Topdressing

Deep Tine Aerification

 Aerification vs. Mother Nature

Aerification of Collars

Fairway Circle Cutting

                                                                         







The trials and tribulations of competing for time on the golf course with Mother Nature.  She has decided to open up the skies each of the last three days at the most inopportune time.  The current tally is 3.4 inches all coming in the one o'clock hour on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  The good news is we are on schedule to complete the majority of the work through the weekend, with a little cooperation from "you know who".  This should give us time next week to clean up and heal up.

A great deal off work was accomplished since my last post.  The first video shows the process of topdressing the greens.  This fresh greens mix will fill the holes left by aerification and dilute the organic matter that forms throughout the year.  This same program is being applied to the tees.  I included a clip of the tractors equipped with the Deep Tine aerifiers.  This is another first at Stonebridge.  The benefits of this application is the depth of these tines(8 inches) provide increased control over our soil profile.   Our standard aerification is limited to 3-5 inches.  This will lead to a stronger more resilient  turf.  We are taking a more aggressive approach to aerifying the collars with the goal of improving the surface drainage off the greens.  The final video shows the practice of circle cutting.  Following aerification and dethatching the turf stands up the the point where circle cutting will help reduce grain.  It can be a dizzying task, but well worth it.

Once again, I have to recognize the efforts of my staff.  They have adapted to the changing conditions and exceeded my expectations.  They will all be here through the weekend to "fight the good fight".  Maybe we can win a few rounds against our formidable foe.

Roughs Aerification

Greens Aerification

Fairway Aerification

 A quick update of the early proceedings of our first course closure.  The videos included in this post reflect a glimpse of the work being accomplished in the first few days.

Aerification of the roughs were completed Wednesday morning.

The putting surface  received a verti-cutting, aerification and core removal on Tuesday.  The topdressing of the greens was halted by 1.5 inches of rain on Wednesday afternoon.  The rain is a welcome sight but the timing is not always advantageous.  We will completed the topdressing on Thursday in preparation for our Deep Tine aerification on Friday morning.

The one project I am most excited about, is the fairway aerification.  This is the first time this machine is being employed on a wide scales basis. The one inch tines will provide superior compaction relief and the increased porosity will enhance the root system.  The end result will be a stronger more stress resistant turf.  With good weather and no mechanical issue this process will take at least five days to complete.  

Tee Verti cutting

The tees will be following the same program as the greens - verti-cut, aerify and topdress.  I posted this video of the tee verti-cutting to show the "rooster tail" of thatch being removed from the turf.      This is a favorite of every superintendent that is           maintaining Bermuda grass. 

     This is my first attempt with video presentation,           not quite Oscar worthy but it is a start.   Stay             tuned for more updates.                                                                                                                                                                   

Plugs on Putting Green

Dry area #18

Preparing for the Summer Madness

This time of year we tend to focus on the activities that will enhance our Summer Maintenance program.  Our first goal is to remove any and all encroachment onto the putting surfaces.  This includes edging the greens and plugging the contaminated areas with fresh turf from the Nursery Green. Two other major efforts are thatch control and weed management.  Thatch is controlled by vertical mowing and topdressing.  The vertical blades sever the the lateral growth and the sand dilutes the organic material that produces thatch.  This is followed by an aggressive aerification program that helps provide a consistent soil profile throughout our putting surfaces.  The weed management program started with our Pre-emergent application in early Spring.  This prevented most weeds from germinating.  The follow up plan is to hand pull or spot spray the remaining weeds.  A clean course is paramount for aerification.  

As most of you have noticed, the golf course is starting to show signs of the hot and dry weather.  Isolated dry areas are being treated with hand watering and wetting agent.  This will allow the soil to hold more moisture for the plant.  Our lake levels are maintaining and I do not expect any harsh water restrictions.  We will manage these areas until Mother Nature decides it is time to start the "Rainy Season".

As a quick reminder, the golf course will be closed from May 27th until June 6th.  This extended closing will provide great conditions for our re-opening date of Saturday, June 7th.  Thank you for your patience as we transform the golf course into "Our little slice of Heaven".

Vertical Mowing to remove thatch

Preparing for new sod

Re-sod #15 Green

   Projects

           

As the Stonebridge Golfing Calendar comes to a close, I wanted to point out a few projects that will enhance our summer maintenance.  We had a three week gap between the Club Championships and the Member/Members.  This allowed us the opportunity to sod the weak areas on #15 green.  With the goal of providing a surface with a more dense root system that will help in recovery during our summer aerifications.  The sub-surface soil conditions will be improved through aggressive cultural practices throughout the summer.   I feel confident that a summer filled with course improvements and Clubhouse Openings will lead to a stellar 2014/2015 Season.  We are just beginning to "spread our wings".  

                                                                                                                                                                        The picture below is one I came across in a trade magazine.  It gives a glimpse of the small percentage of thoughts that run through my mind on a daily basis.  The title is the most fitting.  We will get there.                                            

                                                                                                                                                       

#12 wet area

#12 proximity to drain

If it's not one thing, it's another!

As the course begins to mature, the ground begins to settle and the inconsistencies in the construction process rears its ugly head.  A few wet areas around the property were excavated and repaired in the last couple of weeks.  As we dig these holes, we realized that the renovation of 2010 did not include the removal of the existing turf. This buried organic matter tends to hold water in concentrated areas.  As you can see from the pictures, this can pop up at any place on the course.  The repair for these areas include cutting out the saturated sod, removing the underlying organic matter, filling this area with sand and topping it off with new sod. 

As we move through the remainder of the Season, we face many challenges.  Last year we dealt with an outbreak of leaf spot(Helminthosporium).  This year it looks like Dollar Spot is our nemesis.  Dollar Spot(Sclerotinia homoeocarpa) is a minimally intrusive fungus.  Once detected, a low rate of fungicide coupled with a foliar absorbed nitrogen source will tend to eliminate the threat.  We pride ourselves in staying ahead of the curve. 

#5 Dollar Spot Symptoms

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee members for their service and support throughout the previous year.  I look forward to working with the in-coming members to provide a consistent and detailed plan for the coming year. 

A special thank you to Tim Jones for restoring a "Team" atmosphere at Stonebridge.  I think I can speak for all the employees at Stonebridge, Tim has re-newed our spirit and focused our efforts on a brighter future for the entire Stonebridge Community. 






DryJect in operation

Filling the Hopper

 Spot Treating with the DryJect

 

 

 

 

Last Friday, February 14th, we had the opportunity to DryJect a few areas on our putting surfaces.  This machine takes a dry material(sand/soil amendment) and injects it into the soil profile.  This unique process uses high impact water to open a channel, creating a vacuum that pulls the dry material into the soil profile.  The machine is equipped with a high density roller that smooths the surface following the injection.  We took the extra step of brushing off the excess material and rolling the treated areas to provide optimum playing conditions. 

 

The DryJect operation is typically used in the summer months in conjunction with normal aerification.  This ensures proper distribution of topdressing throughout the green and aids in the dilution of thatch.  This spot treatment was scheduled to treat the few areas that needed supplemental soil amendments.  The product we used will increase soil porosity, help in moisture retention and increase the Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC).  The CEC is a measure of the turf's ability to attain and exchange nutrients through the soil.  We have seen some improvements in the growth rate and will continue to encourage recovery.  We will encourage recovery and focus on playability through the remainder of the golfing season. 

 

Thank you for your patience and support.  I look forward to measuring the results of the DryJect operation and determining its place in our agronomic plan.

 

 

Post DryJect/Pre Clean up

Amendment filled Channel

The Ebb and Flow of Environmental Conditions

 

2014 has proved to be an unpredictable year with regards to the growing conditions for our golf course.  The first two weeks of the year, gave us cloudy and wet conditions.  This was followed by unusually cold weather that produced our first two frost delays of the season.  We bounced right back from that cold spell with record high temperatures in early February.  These varying conditions each have a unique impact on growing conditions and maintenance practices.

 

The cloudy and wet weather impacts the rate of photosynthesis in the plant due to the lack of available sunlight.  This results in a plant that is more susceptible to disease and has a low tolerance to stress.  We combat these conditions with preventative fungicides and a decrease in mechanical stresses. 

 

As we moved into the sustained cold weather, the soil temperatures dropped to the point where turf growth was halted.  To maintain aesthetics and playability we spoon feed the turf with foliar applied nutrients. 

 

Last, but not least, our "Spring Green up" in February.  As the soil temperatures rise the turf begins a rapid recovery.  The stored carbohydrates are released based on a priority system.  The first priority goes to seed production, which is non-existent in our turf grass.  The second priority is allotted to the stems and leaf blades.  The final destination for the stored carbohydrates is the roots.  This results in an overabundance of top growth and a shallow root system.  The end result typically comes in the form of slower putting surface for the first 5 to 7 days and localized dry spots soon to follow.  The following pictures depict some off color turf on the putting surfaces due to the dry conditions.  I am pleased to see the dry areas, because we have not had these conditions since May of last year.  We will hand water these areas until a proper balance of moisture is attained throughout the putting surface.

On another note, I attended the Golf Industry Show in Orlando last week.  My three day trip consisted of two days of education and one day of walking the Trade Show floor.  My classes included Managing Rootzones in a Southern Climate, Ultradwarf Greens Maintenance Practices and Preparing for Certification.  The knowledge gained during this time ranged from university professors, USGA agronomists and countless networking with fellow turf professionals.  This is a great opportunity to re-affirm the practices we have in place as well as pick up on a few new ideas.  I appreciate the support from the entire Stonebridge community as I further my education to provide superior conditions for our property.