Greens Uncovered 11-20-14

The Golf course maintenance Staff removed the covers from the greens. They did a remarkable job in removing the covers quickly for play. The greens are still holding their color very well. Although the pigment was applied to add an aesthetic color, the greens themselves are very healthy and showing significant green leaf tissue. This is very encouraging considering we just experienced some very cold temperatures. Although it is very early in the season, we will be in great shape this winter and early next Spring.We spent the time today blowing leaves throughout the golf course. Due to the cold temperatures, we were unable to blow leaves during the closing of the golf course.

Covering Greens

Covering Greens

We are covering the Greens today. The temperatures are going to dip into the teens tomorrow night and stay below the freezing point throughout the day. We plan on removing the covers ASAP (temperature dependent) on Thursday.

Busy Weekend!

The Golf Course Maintenance Staff was very busy this weekend. Thursday and Friday produced very cold temperatures and high winds. As you know we are surrounded by trees throughout the golf course. The winds left leaf debris all over the golf course. Several holes were almost completely covered in leaves. The staff was able to clean the golf course for a very busy golf day on Saturday. Even with the cold temperatures and high winds, the color on the greens is really significant. The pigment application has worked very well and is a great alternative to painting or overseeding. We are expecting some of the coldest temperatures next week since this past winter. As a reminder, we will be covering the greens on MONDAY. We plan to remove the covers on THURSDAY morning. Please call the Golf Shop or visit the blog for updates regarding golf course conditions, delays or closures.

Covering Greens

As you can see in the schedule below, we are expected to cover the greens next Monday until Thursday morning. Of course this is our proposed plan. If the weather should improve, we will not cover the greens. The temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 20's next Tuesday and Wednesday night and the high's are only in the low 40's. We will cover the greens on Monday afternoon and remove ASAP on Thursday (depending on temperature). This practice is very important in protecting the putting surfaces. Please visit the blog for updates or contact the Golf Shop for any changes in the projected schedule for next week.

Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (November 17 - 23)

Preset Cups for the Winter Season

We installed our preset cups for this coming winter season. This idea is becoming popular in the Transition Zone with the ultradwarf bermudagrasses. The focus is to minimize the amount of old plugs from changing the cups during the winter season. Cup changing is necessary to reduce damage from foot traffic during play. Unfortunately our climate during this time of year isn't conducive to grass growing or plug recovery. So to reduce foot traffic, visibility of old plugs and improve the aesthetics and playability of the greens, we have implemented our preset cup system. Our pin locations are separated into three sections. Each section will have two cups and each cup will contain a rubber plug (green in color) to fill the void. The plugs will be level with the putting surface. The USGA has a rule if the ball comes into play or settles on the plug: For those wondering about what happens should your ball be on the putting green and the rubber plug is on the line of your putt, the Rules of Golf cover this situation. Since this a hole made by a greenkeeper, it meets the Definition of Ground Under Repair. You could choose to play your ball as it lies, but you also have the option to take relief. Rule 25-1b(iii) provides guidance on how to take relief if desired. 25-1b (iii) On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard or, if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay that affords maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief or maximum available relief may be off the putting green. To ensure the best cooperation from players, the Committee should let players know the reason the covers are being used. From a Rules perspective, the Committee should make it clear to players that these holes are ground under repair and recommend that the hole covers should not be removed. Below are some pictures of the process:

Mowing Greens before the cold snap

We mowed the greens this morning. We are mowing at a height of .150" We wanted to get a good cut on the greens before the cold weather comes this weekend and next week. At this height we are cutting a little grass, but mainly cleaning-up ball marks and any leaf debris. The greens are in really great shape going into this winter. We will continue to mow the greens (dependent on weather) throughout the winter season. If we get a few days into the high 60's or low 70's, then we will plan to mow the greens. On days where we don't mow and the weather cooperates, then we will roll the greens. As far as the cold weather coming, we plan to cover the greens next Monday until Thursday morning. The temperatures are dipping into the low 20's. I will update you further as we move closer to next week. As a reminder, please call the Golf Shop, visit the blog, check the member website or check your e-mail for further information regarding delays or closings due to inclement weather.

Greens, Pigment and Cold Weather.

We have experienced some frigid temperatures over the last couple of weeks. The pigment is adding some significant color to the putting surfaces. As the weather turns colder, we will reduce our mowing to an as needed basis (clean-up any imperfections. We will however roll the putting surfaces as needed (smooth the surface). We must be very careful with the green speeds. The lack of growth and rolling could potentially increase speeds to unplayable speeds.

Leaves! Leaves! Leaves!

This is the time of year where the golf course maintenance staff is diligently cleaning leaf debris. 90% of the holes on the golf course are surrounded by trees. We are constantly blowing and mulching the leaves. By Mid-December, all the leaves will have fallen. The golf course maintenance department appreciates your patience.

Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (November 16, 2014)

Greens Committee Meeting (November 4, 2014)

The Greens Committee Meeting consisted of some important topics moving into the winter season: pigment application on the putting surfaces, covering greens, winter maintenance and projected projects for the coming months. Wes Denmom (Assistant Superintendent)developed the slide show for this months meeting. Wes did a fabulous job providing the necessary information to the Greens Committee.

Safety & Organizational Training

The Golf Course Maintenance and Cart Department are frequently trained regarding safety and organization. This is very important in production, co-worker moral and the result of a product for the members and guests. These departments strive to uphold these standards on a daily basis. The slide show below explains the 5S + 1 program. This program entails proper organization and safety within the confines of the maintenance and cart fleet facilities.The 5S + 1 = SORT, STRAIGHTEN, SHINE, STANDARDIZE, SUSTAIN and SAFETY.

Drainage Improvements

One of the in-house projects the golf course maintenance staff is addressing is drainage in the fairways and roughs. Overtime these have become inadequate in removing water from the surface. These drains are relatively old and in need of repair. We are installing a much stronger industrial inlet that can function adequately in removing surface water. We will continue this process throughout the golf course.

Pigment Application on the Putting Surfaces

We applied the first of two applications of our pigment (PAR SG) to the putting surfaces. Applying a pigment, instead of painting, has provided better results and is less damaging to our chemical application equipment. The pigment also provides a darker color and aids in soil temperature. The first application included a clean-up pass around the perimeter of the putting surface and a direction of 2-8. Tomorrow we will apply the second application in an opposite direction. This ensures complete coverage of the putting surface and eliminates any misses/gaps possible during application. Applying pigments is a great alternative to overseeding. Sometimes overseeding can be difficult during the transition period (Winter to Spring). Using pigments is very cost effective. Overseeding can be expensive with the cost of seed, labor, water, fertilizer & chemicals and potential turfgrass loss. We planned these applications due to the forecast for lower 30's frequently over the next several days. These applications will be implemented on an as needed basis.

Mole Issue #13

Last year the mole damage was confined to the Gold Tee on #13. We removed 4 moles last winter. This year the mole/moles have moved onto the Blue Tee on the same hole. We set a trap yesterday to catch the mole.

Landscape #15 Tee

2 years ago we addressed the landscaping adjacent to #15 tee. The area is much improved with ornamental grasses (adagio), natural rocks and mature Crepe Myrtles. I remember how much of an eye sore this area used to be, now this area is much improved.

First Frost of the Season 2014

We experienced our first significant frost this morning. The frost was mainly in the roughs, tees, fairways and approaches. We apply a chemical that reduces/eliminates the possibility of frost on the putting surfaces. The chemical (FLEET) is a wetting agent. This penetrant pulls moisture into the soil and provides soil available moisture to the roots and crown of the plant. Proper moisture management and the use of FLEET eliminates the possibility of desiccation. Desiccation occurs when the plant dries out and dies. This is very possible with putting greens. The Golf Course Management Staff checks moisture on the putting surfaces daily. As you see in the pictures below, there is little to no frost on the putting surfaces