Monthly Golf Course Update

FROM THE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

What an "about face" from the cool spring! June came in blazing hot and it looks as though we may set a record for temperatures recorded over the ninety degree mark. The putting greens are doing fine and are recovering well following aerification. The new Crenshaw bentgrass continues to handle the increased number of golf rounds very well. We are moving into the summer stress period and will be applying the proper cultural practices to balance the putting quality with the health of our bentgrass. This involves handwatering and spiking, coupled with timely nutritional and disease prevention applications.

The well that replenishes our irrigation lake had to be repaired and the down-time allowed the levels to drop. We are running it, but the capacity is not enough to keep lake levels at an optimum during extended periods of drought. We hope to get some rainfall to return levels to normal. We have the ability to drop the back nine lakes a bit through drains installed, and can rent a pump to gain additional irrigation water from them if extreme conditions warrant it.

The beautification projects have been slowed due to the ability to sustain a consistent staff. We work these projects in, as extra labor hours can be spared. With the lack of rainfall, much of our additional labor is still involved in keeping the new entrance and course plantings alive.

Enjoy your round!

Richard McDanel, CGCS

Are we doing enough to help maintain our greens?

The greens have now been open for a little over a month and are coping very well with the intense traffic that they have been receiving since we re-opened, however after discussion with Richard McDanel our Superintendent there are still areas that we, as golfers could improve to help better maintain the greens. Our new greens were resurfaced with a Crenshaw Bentgrass that unlike the previous grass we had only grows more vertically then horizontally, therefore any un-repaired or incorrectly repaired ball marks will show very clearly. The photograph above is of ball marks on the 9th green, taken on December 20, 2007, please remember a ball mark repaired immediately is hardly recognizable the next day, but a ball mark not repaired can take up to three weeks to heal.

Please click on this link giving a brief demonstration as to how to repair the ball mark correctly, although the gentlemen is using a tee to, the whole process is a great deal easier and more effective using a divot repair tool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ZzT8yMnmg

Please help keep our greens in the best possible condition.

Thank you.

Luke

A Message from Richard McDanel

Why are our cart traffic rules different from most other clubs? The suggestion to enter onto the turf immediately after the first green post and exit just prior to the second was suggested by the USGA agronomist. Our rough, from the fairway cut to the woods, is mostly Common Bermudagrass and does not grow as aggressively as the Tifway 419 Bermudagrass we have in the fairway and therefore it does not withstand traffic as well, especially in shaded areas. Keeping the cart wear and damage to a minimum by staying away from the mounds, tree limbs and roots is another reason for remaining in the fairway. If a cart follows a straight line it creates minimal stress and travels less distance as opposed to constantly turning. If a cart can enter anywhere between the posts it becomes a habit to enter just before or after stationary objects, such as trees and bunkers. Once these areas start showing signs of wear, they must then be roped to prevent further damage. The ropes are unsightly and if not used the area would be unsuitable for play and have to be repaired. I hope this information helps everyone understand the thought process that was used in coming up with the rules that are enforced when operating a cart during a round of play at our club. Although our cart rules are different than many clubs, we feel they are justified by the quality of our fairways throughout the season.

There are two green exit posts on holes #8 and #10. When exiting left on hole #8, please do so just prior to the post and not through the wooded rough. The turf at the entry to the walking path through the mulch is showing wear, due to cart usage. When exiting right on hole #10, please do so prior to the post to avoid damaging carts by driving across the curbing at the 11^th tee parking area.

Richard McDanel, CGCS