Golf Course Report

November 2016

Due to the buzz of activity during the month of October, this is my first report since the torrential rains of September.  How ironic, as I write this update it has been close to 4 weeks since our last rain event.  While preparing to write this report, I took the time to review the November Report from 2015.  At this time last year we were experiencing 90 degree temperatures with high humidity.  That weather was a prelude to a strong El Nino weather pattern that produced record amounts of rain throughout the winter months.  This year is a little closer to “Normal”.  As with any weather pattern, we will adjust and protect as dictated. 

The “buzz” I referred to in the previous paragraph represents the arrival of a whole new fleet of equipment, installation of our new recycled-water wash area, a fresh coat of pine straw, planting of our winter Annuals, Palm tree trimming, pressure washing all sidewalks and all the other little things that may go unnoticed. 

The new technology represented in our equipment has already paid dividends.  The setup of the mowers are more consistent, providing less stress to our turf and producing a healthier more vigorous growing medium.  We are very optimistic for this Season, our sod project on #17 green has taken well and we continue to enhance our other weak areas.  As we work toward “Tournament Season” we will pay special attention to the details and other factors effecting playability. 

We evolve every year; our goal is to present an enhanced and different experience each and every Season.  The improved landscaping, the new mowing patterns, the state of the art fairway program and the multitude of little things will provide an enjoyable experience for all of our members and guests.

Healthy turf and proper growing conditions give us the flexibility to adapt to the wants and needs of our clientele; the ability to make the greens firm and fast, the ability to make them fair and receptive and everything in between.  We are looking forward to a “Banner Year” at Stonebridge. 

It is my goal to be perfect.  We are better this year than last year.  We will be better next year, and we will continue to improve until perfection is achived.

The Final Push towards Season

 Our final greens aerification was a success and we typically use this time to push the root growth to enhance the turf health as we head into season.  I must sound like a "broken record" as I point out the horrendous weather we have endured during the entirety of 2016.  I have to thank my team for keeping my spirits up, even in my most frustrated moments they remind me of all the good things we can do in a short period of time.  With that being said we have decided to re-sod the perimeter of #17 green.  With the improvements in the drainage and the active progression of drying the soil profile, we are more confident than ever that this new sod will establish and provide proper play-ability throughout the season.  

Below are a few photos that show the extensive work being done to the effected areas.  Close to 6 inches of soil was removed and replaced with new greens mix.  This will help with drainage and promote a healthier root system. Through October we will consistently topdress this area and gradually reduce the height of cut to match the rest of the course.  Although this project may seem"a little late in the game" we had to ensure that we were past the worst of the weather to increase our probability of success.  

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Golf Course Report

September 2016

A September Report is quite the rarity.  Due to committee meeting schedules and the chaos of final preparations for season, I usually use the October report as a recap of the summer.  Our struggles through this last closure have prompted me to be a little more proactive in communicating the course conditions.  The weather affects every aspect of our operation.  This closure had its fair share of rain.  Each and every day consisted of a stoppage of work due to precipitation.  All of the scheduled cultural practices were completed within the allotted time; the issues arise from the lack of recovery period due to the inclement weather. 

The key elements in recovery are sunlight and fertilization. The lack of sunlight is documented by the daily rains and shorter days.  The inability to fertilize due to saturated conditions will prolong a proper recovery.  The three ways to fertilize are: conventional Granular (needs to be watered), foliar (course is too soft for sprayer) and fertigation (fertilizer injected through the irrigation system).  The solution was to apply a coated slow release fertilizer through a light weight spreader to minimize damage and reduce the need for irrigation.  This was our most challenging closure in my tenure.  We are equipped to push recovery as soon as the conditions improve. 

Our historical averages for the months of July, August and September are anywhere from 8”- 9” per month.  This July and August were each close to 15” and September is closing in on that number.  I have heard the question “Why are we so much wetter than previous years?”  The answer to that question stems from our wet winter.  The torrential amount of rain that we received from late December through mid-February caused our water table to remain at a much higher level.  Typically we can handle 40 inches of rain in the summer; this year is different due to the saturated soils leading into the rainy season.   With a forecasted “Dry Winter” on the horizon, we should have ample time to produce quality conditions throughout the property. 

Thank you for your patience during the next couple of weeks as we push to provide a healthier turf for the season to come.  We will re-open tomorrow and the course is nowhere close to where I would like to see it, but a solid agronomic plan is in place to take advantage of the favorable weather that is just around the corner.

Golf Course Report

August 2016

The “Dogs Days of Summer” are upon us.  A cooler than normal May was followed by a hot and dry June.  The skies opened up in July to the tune of 16 inches of rain.  August has followed suit with another 5 inches of rain through the first 15 days.  All this activity is on the heels of a record breaking wet winter.  Mother Nature tends to write her own schedule and we are left to adapt.  The results of this can be seen in our saturation index.  This is measured by Volumetric Water Content.  This year’s weather pattern has kept our lakes full and our soil moist.  Typically, a dry winter and spring will lead to lower lake levels and dryer soil.  This allows us to soak up the summer rains.  In an effort to “play the hand dealt” we have continued to enhance our drainage system, incorporated organic soil conditioners and increased aerification.  All of these practices help move excess moisture away from the surface where it does the most damage. 

A few highlights since the last time we met include the landscape project on #11, Fraze mowing of the DR Tee and the Drill and Fill on #17 green.  The overall theme of the plantings on #11 has followed my original vision however a few changes still need to be made before season.  The Fraze mowing is a new cultural practice which involves removing the top ¾ inch of material.  This removes the built up thatch and provides a level, more aggressively growing teeing surface.  The drainage issue remains and we will attempt to minimize the effects as we look forward to a complete renovation of the Practice Tee next summer.  The Drill and Fill was an aggressive approach to solving the drainage issues with #17 green.  We are looking forward to a few sunny dry days to help speed the recovery.   Having a green situated within a preserve that receives little to no morning sun and even less air movement we have to rely on excellent subsurface drainage to move the moisture through the profile.  We are aiding this process by cleaning out the previously clogged lines and creating channels that will carry water through the soil profile.  Those members that have played this week will have noticed that we aerified the perimeter and filled the holes by hand with kiln dried sand.  Another tool we are using is an industrial blower to force air through the green via the subsurface drain lines.  We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for perfection. 

Our quagmire of a summer is neither normal nor abnormal.  SW Florida weather is unpredictable; the law of averages does not apply.  We accept what we are given and we adapt our programs to produce the desired results, no excuses.  We have a lot of work to complete before the end of summer.  There is magic involved in providing short term results on our way to long term goals.

 News and Notes from the Summer

View along #11 Tee

Backdrop behind #11 Green

#11 new Plantings

Newly installed aerators

As you can see, this summer was full of projects.  The eagerly anticipated landscape project on #11 has drawn rave reviews to this point.  We will continue to monitor and improve this area as the plants mature.

We have been busy adding to our collection of aerators in our lakes.  This helps reduce algae blooms and increases the health and viability of the lakes.  The new aerators are marked with a red "bobber" that aids in location an preventative maintenance.  Over time these markers will blend into the environment and will be less noticeable.

The turf quality of the golf course continues to improve.  We continue to work hard on our our most troublesome areas(#17 green).  The challenges presented with the adverse growing conditions have slowed the recovery after the Drill-n -Fill application.  Lack of sunlight, low air movement and minimal drainage have proved to be a challenge.  Over the next six weeks we will continue to aggressively treat these areas to provide the best possible playing conditions for the season to come.  Additional aerifications and topdressings will be in order to speed the recovery of the most effected areas.  As always, I want to thank you in advance for your patience as we work towards a better Stonebridge.  

A Long Hard Wet Closure!

 The July closure is usually our most disruptive.  This year is no different.  The multitude of projects scheduled during this closure added to the chaos that comes with cultural practices.

  The bulkhead repair on #5 is complete and new sod was installed today.  I am happy to report that the effective playing area will remain the same during establishment.  

    The Fraze mowing on the DR Tee has produced the desired results.  We will remain on the mats until further notice as the grass portion of the tee recovers.  Next summer we have budgeted a complete renovation of the practice tee.  This will include proper drainage and expansion of the hitting surface. 

   The landscape project on #11 should be near completion at the time of opening on Saturday morning.  As with any major change, this will be a work in progress.  As the plant material matures we will re-evaluate placement, spacing and maintenance practices.  Additional sod was added to the hole to improve play-ability.   With any major change to the buffer and/or landscape of your property, patience becomes an overwhelming attribute.  It is our goal to accomplish all the necessary requirements to satisfy all members effected by each project.  My hope is that we all have the fortitude to follow the process and embrace the improvements.

   The golf course will be a bit different upon re-opening.  The height of cut on the Roughs was lowered to enhance density.  This will result in some off color sections due to scalping.  This is normal and healthy, we will lower the height one more time before we prepare for season.  The greens received the most aggressive aerification of the summer.  The machines were equipped with   5/8" tine and the process was done in two directions.  As a result they may not heal as quick as the first closure, but we had the opportunity to effect a greater surface area and this should provide superior conditions in the Fall.  Speaking of greens, #17 will be lagging behind in this recovery period.  The Drill -n-Fill has improved the drainage and will undoubtedly help as we prepare for the coming golf demand.  Until then, we will treat #17 as a separate entity.  More sand will be used, a different mower will be used and an enhanced fertility program will be employed.  This may lead to a different playable surface of the next few weeks.  Thank you for your support and patience, we are on the right track to provide 18 healthy and consistent greens throughout the year.

  On a closing note, a few alterations have been made to the golf course.  After discussions with Gordon Lewis, some mowing patterns have changed.  A few Fairways have decreased in size, a few have increased and a few have shifted.  In addition, the approaches have changed on a selection of holes.  As these areas adjust to their new height of cut, some off colored turf may be present.  Presenting different options around the green and improving play-ability was the main focus.

   The month of July is our "get down and dirty" month.  We effect the most change during this closure.  I absolutely LOVE my team and their dedication to provide the best possible experience for all of our Members and Guests.  They have endured more than 15" of rain that has halted every operation.  They have eased my my anxiety by going above and beyond their duties.  Each and everyone of them have adopted my vision for a property that exceeds expectations.  When you have a group of individuals working towards a common goal, the journey is almost more enjoyable than the accomplishment. 

A Busy Day had by All!

 Progress continues to be the main theme for the first week of this closure.  Below you we find a few pictures that will show you a glimpse of the work being done on the golf course.  The Fraze Mowing done on the Driving Range Tee removes the top 3/4" to provide a level playing surface and a healthier turf.  This is followed by aerification and a heavy topdressing.  The grass tee will be closed for close to three weeks following this treatment.  The Bulkhead repair on #5 tee went off without a hitch today.  The failing segment was removed and replaced.  Future plans include replacing the entire bulkhead to provide long-term usefulness.  Water depths and wall height, prevented us from a full scale replacement.  The last of the photos show the process of Drill-N-Fill on #17 green.  The 5/8" bits penetrate 8" into the soil profile, as they retract sand is deposited into the holes.  This is a great practice to improve drainage on the putting surface.  This company was in town treating the North course at Mediterra and they agreed to provide a Demo on one of our greens.  I am excited to see the effects of this operation.  If the reaction is as anticipated, I will contract this company to provide this service on our 4 remaining poorly draining greens. This closure is always our most Harsh.  I appreciate your patience as we provide a better playing surface for the years to come.

Fraze Mowing of the DR Tee

#5 Bulkhead Repair

Adding new Verticals

Finished Product

Loading Sand into the Drill-N-Fill

Drill bits exiting and sand filling

A great Cultural practice to aid in Drainage