MEMORIAL DAY 2011

Time to remember and honor military service members and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country to keep us free and safe. Enjoy this Memorial Day with others here at the Club or elsewhere.

Spring Dead Spot

Spring dead spot is a turf disease that affects Bermuda grass starting in the fall. When the turf goes dormant in the fall everything seems to be fine. But in the spring, when the Bermuda grass starts to green up, the patches of turf that were affected by the pathogen in the soil, cannot take up water or nutrients and causes these small to large circles. There are several fungicides that can be used in the fall, but none are cost effective and can be hit or miss as well for reliability. Most of the golf course has minimal spring dead spot, but the worse holes are  #1, #9, #14, with #11 being the biggest problem. To treat these spots the heat this next week will help start growing the Bermuda back-in, along with additional fertilizer we are applying to these areas. These areas are not to be confuse with traffic wear or winter kill areas. The below picture was taken on number #11 fairway for spring dead spot.

Sodding at Driveway Entrance

This project was budgeted for July, but we were able to go head and do it now. The small strip of fescue lawn between the entrance driveway and cart path to #1 tee. This turf has not done well, even with irrigation, because it just gets to hot from heat reflected by all the hard surface areas. Since there are several small patches of Bermuda already growing great there. We took out the remainder of the fescue and installed Bermuda sod in its place. There is a small area on the slope above the cart path that will be sodded as well in a couple weeks after greens aerification. We will be doing some more Bermuda sodding on the course at that time.



preparation for sod



installation of sod



finished

Verticutting Greens



Emmanuel verticutting greens



We verticut greens this past Monday, which helps with thatch control and water infiltration . We then top dressed and worked the sand into the small slits left by the verticutter blades. This also helps smooth out the ball roll as well.



applying light topdressing



Fan Project Update

Marty and Jr finish digging holes for fan bases

This last week the crew, installed the 4 ground posts for the new fans on #1,#2,#12,and #14. The electrical contractor installed the three new power meter mounts and are waiting on code inspections. Once the inspections are approved, they will start trenching and installing conduit for the wire. Trenching should start Wednesday this next week, along with the power companies being able to run power to the new meters. So be aware of workers on the course not use to golfers and golf balls. We are planning on starting play on the back, on days they are working on the front two holes. As part of this project, the course crew will be repairing the stone walk bridge on #2. We are installing a concrete walking surface and adding some additional stones to the top.



After pouring concrete around base poles



More Light Rain Overnight

With the light rain overnight (.16) and last few days rain showers cart are still off the path. The main reason for this has been the dry weather before and the rain has been light enough to soak into the ground. We have missed the heavy down pours that produce washed  out bunkers and standing water. So this morning the guys are mowing and raking bunkers.

GREENS FAN PROJECT

It's been ten years in coming,and starting this Monday morning the fan installation project will start. Fan locations will be at the rear of #1, #2, #12, and #14.  The first phase will be the installation of mounting  posts in the ground, along with an electrical contractor installing power panels and lines. Duke Energy and Energy United will be running power to the panels. This phase will take about two to three weeks depending on the weather. The last phase will be mounting the fans, and connecting the power. The plan is to have the fans up and running by June 1st. The fans actually arrived this past Friday, two weeks ahead of the original scheduled delivery date.

50" Turf Breeze greens fans

AUGIE'S FIRST YEAR




  I was reminder by a lot of people that Augie has not been in the Blog since his arrival last May.  So since he just turned a year old, here are are few pictures from over the past year.









first day at work 8 weeks



meeting Hammie the shop cat








play time





Nap time in the office





daily morning run to check the course













move up to chair for nap time





big enough to get his own drink




















today 5-7



GREENS AERATION RECOVERY

Greens are healing very nicely and really benefited from the 1.07" rain we had Tuesday night. We will be topdressing some more this coming Monday to fill some open holes.

Greens last Saturday 4-30

Greens this Saturday 5-7

LAST WEEKS GREENS AERATION





Emmanuel and Humberto starting on #1

 

The greens are starting to recover from last weeks aeration. Which went fairly well with only a few minor equipment issues and getting my new assistant Martin Pugh up to speed on the course and crew. Here is the series of events on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. 



Marty and crew picking up plugs on #14













Jr topdressing





Chris blowing sand in holes









Watering in sand after rolling on Friday 4-29