#12 Fairway Verti-cutting

 

#12 Fairway Clean up

 Wednesday was a full day of Fairway Verti-cutting and aerification of Tees, Collars and Approaches.  The weather cooperated and all scheduled tasks were completed.  The amount of thatch and grain removed from the fairways will provide a perfect surface for topdressing. 

Thursday began our fairway topdressing application.  As you can see in the picture below, the day started off successfully with #1, #10 and #2 fairways receiving the prescribed amount of sand.  Unfortunately the skies opened up as we attempted to topdress #3 fairway.  Heavy equipment on saturated turf is not a good combination.  We postponed the operation in the hopes of a drier Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday. 

Despite the fact that we have received rain everyday during our closing, our team has kept their heads high and worked hard to maximize each day.  Their optimism and dedication is remarkable.

Pictures and updates of the cart path project will be included in my blog early next week.  Good progress is being made in less than ideal conditions.  Stay Tuned!

#1 Fairway Topdressed



Verti-cutting Tees

Verti-cutting Greens

Aerifying Greens

Topdressing Greens

Clean up of Thatch

Circle Cutting Fairways

#8 Tee Topdressed

Topdressing Tees

 This is just a small sampling of the activities for the first week.  The rains on Monday made the greens aerification a two day project.  The height of cut was lowered on the tees and fairways in preparation for verti-cutting and topdressing.  Tuesday brought a great day of weather, finally.  This allowed us to complete the greens and verti-cut all tees, collars and approaches.  This day also included topdressing and aerifying the front nine tees.  We have had a very productive two days and we look forward to the next 17 days of course renovations. 

The cart path project is well underway.  The contractor is busy removing asphalt and installing form boards.  The first concrete should be poured in the next couple days. 

With great weather comes great progress!

7-2-2013

#1 Fairway

#15 Green Side



 From the Office of Redundancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately the rains have not subsided.  Our rain total stands at 19 inches since June 1st.  The golf course tends to drain quite well under normal circumstances, however what we have seen lately is far from normal.  The standing water you see in these pictures receded in 1 to 2 hours.  The constant rain has led to our lakes reaching levels higher than some of our on course catch basins.  In time, our outfall structures will out run the rain.  This will lower the lake levels to the point where our drains can empty into them.   As strange as it may sound, running our irrigation system actually help speed up the process.  We can selectively turn on some sprinklers in the drier areas(tees and elevated mounds) to hasten the lake lowering.  This will give our fairways room to drain. 





The agronomic side of this weather event is another challenge.  Extended periods of rain and cloudy conditions tend to weaken the turf.  Lack of sun reduces photosynthesis, which is the process the plant uses to produce carbohydrates.  The wet, cloudy and humid conditions increase the disease pressure on the golf course, especially the greens.  The totality of these conditions produce a shorter root system and a turf that has less tolerance for stress.  We are focused on providing superb playing conditions through July 14th.  With our closure starting on July 15th, an entire list of cultural practices will be implemented to combat the effects of June.  We would appreciate the cooperation of Mother Nature during this time, so put in a good word for all of us here at Stonebridge.

 

 

 

 

 





Driving Range