Course Update 9.29.16

North wind blowing across #10 Green on 9.29.16

Fall is finally here! I apologize for another long lapse in blog updates. The past few months have been a little crazy, but fortunately things are finally starting to return to "normal". A lot has gone on since my last post but hopefully today's update will bring you up to speed on course happenings and conditions. I have added several links to the right side of the page that will provide additional information about major course work that has gone on over the last two months.

FAQ and Golf Course Update

How are the newly seeded greens doing?

#16 Green on 9.6.16

All of our newly seeded greens are doing great. We planted six weeks ago and are certainly pleased with the progress so far. The exceptionally warm weather in August and September slowed progress a bit, but at this point I would say that we are definitely on schedule for a mid-November opening. You will also notice that #1 green was increased in size. We were able to increase the green by about 15% and resolve surface drainage issues at the same.

#1 Green on 9.29.16

What's up with #9 and the Practice Putting Green?

Practice putting green on 9.29.16

Courses with bentgrass greens across the entire state struggled over the last couple of months due to the exceptionally hot and humid weather in August and September. Under tough conditions, greens that are already stressed from other environmental factors (shade, traffic, air movement, compaction, etc) are hit much harder. Both the practice putting green and #9 green struggle every year as a direct result of poor air circulation and concentrated foot traffic – making them prime examples of the aforementioned scenario. In order to help expedite recovery, we have been treating these greens different than the rest on the course. As a result, these two greens have and will continue to putt comparatively slower . We closed the putting green for one week in order to minimize traffic stress, and will continue to monitor moisture closely, maintain a rigorous fungicide program, and limit traffic as much as possible. The good news is that these greens are getting better everyday. The combination of special maintenance practices and cooler weather should help bring these greens back to normal over the next two to three weeks. In the future, we may consider adding additional fans to the putting green and #9 green. Please follow the following link to learn more:Golf Course Update 9.8.16.

A box fan was used on #9 to help with air movement. 

How about the rest of the greens?

Overall, the rest of the greens are doing fine. For the same reasons listed above, we have been forced to remain conservative with our maintenance practices – resulting in slower putting speeds. Now that the weather is changing - we are rapidly adjusting our maintenance practices to focus more on performance and less on survival. We expect putting speeds and firmness to increase substantially over the next 7 to 10 days.

Roxy keeping a close eye on the #13 Green

What's the plan for holes 15 and 16?

Ridgewood has been working together with United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and a local engineering firm to determine possible repair solutions. Survey work to determine property boundaries is almost complete and one potential repair solution is undergoing cost analysis. We are hoping to have more definitive costs and possible solutions in the next 60 days.

Damaged cart path on behind #15 Green on 8.25.16

What's the long term plan for #1 Green?

Similar to holes 15 and 16, long term plans for relocating or rebuilding #1 green hinge upon property boundaries and flowage easement lines. Survey work is nearing completion and property negotiations with the USACE are scheduled to begin in October. After this important step is complete, the multitude of ideas and suggestions that have been brought to the golf committee over the last couple of years will be reviewed and evaluated. A golf course architect will likely be solicited to aid in this process. To learn more check out the following links: 

Information on #1 Green Flood Statistics August 2016   Illustrations of Possible Solutions

Why is the rough so tough and what can we do about it?

The same weather pattern that negatively affected out bentgrass greens has greatly benefited the bermudagrass on the course. We are mowing the rough at the same height as years past and are typically able to mow most areas two times per week. The late summer and fall rain has caused the rough to be much denser than it typically is this time of year - resulting in more difficult playing conditions. The positive side is that we will enter the fall and winter with great definition, and with healthy turfgrass that can better tolerate winter cart traffic. Please take a moment to read more about why the roughs are so tough and to learn about the challenges involved with changing it: Why is the Rough So Tough   

Hybrid (left) vs Common (right) bermuda mowed same height

Where did the sand buckets go on the Par 3’s?

We have decided to remove the sand buckets on the par 3 tee boxes for a couple of reasons. The first is that we feel like we can actually save labor and be more efficient with our operations. Each day we must fill the buckets and relocate them to that day’s teeing location. The sand buckets are heavy and cumbersome to move and we feel that we will actually use less labor by filling the divots ourselves versues moving the buckets everyday. The second reason is that the tee boxes have an overall cleaner appearance without the sand buckets distracting from the view of the shot.  

What else is going on?

• Trimming of important trees
• Mowing patterns and aligning tees
• #17 Green flood damage repaired
• Major cart path repairs scheduled to begin in October
• Overseeding of driving range tees scheduled for mid-October
• Planting of tall fescue in shaded areas scheduled to begin next week
• Re-grassing of flood damaged areas on holes 17 and 18 scheduled to begin next week
• Fall preventative weed control for entire course scheduled to begin in next two weeks
• Fall flower change out set to begin in next two weeks
• Maintenance Facility renovation plans undergoing review with USACE
• Changes to our irrigation transfer pump in order to obtain USACE compliance
• More than 50 acres treated for fall armyworms
• More than 20 acres treated for weeds
• Plumbing repairs to the bathroom on #14 completed
• Minor tree trimming on many holes underway
• Planet Air procedure scheduled for mid-October

Aligning the gold tees on hole #15

Root pruning on the right side of #2 Fairway

Sod work on #17 Green

Mowing and Edging Bunkers on #5