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.

 The Big Chill

 

 

 

Yesterday morning, January 19th, we experienced our first frost in quite some time.  As a result, we had to delay tee times for 30 minutes to give us a chance to expedite the melting process.  A simply explanation of frost is "frozen dew".  When frost is present the leaf blade becomes very brittle.  Any traffic, cart or foot, can cause severe damage to the turf. 

 

 Once the temperature rises, our staff will irrigate the affected areas to accelerate the dissipation of the frost.  I want to thank the Pro Shop staff for their cooperation and communication during this time.  Most importantly, I want to thank those members that played on Sunday, for their patience and understanding. 

 

In the coming days, the areas that had frost will begin to lose color.  Many of these spots will form "tiger stripes".  This pattern of color loss is the result of the growth habit of our Bermuda grass and how the frost is formed.  This color loss is not an indication of the health of the grass.  As the soil temperatures rise our color will quickly return.   

 

We very rarely reach complete dormancy with our turf.  However, our growth rate has slowed considerably.  The result of this is firmer faster playing conditions.  Great for greens, not so good for turf recovery.  Ball marks and divots will need extra attention during this time.  Thank you, again for all your support.   



Happy New Year, 2014!

 

 

As we ring in the New Year and start pondering on resolutions, I would like to thank all of our members and staff for a very successful 2013.  Despite a few bumps in the road, last year proved to be very productive.  As we trudged through the Concrete Cart Path Project and waded through the seemingly constant downpours of the summer, we persevered and improved the golf course.  The rigors of 2013 have paved the way for 2014 and my "quest for perfection".  The events of last year gave us a blueprint for corrective actions as we move forward.  This blueprint includes; adding drainage, increased fairway topdressing and incorporating soil amendments to the putting surfaces.  The end result will be a consistent playing surface throughout the entire golf course.

 

 

One more photo quiz.  This damaged area was found on the 13th green on January 2nd. In the photo, we can see a footprint at the bottom edge of the tinged turf.  There is a concentrated spill around the footprint and a light mist expanding outward.  I will give you a hint: this damage usually happens on the 18th green after a BIG tournament win or in our case on New Year's Eve.  Next year, let's keep the Champagne in the Clubhouse.



Champagne damage #13

Tractor w/ Verti Drain aerifier

1" by 1" spacing

 Piercing the Surface

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning we had the opportunity to "pencil tine" our putting surfaces.  This aerification process provides soil relief in the form of increased oxygen to our root system, reduction in compaction, water infiltration and enhance fertility uptake.  Although this machine creates a bit more surface disruption than our "needle tine" machine, there is little to no effect on playability. 

 

We started early this morning with three tractor-mounted Verti-Drain aerifiers equipped with 12 inch tines.  They leave a hole about the size of a pencil(3/16").  The surface holes will disappear in 3 to 4 days with routine maintenance however the underlying benefits will last 6 to 8 weeks.  We will continue to mow and roll to provide optimum playing conditions. 

 

This is just one more cultural practice that we employ to provide consistency throughout all of our putting surfaces. 

 

I would like to thank Erik and his staff for adjusting their schedule to allow us to complete this work in a timely fashion.  In all of my travels I have never worked with a more cooperative Head Professional.  Erik wants the best for Stonebridge and supports all my efforts on the golf course.

 

A special thanks to Mr. Kerr and his group.  They were first on the tee and did a wonderful job of playing at a comfortable pace and not pushing our maintenance operation.  

Rollers to provide smooth surface