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.

Adios 'Big Country'!

Due to some serious safety concerns, 'Big Country' was removed last week.  As you can see from the pictures below, the majority of the tree was hollow and what was left of the tree was deemed a safety hazard.  Drefs Tree Service came in and removed the tree for us and we're in the process of getting the stump graded out so we can get some sod &/or seed on the area.  As of today, the plan is to see how the hole will play with this monster of a tree gone.  If necessary, we will plant a new tree or add a fairway bunker in the area.   

Nice for Spring to Finally Show Up!

With the abnormally cold weather, things have been extremely slow to green up and grow.  In the last few days, things have really taken off and started to take shape.  Irrigation system is charged, spring time applications (insecticide, fertilizer, herbicides, pre-emergent) are being made and the crew is taking shape.  The course is in great shape as we head into late April, so come on out and enjoy your club!

What a difference 6 years can make!

The weather this spring has been wild!  Not only has it been bad for golf, it's been very challenging for us as we're trying to get applications down for the season.  We've taken advantage of the cold weather and knocked out all the landscape beds (mulch & edge) and cleaned up the clubhouse beds as well.  We're staying busy, but some warm weather would sure be nice!  

Compare what we looked like in 2012 vs what we look like in 2018....wild stuff!

April 6, 2012

April 6, 2018

April 6, 2018