Adding a Little Color to Stonebridge

Winter Annuals

On Monday, November 18th, we received delivery of our winter annuals.  The entire staff put in long hours to ensure a timely installation of all the flowers.  I would like to commend Lee Dixon, our Common Area Manager, for the plant selection and design of all the beds.  We are looking forward to a very colorful and vibrant season.

Below are a few pictures of the activities and oddities found around the golf course.  The first picture shows the results of our Root Pruning project we completed in late October.  This process severs the feeder roots that rob the turf of essential nutrients and moisture.  The turf outside the line is thriving due to decreased competition from the tree roots.  The second picture is our Pencil Tine aerification program.  This vital part of our cultural program helps to relieve compaction, increase oxygen levels in the soil, improve percolation and enhances nutrient uptake.  We complete this task ahead of play and follow the aerification with a roller.  This ensures a quality putting surface throughout the season.

The last picture is another installment of my "photo quiz".  Late last week I discovered a number of these spots on #5. They were scattered throughout the center section of the putting surface. The brown turf is surrounded by a deep green ring of turf.  This is the result of "bird droppings", the concentrated acidity in the middle, tinges the grass and the overwhelming amount of nutrients in the substance results in the dark green edges.  We are working with our "fine feathered friends" to fine tune their distribution, in an effort to reduce our fertilizer requirements.  Stay tuned.


Root Pruning Results

Pencil tine aerification

 



Putting Surface #5

Discolored Turf #7

Encroachment Control

Staying Informed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is just a quick note to explain a couple of the odd markings you may see in your travels throughout the course, and a reminder to us all about cart traffic.

 

The picture depicting the discolored turf on #7 may be a mystery to some observers, however this is quite common.  This usually occurs during the summer time, on the first tee, in the midst of mosquito season.  The two green spots in the middle of this photo are actually foot prints and the discolored turf is the result of a "Bug Spray" application.  The spray does not kill the turf but it is unsightly for a few days.  A quick fix would be to apply your protection while standing on a cart path.

 

The second photo shows a routine practice to control encroachment onto our putting surfaces.  An edger is used to define the perimeter of the surface and cut the "runners" of Celebration from the surrounding collars that are growing into the putting surface.  This practice is performed throughout the year to ward off contamination of our TifEagle putting surface.

 

Last but not least, a practice that we are all guilty of, at some point in time.  The "Two wheel on, Two wheel off" syndrome.  This phenomenon occurs when our "Superior Focus" on our golf game and our overwhelming enjoyment of our surroundings, super cedes our sense of awareness.  This is most commonly found when parking your cart and on the gentle curves of our cart paths.  As with any syndrome of this sort, there is no proven cure. Awareness and Education are the first steps in our long battle against  "Two wheel on, Two wheel off" syndrome.  Not to be confused with "Chronic Straddle Disease".  If this condition persists for more than four hours, please consult you doctor! (or Ranger)