Sunday, June 29, 2014

Dry Turf #15
Lightning Strike #7

  "Wild Life"  

The one thing I love most about my responsibilities here at Stonebridge is there will never be a dull moment.  From the golf course to the common grounds, no two days are ever the same.  Thankfully, we have a great team in place that rises to each and every challenge.



As the golf course was healing from our first closure, we ran into a very odd stretch of weather.  An eight day span of high pressure from June 18 through June 25.  I can't remember the last time we had this pseudo cold front arrive during this time of year.  There are more advantageous than disadvantageous to this type of weather pattern.  There is plenty of sunlight to enhance carbohydrate production, lower disease pressure and no weather delays for golf or maintenance.  One of the drawbacks to this dry weather is that our underdeveloped areas of turf tend to lose moisture at a higher rate as evident by the sodded areas on the putting surface of #15.  This can and did happen overnight.  We have combated these areas with extra "hand watering" and a healthy dose of wetting agents.  They are quickly recovering and will continue to get stronger throughout the summer.

I also included is a picture of a lightning strike on #7 fairway.  We have returned to the usual pattern of hit or miss afternoon storms.  Our sea-breeze tends to keep the majority of the rain just East of Stonebridge, however, when a storm does reach our area it packs a punch.  Please use caution at all times, these storms can be very unpredictable.  

Finally, I have included a few pictures of our resident wildlife.  We just completed the steps necessary to maintain our certification with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses.  We take great pride in providing a healthy habitat for all of our residents, both indoor and outdoor.