Update on our Proceedings

The first closing of the year always coincides with the Tuesday after Memorial Day.  This year was particularly difficult to shut down the course after a record amount of play during the month of May.  With our course in high demand, it is important to perform these much needed cultural practices.  The end result will be improved playing conditions with the ability to withstand the traffic.  

We are half-way through our closure and Mother Nature has allowed us to accomplish many tasks.  A quick run down of the processes completed this week; Greens - Verti-cut, Topdressed, Aerified, DryJect, Rolled and Brushed; Fairways - Cricle Cut, Verti-cut, Aerified twice and topdressed as needed; Tees - Circle Cut, Verti-cut, Topdressed and Aerified; Collars - Mowed, Verti-cut, Aerified; Roughs - Aerified and Height of Cut lowered.  We will repeat this process two more times this Summer.  The next few days will consist of cleaning up the course and providing fertility for recovery.  We aim to have the golf course in superb conditions for opening on June 6th. 

The main focus of of all the above mentioned cultural practices is to relieve compaction and provide air to the root zone.  Let's run through a few of the jobs and their objectives.

Verti-cuttting -  this is the mechanical method of vertically rotating blades that severe the stolons and rhizomes for the purpose of reducing thatch, grain and surface compaction.

Aerification - this process reduces compaction, improves infiltration, dilutes Organic Matter(OM), release built up gases and creates healthy roots.

DryJect -  this is a contracted service that injects sand into the soil profile.  The main goal is to provide consistency throughout the soil profile.

Topdressing - "Dilution is the Solution"  - this catch phrase is what drives most golf courses.  Fresh sand creates pore space, a smoother putting surface, and greatly reduces OM.  Most PGA Tournaments work back from their start dates to ensure topdressing is adequate when the tournament begins.  This helps create "firm, fast conditions".

Circle-Cutting - Self explanatory method of operating the mower in "circles" to ensure all blades of grass are completely mowed and grain is eliminated.

Lower Height of Cut(HOC) - this is always a tricky explanation.  The goal with this process is to shorten the internodes and reduce grain.  Internodes are the distance between leaf development on the stem.  The shorter the internodes, the denser the turf.  The Fairways and Tees were moved from .500"to .400" and the Roughs were lowered from 1.5" to 1.25".  Through the Summer, we will continue to lower the HOC until we reach the desired effect.  

With a diligent approach through the Summer months, we can ensure improved conditions.  We are inching our way towards Perfection!  My reward is the enjoyment of our Members on a golf course that is above reproach. 

Golf Course Report

May 2015

The start of May signifies the beginning of a long summer of important maintenance practices that will prepare the course for another great “season”.  My team is excited to have the course closed on Tuesdays to complete their tasks and groom the course for our members and guests.  With an abundant of area courses closed for renovation, we anticipate a busier than normal reciprocal season.  With this in mind, our goal is to provide superb conditions throughout the summer. 

Our Tuesdays will be used for verti-cutting, topdressing and fertilizing greens.  We also have many projects planned throughout the summer to improve drainage, reduce traffic damage, enhance landscape and improve the overall turf quality.  We will focus a lot of our attention on continuing to improve the soil conditions on our putting surface to provide consistency and playability.     A detailed program is being employed to address a few of our more compacted, weaker fairways (#1, #2, #4 & #18).

The first closure begins on May 26^th with an opening date of June 6^th.  During this time the greens will be core aerified and also receive a Dry Ject application.  These two cultural practices will help remove and dilute the organic matter in our upper soil profile.  The fairways and tees are scheduled to be verti-cut and aerified.  The roughs and driving range will also be aerified during this time.   All of this will be followed by a complete fertilization to assist in recovery. 

We are looking forward to a very productive summer.  We will be introducing a few new cultural practices aimed at upgrading the entire golf course.  The successes and shortcomings of the recently completed season have provided a road map to constant improvement.

View from #10

View from #10

View from #10

 Update on Perimeter Wall Refurbishing

Starting last week, the perimeter wall, bridge abutments, Guard Houses and on-course restrooms are in the process of being cleaned, repaired and repainted.  The new colors will match those of the clubhouse.  In order to complete this project my team has to remove all vegetation that comes in contact with the surfaces to be painted.  The first noticeable change came to the trellises at each entrance.  The bougainvillea was pruned to provide access and will regenerate growth through the summer months to attain the proper effect.  The next eye-opening change will occur on Tuesday, May 5th.  The bougainvillea that has engulfed the wall behind #10  green will be cut back to allow our painters to complete their part of the project.  This will effect both the interior and exterior view of this area.  Once the painting is complete we will quickly replant this area to provide the proper buffer and aesthetics that Stonebridge deserves.

The process of determining the re-landscaping plan involved many site visits and discussions with three different Landscape Architects and most importantly member input.  The driving factors were: buffering, aesthetics and property value.  This process saw us returning to the original LA's design for this area.  The combination of robust Ligustroms, bougainvillea and a hedge of green and variegated arboricola will provide a more stately buffer.  The key to this type of design is proper maintenance.  We will employ a strict program to ensure separation of plant species to achieve the desired effect both inside at outside of the perimeter.

Th east side of the entrance will also be receiving a face-lift.  Most of the trees will remain in place.  The dilapidated lower plants will be replaced to provide consistency and improve the overall appearance.  We are looking forward to having a maintainable  landscape that our members will be proud to call home.  

I would like to reinforce the fact that the bougainvillea on #11 will not be removed during this re-landscaping.  Thank you for your patience during this extensive project.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

West of Entrance

West of Entrance