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 

A Few Sightings Along the Way!

Two Great Horned Owls on #18

House full of Purple Martins

Hawk enjoying a lakeside view

Red-Bellied Woodpecker on #15 courtesy of Mr. Low

Golf Course Report

April 2015

I want to start off by thanking our members and our entire staff for successfully hosting 3 Member/Guests events over the last month.  The Ladies Member/Guest, the 9-Hole Invitational and the Men’s Invitational.  My entire team relishes the challenge of tournament preparation.  Guest events give us all a chance to “show off” the great amenities that Stonebridge has to offer.

On to the golf course, we had a flush of growth during the second week of March which also coincided with a couple of equipment issues.  The longer than normal rough was cut down to size before the Ladies Club Championship.  This took a combination of “Loaner” equipment and some long hours to prevent knee deep rough for the Ladies Club Championship.  I mention this because I did field a few questions regarding the appearance of some of the roughs.  The “scalped” areas will bounce back quickly with a regular mowing schedule. 

The months of March and April tend to be our driest time on the golf course.  Moisture loss in the plant is increased by low humidity, high temperatures, windy conditions and sandy soils.  The cumulative effect of these factors and the strict adherence to available water leads to “Prescription Irrigation”.  This practice involves daily adjustments to our overnight program and a lot of hand watering, with the goal of getting the water where it needs it the most.  As with all of our tasks, we will attempt to accomplish this with little to no disruption in your golf round. 

We have had a productive golf season with many improvements to the course and landscape.  Most importantly, we have identified some issues that can make next season even better.  I am blessed with THE BEST TEAM imaginable.  Their ability to adjust to ever-changing conditions and still exceed my expectations is incredible.  As much as we enjoy the Winter Season, a glimpse of May is all it will take for our team to shift into Summer Maintenance Mode.  

Screech Owl 

After a few busy weeks of "Tournament" golf, I felt it was time to get back to blogging.  I have included a couple of pictures of the abundant wildlife that we find on property.  As we move into nesting season we will see more activity.  We are proud to provide such a healthy and diverse habitat for all of our critters.

We take great pride in hosting guests here at Stonebridge.  Whether it be a clubhouse function, a tennis outing or a golf tournament; our team works extra hard so you can impress your guests.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Soft shell Turtle

 From late February through the first week of March we hosted 3 very big Member/Guest events.  The Ladies Member/Guest was a "day at the Beach".  Behind the scenes our staff worked hard to make this event a success.  This was followed by the Ladies 9 Hole Invitational. The "Tuscany Sun" never looked better.  Finally, to round out our hosting duties, the 3 day Men's Invitational ended in a made for TV finish.  To top off the festivities, they sent a Marching Band down the 18th Fairway for the closing ceremonies.




These are my most cherished moments. To give our Members a facility that they can be proud of, to host their Guests.


As we start to move into the tail end of the golfing season, I will increase the frequency of my postings.  We are looking forward to a busy and productive maintenance program.

Bald Eagle 

Lely Band

Naples version of Winter

  With all the snow being dumped on the Northeast I thought it would be a great time to                      remind  all of our member and guests how lucky we are to at Stonebridge.  The next 5 to                 10 days are expected to give us some cooler weather.  These temperatures will slow the                         growth rate of our Bermuda grass and may effect color retention.  I do not foresee our                        soil temperatures lowering to the point of dormancy.  The amount of stored carbohydrates                     in the plant will keep the turf healthy.  Traffic patterns will be more noticeable during                            this period so please take the "Road less Traveled".  The possibility of Frost is always concerning those that have tee times.  Any delays will be promptly communicated from myself to the Pro Shop staff and onto the effected members.  We do employ a multitude of trade secrets to prevent frost and to hasten the resumption of play.  A timely application of nutrients will help restore any lost color in a short period of time.  

We look forward to improving the course throughout the season and providing an excellent playing surface for all of our members and guests.  The drier, cooler temperatures will produce firmer, faster conditions.   Bundle up and enjoy the Winter at Stonebridge.                   

Wood Duck returns to Stonebridge