grind the mowers to perfect condition, and put it back in service at 3:00 pm on the same day. New spin grinders costs exceed $ 40,000. We have, however located a used set of grinders at very reasonable cost. After selling our old fairway aerator and two other minor pieces of unused equipment, we expect to have funds necessary to make an even swap.
Despite the economic challenges 2009 presents, we are still planning on a wonderful season. My staff and I will work very hard to present your wonderful golf course to you, and we will hopefully exceed your expectations.
We are happy to see everyone returning for some early season, yet mostly cold, spring golf. Rumor has it that warmer weather will arrive soon, despite its absence to date.
The golf course survived its winter rest in excellent shape. Our programs to improve and maintain the golf course continue to reap the benefits we spoke about since we began in 2005. We do, however need to continue and build on our success. A famous Golf Course Architect once told me "any golf course standing still, resting on its laurels, is in fact going backward." We have plans to go forward, despite less funding for golf course maintenance for 2009.
Because we have fewer funds for golf course maintenance, there will be changes in our operation. The changes will be due mostly due to using fewer labor hours to maintain the golf course. 65% of our operating budget is for labor and related expenses, and the dollars we have been asked to save versus last year's spending budget are significant. Some of the changes include the following: Maintaining the intermediate rough will be eliminated this year. Bunkers will not be raked as often. (Please be more vigilant raking bunkers after a bunker shot this year!!) We will use a triplex (larger) greensmower on some days. Tees will no longer be hand mowed; we will use a larger triplex mower. Greens may be only rolled some days, instead of mowed and rolled as in the past. Divots will not be filled as often. Some trimming tasks may be delayed.
Grass will still grow despite challenging economic times. Therefore, we will mow 95% of the golf course as often as in the past. Also, we are NOT eliminating or changing expensive fertilization or pest control programs on greens, tees, fairways or roughs. We will not compromise the health or quality of playing surfaces. Grubs and crabgrass will be controlled. Diseases and pests will be controlled using the best technology available. We will irrigate as we always have. We will continue to improve roughs, and will again apply lime this spring to repair severe calcium and magnesium soil deficiencies. Later this year, we will have home grown rough type sod available to us from a turfgrass nursery we established in the driving range area last fall. Finally, aeration programs will be altered in May. Greens aeration programs will not be as aggressive, saving funds by eliminating expensive sand topdressing. (I figure we may get some applause for this change...) We have plans to use a solid tine that pokes a smaller hole to the greens, bringing no soil to the surface. A lighter application of topdressing will be applied versus past springs. Decisions about our method of greens aeration for September will be made during August.
You may have noticed the painted lines placed on fairway edges. We are re-shaping fairways a bit, as they have enlarged over the years, according to some members and last year's Grounds Committee. Fairway mower operators tend to enlarge fairway edges over time, so the comments were not surprising to hear. We will not shorten the length of any fairway by reducing them at the tee side. Bringing fairways back to original size will also help us to control costs, because slightly smaller fairways will be cheaper to maintain. The new boundaries are not set in stone, as I expect to make some changes to the changes as the season progresses.
The drain by the clubhouse front door will be repaired during April. Somehow, water is not entering the drainage system as it was designed. Soon after the repair, the area excavated will be repaired with new asphalt.
We have plans to improve the quality of cut on fairway this year. Perennial ryegrasses comprise close to 50% of the turf species present on Potowomut fairways. Ryegrass grows quicker than the other species present, and like your dog, does not like to be trimmed. While being mowed, ryegrass leaves tend to be shredded, instead of being mowed clean, unless the mower's reels are perfect cylinders and adjusted perfectly. When fairway mowers go out for their first mowings in March, the reels are in this condition. Over time, however, after mowing acres of turf and encountering sticks, small stones, soil clods and sand present in divots, the reels become far from perfectly round. When in this negative condition, it takes Mechanic George four working days per mower to properly grind and adjust them. Based on our need to keep each machine operational all season, the result is poor cut quality almost all season. Our USGA representative Jim Skorulski spoke and wrote about this situation during his September 2008 visit.
Newer spin grinders from Great Britain will enable George to take a mower out of service at 7:00am, completely grind the mowers to perfect condition, and put it back in service at 3:00 pm on the same day. New spin grinders costs exceed $ 40,000. We have, however located a used set of grinders at very reasonable cost. After selling our old fairway aerator and two other minor pieces of unused equipment, we expect to have funds necessary to make an even swap.
Despite the economic challenges 2009 presents, we are still planning on a wonderful season. My staff and I will work very hard to present your wonderful golf course to you, and we will hopefully exceed your expectations.
Friday, February 13, 2009
February Greens Notice
Our golf course re-appears….for a while anyway.
Winter 2009 has provided snow and cold to keep the golf course white for about six weeks. Recent warm weather has removed all snow and ice from your golf course. This warm weather respite was welcome to yours truly, as concerns about turf damage from ice cover began to move toward the top of my “Things to Worry About List” for 2009. However, greens and fairways are in wonderful shape at this writing on windy Thursday.
Will the spring-like weather continue? Meteorologist (and member) Herb Stevens says we should be ready to return to winter conditions within the next week in his weekly report to Golf Course Superintendents….enjoy the thaw while you can!!
Winter has kept your Grounds Staff busy. We have continued tree work, although on a lesser scale as in past winters. We have worked to open up the fifth fairway from shading issues. Work continues in the shop on all equipment and golf course supplies. New steps have also been installed to the 10th men’s tee.
As you may have heard, 2009 will be a challenging year financially. Club membership roles have declined since last year, and fewer funds will be available for maintenance. We plan on limiting spending in many areas, yet still provide excellent playing conditions for members. Since over 60% of our funding is directly related to labor, the majority of savings will be utilized by using fewer labor hours. There will be changes made to how we maintain the golf course. We will write more on this in future writings.
We are anxious to get back to the golf course and hope to see everyone soon!!!
Patrick Gertner CGCS
Winter 2009 has provided snow and cold to keep the golf course white for about six weeks. Recent warm weather has removed all snow and ice from your golf course. This warm weather respite was welcome to yours truly, as concerns about turf damage from ice cover began to move toward the top of my “Things to Worry About List” for 2009. However, greens and fairways are in wonderful shape at this writing on windy Thursday.
Will the spring-like weather continue? Meteorologist (and member) Herb Stevens says we should be ready to return to winter conditions within the next week in his weekly report to Golf Course Superintendents….enjoy the thaw while you can!!
Winter has kept your Grounds Staff busy. We have continued tree work, although on a lesser scale as in past winters. We have worked to open up the fifth fairway from shading issues. Work continues in the shop on all equipment and golf course supplies. New steps have also been installed to the 10th men’s tee.
As you may have heard, 2009 will be a challenging year financially. Club membership roles have declined since last year, and fewer funds will be available for maintenance. We plan on limiting spending in many areas, yet still provide excellent playing conditions for members. Since over 60% of our funding is directly related to labor, the majority of savings will be utilized by using fewer labor hours. There will be changes made to how we maintain the golf course. We will write more on this in future writings.
We are anxious to get back to the golf course and hope to see everyone soon!!!
Patrick Gertner CGCS
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