Course Update 8.23.14

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge comes to RCC!

After several members of the crew were challenged to participate in the ALS Ice bucket challenge we decided to take care of 4 challenges at one time - using the front end loader! Check out the video above or click here: RCC Ice Bucket Challenge. David McLatcher made good on his challenge following his round on Saturday. Check out the video below or click here: David Mclatcher ALS Challenge.

The crew is currently putting together a nice donation for the ALS Association. If you would like to make a donation please take a minute to visit the ALS Association website: Donate to ALS.

Course Update 8.25.14

Water

We are significantly under budget for the year and do not anticipate any issues with the remainder of our water allotment which runs through the end of March 2015. We received 1.25" of rain on Sunday 8/24 - our first rain in almost 4 weeks. Lake Waco is doing well and is only about one foot below normal elevation.

Greens

The greens are recovering nicely from last Monday's "Planet Air" procedure. For various reasons, the greens were exceptionally soft as a result of the aeration. We have been using a combination of rolling and mowing to get the greens back in shape. Overall, the greens have tolerated the summer heat very well, and we are looking forward to transitioning to our Fall maintenance practices starting immediately. I have received a few questions regarding bermuda grass contamination on the greens. Bermuda grass contamination is most evident in late Summer when our bentgrass begins to thin out from the heat. It is impossible to completely eliminate bermuda grass from our greens, however we use a combination of practices to help control this problem. These practices include: weekly edging, chemical controls (limited success), and plugging. Our new nursery is completely grown in and will provide a source of pure bentgrass when we remove contaminated areas on the regulation greens. 

Tees, Approaches, Fairways

Earlier this month we completed vertical mowing and aeration of all fairways. In addition, we fertilized all areas of the course. Also, we are continuing our monthly spray program to fairways and tees. This program provides monthly applications of micro-nutrients and growth regulators in order to improve color and playing quality. We are also working to align several of the tee boxes.So far we have worked on #2, #3, #11, and #13.

Bunkers

The bunker maintenance programs discussed in previous blog posts seem to be working with considerable success. We will continue to implement these practices - with the ultimate goal of obtaining firm bunkers and smooth faces. Sand was added to #2 and #4 in the last couple of weeks. We will likely be adding sand to the chipping green bunkers this week. 

Other

• Basketball Court - We sprigged the old basketball court on 7/29. The grass is growing in nicely and should be 90% covered by mid-September
• Driving Range - We are currently working on several different long term improvement plans for the driving range
• Maintenance Facility - Continuing plans for renovation of maintenance facility. Currently a local architecture firm - RBDR is working on plans.