Course Update 4.15.16

Early Green Up! Number 8 Fairway on March 16th

Once again, I apologize for the long lapse in blog updates. The exceptionally short and warm winter has resulted in an early start to the busy spring season. Spring is always the busiest time of year for maintenance operations. We have been working hard to get the course in shape, clean up leaves and debris, finish winter projects, and complete critical agronomic practices. We are also in the process of hiring and training several new employees. Overall things are going well and we are set to have a great spring and summer on the course.

Course Conditions

Greens: The greens are loving the spring time conditions and we are currently in great shape to begin entering the warmer months. We completed our first "Planet Air" procedure on March 21st. The process went great and the greens are once again putting smooth. Our next scheduled procedure is tentatively planned for May 2nd. Number 1 green is coming along nicely and is finally starting to catch up with the rest of the greens. We recently completed repairs to both of our nursery greens that will allow us to use these greens by early summer.

A large aerator is used as part of our "Planet Air" Procedure on 3.21.16

Tees and Fairways: Overall the bermudagrass on our tees and fairways is doing great. We experienced a much earlier green up than in years pasts. While we are experiencing some growth, temperatures have not been warm enough for any of our bermudagrass to begin actively growing. A good rule of thumb when discussing warm season turf growth is the "150 Rule". Basically when we add the daytime high with the nighttime low we are looking for a sum of 150 degrees or more. Once we experience consistent temperatures in this range our tees and fairways will be actively growing - and recovering from stresses such as cart traffic and divots. This same rule applies to our roughs and driving range tees. While we prefer a long cool spring for our greens, the warmer temperatures are certainly needed to help our bermudagrass perform well with the busy spring golf schedule.

Impact of cart traffic on #7 fairway

Roughs and Other: The common bermudagrass in our roughs is typically the slowest to break winter dormancy. It is also the most susceptible to cart traffic. As soil temperatures increase the common will start to thicken up providing better playing conditions. We have also re-seeeded the tall fescue in many of our shaded areas. Like our greens, tall fescue prefers cooler temperatures. It is thriving right now, however as temperatures increase it will slowly start to thin. Please limit cart traffic in any shaded areas. We have also repaired several weak areas in the rough by planting sod. Our plans are to continue this practice throughout the season.

Ruby and Roxy check out the new sod on #13

Bunkers: We are constantly working to keep our bunkers playing great. One of our usual winter projects is to complete thorough checks for sand depth. We have done our best to stay on top of this practice, but have been exceptionally busy keeping up with other areas of the course. Recently we added sand to several bunkers including 2, 4, 9, 15, and others. In addition, we have attempted to cover up some of the exposed black liner by adding sand to the faces. We will be trying other practices to cover up these liners in coming weeks.

Jacob, Joe, and Jacob H repairing the fairway bunker on #2

The crew completes the labor intensive task of edging bunkers

Driving Range: The new tee boxes are performing well for the high amount of winter play. The lower tee is certainly taking the brunt of the use, but we confident that the Celebration bermuda will come in great once we experience warmer temperatures. The upper tees are not receiving as much use and are in better condition. If you plan on practicing irons, I encourage you to try out the other tees. Also the new driving rage bunkers are completed.

View of the new bunkers from the main driving range tee

GPS Loggers: Thank you for taking the time to participate in our collaborative efforts with the USGA to monitor golfer's use of the course. The data will be used to help us make course management decisions based which areas of the course get the most use or play. Our study will be concluded on Sunday April 17th. We will be analyzing the data next week, so stay tuned for the results.

Additional Course Work and Happenings

New irrigation and grass added to the fire pit area. 

• Fire pit landscaping and irrigation completed
• Repaired sand and liner on #2 Fairway bunker
• Sprayed all areas of course with preventative weed control
• Completed sod work on left side of 13
• Driving range bunkers completed
• Planet Air completed on greens on 3.21
• Aerated, fertilized, and sprayed driving range tees
• Completed repairs to nursery greens
• Trimming, thinning, and general cleanup of landscaping near putting green. Dumpsters have also been moved
• Preventative maintenace and major repairs completed on most equipment
• New course accessories - including flags and sicks put in play
• Irrigation repairs and audit are still in progress
• Implementation of new moisture management technology
• Implementation of new mapping and labor management tools
• Additional weather station added at Fish Pond - thanks to Hack Branch and John Davis
• Chemical applications for weeds in roughs and around greens
• Bunker depth checks, spraying, edging, and mowing
• Edging greens
• Preventative fungicide applications to greens

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF COURSE WORK

Upcoming Work

• Ferilizer application to tees, fairways, and roughs scheduled for 4.18
• Trimming of trees at tennis
• Possible installation of drainage on 10 fairway
• Drainage improvments near the old basketball court
• Aligning of tees and mowing patterns
• Fire ant bait applications
• Aeration and vertical mowing of tees and fairways
• Additional sod work in roughs

Projects and Plans

• Maintenance Facility plans are still progressing
• Transfer Pump plans are being finalized
• Repairs to the Marina Road
• Major drainage and erosion improvements on the left side of #9
• Erosion control and improvements for #11, including dredging of ponds
• Cart path repairs on several holes