From Blogspot to Twitter

Due to lack of upgrades from the blogspot app, I am converting the blog over to twitter.  The new handle is @Fcoturf.  By switching over to twitter, I will be able to post more frequently with real time updates regarding the course.  Below is a screenshot of what the new page looks like.  Please make the switch over to follow us as we move forward.  I will be getting flyers made to post in the pro shop and cry room as well.  Please contact me if you have any questions or difficulty finding the new page!

October Snow?!

Not really a picture I thought that I'd be posting in the middle of October, but here you go!  We were hit with a 3" snow yesterday and it's looking like the majority of it should be melted in the next 24 hours.  We have some limbs to pick up as the snow along with the weight of the leaves still on the trees caused some damage.  Should be back to normal in no time.

Gray Leaf Spot

The last 10 days have been extremely challenging on a disease pressure standpoint.  As you have seen, our fairways have been hit (some harder than others) with a fungal disease called 'Gray Leaf Spot'.  This disease is a seasonal disease (primarily August/September) and it only attacks Perennial Rye, which is the turf species we have on our tees and fairways.  With the amount of rain/humidity that the middle of August brought us (10+"), it was a perfect brewing pot for the disease to take hold.  This disease requires extended periods of leaf blade wetness which is what we're currently dealing with.  If left untreated, it can wipe out a fairway in a matter of days. 

What is being done?  On Thursday (8-30), we made our second fungicide application to the tees and fairways to shut down any active disease.  I have sent samples in for testing to confirm the diagnosis and just received conformation that it is indeed GLS that we're dealing with.  With the rainy/humid forecast that is expected, fungicide applications will be made every 7-10 days to ensure that turf plant is clean of any disease.  The areas affected have already been seeded and we should see germination in the coming days.  I have been in contact with several university professors to make sure we have the correct course of action to ensure no further damage is had and the proper fungicides are being utilized.  With their help, we have put together a plan of attack for the coming weeks/month.

We should now begin to see slow recovery, but this isn't a overnight recovery process.  We will continue to monitor the situation and take the necessary course of action to make sure we don't lose ground on the disease.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Overflowing Rain Gauge....7.4" Total!

On Sunday morning the rain started and it didn't wrap up until Monday at 4 pm!  At the course we got a total of 7.4" of rain throughout that time.  Overall, the course took it well, but obviously we have some wet pockets throughout the property.  With the cooler temps for the remainder of the week, the grass is going to explode which should help any summer scars heal as we head into fall.  Mother Nature strikes again!                                                                        

                  

Tail End of Summer/Losing Staff

We are officially at the tail end of the summer months.  Days are noticeably getting shorter and nights should start cooling down in the coming weeks.  My staff has done an awesome job keeping the course in great shape but unfortunately we lose every single one of them in the next week.  All but the core guys (Andy, Austen & Bill) will be heading back to school which leaves us trying to replace the entire maintenance staff for the remainder of the season.  It'll be all hands on deck for the next month as we train the new guys over the coming weeks.  Tip of the cap to the crew we had this season...awesome work!   

Maintenance Monday

With no Monday outing and the course closed, we took the opportunity to vent and topdress greens.  After the week of rain, they were in need of some oxygen and sand.  Everything turned out great and will be firm and true after we mow and roll them.  Our goal is to vent greens 1x/month and topdress bi-weekly.  The weather dictates ultimately what we can get done, but that is our rule of thumb. 

In the last picture you see us checking bunker depths.  We try to keep a consistent depth of sand (3") throughout the entire bunker.  We try and touch up depths 1x/month, but sometimes it doesn't get accomplished as much as we like.  If you ever hit the liner/staple let us know and we'll address it immediately!  

Venting Greens

Topdressing Greens

Checking Bunker Depths

Minor Tweaks: Summer Stress & Mow Patterns

We are always making minor (sometimes major) changes to the way we maintain the golf course.  Sometimes we are our own worst enemy and it can catch up with you very quickly.  With the record breaking heat we've had and the lack of rain, collars and green edges are a constant struggle for us.  To help reduce the stress levels, we will start walk mowing collars and the cleanup edge on greens.  This will keep the heavier machines off these areas and reduce the stress on these playable areas.  

Over the next week or two, you'll see white dots and flags down the center of the fairways.  We are marking the center line of fairways to bring the half/half mow pattern back for summer.  This saves us a lot of time as opposed to mowing the angles every time.  If done right, this gives the course a nice contrast with the stripes in the rough.