April 23, 2011

So much is going on that I have a hard time focusing on any one event or subject to write about....so it’s probably best to post an overview for now.

We have begun cutting rough on a daily basis now. The turf is really growing with this moderate and somewhat wet spring weather. We are also back to our normal fairway and tee mowing schedules.

We are grooming and rolling the greens every other day along with the normal daily cutting to reduce the slight bumpiness caused by the uneven growth of the many varieties of poa and bent on the greens.

But mowing is just the tip of the iceberg...we are starting up the irrigation system, rebuilding the rail road tie garden beds at the half way house, fertilizing, applying our pre emergent controls, applying fungicides and herbicides, taking measures to suppress the annual bluegrass weevil population, prepping for next weeks green’s aeration, etc.

If you’ve been playing, I am sure you have noticed that we have re shaped many of the tees into the traditional rectangular shape, capturing the time and vision of Willie Park Jr.

We have just begun a project to restore the #4 green “walk on” and re-edge the left side green bunkers. I will most likely post more about this next week.

We recently finished planting a Monarch Butterfly Way Station garden near the clubhouse practice putting green as part of our Audubon Sanctuary certification program.

There always is a lot going on in our department no matter what time of year it is, but every spring we are exceptionally busy with the rush to stay ahead of Mother Nature and prep the course for a great year. And its all good! We are loving every minute of it!

April 15, 2011

In just few days this week the golf course went from dormant to flushing green growth!

If you played Monday of this week and again today, Friday, I am sure you noticed the difference! On Monday the greens had little colour, yet today they are green and growing fast. The same is happening with the tees, fairways, and rough. This flush of growth makes the surfaces a bit uneven, as some turf sprints while other varieties jog – they grow at different rates. Fortunately, this will begin to settle out in a short time. With this flush of growth, our staff is shifting focus from spring cleanup and spring projects to mowing and grooming to catch up with the flush.

It’s great to see the turf growing again, smell the fresh cut grass, and see the members back on the course! We are looking forward to a great year!