SOIL TEMPERATURES AND TURF CONDITIONS

For Golf enthusiasts and anyone experiencing the winter blues. The last recent warm up is only temporary, in fact, winter is still some four weeks or so from being over. Historically North Carolina has the largest snow falls in March most years,and last frost date is mid April. Soil temperatures play a big part of turf and plant maintenance.  Just because the air temp is over 60, the soil temperatures is right at 40 degrees on greens and Bermuda turf areas right now. Things don't start happening until soil temperatures stay at least 55 degrees over 4 -5 days. That usually happens around here mid march. So mid March is a big starting time for turf related work. There is still some healing that's needs to be accomplished over the next months on greens . Some topdressing / seeding and plugging will be done to encourage the areas to knit back into a complete surface. We will start spring applications of pre-emergent herbicides to control warm season weeds and diseases about that time. We are monitoring the,weather forecast,soil,air tempertures daily,so that we start at the optium time. So in the mean times we are working on area cleanup projects and tree work.

SURPRISE THIS MORNING

There never is a morning checking the course, that I don't see some of the wildlife living on the course. whether it's deer,coyotes,beaver,otter, fox, turkeys, hawks, or all the different birds. The last week I have been watching the blue herons on the front side pairing up for mating season . There are about four pairs of adult herons and several juveniles, that are on the course. The adults have been hanging out in the top of the pine tree behind #8 green early in the morning.  The adults have also been working on the nests in the trees at #5 tee along the river as well. The last four years a number of you have mentioned seeing the osprey fishing the lakes,and mistaking it for and eagle. Well I was surprised this morning to see a bald eagle setting on top of a dead tree just across the river. The osprey is a big bird, but this guy is huge with white head and tail very visible from 500 yards away. I didn't get a picture yet, but will be trying for a shot. He just moved to the top of my picture list.

WARMER- SUN!

There was heavy frost this morning. But the sun is out and temperatures are expected to be near upper 50's today and 60's for Sunday. This is much improved and hopefully you will be able to get some golf in this weekend. Next week looks good for warmer, drier weather as well. The crew did get started on cleaning #4 creek banks and should finish next week. We are planning to start on cleaning brush next to #18 green  after #4 is finished.

LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW 2/10

Sorry no golf today, but should melt off this afternoon. The out look for the weekend and next week looks good. Forecast has upper 50's and 60's and still cool nights, so frost delays most likely.

BRUSH CLEANUP #2 CREEK / DRAIN REPAIR #4

The guys have got #2 creek cleaned up for summer. They also have been trimming pampas grass,and crape myrtles around the course as well. The two drains just off #4 walk bridge have been fixed. The muskrats had gnawed the ends of  the pipe off and damaged the grates, causing two sink holes.